SECURITY TESTING

1. Objective
● Traditional Software Testing: The main goal is to ensure that the software functions as
intended and meets specified requirements. It checks for functionality, performance,
usability, and compatibility.
● Security Testing: The primary objective is to identify vulnerabilities, threats, and risks in
the software. It aims to ensure that data and resources are protected from potential
breaches and unauthorized access.
2. Focus Areas
● Traditional Software Testing: Concentrates on validating the application's features, user
interface, and overall user experience. Common types include unit testing, integration
testing, system testing, and acceptance testing.
● Security Testing: Focuses on areas such as authentication, authorization, data encryption,
and protection against common vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, cross-site scripting). It
often involves penetration testing and vulnerability scanning.
3. Methodologies
● Traditional Software Testing: Uses various methodologies like Waterfall, Agile, or
DevOps. Testing phases are often defined, with a clear sequence of testing activities.
● Security Testing: Employs methodologies like threat modeling and risk assessment. It
often includes both automated and manual testing techniques, emphasizing ongoing
security checks throughout the development lifecycle.
4. Tools and Techniques
● Traditional Software Testing: Utilizes tools like Selenium, JUnit, and QTP for functional
testing. Techniques include black-box testing, white-box testing, and regression testing.
● Security Testing: Uses specialized tools like OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, and Nessus.
Techniques involve static application security testing (SAST), dynamic application security
testing (DAST), and fuzz testing.
5. Timing
● Traditional Software Testing: Typically performed in later stages of development, often
after the majority of coding is completed.
 ● Security Testing: Should be integrated throughout the software development lifecycle
(SDLC) to catch vulnerabilities early. It is beneficial to conduct security assessments in
every phase, from design to deployment.
6. Stakeholders
● Traditional Software Testing: Primarily involves testers, developers, and project
managers who focus on delivering functional software.
● Security Testing: Involves security analysts, ethical hackers, and compliance officers, in
addition to the usual development team, ensuring that security is a shared responsibility.
7. Outcome
● Traditional Software Testing: Aims for a stable, reliable product that meets user needs
and specifications.
● Security Testing: Seeks to produce a secure application that minimizes risks and
vulnerabilities, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
 Traditional Software Testing – Comparison
1. Types of Traditional Software Testing
a. Unit Testing
● Focus: Tests individual components or functions for correctness.
● Performed by: Developers.
● Benefits: Early detection of bugs, facilitates code changes.
● Limitations: Does not test interactions between components.
b. Integration Testing
● Focus: Tests interactions between integrated components or systems.
● Performed by: Developers or dedicated testers.
● Benefits: Identifies interface defects and integration issues.
● Limitations: May overlook some functional aspects of the entire system.
c. System Testing
● Focus: Tests the complete and integrated software system.
● Performed by: Independent testing teams.
● Benefits: Validates the system against requirements.
● Limitations: Can be time-consuming and costly.
d. Acceptance Testing
● Focus: Validates the system’s functionality and performance from the user’s perspective.
● Performed by: End-users or clients.
● Benefits: Ensures the product meets user needs.
● Limitations: May not cover all edge cases or technical requirements.
2. Methodologies
a. Waterfall
● Characteristics: Linear and sequential, with defined phases.
● Advantages: Clear structure, easy to manage.
● Disadvantages: Inflexible to changes; late discovery of defects.
b. Agile
● Characteristics: Iterative and incremental, with frequent feedback.
● Advantages: Adapts to changes quickly; encourages collaboration.
● Disadvantages: Requires disciplined project management; can lead to scope creep.
c. V-Model
● Characteristics: Extends the Waterfall model by emphasizing verification and validation.
 ● Advantages: Early test planning; clear traceability.
● Disadvantages: Still somewhat rigid; can be slow.
3. Tools and Techniques
a. Manual Testing
● Focus: Test execution by humans without automated tools.
● Benefits: Flexible, can adapt to changes quickly.
● Limitations: Time-consuming and prone to human error.
b. Automated Testing
● Focus: Use of tools to execute tests automatically.
● Benefits: Faster execution, reusable test scripts.
● Limitations: High initial setup cost; requires maintenance.
4. Comparison Factors

Factor Traditional Testing Security Testing

Primary Goal Validate functionality Identify vulnerabilities

Timing Later stages of development Throughout SDLC

Stakeholders Developers, testers, PMs Security analysts, dev teams

Outcome Stable, reliable software Secure, resilient applications

5. Benefits of Traditional Testing

● Quality Assurance: Ensures the software meets quality standards.
● Risk Mitigation: Helps identify defects early to reduce project risks.
● User Satisfaction: Validates that the software meets user expectations.
6. Limitations of Traditional Testing
● Late Defect Discovery: Issues may be found too late in the development process.
● Costly Fixes: Fixing bugs later can be more expensive and time-consuming.
● Limited Scope: May not fully address performance or security issues.
 Secure Software Development Life Cycle
The Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a framework that incorporates security
practices into each phase of the software development process. This approach helps ensure that
security considerations are integrated from the outset, rather than being tacked on as an
afterthought.

1. Planning and Requirements Gathering

● Activities: Define project scope, identify stakeholders, and gather security requirements
alongside functional requirements.
● Security Practices:
○ Conduct threat modeling to identify potential security risks.
○ Define security policies and compliance requirements.
○ Engage stakeholders to discuss security expectations.
2. Design
● Activities: Create architecture and design specifications.
● Security Practices:
○ Use secure design principles (e.g., least privilege, defense in depth).
 ○ Conduct design reviews with a focus on security.
○ Identify and incorporate security controls (e.g., authentication, encryption).
3. Implementation (Coding)
● Activities: Write the code according to design specifications.
● Security Practices:
○ Follow secure coding standards (e.g., OWASP Top Ten).
○ Perform regular code reviews to catch security vulnerabilities.
○ Utilize static application security testing (SAST) tools to identify issues early.
4. Testing
● Activities: Verify that the software meets requirements and is free of defects.
● Security Practices:
○ Conduct dynamic application security testing (DAST) to find vulnerabilities.
○ Perform penetration testing to simulate real-world attacks.
○ Include security testing as part of regression testing.
5. Deployment
● Activities: Release the software to production environments.
● Security Practices:
○ Ensure secure configurations of the production environment (e.g., firewalls, access
controls).
○ Conduct a security assessment before deployment.
○ Implement monitoring solutions to detect security incidents.
6. Maintenance and Support
● Activities: Provide ongoing support and updates to the software.
● Security Practices:
○ Regularly review and update security patches and vulnerabilities.
○ Conduct post-deployment security audits and assessments.
○ Monitor for security threats and incidents, and respond accordingly.
7. Retirement
● Activities: Decommission the software when it is no longer needed.
● Security Practices:
○ Ensure secure data disposal methods (e.g., data wiping).
○ Conduct a final security review to mitigate any residual risks.
 ○ Document lessons learned to inform future projects.
Key Benefits of Secure SDLC
● Reduced Vulnerabilities: By integrating security from the beginning, the number of
vulnerabilities can be significantly reduced.
● Cost Efficiency: Addressing security issues early in the development process is generally
less costly than fixing them after deployment.
● Improved Compliance: Ensures adherence to regulatory and industry standards, reducing
legal risks.
● Enhanced Trust: A secure product builds trust with users and stakeholders, enhancing the
organization’s reputation.
 Risk Based Security Testing

Risk-Based Security Testing (RBST) is an approach that prioritizes testing efforts based on
the potential risks associated with different parts of a system or application.
Key Principles of RBST
1. Risk Assessment: Identify and evaluate potential security risks by considering factors like
threat likelihood, impact, and existing vulnerabilities.
2. Prioritization: Focus on testing areas that pose the highest risk to the organization. This
often includes critical business functions, sensitive data, and high-traffic components.
3. Resource Allocation: Optimize the use of testing resources by directing them toward the
most critical areas rather than conducting uniform testing across the entire system.
4. Continuous Monitoring: Implement a feedback loop that allows for ongoing assessment of
risk as new vulnerabilities and threats emerge.
5. Integration with Development: Incorporate RBST into the software development lifecycle
(SDLC) to address security early in the process.
Benefits of RBST
● Efficiency: Reduces the time and cost associated with testing by focusing efforts where they
matter most.
● Improved Security Posture: Helps organizations proactively address high-risk areas before
they can be exploited.
● Enhanced Decision-Making: Provides a clear rationale for security investments based on
assessed risks.
Steps in Risk-Based Security Testing
1. Identify Assets: Catalog the assets that need protection (e.g., applications, databases).
2. Identify Threats and Vulnerabilities: Analyze potential threats and existing vulnerabilities
associated with each asset.
3. Assess Risks: Determine the likelihood and impact of each identified risk.
4. Prioritize Testing Activities: Based on the risk assessment, prioritize which tests to conduct.
5. Execute Testing: Carry out the testing activities on prioritized areas.
6. Report Findings: Document and report the results, focusing on critical vulnerabilities.
7. Remediation and Retesting: Address identified issues and retest to ensure they have been
resolved.
8. Continuous Improvement: Regularly update the risk assessment and testing processes to
adapt to changing threats.
Tools and Techniques
● Static and Dynamic Analysis: Use tools that analyze code and application behavior to
identify vulnerabilities.
● Penetration Testing: Simulate attacks to evaluate the effectiveness of security controls.
● Threat Modeling: Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities during the design phase.
 Prioritizing Security Testing With Threat Modeling
Prioritizing security testing through threat modeling is an effective strategy that helps
organizations focus their efforts on the most critical vulnerabilities and potential attack
vectors.

What is Threat Modeling?

Threat modeling is a structured approach for identifying and assessing potential threats to a system
or application. It helps teams understand security risks and prioritize them based on factors such as
impact, likelihood, and the value of assets at risk.

Steps in Threat Modeling

1. Identify Assets:
○ List all assets, including data, applications, hardware, and user interfaces.
○ Determine the value of each asset to the organization.
2. Identify Threats:
 ○ Use frameworks like STRIDE (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information
Disclosure, Denial of Service, Elevation of Privilege) to categorize potential threats.
○ Consider both external and internal threats.
3. Identify Vulnerabilities:
○ Conduct vulnerability assessments to find weaknesses in the system.
○ Leverage past incident data, penetration testing reports, and security frameworks.
4. Assess Risks:
○ Evaluate the likelihood of each threat exploiting a vulnerability.
○ Determine the potential impact on the organization if the threat were realized.
○ Use a risk matrix to categorize risks as high, medium, or low.
5. Prioritize Testing:
○ Focus on high-risk areas first, ensuring that critical assets and high-impact
vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
○ Consider the business context and regulatory requirements that may influence
prioritization.
6. Develop Testing Strategy:
○ Based on prioritized risks, create a security testing plan that includes:
■ Static and dynamic analysis
■ Penetration testing
■ Code reviews
■ Configuration audits
7. Execute Testing:
○ Perform security tests according to the developed strategy.
○ Utilize automated tools where possible to increase efficiency.
8. Review and Remediate:
○ Document findings and categorize vulnerabilities based on severity.
○ Work with development teams to address identified vulnerabilities, focusing first on
high-risk items.
9. Continuous Improvement:
○ Regularly revisit the threat model as new assets, threats, or vulnerabilities emerge.
○ Update the testing strategy accordingly to ensure it remains relevant.
Benefits of Integrating Threat Modeling with Security Testing

● Focused Resources: Helps allocate limited testing resources to the areas of greatest risk.
● Proactive Defense: Identifies and mitigates threats before they can be exploited.
● Improved Communication: Facilitates discussions among stakeholders about security
priorities and risks.
● Alignment with Business Goals: Ensures that security efforts support overall business
objectives and compliance requirements.
 Penetration Testing

Penetration testing (pen testing) is a simulated cyberattack on a system to identify vulnerabilities

and weaknesses. Effective planning and scoping are crucial for ensuring that the penetration test
meets its objectives and provides valuable insights.

Define Objectives
● Determine Goals: Clarify what you want to achieve with the test, such as identifying
vulnerabilities, assessing security controls, or testing incident response capabilities.
● Stakeholder Engagement: Involve relevant stakeholders (e.g., IT, security, compliance) to
align on objectives and expectations.
2. Identify Scope
● In-Scope Assets: Clearly define which systems, applications, and networks are included in
the test. This may include:
○ Web applications
○ Internal and external networks
○ APIs
○ Mobile applications
● Out-of-Scope Assets: Specify any systems or components that should not be tested to avoid
unintended disruptions.
3. Determine Testing Type
● Black Box: The tester has no prior knowledge of the system. This simulates an external
attacker.
● White Box: The tester has full access to information about the system, such as source code
and architecture. This allows for a more thorough assessment.
● Gray Box: The tester has partial knowledge, combining aspects of both black and white box
testing.
4. Establish Rules of Engagement
● Testing Window: Define when the test will take place (e.g., during business hours, off-
hours).
● Communication Protocols: Set up clear lines of communication between the testing team
and internal staff to report findings or address issues in real time.
● Limitations: Specify any actions that are off-limits (e.g., social engineering, denial-of-service
attacks).
5. Identify Resources and Team
● Testing Team: Determine who will conduct the test (in-house team or external vendor) and
ensure they have the necessary skills and experience.
● Tools and Techniques: Identify tools that will be used for scanning, exploitation, and
reporting.
6. Risk Assessment
● Evaluate Potential Impact: Consider the potential impact of the testing on business
operations, especially for critical systems.
● Mitigation Strategies: Develop strategies to minimize risks, such as backups or failover
plans.
7. Compliance and Legal Considerations
● Authorization: Ensure proper authorization is obtained from relevant stakeholders before
testing begins.
● Legal Requirements: Consider any legal or regulatory requirements that may impact the
testing (e.g., data protection laws).
8. Reporting and Deliverables
● Report Structure: Define what the final report should include, such as:
○ Executive summary
 ○ Technical findings
○ Risk ratings and recommendations
○ Remediation guidance
● Presentation of Findings: Plan for how results will be communicated to stakeholders,
including follow-up discussions.
9. Post-Testing Activities
● Remediation Planning: Discuss how vulnerabilities will be addressed after the test.
● Retesting: Consider whether a follow-up test is necessary to verify that vulnerabilities have
been resolved.
 Enumeration – Remote Exploitation

Enumeration is a crucial phase in penetration testing and ethical hacking, where an attacker
gathers detailed information about a target system or network to identify potential vulnerabilities
that can be exploited remotely. This process typically follows initial reconnaissance and is essential
for planning further attacks.

1. Identify Live Hosts:

○ Use tools like Nmap or Ping to discover active devices within a network.
○ Determine the operating system and services running on those devices.
2. Service Enumeration:
○ After identifying live hosts, enumerate the services running on each open port.
○ Tools: Nmap, Netcat, Telnet.
○ Check for versions of software, which can help identify known vulnerabilities.
3. User and Group Enumeration:
○ Collect information about user accounts and groups to identify potential
targets for attacks.
○ Tools: Net use, enum.exe (for Windows environments), or LDAP queries for
Active Directory.
4. Network Shares and File Enumeration:
○ Identify shared directories and files on remote systems that may contain
sensitive information.
○ Tools: Net View, SMBClient, or Nmap for SMB enumeration.
5. Application Enumeration:
○ Gather information on web applications and their configurations. This includes
identifying frameworks, plugins, and server configurations.
○ Tools: Nikto, Burp Suite, and OWASP ZAP.
6. Vulnerability Scanning:
○ Once information is collected, use vulnerability scanners to identify specific
weaknesses.
○ Tools: OpenVAS, Nessus, and Qualys can automate this process.
7. Exploitation of Vulnerabilities:
 ○ After identifying vulnerabilities, attempt to exploit them using tools or manual
techniques.
○ Common methods include buffer overflows, SQL injection, command injection, or
exploiting misconfigurations.
○ Tools: Metasploit Framework, SQLMap, and custom scripts.
8. Post-Exploitation Enumeration:
○ If initial access is achieved, further enumeration is often performed to gather more
data about the network and its security.
○ This can include extracting passwords, network configurations, and other sensitive
data.
Tools and Techniques
● Nmap: For network scanning and service enumeration.
● Metasploit: For exploiting vulnerabilities and gaining access.
● Netcat: Useful for banner grabbing and service enumeration.
● Wireshark: For capturing and analyzing network traffic to glean additional information.
● PowerShell: On Windows systems, PowerShell can be used for various enumeration tasks.
Best Practices
● Legal Compliance: Ensure you have authorization to perform enumeration and exploitation
activities on any target system.
● Documentation: Keep thorough records of all steps taken during enumeration to inform the
exploitation phase and facilitate reporting.
● Ethical Considerations: Use enumeration skills responsibly and ethically, adhering to the
principles of responsible disclosure.
 Web Application Exploitation

Web application exploitation involves identifying and taking advantage of vulnerabilities in web
applications to compromise their security. This can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and
other malicious outcomes. Below is an overview of the common types of web application
vulnerabilities, exploitation techniques, and best practices for securing web applications.
Common Vulnerabilities
1. SQL Injection (SQLi):
○ Description: Attackers inject malicious SQL queries into input fields to manipulate
the database.
○ Exploitation: Can be used to retrieve, modify, or delete data.
○ Tools: SQLMap, manual testing with crafted queries.
2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):
○ Description: Allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by
other users.
○ Types:
■ Stored XSS: Scripts are stored on the server.
■ Reflected XSS: Scripts are reflected off a web server.
○ Exploitation: Can steal cookies, session tokens, or redirect users to malicious sites.
○ Tools: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP.
3. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):
○ Description: Tricks users into executing unwanted actions on a web application
where they're authenticated.
○ Exploitation: Can change user settings, initiate transactions, or perform actions
without user consent.
○ Tools: Custom scripts or tools like Burp Suite.
4. Remote File Inclusion (RFI) / Local File Inclusion (LFI):
○ Description: Allows attackers to include files from remote or local servers.
○ Exploitation: Can lead to code execution or disclosure of sensitive information.
○ Tools: Manual testing with crafted URLs.
5. Command Injection:
○ Description: Allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server.
○ Exploitation: Can lead to full server compromise.
○ Tools: Custom scripts, Burp Suite.
6. Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR):
○ Description: Occurs when an application exposes references to objects, such as files
or database entries, without proper authorization checks.
○ Exploitation: Attackers can access or modify data they should not be able to.
Exploitation Techniques
1. Input Validation Bypass:
 ○ Craft input to bypass validation checks (e.g., using special characters or SQL
queries).
2. Session Hijacking:
○ Steal session tokens through XSS or insecure cookie handling.
3. Parameter Manipulation:
○ Alter URL parameters, POST data, or headers to exploit vulnerabilities.
4. Brute Force Attacks:
○ Attempt to gain access through credential stuffing or password guessing.
5. Social Engineering:
○ Use deceptive techniques to trick users into providing sensitive information.
Tools for Web Application Exploitation
● Burp Suite: A comprehensive tool for web application security testing, including
interception, scanning, and exploitation.
● OWASP ZAP: An open-source web application security scanner that helps identify
vulnerabilities.
● SQLMap: An automated tool for SQL injection and database takeover.
● Metasploit: A penetration testing framework that includes modules for web application
exploitation.
Best Practices for Securing Web Applications
1. Input Validation and Sanitization:
○ Always validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent injection attacks.
2. Use Prepared Statements:
○ For SQL queries, use prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL
injection.
3. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP):
○ Helps prevent XSS by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded.
4. Secure Session Management:
○ Use secure cookies, set proper expiration, and regenerate session IDs after login.
5. Regular Security Audits:
○ Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify
vulnerabilities.
6. Educate Users:
○ Train users on recognizing phishing attempts and practicing good security hygiene.
 Exploits and Client Side Attacks

Client-side attacks exploit vulnerabilities in the user's environment

(such as browsers or applications) to compromise security. These
attacks typically target the user rather than the server itself.
 Common Client-Side Attacks
1. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):
○ Description: Attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other
users.
○ Types:
■ Stored XSS: The script is stored on the server and executed when users load
the page.
■ Reflected XSS: The script is executed immediately upon input submission,
often via a crafted URL.
○ Impact: Can steal cookies, session tokens, or redirect users to malicious sites.
2. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):
○ Description: Exploits the trust that a web application has in the user’s browser.
○ Mechanism: Tricks the user into submitting an unwanted request (like changing
account settings) by exploiting their authenticated session.
○ Impact: Can lead to unauthorized actions on behalf of the user.
3. Malicious File Downloads:
 ○ Description: Users are tricked into downloading and executing malicious files
disguised as legitimate software.
○ Impact: Can lead to malware installation, data theft, or system compromise.
4. Drive-By Downloads:
○ Description: Malware is downloaded automatically when a user visits a
compromised or malicious website.
○ Impact: This can happen without the user's knowledge, leading to full system
compromise.
5. Social Engineering Attacks:
○ Description: Manipulating users into divulging confidential information or
performing actions that compromise security.
○ Examples: Phishing emails, fake websites, or pop-ups prompting users to enter
sensitive data.
6. Browser Exploits:
○ Description: Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in web browsers or their plugins (like
Flash, Java) to execute arbitrary code.
○ Impact: Can lead to data breaches, system compromise, or installation of malware.
Exploitation Techniques
1. Phishing:
○ Craft deceptive emails or messages that prompt users to click on malicious links or
enter credentials on fake websites.
2. Social Engineering:
○ Use psychological manipulation to trick users into revealing personal information or
credentials.
3. Payload Delivery:
○ Delivering malicious scripts or files through methods like email attachments,
malicious links, or compromised websites.
4. Exploiting Browser Vulnerabilities:
○ Use known vulnerabilities in browsers or plugins to execute arbitrary code, typically
via JavaScript or similar technologies.
Prevention Measures
1. Input Sanitization:
○ Always sanitize user inputs on the server side to prevent XSS attacks.
2. Content Security Policy (CSP):
○ Implement CSP to restrict where scripts can be loaded from, reducing the risk of
XSS.
3. Secure Cookies:
○ Use flags like HttpOnly and Secure on cookies to protect them from being accessed
by scripts.
4. Anti-CSRF Tokens:
○ Implement anti-CSRF tokens in forms to ensure that requests are legitimate and
come from authenticated users.
5. User Education:
○ Train users on recognizing phishing attempts and safe browsing practices.
6. Regular Updates:
○ Keep browsers, plugins, and operating systems up to date to mitigate known
vulnerabilities.
7. Web Application Firewalls (WAF):
○ Deploy WAFs to filter and monitor HTTP requests, protecting against various web-
based attacks.
8. Behavioral Analysis:
○ Use tools that analyze user behavior to detect and respond to suspicious activities.
 Post Exploitation
Post-exploitation is the phase of a penetration test or cyberattack that occurs
after initial access has been gained to a system or network. This phase focuses
on gathering information, maintaining access, and determining the extent of
the compromise.

Key Activities in Post-Exploitation

1. Information Gathering:
○ System Information: Collect details about the operating system,
hardware, and network configurations.
○ User Accounts: Enumerate local and domain user accounts,
including privileges and groups.
○ Network Information: Identify other machines on the network,
shared resources, and connected devices.
2. Credential Dumping:
○ Techniques: Use tools or commands to extract credentials from
memory, databases, or configuration files.
○ Tools: Mimikatz, Windows Credential Editor, or built-in tools like
hashdump in Metasploit.
3. Privilege Escalation:
○ Goals: Gain higher-level access within the system or network (e.g.,
from user to administrator).
○ Techniques: Look for unpatched vulnerabilities, misconfigured
services, or weak permissions.
○ Tools: PowerSploit, Linux Exploit Suggester, or manual
techniques.
4. Establishing Persistence:
○ Methods: Create backdoors, scheduled tasks, or modify startup
scripts to maintain access even after a reboot.
○ Examples: Install remote access tools (RATs) or modify registry
settings on Windows systems.
5. Data Exfiltration:
○ Targets: Identify valuable data such as sensitive documents,
databases, or intellectual property.
○ Methods: Use various techniques to transfer data out of the
compromised environment, including encrypted channels.
○ Considerations: Minimize detection during exfiltration, such as
avoiding common file transfer protocols.
6. Lateral Movement:
○ Purpose: Move from the initially compromised system to other
machines within the network.
○ Techniques: Use tools like PsExec, WMI, or RDP, and leverage
discovered credentials or vulnerabilities.
○ Targets: Aim for critical systems, servers, or databases that
contain valuable information.
7. Covering Tracks:
○ Activities: Erase logs, modify timestamps, and delete tools used
during the attack to evade detection.
○ Techniques: Clear command history, disable logging services, or
alter log files.
Tools Commonly Used in Post-Exploitation
● Metasploit Framework: Offers various modules for information
gathering, privilege escalation, and maintaining access.
 ● Mimikatz: A powerful tool for credential dumping and manipulation on
Windows systems.
● Cobalt Strike: A commercial penetration testing tool that provides
advanced post-exploitation features, including teamwork and covert
operations.
● PowerShell Empire: A post-exploitation framework that utilizes
PowerShell for command and control and other tasks.
● BloodHound: Analyzes Active Directory relationships and permissions
for effective lateral movement and privilege escalation.
Ethical Considerations
● Authorization: Always ensure you have explicit permission to perform
post-exploitation activities in a testing environment.
● Legal Compliance: Adhere to legal and regulatory requirements
regarding data handling and privacy.
● Reporting: Document findings comprehensively, including all actions
taken, data accessed, and vulnerabilities exploited.
● Remediation Guidance: Provide recommendations to help the
organization strengthen its security posture and mitigate identified
vulnerabilities.
Understanding Firewalls

1. Types of Firewalls:
○ Packet Filtering Firewalls: Inspect packets and allow or block
them based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols.
○ Stateful Inspection Firewalls: Track the state of active
connections and make decisions based on the context of the
traffic.
○ Application Layer Firewalls: Monitor traffic at the application
layer, providing deeper inspection of web traffic and other
protocols.
○ Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW): Combine traditional
firewall capabilities with additional features such as intrusion
prevention, application awareness, and threat intelligence.
2. Functionality:
○ Traffic Filtering: Allow or deny traffic based on security rules.
○ Logging and Monitoring: Record traffic patterns and alert on
suspicious activities.
○ Network Address Translation (NAT): Hide internal IP
addresses from external entities.
Strategies for Avoiding Detection
1. Evasion Techniques:
○ Packet Fragmentation: Break malicious payloads into smaller
packets that may not trigger alerts when inspected.
○ Protocol Tunneling: Encapsulate data in a protocol that is
permitted by the firewall (e.g., using HTTPS or DNS).
 ○ HTTP/S Tunneling: Use common web protocols to disguise
malicious traffic as normal web traffic.
2. Using Non-Standard Ports:
○ Description: Many firewalls focus on standard ports (like 80 and
443). Using non-standard ports can help evade detection.
○ Example: Running services on ports like 8080 or others that are
not commonly monitored.
3. Traffic Obfuscation:
○ Description: Modify the payload or encrypt it to make it less
recognizable by security systems.
○ Techniques: Base64 encoding, encryption, or using legitimate
tools to execute commands.
4. Slow and Low Attacks:
○ Strategy: Conduct actions at a slow pace to avoid triggering
alarms set for unusual activity patterns.
○ Implementation: Space out scanning attempts or data
exfiltration actions over a longer time frame.
5. Avoiding Signature-Based Detection:
○ Description: Change known attack patterns to evade signature-
based detection mechanisms.
○ Techniques: Use polymorphic payloads that alter their
appearance each time they are executed.
6. Using VPNs and Proxies:
○ Description: Route traffic through VPNs or proxies to mask the
source IP address and encrypt the data.
 ○ Considerations: Choose reputable services to maintain
anonymity.
7. Employing Legitimate Services:
○ Description: Use legitimate applications or services (like cloud
services) to perform actions that may appear normal to the
firewall.
○ Example: Utilizing remote management tools for administrative
tasks.
 Tools for Penetration Testing

Penetration testing involves simulating attacks on systems, networks, or

applications to identify vulnerabilities. A variety of tools can aid in this
process, each serving specific purposes.
1. Reconnaissance Tools
● Nmap: A powerful network scanning tool for discovering hosts and
services on a network.
● Recon-ng: A web reconnaissance framework for gathering open-source
intelligence (OSINT).
● Maltego: A tool for data mining and link analysis, useful for visualizing
relationships in gathered data.
2. Vulnerability Scanning
● Nessus: A widely used vulnerability scanner that identifies
vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
● OpenVAS: An open-source vulnerability scanner that helps in
identifying security issues in systems.
● Qualys: A cloud-based solution for continuous monitoring and
vulnerability management.
3. Web Application Testing
● Burp Suite: An integrated platform for performing security testing of
web applications, including an intercepting proxy.
● OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy): An open-source tool for finding
vulnerabilities in web applications.
● Nikto: A web server scanner that detects vulnerabilities and
misconfigurations.
4. Exploitation Frameworks
● Metasploit: A comprehensive framework for developing, testing, and
executing exploits against vulnerable systems.
● Beef: A browser exploitation framework that focuses on client-side
vulnerabilities.
● SQLMap: An automated tool for detecting and exploiting SQL injection
vulnerabilities.
5. Wireless Security Testing
● Aircrack-ng: A suite of tools for assessing the security of Wi-Fi
networks, including packet capturing and WEP/WPA cracking.
● Kismet: A wireless network detector, sniffer, and intrusion detection
system.
● Wifite: An automated tool for attacking WEP and WPA/WPA2
networks.
6. Password Cracking
● John the Ripper: A fast password-cracking tool that supports various
hash algorithms.
● Hashcat: A powerful password recovery tool that utilizes GPU
acceleration for cracking passwords.
● Hydra: A parallelized login cracker supporting numerous protocols to
perform brute-force attacks.
7. Post-Exploitation
● Empire: A PowerShell and Python post-exploitation agent for managing
compromised systems.
● Cobalt Strike: A commercial penetration testing tool that provides
advanced threat emulation capabilities.
 ● PowerSploit: A collection of PowerShell scripts for post-exploitation
tasks.
8. Social Engineering
● Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET): A tool for creating and executing social
engineering attacks, including phishing.
● Gophish: An open-source phishing framework for testing and
improving user awareness.
9. Reporting and Documentation
● Dradis: A tool for managing information during penetration testing and
generating reports.
● Faraday: An Integrated Multiuser Penetration Test Environment that
helps manage and share data.