Internal Penetration Testing

Internal Penetration Testing focuses on evaluating the security of an organization's internal network. This test simulates real-world attacks from within the organization to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that could be leveraged by internal attackers or compromised accounts.
An Xtronum Security engineer conducts this test by systematically assessing internal systems, network configurations, and security policies. The engineer employs advanced techniques to identify potential vulnerabilities thoroughly. The goal is to evaluate the security posture by attempting to access sensitive data, escalate privileges, or gain control of critical systems, thereby comprehensively assessing the internal 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 within the internal network that could be exploited by attackers. This helps in understanding the internal network's attack surface.
  • 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 privilege escalation, lateral movement, and other common exploits.
  • Active Directory and User Privilege Evaluation: This process assesses the security of Active Directory configurations and user privileges.
  • Firewall and IDS/IPS Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of internal firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems in detecting and mitigating attacks, ensuring that internal 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 internal network.
  • Improved defenses against internal threats.
  • Enhanced overall security posture.