Parrot OS 6.4 released with updated tools, Linux 6.12 kernel, and .NET support

Parrot Security OS 6.4 is now available and represents the likely final release in the 6.x series. This update not only delivers a comprehensive set of package upgrades but also establishes the transition to Parrot 7, which will be based on Debian 13. Users will notice updates to core penetration testing tools including Metasploit 6.4.71, Empire 6.1.2, Caido 0.48.1, and several others, along with the introduction of new desktop entries in the parrot-menu for utilities like Sliver and Rocket.

Beyond tools, the system kernel moves to Linux 6.12.32 for general use and 6.12.34 for Raspberry Pi, offering improved hardware support. Parrot-tools now comes with additional pre-installed utilities such as netcat-openbsd, goshs, dbd, and starkiller. Microsoft's Debian-compatible tools, including PowerShell 7.5 and .NET SDKs (versions 5 through 9), can now be installed via apt for broader development and scripting flexibility.

The release addresses privacy and reliability by fixing $HOME path and shell autocompletion issues, and ensures /root directory privacy. Firefox ESR maintains Parrot's privacy standards despite upstream changes. While upgrades are possible using parrot-upgrade or apt, a fresh install is advised for users of older versions. Development for Parrot 7 is ongoing with planned support for multiple desktop flavors and RISC-V architecture.