Generate Challenge Code

Before performing offline update operations, you may need to generate a unique identifier on the Tenable Nessus server. Tenable calls this identifier a challenge code.

Whereas you use an activation code when performing Tenable Nessus operations while connected to the internet, you use a license when performing offline operations; the generated challenge code enables you to view and use your license for offline operations.

To generate a challenge code in Tenable Nessus:

  1. Log in to Tenable Nessus.

  2. Click Settings.

  3. Click the pencil icon next to the activation code.

    The Update Activation Code window appears.

  4. In the Registration drop-down menu, select Offline.

  5. Click Activate.

    The challenge code appears in the window.

To generate a challenge code from the command line:

  1. On the offline system running Tenable Nessus (A), open a command prompt.
  2. Use the nessuscli fetch --challenge command specific to your operating system.
    PlatformCommand

    Linux

    # /opt/nessus/sbin/nessuscli fetch --challenge

    FreeBSD

    # /usr/local/nessus/sbin/nessuscli fetch --challenge

    Windows

    C:\Program Files\Tenable\Nessus>nessuscli.exe fetch --challenge

    macOS

    # /Library/Nessus/run/sbin/nessuscli fetch --challenge

  3. Copy the alphanumeric challenge code.
    Example Challenge Code:
    aaaaaa11b2222cc33d44e5f6666a777b8cc99999
  4. Use the copied challenge code to Generate Your License.