Zxc is a Rust-based TLS proxy designed as a Burp Suite alternative, featuring a unique terminal-based UI built with tmux and Vim. It aims to provide a streamlined and efficient intercepting proxy experience within a familiar text-based environment, leveraging the power and customizability of Vim for editing HTTP requests and responses. Zxc intercepts and displays TLS traffic, allowing users to inspect and modify it directly within their terminal workflow. This approach prioritizes speed and a minimalist, keyboard-centric workflow for security professionals comfortable with tmux and Vim.
This project demonstrates a workaround for Firefox's lack of WebUSB support by leveraging its native messaging capabilities. A small native application acts as a bridge, receiving commands from a web page via native messaging and interacting directly with USB devices. The web page communicates with this intermediary application using a custom, WebUSB-like JavaScript API, effectively emulating WebUSB functionality within Firefox. This allows web developers to write code that interacts with USB devices in a consistent manner across browsers, handling the Firefox difference behind the scenes.
Hacker News commenters generally expressed frustration with Firefox's lack of WebUSB support, echoing the author's sentiments. Some pointed out that the Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) documentation misleadingly suggests WebUSB is supported, while others shared workarounds and alternative solutions, including using Chrome or a native messaging host. A few commenters questioned the security implications of granting websites access to USB devices, highlighting potential vulnerabilities. The complexity of adding WebUSB support in Firefox was also discussed, citing issues like sandboxing and driver interaction as potential roadblocks. One commenter offered a personal anecdote about the challenges of debugging WebUSB issues due to inconsistent browser implementations.
Httptap is a command-line tool for Linux that intercepts and displays HTTP and HTTPS traffic generated by any specified program. It works by injecting a dynamic library into the target process, allowing it to capture requests and responses before they reach the network stack. This provides a convenient way to observe the HTTP communication of applications without requiring proxies or modifying their source code. Httptap presents the captured data in a human-readable format, showing details like headers, body content, and timing information.
Hacker News users discuss httptap, focusing on its potential uses and comparing it to existing tools. Some praise its simplicity and ease of use for quickly inspecting HTTP traffic, particularly for debugging. Others suggest alternative tools like mitmproxy, tcpdump, and Wireshark, highlighting their more advanced features, such as SSL decryption and broader protocol support. The conversation also touches on the limitations of httptap, including its current lack of HTTPS decryption and potential performance impact. Several commenters express interest in contributing features, particularly HTTPS support. Overall, the sentiment is positive, with many appreciating httptap as a lightweight and convenient option for simple HTTP inspection.
Summary of Comments ( 5 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43568771
Hacker News users generally expressed interest in
zxc, praising its novel approach to TLS interception and debugging. Several commenters appreciated the use of familiar tools liketmuxandvimfor the UI, finding it a refreshing alternative to more complex, dedicated tools like Burp Suite. Some raised concerns about performance and scalability compared to established solutions, while others questioned the practical benefits over existing, feature-rich alternatives. A few commenters expressed a desire for additional features like WebSocket support. Overall, the project was seen as an intriguing experiment with potential, though some skepticism remained regarding its real-world viability and competitiveness.The Hacker News post about ZXC, a Rust TLS proxy with a tmux and Vim UI presented as a Burp Suite alternative, generated a moderate amount of discussion with a mix of interest and skepticism.
Several commenters expressed intrigue at the project's novel approach to using familiar tools like tmux and Vim for a task typically handled by dedicated GUI applications. They saw potential in leveraging the power and flexibility of these tools for intercepting and manipulating network traffic. Some expressed interest in trying it out and appreciated the developer sharing their work.
However, a recurring theme among the comments was skepticism about the practicality and usability of ZXC compared to established tools like Burp Suite. Commenters pointed out the steep learning curve associated with tmux and Vim, particularly for users unfamiliar with those tools. They questioned whether the benefits of using these tools outweigh the added complexity and potentially slower workflow compared to a purpose-built GUI application.
Some commenters raised concerns about the efficiency of navigating and manipulating complex requests and responses within a text-based interface. They argued that a visual representation, as provided by Burp Suite, is often crucial for understanding and modifying data effectively. The ability to quickly identify and manipulate specific elements within requests and responses, potentially using point-and-click interactions, was highlighted as a key advantage of GUI tools.
The discussion also touched upon the potential benefits of using Rust for this type of application, with commenters acknowledging the language's performance and memory safety characteristics. However, this did not entirely offset the concerns about the UI/UX choices.
Overall, the comments reveal a mixed reception to ZXC. While some appreciate the ingenuity and potential of using tmux and Vim for this task, many remain unconvinced about its practical usability compared to established GUI-based alternatives. The comments suggest that while the project is interesting from a technical perspective, it might face challenges in gaining widespread adoption due to its reliance on tools with a steeper learning curve and potentially less efficient workflows for this specific use case.