Compare vulnerability scan to penetration test using example under the

Question

following headings:

A. Procedure

Answer 1

Vulnerability Scan:

1. Scope: The first step in a vulnerability scan is to determine the scope of the scan, including specific systems or networks to be assessed.

2. Scanning: The scan uses automated tools to identify known vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in the target system or network. These tools scan ports, services, and applications to gather information about potential weaknesses.

3. Analysis: Once the scan is complete, the results are analyzed to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker. It provides a comprehensive report showing the severity, impact, and recommended fixes for each vulnerability detected.

4. Remediation: The final step involves addressing the vulnerabilities identified in the scan report. This may include installing patches, updating software, or reconfiguring systems to mitigate the identified risks.

Penetration Test:

1. Planning: The first step in a penetration test is to define the objectives, scope, and rules of engagement. This includes specifying the systems or networks to be tested, as well as identifying any potential restrictions or limitations.

2. Reconnaissance: The penetration tester gathers information about the target system or network through various techniques such as open-source intelligence (OSINT), network scanning, or social engineering. This information helps the tester to identify potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors.

3. Exploitation: Using the information gathered during reconnaissance, the penetration tester attempts to exploit the identified vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to the target system or network. This may involve using known exploits, custom-written scripts, or social engineering techniques.

4. Post-Exploitation: Once access is gained, the tester explores the target system or network to gather additional information or compromise other systems. This step helps to verify the extent of the potential damage an attacker could cause.

5. Reporting: The penetration test concludes with a detailed report that summarizes the findings, including the vulnerabilities exploited, the data exposed, and recommendations to mitigate the identified risks. This report helps the organization prioritize and address the vulnerabilities discovered during the test.

Example:

Let's say an organization wants to assess the security of its web application.

Vulnerability Scan: The vulnerability scan would involve running an automated tool against the web application to identify known vulnerabilities. It could detect issues such as outdated software versions, misconfigurations, or known security weaknesses in the application. The scan report would provide a list of vulnerabilities along with recommendations for remediation.

Penetration Test: In a penetration test, a skilled tester would perform reconnaissance on the web application to gather information about its infrastructure and potential vulnerabilities. They may identify weak password policies, insecure data input fields, or other vulnerabilities that an automated scan might miss. Using this information, the tester would attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the application or its underlying systems. The penetration test report would provide a detailed account of the exploited vulnerabilities and recommendations for improving the application's security.

Overall, while both vulnerability scanning and penetration testing aim to identify weaknesses in a system, penetration testing provides a more in-depth assessment by simulating real-world attacks and testing the effectiveness of existing security measures.