NodeZero

What it does

NodeZero is an Adversarial Exposure Validation (AEV) platform that executes autonomous, agentless penetration tests in production environments without causing downtime or deploying persistent agents. Its core mechanism is exploit chain synthesis: the platform sequences individual weaknesses (CVEs, misconfigurations, exposed credentials, and policy gaps) into end-to-end attack paths that replicate real attacker behavior across internal networks, cloud environments, Active Directory, and Kubernetes clusters, then generates verified proof-of-exploitation evidence for each chained path.

How it works

NodeZero deploys via Docker container or OVA for internal tests and ephemeral Horizon3.ai cloud infrastructure for external tests, leaving no persistent agents on the network. The platform performs OSINT-driven reconnaissance and autonomous network traversal, then sequences discovered CVEs, misconfigurations, and credential weaknesses into attack chains without predefined scripts, stopping when it reaches proof-of-exploitation or exhausts available paths. Each operation produces diagrammed attack paths, prioritized remediation guidance with systemic fix identification, and a Quick Verify function that re-tests specific weaknesses after remediation. The NSA Continuous Autonomous Penetration Testing (CAPT) program, covering 500-plus Defense Industrial Base participants, runs on NodeZero.

Credentials and traction

NodeZero Federal is FedRAMP High Authorized (FedHIVE package FR1802451335) and, in May 2026, achieved Tradewinds Awardable status through the Department of Defense Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office's Solutions Marketplace. Horizon3.ai was named a 2026 IT-Harvest Fast Growth Vendor Award winner. The platform serves more than 5,200 customers across government, financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing, and underpins the NSA Continuous Autonomous Penetration Testing program spanning 500-plus Defense Industrial Base participants.