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Network Security Pen-Test
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Re: Pen testing techniques

Subject: Re: Pen testing techniques
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 18:00:30 -0400
I agree with everyone above training is more important that the tool
used. Core is an incredible tool, but it CAN'T be used alone.
My FIRST question would be what is the web app, and what version.
My SECOND question would be, is port 80 really the only thing open.

Did they know about the pentest in advance?


Jon



On Wed, Apr 9, 2008 at 5:11 PM, Jason <securitux@gmail.com> wrote:
Oh boy... let me intercept this before some others do, lol.

 You cannot rely on Core or any one tool for a pen test AT ALL. It's a
 great tool but there is SO much more to pen testing than relying on
 one single tool, in fact that is the cardinal sin. You need to follow
 a methodology and use an array of tools and manual techniques to make
 sure the test is thorough. When I do a web app pen test, the tools
 never find some of the nastiness that I do manually. Never. Web apps
 are a curious breed because they are usually custom coded in some way
 so every single one is different, making standard tools less useful.

 I am not surprised by your Core Impact results, it is a great tool but
 they are new to the web app game, and it hasn't been thoroughly
 developed yet. No fault of theirs, it just hasn't matured the way
 others have. For web apps I prefer a web app vulnerability scanner
 like Cenzic Hailstorm for the automated dumb stuff like XFS / XSS and
 basic authentication bypass. You definitely need to do manual checks,
 regardless of what the tools find. Try some injections and
 authentication bypass techniques, and, well, everything else too.
 Might want to do a search for the OWASP guide, they have great info on
 web app testing.

 Besides all this, have you used anything like nmap to find open ports
 and verify your results? Perhaps Core missed something. Is a stealth
 approach required to emulate a malicious hacker and therefore your
 checks need to be quiet and evade detection?

 I highly recommend if you are new to this to take a course or at least
 get some good books. A person really can't jump into pen testing like
 they can jump into product deployment / administration.

 Might want to search this list as well, you will find some helpful
 information I am sure.

 Good luck.

 -J



 On Wed, Apr 9, 2008 at 3:48 PM, Atif Azim <azim.atif@gmail.com> wrote:
 > Hello,
 >  I am new to pen testing and am currently involved in doing an external
 >  pen test for one of our clients.We are doing it through Core
 >  Impact.Reconnaisance showed only port 80 as open and the web server
 >  running IIS 6.0.Core Impact did not find any vulnerabilities in the
 >  server and hence was unable to penetrate.The web application was also
 >  tested for SQL Injection and PHP remote file inclusion and did not
 >  find any vulnerabilities there either.
 >
 >  My question is what else can we do besides relying on Core Impact for
 >  this pen test.And what impression can a client get if we say to them
 >  that there are no vulnerabilites in your network or web app.Its
 >  dificult to digest something like that for a security specialist that
 >  everythings alright.
 >
 >  Looking forward to some great views.Thanks.
 >
 >  Regards,
 >  Atif Azim
 >
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 This list is sponsored by: Cenzic

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 Click to try it, buy it or download a solution FREE today!

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This list is sponsored by: Cenzic

Need to secure your web apps NOW?
Cenzic finds more, "real" vulnerabilities fast.
Click to try it, buy it or download a solution FREE today!

http://www.cenzic.com/downloads
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