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# Kali Linux 2023.3 Release is All About Technical Changes and New Tools
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/kali-linux-2023-3-release/
- Published: 2023-08-24T09:45:21.000Z
- Updated: 2023-08-24T09:45:21.000Z
- Description: Kali Linux's latest release deals with under-the-hood changes and some new tools.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Distribution Releases, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

Kali Linux is the go-to option for pen testers worldwide, being a [penetration-testing-focused](https://itsfoss.com/linux-hacking-penetration-testing/?ref=news.itsfoss.com) distro, it offers a sizeable library of tools that cover a variety of use cases.

Just a [few months prior](https://itsfoss.com/kali-linux-2023-2-release/), we had covered the 2023.2 release of Kali Linux that offered some neat improvements.

And now, we have yet another release in the form of **Kali Linux 2023.3** that **focuses more on the back-end**.

Let's dive in and see what's on offer.

## 🆕 Kali Linux 2023.3: What's New?

![a screenshot of kali linux 2023.3 neofetch and lsb release outputs](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/08/Kali-Linux_2023.3.png)

Powered by [Linux Kernel 6.3](https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-6-3/), Kali Linux 2023.3 is a very focused release that touches on a few key things. Some highlights include:

- **Refreshed Packaging Tools**
- **Improved Internal Infrastructure**
- **New Networking Tools**

### Refreshed Packaging Tools

Kali Linux has expanded on their publicly available [home-made scripts](https://gitlab.com/kalilinux/tools/packaging?ref=itsfoss.com) by adding new functionality, various quality-of-life improvements, and new scripts.

The packaging tools include:

- [Britney2](http://repo.kali.org/britney?ref=itsfoss.com)
- [Build-Logs](http://repo.kali.org/build-logs/?ref=itsfoss.com)
- [Package Tracker](https://pkg.kali.org/?ref=itsfoss.com)
- [AutoPkgTest](https://autopkgtest.kali.org/?ref=itsfoss.com)
- And more.

### Improved Internal Infrastructure

Due to the recent release of Debian 12, the developers of Kali Linux were able to re-work, re-design, and re-architecture their infrastructure.

It is a massive undertaking that has **allowed them to simplify their software stack**, by using one piece of software for important elements of how they handle Kali Linux.

So, **Debian 12 as its base**, **[Cloudflare](https://www.cloudflare.com/?ref=itsfoss.com)** as CDN/WAF, **Web server service - [Nginx](https://www.nginx.com/?ref=itsfoss.com)**, and **for Infrastructure as Code, it is [Ansible](https://www.ansible.com/?ref=itsfoss.com).**

Further adjustments on the way with upcoming updates.

**Suggested Read** 📖

[Debian 12 “Bookworm” Has LandedDebian’s next big release is here. Learn more about it.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2022/08/android-chrome-192x192.png)It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2023/06/debian-12-release.png)](https://itsfoss.com/debian-12-release/)

### New Networking Tools

With the **Linux Kernel bump to 6.3.7**, Kali Linux 2023.3 **features a number of new networking-specific tools** that are now available on the networking repositories.

The new tools include:

- [kustomize](https://www.kali.org/tools/kustomize/?ref=itsfoss.com) \- Customizer for Kubernetes YAML configs.
- [Rekono](https://www.kali.org/tools/rekono-kbx/?ref=itsfoss.com) \- Automation platform for complete pentesting processes.
- [rz-ghidra](https://www.kali.org/tools/rz-ghidra/?ref=itsfoss.com) \- A Deep ghidra decompiler and sleigh disassembler integration for rizin.
- [Calico](https://www.kali.org/tools/calico/?ref=itsfoss.com) \- Cloud native networking and network security.
- [ImHex](https://www.kali.org/tools/imhex/?ref=itsfoss.com) \- A Hex editor for various types of use cases.
- [Villain](https://www.kali.org/tools/villain/?ref=itsfoss.com) \- C2 framework that can handle multiple reverse shells.

### 🛠️ Other Changes and Improvements

Other than the above-mentioned, here are some changes worth noting:

- Two packages, [king-phisher](https://www.kali.org/tools/king-phisher/?ref=itsfoss.com) and [plecost](https://www.kali.org/tools/plecost/?ref=itsfoss.com) were dropped in favor of alternatives.
- Introduction of PipeWire support when using Hyper-V in enhanced session mode.
- Various improvements for Kali Purple.

You may go through the [official release notes](https://www.kali.org/blog/kali-linux-2023-3-release/?ref=itsfoss.com) to for the finer details of this release.

## 📥 Get Kali Linux 2023.3

The latest release of Kali Linux can be sourced from the official website.

[Kali Linux 2023.3](https://www.kali.org/get-kali/?ref=news.itsfoss.com)

For existing users, you can update to the latest release by running the following command:

```
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
```

*💬 Are you going to try the new tools with the release? Share your thoughts in the comments below.*