Hey everyone, I've been digging into penetration testing lately and I'm trying to get a comprehensive checklist together to make sure I cover all the bases during an engagement. I'm aware that every environment is different, but I'm looking for a solid foundation to build upon. Here’s what I've gathered so far: Pre-engagement Activities : Define scope and objectives with the client. Gather all necessary permissions and legal documents. Identify and assess risks involved in the testing. Intelligence Gathering : Perform WHOIS lookups. Conduct reconnaissance through open-source intelligence (OSINT). Network mapping using tools like Nmap. Vulnerability Scanning : Automated scanning with tools like Nessus or OpenVAS. Manual verification of identified vulnerabilities. Ensure compliance with any privacy regulations when scanning. Exploitation : Prioritize vulnerabilities based on potential impact. Use exploitation frameworks like Metasploit. Develop custom exploits if necessary. Post-exploitation : Maintain access for deeper exploration. Gather information (e.g., passwords, business-sensitive data). Document any escalation of privileges. Reporting : Clear and detailed documentation of findings. Risk assessment and potential impact analysis. Recommendations for remediation and security improvements. Remediation and Retesting : Work with the client on fixing vulnerabilities. Verify that all issues have been resolved. Retest to ensure no new vulnerabilities have been introduced. I’d appreciate any feedback or additions you all might have. Are there any steps that I'm missing or tools that you’ve found particularly useful in your experience? Also, how do you customize your checklist for different environments, like a cloud infrastructure versus an on-premises network? Looking forward to hearing your insights! Thanks in advance.

Penetration Testing Checklist

NetSecNerd

Hey everyone,

I've been digging into penetration testing lately and I'm trying to get a comprehensive checklist together to make sure I cover all the bases during an engagement. I'm aware that every environment is different, but I'm looking for a solid foundation to build upon.

Here’s what I've gathered so far:

Pre-engagement Activities:
- Define scope and objectives with the client.
- Gather all necessary permissions and legal documents.
- Identify and assess risks involved in the testing.
Intelligence Gathering:
- Perform WHOIS lookups.
- Conduct reconnaissance through open-source intelligence (OSINT).
- Network mapping using tools like Nmap.
Vulnerability Scanning:
- Automated scanning with tools like Nessus or OpenVAS.
- Manual verification of identified vulnerabilities.
- Ensure compliance with any privacy regulations when scanning.
Exploitation:
- Prioritize vulnerabilities based on potential impact.
- Use exploitation frameworks like Metasploit.
- Develop custom exploits if necessary.
Post-exploitation:
- Maintain access for deeper exploration.
- Gather information (e.g., passwords, business-sensitive data).
- Document any escalation of privileges.
Reporting:
- Clear and detailed documentation of findings.
- Risk assessment and potential impact analysis.
- Recommendations for remediation and security improvements.
Remediation and Retesting:
- Work with the client on fixing vulnerabilities.
- Verify that all issues have been resolved.
- Retest to ensure no new vulnerabilities have been introduced.

I’d appreciate any feedback or additions you all might have. Are there any steps that I'm missing or tools that you’ve found particularly useful in your experience? Also, how do you customize your checklist for different environments, like a cloud infrastructure versus an on-premises network?

Looking forward to hearing your insights! Thanks in advance.

datadecipher

You've got a solid checklist already, but a couple of additions could enhance your process. In the intelligence gathering phase, considering social engineering aspects might be useful, as they can often reveal vulnerabilities that tools can't. Also, during post-exploitation, think about the potential for lateral movement or pivoting to other systems, which can provide a more comprehensive view of network security.

For different environments, tools like ZAP or Burp Suite might be particularly useful for web and cloud-based assessments, while for on-premises, you might focus more on traditional network tools and domain-specific exploits. Customizing your approach based on the client's tech stack and industry-specific threats can also provide more tailored results. Keep experimenting and updating your process as you gain more experience!

packetpaladin

You've got a great start on your checklist! One thing I'd suggest is incorporating threat modeling early in the process. This helps in identifying critical assets and threats unique to the environment, whether it's on-premises or in the cloud. Additionally, don't overlook physical security testing if applicable—sometimes the biggest vulnerabilities aren't digital. Lastly, ensure your post-engagement phase includes a lessons learned session, not just for you but also for the client, to build a stronger security posture moving forward. Keep iterating as you gain experience!