External Penetration Testing

An External Penetration Test focuses on evaluating the security of an organization's external network perimeter. This test simulates real-world attacks from outside the organization to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that external attackers could leverage.

An Xtronum Security engineer conducts this test by systematically collecting sensitive information through open-source intelligence (OSINT). This includes data such as employee details and breached passwords, which are then used to target external systems. The engineer employs advanced scanning and enumeration techniques to thoroughly identify potential vulnerabilities. The goal is to assess the security posture by attempting to access sensitive data, deface websites, or infiltrate internal networks, thereby comprehensively evaluating the external network's defenses.

Testing adheres to the following frameworks:

  • OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project)
  • PTEST (Penetration Testing Execution Standard)
  • NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

Key Components:

  • Network Scanning: Identifies open ports, services, and potential entry points that attackers could exploit, helping to understand the attack surface of the external network.
  • Vulnerability Exploitation: Attempts to exploit identified vulnerabilities to assess their impact and the potential damage an attacker could cause. This includes testing for weaknesses such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other common exploits.
  • Firewall and IDS/IPS Evaluation: Assesses the effectiveness of firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems in detecting and mitigating attacks, ensuring that defensive mechanisms function as intended.
  • Reporting and Remediation: Provides a detailed report outlining the findings, including exploited vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and recommended remediation steps. This helps prioritize and address security issues effectively.

Benefits:

  • Identification of security weaknesses in the external network.
  • Improved defenses against external attacks.
  • Enhanced overall security posture.