Kali Linux evolved from earlier security-focused distributions, most notably BackTrack. It was launched in 2013 by Offensive Security and adopted a rolling release model in 2016. Today, Kali is the industry-standard penetration testing distribution with over 600 pre-installed security tools.
2004 ──→ 2006 ──→ 2013 ──→ 2016 ──→ 2019 ──→ 2026
Whoppix BackTrack Kali Rolling Non-root Modern
Linux Release Default Kali
| Year |
Event |
Significance |
| 2004 |
Whoppix v2 released |
Security live distro lineage begins |
| 2005 |
WHAX v3 released |
Parallel security distribution |
| 2006 |
BackTrack v1 released |
Merging Auditor and WHAX |
| 2007-2012 |
BackTrack v2-v5 |
Leading security distribution |
| 2013 |
Kali Linux 1.0 (Moto) |
Complete rewrite on Debian |
| 2015 |
Kali Linux 2.0 (Sana) |
New desktop, ARM support |
| 2016 |
Rolling release model |
Continuous updates begin |
| 2019 |
Non-root default |
Security hardening |
| 2020 |
ARM expansion |
Raspberry Pi, cloud images |
| 2023 |
Quarterly releases |
Stable release cadence |
| 2024 |
Four quarterly releases |
2024.1-2024.4 |
| 2025 |
2025.1-2025.4 |
Kernel 6.x, Xfce 4.20 |
| 2026 |
2026.1 released |
Visual refresh, new tools |
- Creator: Michel van der Vaart
- Based on: Knoppix
- Purpose: Security auditing live CD
- Legacy: Merged into BackTrack
- Creator: Max Moser
- Based on: Slackware
- Purpose: Security testing with Slackware base
- Legacy: Merged into BackTrack
| Version |
Release Date |
Key Features |
| BackTrack 1 |
2006-05-26 |
Combined Whoppix + WHAX |
| BackTrack 2 |
2007-05-15 |
Improved toolset |
| BackTrack 3 |
2008-09-09 |
Ubuntu base, KDE |
| BackTrack 4 |
2009-12-10 |
Custom kernel, FHS compliance |
| BackTrack 5 |
2011-09-01 |
Final major release |
Why BackTrack ended:
- Needed complete rebuild on Debian
- Wanted better package management
- Required more sustainable development model
| Version |
Codename |
Release Date |
Notes |
| 1.0 |
Moto |
2013-03-13 |
Initial release |
| 1.0.1 |
Moto |
2013-04-19 |
Bug fixes |
| 1.0.2 |
Moto |
2013-05-14 |
Security updates |
| 1.0.3 |
Moto |
2013-06-11 |
Tool updates |
| 1.0.4 |
Moto |
2013-07-16 |
Stability improvements |
| 1.0.5 |
Moto |
2013-08-20 |
Hardware support |
| 1.0.6 |
Moto |
2013-10-03 |
Minor updates |
| 1.0.7 |
Moto |
2014-01-21 |
Final 1.0.x |
| 1.0.8 |
Moto |
2014-05-12 |
Extended support |
| 1.0.9 |
Moto |
2014-08-11 |
Last 1.x release |
| 1.1.0 |
Moto |
2014-11-10 |
Minor version bump |
| Version |
Codename |
Release Date |
Notes |
| 2.0 |
Sana |
2015-06-02 |
GNOME 3, ARM support |
| 2016.1 |
Sana |
2016-01-21 |
First dated release |
| 2016.2 |
Sana |
2016-08-22 |
Last fixed release |
Kali adopted rolling release in 2016, with quarterly snapshots:
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Notes |
| 2017.1 |
2017-03-09 |
4.9.0 |
First 2017 release |
| 2017.2 |
2017-06-21 |
4.11.0 |
Summer release |
| 2017.3 |
2017-09-12 |
4.13.0 |
Fall release |
| 2017.4 |
2017-12-13 |
4.14.0 |
Year-end release |
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Notes |
| 2018.1 |
2018-03-08 |
4.15.0 |
Spring release |
| 2018.2 |
2018-06-06 |
4.16.0 |
Summer release |
| 2018.3 |
2018-09-05 |
4.18.0 |
Fall release |
| 2018.4 |
2018-12-11 |
4.19.0 |
LTS kernel |
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Notes |
| 2019.1 |
2019-03-19 |
4.19.0 |
Non-root default announced |
| 2019.2 |
2019-06-11 |
5.0.0 |
Hardware improvements |
| 2019.3 |
2019-09-03 |
5.2.0 |
Desktop enhancements |
| 2019.4 |
2019-12-02 |
5.3.0 |
Year-end release |
Major 2019 Change: Default user is no longer root for improved security.
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Notes |
| 2020.1 |
2020-03-04 |
5.4.0 |
ARM expansion |
| 2020.2 |
2020-05-20 |
5.5.0 |
Cloud images |
| 2020.3 |
2020-08-18 |
5.7.0 |
Tool updates |
| 2020.4 |
2020-12-14 |
5.9.0 |
Year-end release |
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Notes |
| 2021.1 |
2021-03-10 |
5.10.0 |
LTS kernel |
| 2021.2 |
2021-06-02 |
5.11.0 |
Hardware support |
| 2021.3 |
2021-09-01 |
5.13.0 |
Desktop updates |
| 2021.4 |
2021-12-13 |
5.14.0 |
Year-end release |
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Notes |
| 2022.1 |
2022-03-09 |
5.15.0 |
Spring release |
| 2022.2 |
2022-06-01 |
5.16.0 |
Summer release |
| 2022.3 |
2022-09-07 |
5.18.0 |
Fall release |
| 2022.4 |
2022-12-12 |
6.0.0 |
Kernel 6.x arrives |
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Desktop |
Notes |
| 2023.1 |
2023-03-08 |
6.0.0 |
Xfce 4.18 |
Spring release |
| 2023.2 |
2023-06-07 |
6.2.0 |
Xfce 4.18 |
Summer release |
| 2023.3 |
2023-09-06 |
6.4.0 |
Xfce 4.18 |
Fall release |
| 2023.4 |
2023-12-05 |
6.6.0 |
Xfce 4.18 |
Year-end release |
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Desktop |
Notes |
| 2024.1 |
2024-02-28 |
6.6.0 |
Xfce 4.18 |
Spring release |
| 2024.2 |
2024-06-05 |
6.8.0 |
Xfce 4.18 |
Summer release |
| 2024.3 |
2024-09-11 |
6.10.0 |
Xfce 4.20 |
Fall release |
| 2024.4 |
2024-12-16 |
6.11.0 |
Xfce 4.20 |
Year-end release |
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Desktop |
Notes |
| 2025.1 |
2025-03-19 |
6.12.0 |
Xfce 4.20.4 |
Spring release |
| 2025.1c |
2025-04-28 |
6.12.0 |
Xfce 4.20.4 |
Keyring refresh |
| 2025.2 |
2025-06-13 |
6.12.0 |
Xfce 4.20.4 |
Summer release |
| 2025.3 |
2025-09-23 |
6.12.0 |
Xfce 4.20.4 |
Fall release |
| 2025.4 |
2025-12-12 |
6.16.0 |
Xfce 4.20.5 |
Year-end release |
| Version |
Release Date |
Kernel |
Desktop |
Notes |
| 2026.1 |
2026-01-09 |
5.15.0 |
Xfce 4.20.5 |
Visual refresh, 6 new tools |
Kali Linux remains the industry-standard penetration testing distribution:
| Attribute |
Value |
| Current Release |
Kali 2026.1 (January 2026) |
| Previous Release |
Kali 2025.4 (December 2025) |
| Release Model |
Rolling release with quarterly snapshots |
| Active Branch |
kali-rolling |
| Base |
Debian Testing |
| Package Manager |
APT (dpkg) |
| Init System |
systemd |
| Default User |
Non-root with sudo |
| Security |
AppArmor, Secure Boot support |
| Quarter |
Expected Month |
Status |
| Q1 |
January |
✅ 2026.1 Released |
| Q2 |
June |
📅 Expected 2026.2 |
| Q3 |
September |
📅 Expected 2026.3 |
| Q4 |
December |
📅 Expected 2026.4 |
| Year |
Tools |
Notes |
| 2013 |
~300 |
Initial release |
| 2016 |
~400 |
Rolling release begins |
| 2019 |
~500 |
Non-root default |
| 2023 |
~600 |
Current standard |
| 2025 |
600+ |
Latest toolset |
| 2026 |
606+ |
6 new tools in 2026.1 |
| Platform |
Status |
Notes |
| x86_64 |
✅ Full support |
Desktop, laptop, server |
| ARM64 |
✅ Full support |
Raspberry Pi, SBCs |
| ARMhf |
✅ Full support |
Older ARM devices |
| WSL |
✅ Supported |
Windows Subsystem for Linux |
| Docker |
✅ Official images |
Containerized Kali |
| Cloud |
✅ AWS, Azure, GCP |
Cloud provider images |
Visual Refresh:
- New desktop backgrounds and wallpapers
- Updated login screen theme
- Refreshed GRUB bootloader theme
- New Firefox and Chromium landing pages
- Improved shell prompt readability
New Tools (6 additions):
- dnsx - Fast DNS toolkit for multiple queries
- email2phonenumber - OSINT for phone number lookup
- naabu - Fast, reliable port scanner
- nuclei - Template-based vulnerability scanner
- PoshC2 - Proxy-aware C2 framework
- proxify - HTTP/HTTPS traffic capture and replay
Technical Improvements:
- Kali-Tweaks + SSH - Support for legacy SSH protocols
- VMware i3 - Host-guest features now working
- Accessibility - Speech synthesis restored in installer
- ARM64 - New packages for ARM architecture
- Shell Prompt - Customizable skull icon, exit code display
Release Strategy Change:
- Major visual releases now happen annually for better version distinction
- Focus on visual improvements in 2026.1
- Kernel Updates: Linux 5.15 (2026.1), 6.16 (2025.4) with security patches
- Desktop Environments: Xfce 4.20.5, GNOME 46+, KDE Plasma 6
- Python Transition: Python 3.12/3.13 as default
- Tool Updates: Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark
- Hardware Support: WiFi 6E, modern SDR hardware
- Security: Enhanced AppArmor profiles, Secure Boot
- Cloud Images: AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud, Vultr
- ARM Devices: Raspberry Pi 5, Orange Pi 5, Pine64
- WSL: Improved GUI support on Windows
- Docker: Official containers for tool isolation
- VM Images: VMware, VirtualBox, Hyper-V, QEMU
- Kali Everything: All-packages-in-one image option
- Forums: Active community support at forums.kali.org
- Documentation: Comprehensive official docs at kali.org/docs
- Training: Offensive Security certifications (OSCP, OSCE, OSWP)
- Events: Quarterly release celebrations, DEF CON, Black Hat
Browse Kali history by year:
- 2004 - Whoppix era
- 2005 - WHAX development
- 2006 - BackTrack begins
- 2007 - BackTrack 2
- 2008 - BackTrack 3
- 2009 - BackTrack 4
- 2010 - BackTrack 5 R1
- 2011 - BackTrack 5 R2-R3
- 2012 - Final BackTrack
- 2013 - Kali Linux 1.0
- 2014 - Kali 1.x updates
- 2015 - Kali 2.0 Sana
- 2016 - Rolling release begins
- 2017 - Quarterly releases
- 2018 - Continued growth
- 2019 - Non-root default
- 2020 - ARM expansion
- 2021 - Pandemic updates
- 2022 - Kernel 6.x
- 2023 - Stable releases
- 2024 - Four releases
- 2025 - Latest stable
- 2026 - Current year