Troubleshooting the 'arpspoof' command not found error on a Nexus 5 running Kali Linux in VirtualBox

=====================================================================================

When attempting to perform arpspoiting with the `arpspoof` command, you may encounter an 'command not found' error message. This issue is particularly common when using virtualization software like VirtualBox or running customized versions of popular operating systems such as Kali Linux.

In this article, we will cover some possible reasons behind this problem and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve the `arpspoof` command not being recognized on your Nexus 5 device.

Prerequisites

---------

Before proceeding with these instructions, ensure that you have met the following requirements:

1. A working installation of VirtualBox or a suitable alternative virtualization software.

2. Kali Linux (rolling version recommended) installed as an operating system within VirtualBox.

3. An active internet connection on both your host machine and guest VM.

Common Causes

----------

The 'command not found' error with `arpspoof` can be caused by several factors:

1. Missing or corrupted arptables package: The `arpspoof` command relies on the `arptables` package to function correctly.

2. Incorrect PATH environment variable settings in your shell configuration files (e.g., `.bashrc`, `.profile`.

3. Incompatible or outdated versions of essential system tools and libraries.

Troubleshooting Steps

----------------

### Step 1: Update arptables Package

Firstly, log into your Kali Linux guest VM via SSH or connect to it using VirtualBox's built-in terminal:

```sh

sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get install --reinstall libarptables2-dev -y

```

After the package installation process is complete, restart your system by running `reboot`.

### Step 2: Rebuild and Reload System Cache

Once you've logged back into Kali Linux:

1. Update your package list to ensure all packages are up-to-date:

```sh

sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y --force-yes

```

2. Reboot your system once again for changes to take effect.

### Step 3: Verify arpspoof Command Availability

After rebooting, verify whether the `arpspoof` command is now recognized by running:

```sh

which arpspoof && arpspoof --help | grep -q 'Usage'

```

If you see output similar to this:

```

/usr/local/bin/arpspoofto use help type: ./arpspoof '-h' '--version'

usage: ./arpspoof (-f|--force) (--spoof|-s target 'mac1 mac2') |

('-i |--interface iface' | --arpseccomp)

```

Then, the `arpspoof` command should be functional.

-------

In conclusion, resolving issues with missing or non-functional commands like `arpspoof` on Kali Linux in VirtualBox often comes down to ensuring that all required system packages are up-to-date and properly installed. By following these simple troubleshooting steps outlined above, you should be able to successfully execute the `arpspoof` command without encountering any further 'command not found' errors.

If you continue experiencing problems after attempting each of these solutions or require additional assistance with arpspoiting on your Nexus 5 device running Kali Linux in VirtualBox, feel free to leave a comment below and I'll be happy to help!

Bash arpspoof command not found