Kali Linux 2025.3? Yes, it is! I was browsing GitHub for cool projects to test on my PC, that’s when I noticed the milestone for Kali Linux 2025.3 was nearly complete—scheduled for release on September 9, 2025. So I decided to write this guide for our blog readers on how to download Kali Linux 2025.3 or upgrade from earlier versions.
What’s New in Kali Linux 2025.3?
This release, like the ones before it, won’t disappoint. While the official changelog is still under wraps, here’s what I’ve pieced together from GitLab, community whispers and recent build tests.
Kali Linux 2025.3 Release Notes (Expected Features)
Metasploit Framework is faster and more modular.
Nmap now will support deeper scans on IPv6 networksđź’€.
Burp Suite has a sleeker UI and better passive scanning.
ReconAI—that uses machine learning to prioritize targets based on historical exploit data.While Linux Kernel 6.16.5 is available upstream, Kali Linux 2025.3 (Week 36
snapshot) currently runs 6.12.38+kali-amd64, which is expected
to remain the default in the final release.
Debian 13 “Trixie” Integration: Highly Likely
Kali is built on Debian Testing, and Debian 13 “Trixie” is currently in progess. So, Kali linux 2025.3 will likely have it.
Yup, indirectly, its running Debian 13.apt show libc6Package: libc6Version: 2.41-12
Visit tracker.debian.org and search for libc6. You’ll see
that version 2.41-12 is listed under the Trixie branch.
What's New in Debian 13
- Official support for RISC-V (64-bit riscv64), a major architecture milestone
- Enhanced security through ROP and COP/JOP hardening on both amd64 and arm64 (Intel CET and ARM PAC/BTI support)
- HTTP Boot support in Debian Installer and Live images for UEFI/U-Boot systems
- Upgraded software stack: GNOME 48, KDE Plasma 6, Linux kernel 6.12 LTS, GCC 14.2, Python 3.13, and more.
What Is RISC-V (riscv64)?
RISC-V (pronounced “risk-five”) is a free and
open-source instruction set architecture (ISA). That means it defines how a
CPU understands and executes instructions—but unlike Intel or ARM, anyone
can use it without paying licensing fees.
What Does riscv64 Mean?
riscv64 = 64-bit version of RISC-V
Debian 13 now officially supports this architecture, meaning you can run Debian on RISC-V hardware like:
VisionFive 2 boards
SiFive “Freedom” chips
Mango Pi MQ Pro
ROP (Return-Oriented Programming)
Attackers hijack the return addresses in your code to execute malicious instructions.
COP/JOP (Call/Jump-Oriented Programming)
Similar to ROP, but instead of return addresses, attackers exploit call or jump instructions.
How to Download Kali Linux 2025.3?
Once Kali 2025.3 will be available on September 9, 2025 as
per the git timelines, you can download the official images from the Kali Linux
website post that date.
- Go
to the official Kali Linux download page: Visit kali.org/get-kali/.
- Choose
Your Image: Select the appropriate image for your needs:
- Installer
Images: For a fresh installation on a physical machine or a virtual
machine.
- Virtual
Machine Images: Pre-built images for VMware and VirtualBox.
- Live
Boot Images: To run Kali directly from a USB drive without
installation.
- Verify
the Download: Always verify the SHA256 checksum to ensure the
integrity of your downloaded file. This is a critical security step
Download and install as per your needs.
Incase, if you don't want to wait, you can download and install latest weekly build.
You know how to install which is like other older versions! We will cover the installation in another post.. For now, lets see
How to Upgrade to Kali Linux 2025.3
What You’ll Need Before You Start,
- A
working Kali Linux system (2025.2 or older)
- Internet
connection (preferably stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
- At
least 2 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk space
- A
little patience—it might take 15–30 minutes depending on your system
Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrade to Kali Linux 2025.3
Step 1: Open Your Terminal
Click the Terminal icon (usually a black screen with
a > symbol). You can also press Ctrl + Alt + T to open it.
Step 2: Update Your Package List
This tells Kali to check for the latest available software.
Type this command and press Enter:
sudo apt update
You’ll be asked for your password. Type it carefully (you
won’t see it as you type) and press Enter again.
Step 3: Upgrade All Installed Packages
This installs the latest versions of everything—including
the core system files.
Type this and hit Enter:
sudo apt full-upgrade -y
What’s happening:
- Kali
is downloading the latest packages
- It’s
replacing older versions with newer ones
- You
might see a lot of text scrolling—don’t worry, that’s normal.
Tip: If it asks
you to keep or replace a config file, press Enter to accept the default
(usually safe).
Step 4: Reboot Your System
Once the upgrade finishes, restart your computer to apply
all changes.
sudo reboot
Your system will shut down and restart. When it boots back
up, you’ll be running Kali Linux 2025.3
Step 5: Confirm the Upgrade Worked
After rebooting, open the Terminal again and type:
cat /etc/os-release
You should see something like:
VERSION="2025.3"
PRETTY_NAME="Kali GNU/Linux Rolling"
Optional: Clean Up Old Files
To free up space after the upgrade:
sudo apt autoremove -y
Hit enter.
That's it, You did it!
It’s not about breaking things—it’s about understanding how they work. Stay curious, stay ethical, and happy breaking!”
