The Penetration Testing (Pen Test) methodology is a structured approach to identify and exploit vulnerabilities within a system or network. Here’s a breakdown of each phase:

1. Reconnaissance/Discovery

• Definition: The initial phase where the tester gathers as much information as possible about the target system or network without directly interacting with it.
• Activities:
  • Passive Reconnaissance: Collecting information from public sources (e.g., websites, social media, domain name records) without touching the target network.
  • Active Reconnaissance: Involves directly interacting with the target to gather more detailed information (e.g., ping sweeps, port scans).

2. Enumeration

• Definition: The process of extracting more detailed information from the target. This step involves probing the network to gather specific details about the network topology, devices, and services.
• Activities:
  • Identifying user accounts: Using tools to list user accounts on a system.
  • Identifying shares: Finding shared resources on a network.
  • Banner grabbing: Gathering information about the software and versions running on the target.

3. Vulnerability Analysis

• Definition: Analyzing the information gathered during the reconnaissance and enumeration phases to identify vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
• Activities:
  • Identifying known vulnerabilities: Matching identified systems and software with known vulnerabilities from databases like CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures).
  • Assessing the impact: Evaluating the potential impact of each vulnerability on the system or network.

4. Execution/Exploitation

• Definition: Attempting to exploit the identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or escalate privileges within the target system.
• Activities:
  • Exploiting vulnerabilities: Using tools and techniques to exploit identified weaknesses.
  • Gaining access: Once a vulnerability is exploited, gaining access to the system.
  • Privilege escalation: Moving from a lower level of access to a higher level (e.g., from a user to an administrator).

5. Documentation/Reporting

• Definition: The final phase where all findings are documented, and a detailed report is prepared.
• Activities:
  • Documenting findings: Detailing all vulnerabilities found, the methods used to exploit them, and the success of those exploits.
  • Reporting: Creating a comprehensive report that includes the findings, potential impacts, and recommended remediation steps.
  • Executive summary: Providing a high-level summary for management that highlights the overall security posture and critical vulnerabilities.

Control Assessment

Control Assessment involves evaluating the security posture of an organization by reviewing its controls and assessing their effectiveness. This includes analyzing how well an organization’s controls (e.g., technical, administrative, physical) protect its assets and reduce risks. The assessment can include penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and reviewing policies and procedures.

Key Areas Assessed:

• Posture: Overall security stance, including readiness to respond to threats.
• Effectiveness: How well current controls mitigate risks.
• Gaps: Identifying areas where controls are missing or insufficient.
• Compliance: Ensuring controls meet regulatory and organizational requirements.