CyberSentinel: A Real-Time, Multi-Vector Security Framework for Web Applications

Abstract

In the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, timely identification of software vulnerabilities plays a vital role in safeguarding digital assets. This paper introduces a full-stack web application designed to provide a centralized platform for vulnerability assessment. Developed using React.js and Tailwind CSS on the frontend and Python-based APIs on the backend, the system integrates key security features such as file and URL scanning through VirusTotal, detection of SQL injection and XSS attacks using OWASP ZAP, CVE information retrieval via the NVD API, and static code analysis for Python, Java, and C++ using tools like Bandit, SpotBugs, and CPPcheck. Additionally, it leverages the Nikto scanner to detect web server vulnerabilities. The platform delivers real-time scan results through an intuitive interface, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users. By combining multiple open-source tools into a single application, this project enhances the detection and mitigation of security risks in web environments. The platform includes real-time packet capturing and endpoint monitoring features, offering a network-layer perspective on potential threats. Its modular architecture and asynchronous API handling ensure fast, intelligent responses across all tools. These advancements enhance both detection accuracy and user experience. Together, they make Cyber Sentinel a complete and adaptive security solution.

Introduction

CyberSentinel is a web-based vulnerability assessment platform designed to detect, analyze, and mitigate software and network security threats. It integrates a comprehensive suite of open-source scanning tools, threat intelligence APIs, and AI support, all accessible through a user-friendly React.js + Tailwind CSS frontend and a Python backend.

???? Core Features

1. Virus Scanner – Scans uploaded files and URLs via the VirusTotal API to detect known malware.

2. SQL Injection & XSS Scanner – Uses OWASP ZAP and custom payloads to detect common web application flaws.

3. CVE Lookup – Fetches real-time data from the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) using CVE IDs.

4. Static Code Analysis – Analyzes Python, Java, and C++ code using Bandit, SpotBugs, and Cppcheck.

5. Nikto Web Server Scanner – Checks for outdated server software and insecure configurations.

6. Live Packet Capture – Captures network traffic in real-time to detect anomalies (e.g., DDoS, port scans).

7. AI Chatbot Assistant – Guides users with real-time responses about vulnerabilities and scan results.

8. End Monitor Dashboard – Centralizes scan results, alerts, and threat data in a clear UI.

???? Testing & Results

• File scanning successfully flagged known malware (e.g., EICAR test file).

• CVE Lookup accurately returned detailed vulnerability data (e.g., Log4Shell).

• XSS/SQLi Detection effectively identified injected payloads in test environments.

• AI Assistant provided helpful, real-time explanations and mitigation advice.

• Static Analysis detected insecure coding practices in test scripts.

• Packet Capturing logged live IP traffic and flagged abnormal endpoint activity.

• Overall UI responsiveness was smooth and low-latency, even with concurrent scans.

???? AI Integration & Usability

• The AI-powered chatbot (based on Bard API) improves accessibility for non-experts.

• The modular, full-stack architecture ensures scalability, real-time updates, and easy navigation.

• Emphasis on real-time detection, modularity, and usability makes the platform suitable for both beginners and professionals.

???? Comparative Analysis

CyberSentinel outperforms many existing tools by offering:

• Real-time packet capturing

• Full endpoint monitoring

• Multi-language code scanning

• Unified GUI with integrated dashboards

• AI-driven guidance and assistance

Conclusion

The development of Cyber Sentinel successfully demonstrates how multiple cybersecurity tools and techniques can be integrated into a unified, intelligent, and user-friendly platform. By combining file scanning, static and dynamic vulnerability analysis, CVE tracking, real-time network monitoring, and AI-assisted recommendations, the system offers a comprehensive approach to web application defense[9],[13]. The inclusion of modules such as the VirusTotal-based file scanner, OWASP ZAP-powered vulnerability detectors, static code analyzers (Bandit, SpotBugs, CPPCheck), and the NLP-driven AI assistant significantly enhances usability for both technical and non-technical users. The integration of real-time packet capture and endpoint behavior monitoring further expands the platform’s capabilities beyond conventional web-layer protection. Cyber Sentinel has proven to be scalable, modular, and responsive in both simulated and live environments. It effectively bridges the gap between automation and interpretability — making security analysis more accessible and actionable. With future enhancements such as JWT/OAuth authentication, Docker deployment, scan history tracking, and machine learning integration, the platform holds strong potential for adoption in academic, enterprise, and training environments. CyberSentinel demonstrates how integrating multiple open-source tools with real-time intelligence can significantly enhance application-level security. The platform not only identifies threats but empowers users with actionable insights through AI support.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Ajay V, Vaishnavi . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.