Penetration testing is a simulated cyberattack on a computer system, network, or web application designed to identify security flaws that hackers could exploit. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of the organisation’s security defences and make recommendations for improvement.
Now let’s explore penetration testing in more detail, including its five stages and the best practices.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing, also known as pen testing, is a cybersecurity practice in which a cyber-security professional attempts to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a computer network.
This simulated attack is used to identify weaknesses in a system that malicious attackers may exploit. Penetration testing, which simulates real-world cyber attacks, seeks to assess an organisation’s cybersecurity capabilities and identify potential vulnerabilities.
According to TechTarget, pen testing is a proactive cybersecurity measure because it involves consistent, self-initiated improvements based on test results. This contrasts with nonproactive approaches, which do not address weaknesses as they arise.
A nonproactive approach to cybersecurity, for example: a company updating its firewall after a data breach occurs. The goal of proactive measures, like pen testing, is to reduce the number of retroactive upgrades while increasing an organisation’s security.
Penetration testing is typically conducted by ethical hackers or cybersecurity experts who have no prior knowledge of the system.
While organisations can conduct tests in-house, external ethical hackers can provide an outsider’s perspective and valuable insights into potential vulnerabilities. To ensure compliance with laws and regulations, penetration tests must take legal considerations into account. To avoid accusations of unauthorised hacking, consent forms outlining the scope of testing should be signed.
After completing a penetration test, organisations should go over the final report with both the external testing team and their in-house cybersecurity team. Creating a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy based on the findings and promptly addressing identified vulnerabilities is critical for strengthening the organisation’s security defences and mitigating potential cyber threats.
Pen testing can help companies protect their customers’ digital identities.
Digital identity is a critical aspect of cybersecurity because it includes all of the information that identifies a person online.
Read more in our previous post, Digital Identity: What It Is and Why It Matters.
What are The 5 Stages of Penetration Testing?
Planning and reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and analysis are the 5 stages of penetration testing. Each stage is critical to identifying vulnerabilities in an organisation’s security posture and providing valuable insights for improving overall cybersecurity.
Here are the details of each stage, according to Imperva’s blog:
Stage 1: Planning and reconnaissance
Planning is the initial stage of penetration testing. There are two aspects that must be completed at this stage.
First, define the scope and goals of the test, as well as the systems and methods to be used. Second, gather intelligence (such as network and domain names, as well as mail server information) to better understand a target’s operations and potential vulnerabilities.
After the planning phase, we move on to the next stage.
Stage 2: Scanning
The next step is to understand how the target application will respond to various intrusion attempts. This is typically done using:
- Static analysis: Inspecting an application’s code to estimate how it will behave while running. These tools can scan all of the code in a single pass.
- Dynamic analysis: Inspecting an application’s code while it is running. This is a more practical method of scanning because it offers a real-time view of an application’s performance.
Stage 3: Gaining Access
During this stage, web application attacks like cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and backdoors are used to identify vulnerabilities in a target. Testers then attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities, typically by escalating privileges, stealing data, intercepting traffic, and so on, in order to understand the harm they can cause.
Stage 4: Maintaining access
The purpose of this stage is to determine whether the vulnerability can be used to maintain a persistent presence in the exploited system long enough for a bad actor to gain in-depth access. The goal is to imitate advanced persistent threats, which can stay in a system for months and steal sensitive information.
Stage 5: Analysis
After four stages, the penetration testing is technically complete. Stage 5 focuses on reporting and analysing the results of the penetration testing process. The results of the penetration test are then compiled into a report detailing:
- Specific vulnerabilities that were exploited
- Sensitive data that was accessed
- The amount of time the pen tester was able to remain in the system undetected
Security personnel use this information to help configure an enterprise’s WAF settings and other application security solutions in order to patch vulnerabilities and protect against future attacks.
Penetration Testing Tools and Frameworks
The 5 most widely used frameworks in cybersecurity are NIST, PTES, OWASP, OSSTMM, and ISSAF. These frameworks provide guidelines and methodologies for conducting penetration tests, ensuring that the testing process is thorough and effective.
NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s cyber security framework, is a set of guidelines, rules, and standards that classify everything into five core functions to assist businesses in better understanding, managing, and reducing cyber risks.
PTES, Penetration Testing Execution Standard, is a comprehensive methodology that covers penetration testing phases, including pre-engagement, intelligence gathering, threat modelling, vulnerability analysis, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting.
OWASP, or Open Web Application Security Project, is a non-profit organisation that provides a set of methodologies for web application penetration testing, mobile application penetration testing, API penetration testing, and IoT penetration testing.
OSSTMM, or Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual framework is a scientific methodology for network penetration testing and vulnerability assessment, encompassing tests across all channels, including human, physical, wireless, telecommunications, and data networks.
ISSAF, or Information System Security Assessment Framework, provides a structured and specialised methodology for penetration testing, focusing on planning and assessment as well as reporting and destroying artefacts.
While frameworks assist pen testers in having a consistent process for performing pen testing, the tools are the ones that they use to complete the tasks. Popular tools for penetration testing include Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, and Burp Suite. These tools assist in identifying vulnerabilities and potential entry points for malicious actors to exploit in a system or network.
What are the Pen Test Best Practices?
Pen test best practices include thorough documentation of findings, clear communication with stakeholders, and continuous learning and improvement to stay ahead of evolving threats. LMG security outlines the best practice checklist that must be followed for a comprehensive pen testing approach.
- Understand Your Goals: Clearly define the objectives of the penetration test, such as compliance requirements, risk management, or strategic goals.
- Define the Scope: Determine the systems, applications, and networks to be tested, considering the organisation’s evolving infrastructure.
- Choose the Right Test Type: Select the appropriate test type, such as black-box, grey-box, or red team assessment, based on the organisation’s needs and objectives.
- Vet the Testing Company: Ensure the company conducting the test has the necessary credentials, certifications, reputation, and a methodology aligned with industry standards.
- Prepare for the Test: Obtain proper authorisations, identify team members responsible for reviewing the test report, and schedule patching after testing.
- Create a Communication Plan: Establish communication protocols between the organisation, the testing team, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth process.
- Choose a Qualified Pen Tester: Select a service provider that uses both automated and manual techniques to uncover vulnerabilities and advanced threats.
- Regular Testing: Conduct penetration testing at least once a year or more frequently, depending on the organisation’s risk exposure and security controls’ maturity.
Organisations can assure a successful and informative penetration test that helps identify and address vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure by adhering to these best practices.
While pen testing is an effective proactive cybersecurity technique for defending against brute force cyber attacks, your defences may still be vulnerable to social engineering attacks.
Social engineering is a tactic used by cybercriminals to manipulate individuals into exposing their confidential information or performing actions that compromise security.
Read more about it in our previous post, Social Engineering: What It Is and How It Works.
Conclusion:
A key component of proactive cybersecurity is penetration testing, which enables businesses to find and fix vulnerabilities ahead of time. Organisations can enhance their IT security posture and prevent potential threats by utilising the stages, tools, and best practices that have been discussed. This will ultimately protect their valuable assets and data from being misused.
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Nexa Lab was founded and established in Australia, with over 30 years of experience in the MSP and IT industries. With a commitment to cybersecurity, we prioritise protecting Australian businesses’ digital assets and sensitive data.Contact us today at Nexa Lab for all your cyber security needs.
