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pentest checklist

1. Pre-Engagement Activities

Define the scope of the penetration test

Identify key stakeholders and establish communication protocols

Determine testing methods and tools to be used

Review legal and compliance requirements

Establish a timeline for the testing activities

Sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) if necessary

Gather existing documentation (network diagrams, security policies, etc.)

2. Information Gathering

Conduct reconnaissance to identify target systems and services

Utilize search engines for asset discovery.
Leverage tools like Nmap for active scanning.
Analyze social media for employee and infrastructure data.
Check job postings for technology usage insights.

Use WHOIS and DNS queries to gather domain information

Perform WHOIS lookups to find registrant details.
Check domain expiration and registration dates.
Use DNS queries to retrieve A, MX, and TXT records.
Identify name servers and their configurations.

Identify IP address ranges and network topology

Use tools like ARIN or RIPE for IP range info.
Map the network using traceroute to identify hops.
Document subnet masks and CIDR notations.
Visualize network topology with diagram tools.

Collect information on technology stack (OS, applications, etc.)

Survey websites for technology signatures using tools.
Review HTTP headers for server and OS details.
Identify application frameworks in use.
Look for software version information in public repositories.

Enumerate public-facing services and applications

Scan for open ports using Nmap or similar tools.
Identify services running on discovered ports.
Check for common vulnerabilities in public services.
Document all findings for further analysis.

3. Threat Modeling

Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities specific to the organization

Assess the potential impact of identified vulnerabilities

Prioritize assets based on criticality and sensitivity

Develop attack scenarios based on threat intelligence

4. Vulnerability Assessment

Utilize automated tools to scan for known vulnerabilities

Perform manual testing to identify security weaknesses

Review configurations for security best practices

Document discovered vulnerabilities with severity ratings

5. Exploitation

Attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access

Test for escalation of privileges

Validate the exploitation of vulnerabilities to demonstrate risk

Maintain detailed notes on successful and unsuccessful exploitation attempts

6. Post-Exploitation

Assess the level of access gained and data obtained

Attempt lateral movement within the network

Identify and document sensitive data exposure

Analyze the potential impact of the exploitation on business operations

7. Reporting

Compile findings into a comprehensive report

Provide an executive summary for stakeholders

Include detailed technical findings with evidence (screenshots, logs)

Offer recommendations for remediation and improvement

Schedule a debriefing session with stakeholders to discuss findings

8. Remediation and Retesting

Collaborate with the organization to address identified vulnerabilities

Verify remediation efforts through retesting

Update documentation and security policies as needed

Conduct a post-engagement review to identify lessons learned

9. Continuous Improvement

Implement a regular penetration testing schedule

Stay updated on emerging threats and vulnerabilities

Foster a culture of security awareness among staff

Review and adjust security policies based on findings and industry best practices

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