What is the Penetration Testing Process?
A key lesson from my recent training module was how important it is to follow a structured penetration testing process. It’s not just about hacking into systems; it’s about conducting ethical, safe, and well-documented tests. Without proper planning and documentation, a penetration test could lead to severe, unintended damage to a client’s systems. The module I completed broke down the entire process into several key stages:
Pre-Engagement: This phase is all about preparation—laying the groundwork before any testing begins. This includes drafting contracts with the client, setting expectations, and outlining the scope of what will be tested. The focus here is on ensuring both parties understand their responsibilities, and it gives me, as the tester, a clear picture of my goals.
Information Gathering: This phase felt like detective work. I learned how to gather critical information about a target system using open-source intelligence (OSINT) and network scanning techniques. This phase is the foundation of any pen test because without thorough knowledge of the target’s infrastructure, the rest of the test won’t be effective.
Vulnerability Assessment: Once you have enough information, the next step is to identify vulnerabilities in the system. This phase involves both manual techniques and automated tools to find weak spots that could be exploited.
Exploitation: Now, this is where the real action happens. The exploitation phase is all about using the vulnerabilities found in the previous step to gain access to the target system. It’s the moment where theory meets practice.
Post-Exploitation: After gaining access, the post-exploitation phase helps us understand how much damage could be done if a real attacker was in control. This could involve escalating privileges to access more sensitive information.
Lateral Movement: This was a fascinating part of the module—after gaining access, it’s not just about stopping there. The goal is to see how far you can move through the system, reaching other hosts and gathering more data. It’s about understanding the broader security risks an organization faces.
Post-Engagement: Finally, after all the testing is done, the process wraps up with post-engagement activities. These include cleanup (removing any tools used during the test) and providing detailed documentation to the client, outlining the vulnerabilities found and offering recommendations.
The Importance of Documentation and Learning by Doing
One thing I didn’t fully appreciate before this module was how crucial note-taking and documentation are throughout the entire process. It's not enough to just find vulnerabilities and exploit them—you need to be able to explain exactly how you did it. For me, I plan to take this seriously by creating a GitHub repository for each personal test I perform. This will help me track my progress and also create a portfolio of my work that mimics what a client would expect at the end of a test. It’s a good way to apply my learning while making sure I stay organized.
What Tools Have I Learned So Far?
In addition to learning about the pen testing process, I’ve also started working with several new tools. nmap is one of them, and it’s quickly becoming a favorite. nmap is a powerful network scanner that helps you discover hosts and services on a computer network. It’s essential during the information-gathering phase, especially when you’re trying to map out a network and identify potential entry points. Enumeration is one of the biggest parts of a penetration test, and tools like nmap make that process a lot easier.
In class, we've also started discussing offensive security techniques like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). These are common vulnerabilities that can leave websites and applications open to attack. Learning how they work has opened my eyes to just how vulnerable some websites can be, especially smaller businesses that don’t have the resources to secure their systems properly. It makes me think of the vast number of websites that are likely sitting out there, unknowingly exposed to serious threats.
What's Next?
As I continue down this path, my next focus will be on getting more comfortable with tools like nmap and deepening my understanding of enumeration techniques. I’m also excited to start practicing exploitation in test environments, honing my skills in a safe, controlled space. One of the things I’ve learned is that practice is key—especially when it comes to pen testing. It’s not just about knowing how to use the tools but understanding when and why to use them.
I’m taking a quick break next week for a trip to Florida, which will give me some much-needed downtime. But I’m eager to get back to my studies and continue this exciting journey when I return.