🛠️Tools for Thick Client Pentesting

Category	Tool	Purpose
Information Gathering	AccessChk	Check file, registry, and service permissions
	AccessEnum	GUI version of AccessChk for permission enumeration
	Explorer Suite	Analyze PE structures, view headers and binary layout
	CFF Explorer	Inspect/edit PE headers, imports, and exports
GUI Testing	Window Detective	Inspect UI elements and window properties
	Spy++	Inspect window messages (Visual Studio tool)
	Resource Hacker	Edit GUI elements, icons, dialogs, and strings inside executables
File Testing	ProcMon	Monitor file access in real time
	Process Explorer	Inspect file handles, threads, and loaded modules
	Detect It Easy (DIE)	Detect file types, packers, compilers
Registry Testing	ProcMon	Monitor registry key access and changes
	AccessEnum	View registry permission misconfigurations
	RegShot	Compare registry state before and after app execution
Network Testing	Burp Suite / Fiddler	Intercept and inspect HTTP/S traffic
	Wireshark	Capture and analyze raw TCP/UDP packets
	ProxyCap	Route app traffic through a proxy
	Proxifier	Proxy traffic for apps without native support
Assembly Testing	dnSpy	Decompile and debug .NET assemblies
	ILSpy	Lightweight .NET decompiler
	Resource Hacker	Modify embedded strings and dialogs
Memory Testing	Frida	Hook functions and inspect memory at runtime
	Cheat Engine	Modify and scan memory dynamically
	Scylla	Dump in-memory PE files (for unpacking)
	x64dbg / OllyDbg	Debug and reverse native Windows executables
Traffic Testing	Burp Suite / Fiddler	Replay, intercept, and modify app traffic
	Wireshark	Inspect non-HTTP protocols and loopback traffic
	ProcMon	Monitor file/socket-based communications
Common Vulnerabilities Testing	ProcMon	Detect DLL hijacking, insecure file paths, registry persistence
	Frida / x64dbg	Find hardcoded secrets, insecure crypto, token generation logic
	dnSpy / ILSpy	Reveal hidden APIs, credentials, logic flaws
Practice Labs	DVTA	Vulnerable .NET app for hands-on learning
	BWAPP Desktop	Desktop version of common vulnerability lab
	Custom .NET/Electron apps	Create test apps for DLL hijacking, insecure storage, etc.