Scanning and Enumeration:

The penetration tester uses scanning tools to identify the target system’s open ports, services, and vulnerabilities. Enumeration techniques may be employed to gather more detailed information about the target, such as user accounts or system configurations.

Vulnerability Assessment:

During this phase, the penetration tester analyzes the vulnerabilities identified during scanning and enumeration. They assess each vulnerability’s severity and potential impact to prioritize their exploitation.

Exploitation:

The penetration tester exploits the identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or perform specific actions as agreed upon with the client. This may include techniques like privilege escalation, SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), or social engineering.

Post-Exploitation:

Once access is gained, the penetration tester further explores the target system to determine the compromise’s extent and potential damage. They may escalate privileges, pivot to other systems, or extract sensitive information to evaluate the impact of a successful attack.

Documentation and Reporting

The penetration tester compiles a comprehensive report outlining the findings, methodologies, and recommendations for mitigating the identified risks. The report typically includes an executive summary, methodology, findings, recommendations, and supporting information such as screenshots or logs.

What is a penetration test report built from?

A penetration test report is a crucial deliverable that summarizes the findings and recommendations resulting from the penetration test. The report provides valuable insights to the client and helps them understand their system’s security weaknesses. Here are some key components typically found in a penetration test report:

   Executive Summary

This section provides a high-level overview of the test objectives, key findings, and recommendations. It is designed to give non-technical stakeholders a concise summary of the test outcomes.

   Methodology

The report describes the testing approach, tools, and techniques used during the penetration test. This helps the client understand the methods employed to identify vulnerabilities.

   Findings

The findings section presents a detailed breakdown of the vulnerabilities discovered during the test. Each vulnerability is typically classified using a scoring method, such as STRIDE (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, Elevation of Privilege). The severity and potential impact of each vulnerability are described.

   Recommendations

This section provides actionable steps and best practices for addressing the identified vulnerabilities and improving the overall security posture of the system. Recommendations may include software patches, configuration changes, or security awareness training.

   Appendix

Additional supporting information, such as screenshots, network diagrams, or logs, may be included. These provide further context or evidence of the vulnerabilities identified.

The penetration test report serves as a critical tool for the client, enabling them to prioritize their security efforts and allocate resources effectively to mitigate the identified risks.