Perhaps this will start a rant but... Is there really a need to spent
30% of your time breaking into a hole when you can show the exposure as
well documented and exploitable? I understand there is a difference
between full pen and vuln assessment. However, that's like black box
determining the external IPs for an external. The value to any client
for a "hacker" approach is giddy and fun, but if you were just handed
the IPs you could just show the exposures and not waste your time OR
YOUR CLIENT'S.
I guess you have to gauge what you are trying to prove. If your client
requires you to gain root, great. If you are doing a pen, you already
have the understanding from the client. That's what you are there for in
the first place. You are the expert and showing that there is an
exposure for a remote buffer overflow on a given system is your job, and
more so showing the customer how to fix it.
Eventually it all comes down to time, like you said. What amount of time
should you spend on what... I think everyone on this list will agree to
the following:
1) AUTOMATE as much reporting as possible (35%?????) ouch
2) Define your scope to your client
If they want full stealth black box, ensure they understand the time
limitations... I assume you don't work for free.
IP count is decent, however, the numbers in the open source testing doc
show decent numbers that can help you determine scan times for large
sets of IPs, etc.
Of course, a FULL UDP port scan of a Solaris is a tad different than
other systems... Plan accordingly.
3) Experience... The more you do the more you can optimize, have a game
plan when you show up. You should already be done with your information
gathering before the start time.
... Did I miss anything?
-----Original Message-----
From: BSK [mailto:bishan4u@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 9:43 AM
To: pen-test@securityfocus.com
Subject: PT Activity duration/time
Dear All,
We have been conducting a number of PT's till date.
1. There is one thing which has always bothered us, a good effort
estimate, especially for Black-box PT. We generally estimate our efforts
based on IP addresses.
I would request other Pen-Testers on this list to share their views and
methods of effort estimation.
2. Secondly, what is the amount of time that should be spent on each
phase of PT?
For e.g:
Information Gathering - 5%
Footprinting - 10%
Vulnerability Scanning - 10%
Vulnerability Analysis - 10%
Vulnerability Exploitation - 30%
Reporting - 35%
Await some input/ feedback from other Pen-Testers on this list.
Thanks,
Bshan
___________________________________________________________
To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new
Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Audit your website security with Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner:
Hackers are concentrating their efforts on attacking applications on
your website. Up to 75% of cyber attacks are launched on shopping carts,
forms, login pages, dynamic content etc. Firewalls, SSL and locked-down
servers are futile against web application hacking. Check your website
for vulnerabilities to SQL injection, Cross site scripting and other web
attacks before hackers do!
Download Trial at:
http://www.securityfocus.com/sponsor/pen-test_050831
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audit your website security with Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner:
Hackers are concentrating their efforts on attacking applications on your
website. Up to 75% of cyber attacks are launched on shopping carts, forms,
login pages, dynamic content etc. Firewalls, SSL and locked-down servers are
futile against web application hacking. Check your website for vulnerabilities
to SQL injection, Cross site scripting and other web attacks before hackers do!
Download Trial at:
http://www.securityfocus.com/sponsor/pen-test_050831
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
