root@thehacksparrow:~/writeups$ SYSTEM ONLINE
root@sparrow:~/writeups$ cat wordlists.md
// cracking

Wordlists (Custom Dictionaries)

22 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

When a generic wordlist (rockyou) isn't enough, these tools generate custom dictionaries for brute-force attacks and password audits: CUPP (personal data), Crunch (patterns), Mentalist (GUI) and CeWL (scraping a website).

Type4 CLI/GUI tools
PlatformKali / Linux (Mentalist is cross-platform)
Wordlists (Custom Dictionaries) cheat sheet

1. CUPP — per-person password profiling

Builds custom wordlists using personal data (name, pet, dates, interests...). Ideal when you have public data about the target person (social media).

sudo apt install cupp   # if not already installed
cupp -i                # interactive mode, asks questions
cupp -w data.txt       # generate from a data file

2. Crunch — pattern-based combinations

Generates wordlists with combinations of letters, numbers, and fixed patterns.

crunch 4 6 abc123 -o output.txt   # 4-6 char words, using abc123
crunch 8 8 -t Pe%%202@ -o output.txt

In patterns: % = digit, @ = lowercase letter, , = special character. Example result for Pe%%202@: Pe21 202q.

3. Mentalist — visual generator (GUI)

A graphical app (Windows/Linux/Mac) for combining words, mutations (uppercase, digits, substitutions like a→4, e→3), suffixes and prefixes, exporting the final dictionary. Ideal if you prefer a visual tool.

4. CeWL — wordlists from a website

Builds dictionaries by scraping a page's content — useful for company-specific wordlists based on public content.

sudo apt install cewl
cewl https://example.com                      # basic
cewl https://example.com -w list.txt           # save to a file
cewl https://example.com -d 2 -w list.txt      # depth 2 (follows links)
cewl https://example.com -m 5 -w list.txt      # minimum word length
cewl https://example.com -e -w emails.txt      # also extract emails

Responsible use

These commands are for systems you own or have explicit written authorisation to test (labs, CTFs, contracted engagements). Using them against third-party infrastructure without permission is illegal in most countries.