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Questions and Answers
What is another name for a penetration test?
What is another name for a penetration test?
Pen test
In the context of web application security, what is penetration testing commonly used to enhance?
In the context of web application security, what is penetration testing commonly used to enhance?
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Which of the following are examples of application systems that may be targeted during a penetration test? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are examples of application systems that may be targeted during a penetration test? (Select all that apply)
What type of attack is often targeted by testers when examining non-archived inputs?
What type of attack is often targeted by testers when examining non-archived inputs?
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The insights from penetration tests can be used to identify and correct vulnerabilities that might exist in a WAF.
The insights from penetration tests can be used to identify and correct vulnerabilities that might exist in a WAF.
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What is the primary benefit of penetration tests for organizational security?
What is the primary benefit of penetration tests for organizational security?
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Penetration tests are only effective for organizations with large IT teams.
Penetration tests are only effective for organizations with large IT teams.
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What analogy is often used to describe penetration tests?
What analogy is often used to describe penetration tests?
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Penetration tests can only be used to detect attackers.
Penetration tests can only be used to detect attackers.
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What is the first phase involved in penetration testing?
What is the first phase involved in penetration testing?
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What are the two key aspects addressed in the planning and research phase?
What are the two key aspects addressed in the planning and research phase?
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What is the primary goal of collecting intelligence in the planning and research phase?
What is the primary goal of collecting intelligence in the planning and research phase?
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What is a widely known tool used for active network reconnaissance in penetration testing?
What is a widely known tool used for active network reconnaissance in penetration testing?
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What is the purpose of the Scanning phase in penetration testing?
What is the purpose of the Scanning phase in penetration testing?
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What are the two types of analysis employed in the Scanning phase?
What are the two types of analysis employed in the Scanning phase?
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What is the main objective of the Getting Access phase in penetration testing?
What is the main objective of the Getting Access phase in penetration testing?
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What is the primary objective of the Maintain Access phase?
What is the primary objective of the Maintain Access phase?
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What is the objective of the Analysis phase?
What is the objective of the Analysis phase?
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What is the main purpose of analyzing penetration test results?
What is the main purpose of analyzing penetration test results?
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Penetration testing techniques are only employed against web applications.
Penetration testing techniques are only employed against web applications.
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The use of a web application firewall (WAF) eliminates the need for penetration testing.
The use of a web application firewall (WAF) eliminates the need for penetration testing.
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Penetration testing can only be performed by highly specialized individuals.
Penetration testing can only be performed by highly specialized individuals.
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Penetration testing is a one-time process that should be conducted only once.
Penetration testing is a one-time process that should be conducted only once.
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Penetration testing poses no risk to the target system.
Penetration testing poses no risk to the target system.
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Penetration testing is a mandatory requirement for all organizations.
Penetration testing is a mandatory requirement for all organizations.
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Study Notes
Penetration Testing Overview
- Penetration testing (pen test) is a simulated cyberattack to identify vulnerabilities in a computer system
- It's used in web application security to improve web application firewalls (WAFs)
- Pen tests can target various application aspects, including APIs, front-end/back-end servers, and code injection points
- Results help correct WAF security policies and pinpoint issues
- Pen tests are crucial for security training; they help staff handle malicious breaches
- They evaluate organizational security policies and provide a "fire drill" scenario
- Penetration tests also aid in removing attackers and preventing future attacks
Penetration Testing Phases and Tools
1. Planning and Research
- Defining test scope and objectives, including systems to evaluate and testing methods
- Information gathering (network, domain names, mail servers) to understand the target's infrastructure and potential risks
- Tools include Shodan, Google Search, Wireshark, Nmap, Nessus, OpenVAS, Nikto, Metasploit, and FindSubDomains.com
2. Scanning
- Understanding how the target application reacts to various intrusion attempts
- Employing static and dynamic analysis
- Static Analysis: Examines application code to analyze behavior. This is a one-time scan
- Dynamic Analysis: Scans running application code for a real-time performance view. This is a more practical and dynamic method
- Tools include Nexpose, Nessus, Nmap, Qualys, Nikto, Zenmap, and OpenVAS
3. Getting Access
- Exploiting web application vulnerabilities (e.g., cross-site scripting, MySQL injection, backdoors) to expose weaknesses
- Exploiting vulnerabilities to gain better insight into the potential impact
- Tools include Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark, OpenVAS, IronWASP, Nikto, SQLMap, SQLNinja, Maltego, John the Ripper, Burp Suite, NetStumbler, Ettercap, and Canvas
4. Maintaining Access
- Evaluating the ability to sustain access to the exploited system
- Mimicking persistent threats to understand how long attackers could maintain presence inside the system and gather data.
- Tools include Malware, Backdoors, Trojans, Viruses, Worms, Keyloggers, Botnets, Remote Communications, and Command and Control
5. Analysis
- Compiling test results into a detailed report
- Identifying exploited weaknesses, sensitive data accessed, and the tester's level of system access in the report
- Security personnel analyze the results to configure WAF settings and other application security measures to reduce vulnerabilities for future prevention
- Tools for analysis include PeStudio, Process Hacker, Process Monitor (ProcMon), ProcDot, Autoruns, Fiddler, Wireshark, and x64dbg
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of penetration testing, including its purpose, phases, and tools. Learn how these simulated cyberattacks help identify vulnerabilities in systems and improve web application security. Explore the critical role of pen testing in training and assessing an organization's security policies.
