A penetration test, occasionally pentest, is a method of evaluating the security of a computer system or network by simulating an attack from malicious outsiders (who do not have an authorized means of accessing the organization's systems) and malicious insiders (who have some level of authorized access). The process involves an active analysis of the system for any potential vulnerabilities that could result from poor or improper system configuration, both known and unknown hardware or software flaws, or operational weaknesses in process or technical countermeasures. This analysis is carried out from the position of a potential attacker and can involve active exploitation of security vulnerabilities.
Security issues uncovered through the penetration test are presented to the system's owner. Effective penetration tests will couple this information with an accurate assessment of the potential impacts to the organization and outline a range of technical and procedural countermeasures to reduce risks.
Penetration tests are valuable for several reasons:
Penetration tests are a component of a full security audit. For example, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and security and auditing standard, requires both annual and ongoing penetration testing (after system changes).
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Penetration tests can be conducted in several ways. The most common difference is the amount of knowledge of the implementation details of the system being tested that are available to the testers. Black box testing assumes no prior knowledge of the infrastructure to be tested. The testers must first determine the location and extent of the systems before commencing their analysis. At the other end of the spectrum, white box testing provides the testers with complete knowledge of the infrastructure to be tested, often including network diagrams, source code, and IP addressing information. There are also several variations in between, often known as grey box tests. Penetration tests can also be described as "full disclosure" (white box), "partial disclosure" (grey box), or "blind" (black box) tests based on the amount of information provided to the testing party.
The relative merits of these approaches are debated. Black box testing simulates an attack from someone who is unfamiliar with the system. White box testing simulates what might happen during an "inside job" or after a "leak" of sensitive information, where the attacker has access to source code, network layouts, and possibly even some passwords.
The services offered by penetration testing firms span a similar range, from a simple scan of an organization's IP address space for open ports and identification banners to a full audit of source code for an application.
A penetration test should be carried out on any computer system that is to be deployed in a hostile environment, in particular any Internet facing site, before it is deployed. This provides a level of practical assurance that any malicious user will not be able to penetrate the system.
Black box penetration testing is useful in the cases where the tester assumes the role of an outside hacker and tries to intrude into the system without adequate knowledge of it.
Penetration testing can be an invaluable technique to any organization's information security program. Basic white box penetration testing is often done as a fully automated inexpensive process. However, black box penetration testing is a labor-intensive activity and requires expertise to minimize the risk to targeted systems. At a minimum, it may slow the organization's networks response time due to network scanning and vulnerability scanning. Furthermore, the possibility exists that systems may be damaged in the course of penetration testing and may be rendered inoperable, even though the organization benefits in knowing that the system could have been rendered inoperable by an intruder. Although this risk is mitigated by the use of experienced penetration testers, it can never be fully eliminated.
The Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual is a peer-reviewed methodology for performing security tests and metrics. The OSSTMM test cases are divided into five channels which collectively test: information and data controls, personnel security awareness levels, fraud and social engineering control levels, computer and telecommunications networks, wireless devices, mobile devices, physical security access controls, security processes, and physical locations such as buildings, perimeters, and military bases.
The OSSTMM focuses on the technical details of exactly which items need to be tested, what to do before, during, and after a security test, and how to measure the results. OSSTMM is also known for its Rules of Engagement which define for both the tester and the client how the test needs to properly run starting from denying false advertising from testers to how the client can expect to receive the report. New tests for international best practices, laws, regulations, and ethical concerns are regularly added and updated.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) discusses penetration testing in SP800-115.[1][2] NIST's methodology is less comprehensive than the OSSTMM; however, it is more likely to be accepted by regulatory agencies. For this reason, NIST refers to the OSSTMM.
The Information Systems Security Assessment Framework (ISSAF) is a peer reviewed structured framework from the Open Information Systems Security Group that categorizes information system security assessment into various domains and details specific evaluation or testing criteria for each of these domains. It aims to provide field inputs on security assessment that reflect real life scenarios. The ISSAF should primarily be used to fulfill an organization's security assessment requirements and may additionally be used as a reference for meeting other information security needs. It includes the crucial facet of security processes, and their assessment and hardening to get a complete picture of the vulnerabilities that might exist. The ISSAF, however, is still in its infancy.
The process of carrying out a penetration test can reveal sensitive information about an organization. It is for this reason that most security firms are at pains to show that they do not employ ex-black hat hackers and that all employees adhere to a strict ethical code. There are several professional and government certifications that indicate the firm's trustworthiness and conformance to industry best practice.
The Tiger Scheme is a not for profit scheme that offers three certifications: Associate Security Tester (AST), Qualified Security Team Member (QSTM) and Senior Security Tester (SST). The SST is technically equivalent to CHECK Team Leader and QSTM is technically equivalent to the CHECK Team Member certification.[3] Tiger Scheme certifies the individual, not the company. The Tiger scheme also offers certification for computer forensic practitioner relating to Forensic Readiness, Scene of Crime Management, Forensic Practitioner and Malicious Software Analyst. The Tiger scheme is the only scheme in the UK that has all of its assessments accredited and quality audited by a University (The University of Glamorgan).
The Information Assurance Certification Review Board (IACRB) manages a penetration testing certification known as the Certified Penetration Tester (CPT). The CPT requires that the exam candidate pass a traditional multiple choice exam, as well as pass a practical exam that requires the candidate to perform a penetration test against live servers.
SANS provides a wide range of computer security training arena leading to a number of SANS qualifications. In 1999, SANS founded GIAC, the Global Information Assurance Certification, which according to SANS has been undertaken by over 20,000 members to date.[4] Two of the GIAC certifications are penetration testing specific: the GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN) certification;[5] and the GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT) certification.[6]
Offensive Security offers an Ethical Hacking certification (Offensive Security Certified Professional) - a training spin off of the BackTrack Penetration Testing distribution. The OSCP is a real-life penetration testing certification, requiring holders to successfully attack and penetrate various live machines in a safe lab environment. Upon completion of the course students become eligible to take a certification challenge, which has to be completed within twenty-four hours. Documentation must include procedures used and proof of successful penetration including special marker files.
Government-backed testing also exists in the US with standards such as the NSA Infrastructure Evaluation Methodology (IEM).
For web applications, the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) provides a framework of recommendations that can be used as a benchmark.
The Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (CREST) provides three certifications: the CREST Registered Tester and two CREST Certified Tester qualifications, one for infrastructure and one for application testing.[7]
The International Council of E-Commerce consultants certifies individuals in various e-business and information security skills. These include the Certified Ethical Hacker course, Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator program, Licensed Penetration Tester program and various other programs, which are widely available worldwide.
Web application penetration testing refers to a set of services used to detect various security issues with web applications and identify vulnerabilities and risks, including:
OWASP, the Open Web Application Security Project, an open source web application security documentation project, has produced documents such as the OWASP Guide and the widely adopted OWASP Top 10 awareness document.
The Firefox browser is a popular web application penetration testing tool, with many plugins specifically designed for web application penetration testing.
OWASP Mantra Security Framework is a free and open source security toolkit with a collection of hacking tools, add-ons and scripts based on Firefox[8] intended for penetration testers, web application developers and security professionals etc.
Foundstone's Hacme Bank simulates a banking application. It helps developers and auditors practice web application attacks, including input validation flaws such as SQL injection and Cross Site Scripting (XSS).