Penetration Testing

Validate security controls through authorized testing.

Phases

pentest_phases:
  1_reconnaissance:
    - Passive information gathering
    - DNS enumeration
    - Network mapping
    
  2_scanning:
    - Port scanning
    - Service identification
    - Vulnerability scanning
    
  3_exploitation:
    - Attempt exploitation
    - Verify vulnerabilities
    - Document findings
    
  4_post_exploitation:
    - Privilege escalation
    - Lateral movement
    - Data access
    
  5_reporting:
    - Document findings
    - Risk assessment
    - Remediation recommendations

Reconnaissance

# DNS enumeration
dig example.com ANY
host -l example.com

# Subdomain discovery
subfinder -d example.com

# WHOIS
whois example.com

Scanning

# Port scan
nmap -sV -sC -p- target.com

# Web scanning
nikto -h https://target.com
dirb https://target.com

# Vulnerability scan
nmap --script vuln target.com

Web Testing

# SQL injection test
sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1"

# XSS testing
# Use Burp Suite or manual testing

# Directory traversal
curl "http://target.com/file?path=../../../etc/passwd"

Rules of Engagement

scope:
  in_scope:
    - target.com
    - api.target.com
  out_of_scope:
    - production-db.target.com
    - third-party services
  
  testing_window: "Weekdays 2-6 AM UTC"
  emergency_contact: "security@target.com"

Best Practices

• Always get written authorization
• Define clear scope
• Document everything
• Report critical findings immediately
• Safe exploitation techniques only

Related Skills

• dast-scanning – Automated testing
• vulnerability-scanning – Vulnerability discovery