Parrot OS 7.0, codenamed Echo, launches as a complete system rewrite based on Debian 13, bringing KDE Plasma 6, Wayland by default, and fresh penetration testing tools, including a dedicated AI category.

This release emphasizes lightweight theming and community-driven spins, marking a pivotal update for ethical hackers and security professionals.

The Echo theme draws from Flat Remix and Sweet Mars, packaged in echo-themes for a modern, performant look. KDE Plasma 6 delivers smoother animations and optimized resource use, ideal for older hardware or resource-constrained pentesting setups. Wallpapers feature the Echo Parakeet, available via the project’s graphics repository.

Builds leverage live-build for ISOs and custom scripts for VM formats like QCOW2 and VMDK, with full GitLab CI/CD automation. Core packages like parrot-core (7.0.10) and parrot-menu (7.0.16) support KDE configs, while launcher-updater in Go fixes desktop entry issues. Metapackages expand pre-installed tools across categories.

New and Updated Pentesting Tools

Parrot 7.0 packs cutting-edge additions for reconnaissance, exploitation, and more:

New: convoC2 (MS Teams C2), goshs (Go HTTPS server), evil-winrm-py (WinRM execution), hexstrike-ai (AI pentesting), bpf-linker (eBPF reversing), pkinit-tools (Kerberos), chisel (tunneling), bloodhound.py (AD mapping), autorecon (network recon), trufflehog (secret scanning).
Updates: Burp Suite (2025.10.5), airgeddon (11.60), sqlsus (0.7.2), Caido (0.53.1), jadx (1.4.7), Maltego (4.8.1).

The parrot-tools metapackage now pre-installs gdb/cgdb (devel), peass/autorecon (infogathering), syft/trufflehog (cloud), and seahorse (crypto).

A new AI tools menu debuts with hexstrike-ai, focusing on LLM prompt security and prompt engineering tests rather than generic automation. Developers aim to sponsor tools that secure AI-driven cybersecurity and address emerging threats in machine learning models.

First pentest distro with official RISC-V support via rootfs tarball and native repos. Parrot Updater, rewritten in Rust with GTK4 GUI, checks weekly via notifications.

Docker/WSL images update automatically; Rocket hits 1.3.0. Debian 13 conversion script added. Raspberry Pi users favor Core Edition clean installs; Parrot 6 upgrades are recommended for stability.

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