Penetration testing, also known as “pen test” is the process of attacking an organization’s security controls to find vulnerabilities.
The main purpose of penetration testing is to identify the vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems so that they can be fixed before malicious actors find and exploit them.
Have you ever heard the term “penetration testing report?” Do you have any idea what it implies? This comprehensive tutorial will answer any questions you may have about penetration testing reports, including what they should contain and why you’ll want one.
Continue reading to learn more!
What Is A Penetration Test Report?
A penetration test report, aka pentest report is a document that details the findings of a pen test. It should include information on the vulnerabilities that were found, how they were exploited, and what could be done to mitigate them.
The report should also include recommendations on how to improve the organization’s security posture.
Why Do Organizations Need Penetration Test Reports?
Organizations need penetration test reports so that they can understand the risks that their systems face and take steps to mitigate those risks.
Without a penetration testing report, an organization would not know about the vulnerabilities in their systems or how to fix them.
What Should Organizations Do With The Penetration Test Report?
Organizations should use the penetration test report to improve their security posture. They should follow the recommendations in the report and take measures to address the hazards that were discovered.
They can use their in-house security team or hire experts to fix these issues based on criticality.
Common Flaws Found In Penetration Test Reports
There are a few common flaws that are often found in penetration test reports. These include:
- Lack of detail: It should be clear and explicit in a penetration testing report. It should not contain general statements or vague language.
- Incomplete information: A pentest report should be complete and accurate. All findings should be included, even if they are not all critical vulnerabilities.
- Lack of analysis: A pentesting report should not just list the findings, but also include an analysis of the risks they pose. This will help the organization understand the severity of the vulnerabilities and take steps to mitigate them.
- Lack of actionable recommendations: A pentesting report should contain recommendations that are actionable and specific. The recommendations should be based on the pen test results and should be doable by the company.
What All Details Must A Penetration Test Report Include- Explain?
A penetration test report should include information on the vulnerabilities that were found, how they were exploited, and what could be done to mitigate them. It also should include information on how to improve a company’s security posture.
Additionally, the report should be detailed and specific, complete and accurate, and contain actionable recommendations.
Example Of A Penetration Test Report
-TARGET INFORMATION-
Organization: ACME Corp
Industry: Manufacturing
Assets Tested:
- IP Address: 192.168.0.0/24
- Website: acme.com
- Application: AppX
-VULNERABILITY DETAILS-
Vulnerability: Website Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Severity: High
Authentication: Yes; Enumeration: Yes; Severity (1-10): 10.0
For example, you can use a firewall to protect against unauthorized access in the cloud by implementing internal network segmentation and security controls. CVSS Score, Exploitability Metrics, Level of Authentication Required, Impact Rating, and Remediation Level are some of the other details that would be mentioned in a detailed penetration testing report.
Description: The application is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This issue was discovered when testing the “search” feature of the site. By entering a malicious script into the search field, an attacker could execute arbitrary code in the victim’s browser.
Recommendation: Cross-site scripting vulnerabilities can be mitigated by implementing a security policy that disallows users from inputting potentially malicious code into web applications. Furthermore, web application firewalls can be used to detect and resist attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Conclusion
A penetration test report is a document that details the findings of a security assessment. The report should be detailed and specific, complete and accurate, and contain actionable recommendations.
Additionally, the report should include information on the vulnerabilities that were found, how they were exploited, and what could be done to mitigate them.
By following the recommendations in this guide, you can ensure that your penetration testing report meets all of these criteria.
Related Posts:
- 10 Ways You Can Keep Your Instagram Account Safe & Secure
- NIST Penetration Testing Framework: A Comprehensive Guide
- 8 Valuable Tips for Inexperienced Internet Users
- What Security Tips Could Experienced Hackers Give To Their True Friends?
