What is Pentesting?
Penetration testing, also known as pen testing or ethical hacking, seeks to breach a system’s defenses to uncover weaknesses. Penetration testing companies are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities in a system.
In most instances, both human experts and automated tools examine, probe, and assault a network through various means and channels. Once within the network, pen testers will determine the extent of their access, aiming for complete administrative control or “root” privileges. While this may seem alarming, it’s a rising practice employed by leading global corporations to outmaneuver malicious actors. By purposefully attacking their own network, organizations identify vulnerabilities before a potential compromise.
How Does Pentesting Work?
Penetration testing employs ethical hackers to emulate malicious attackers. Network holders establish a precise testing scope outlining permissible systems and the evaluation timeframe.
Defining the scope provides parameters and establishes the boundaries for tester actions. Once the scope and duration are determined, the ethical hackers initiate the network scanning process.
Tests often commence with a vulnerability scan to identify potential network entry points. These weaknesses can range from misconfigured firewalls to applications mishandling corrupted data packets.
Types of Pentesting
Penetration tests are not uniform and can vary based on project scope and desired outcomes. Let’s examine several distinct types of penetration testing methodologies.
- Black Box. Black box testing, also termed external penetration testing, furnishes the ethical hacker with minimal to no preliminary information about the company’s IT infrastructure or security posture. Black box assessments are frequently employed to simulate an authentic cyberattack. Evaluations commence from outside the network where the tester lacks knowledge of existing security mechanisms or local network architecture. Due to the simulated blind attack, these assessments can be exceptionally time-consuming.
- White Box. White box testing entails the tester possessing comprehensive knowledge of the network infrastructure and implemented security systems. While these evaluations do not mirror a genuine external attack, they constitute one of the most thorough test types available. White box tests can also mimic an internal attack as the tester initiates from within the network with intimate familiarity of the network structure. Although white box testing can be concluded rapidly due to its transparent nature, large enterprises with numerous applications to assess might still encounter several-month wait times for complete results.
- Gray Box. Gray box represents a combination of the initial two techniques, granting the tester partial access or awareness of the company network. Gray box is often utilized when evaluating a specific public-facing application with a private server backend. Leveraging this combined information, the tester can endeavor to exploit particular services to gain unauthorized entry into other network segments. The timeframe for a gray box test typically falls between that of a black box test, yet surpasses that of a white box test owing to the testers’ limited network comprehension.
What Gets Tested in a Pentest?
Penetration tests don’t have to encompass an entire network and can concentrate on specific applications, services, and methodologies. Assessments of larger environments can focus on a particular network facet rather than the entire company. This focus aids organizations in budgeting for upgrades and allocating time to implement necessary countermeasures after a series of smaller pentests without feeling overwhelmed.
Diverse areas within a company susceptible to penetration testing include:
Web applications
Organizations employ web application penetration testing to thwart malicious actors from exploiting vulnerabilities on customer-facing apps. These evaluations can vary in complexity due to the extensive array of browsers, plugins, and extensions involved in web application pen testing. Web application vulnerabilities can disclose sensitive data aiding attackers during the intelligence gathering phase of an attack or granting backend access to a specific application. Agile coding can be utilized to counteract these attacks, coupled with regular testing in sandbox environments on a web development branch. Even post-testing and deployment, penetration testers can uncover new exploits to assist companies in preventing actual attacks. Bug bounty programs serve as an effective method to incentivize ethical hackers to test the latest exploits against various web applications.
Wireless networks
The inherent openness of Wi-Fi renders it an appealing target for both casual passersby and determined attackers. Penetration testers can leverage numerous specialized tools to assess the reliability and security of different wireless technologies. Packet sniffers, rogue access points, and deauthentication attacks can be employed to hijack wireless sessions and infiltrate a private network. Wireless pen testers can also validate the security settings on a guest Wi-Fi network. For example, if access rules are not configured appropriately and the guest network is not isolated on its own VLAN, an attacker could potentially access the private network from the guest wireless.
Physical infrastructure
No security software can physically impede someone from removing a server from the premises. While this might seem improbable, audacious criminals exploit social engineering to pose as technicians, janitors, or guests to gain physical access to sensitive areas. In a physical penetration test, doors, locks, and other physical controls are subjected to scrutiny to determine how easily malicious actors can circumvent them. These can be bypassed. Inexpensive locks and wireless motion detectors are frequently easily picked or deceived with a bit of ingenuity. If physical restrictions exist, a tester will typically utilize a series of non-destructive tools to attempt to bypass any locks or sensors in place.
Social engineering
Attackers utilize social engineering to deceive employees into divulging privileged information or granting access to an organization. This access can manifest as a phishing email, phone call, or someone physically impersonating another individual on-site. The ultimate defense against social engineering is a knowledgeable and trained workforce. Email phishing training has been demonstrated to reduce the number of malicious emails opened. Establishing policies and procedures for visitors can also prevent unauthorized physical access. Social engineering tests often occur via email or phone. Software platforms can be used to send simulated phishing emails consistently. Individuals who click links or respond can be automatically provided with remedial training. Over time, this type of training contributes to strengthening both the IT infrastructure and the knowledge of all staff members.
Who Are Pentesters?
Penetration testers possess a diverse skill set, encompassing both technical and interpersonal abilities, enabling them to professionally and ethically evaluate client networks. Unlike bug bounty hunters, most penetration testers hold full-time positions rather than freelancing. Penetration testing teams often comprise individuals with specialized skill sets.
Many testers exhibit a profound comprehension of programming and proficiency in multiple languages applicable to crafting exploits and payloads. In addition to coding, ethical hackers must possess a solid grasp of networking and network protocols. They must comprehend how malicious actors leverage protocols such as DNS, TCP/IP, and DHCP to gain unauthorized access.
Beyond standard technical certifications, specialized exams cater to ethical hackers. One certification, the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), comprises 125 multiple-choice questions and requires four hours to complete. Numerous ethical hackers hold this certification alongside other network-related credentials.
Penetration testers must also cultivate a range of soft skills to excel in their roles. Critical thinking and innovative problem-solving are essential for ethical hackers, as many attacks may fail or deviate from expectations. Swiftly devising creative solutions to complex challenges is an inherent aspect of a penetration tester’s role.
In conclusion, penetration testing is an investment in peace of mind. By simulating real-world attacks, businesses can gain invaluable insights into their security posture, allowing them to plug holes before malicious actors exploit them.
