Penetration Testing: A Comprehensive Guide
Systematic Approach to Security Testing
Legal Disclaimer
Only perform penetration testing on systems you own or have explicit written permission to test. Unauthorized testing may be illegal and result in serious consequences.
Introduction to Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is a systematic process of evaluating the security of computer systems, networks, and web applications by simulating real-world attacks. This guide covers methodologies, tools, and best practices for effective security assessment.
Penetration Testing Methodology
1. Planning and Reconnaissance
- Define scope and objectives
- Gather target information
- Identify potential entry points
Recommended Tools:
- Nmap - Network scanning
- Maltego - Information gathering
- Recon-ng - Web reconnaissance
nmap -sV -sC -A target.com
2. Scanning and Enumeration
- Port scanning
- Service identification
- Vulnerability scanning
Recommended Tools:
- Nessus - Vulnerability scanning
- Nikto - Web server scanning
- WPScan - WordPress security scanning
nikto -h target.com
3. Vulnerability Assessment
- Identify security weaknesses
- Analyze potential impacts
- Prioritize vulnerabilities
Common Vulnerabilities:
- Injection flaws
- Authentication weaknesses
- Security misconfigurations
4. Exploitation
- Exploit identified vulnerabilities
- Gain system access
- Escalate privileges
Recommended Tools:
- Metasploit Framework
- Burp Suite Professional
- SQLmap
5. Post Exploitation
- Maintain access
- Collect evidence
- Clean up traces
6. Reporting
- Document findings
- Risk assessment
- Remediation recommendations
Best Practices
- Always obtain written permission
- Document everything thoroughly
- Follow ethical guidelines
- Maintain confidentiality
- Use secure testing environment
