Welcome to the core of identifying vulnerabilities! Vulnerability scanning and analysis is like a meticulous detective meticulously searching a crime scene for any overlooked clues. In penetration testing, this phase is all about systematically finding weaknesses in systems, applications, and networks that could be exploited by malicious actors. It's not about actively exploiting these weaknesses (that comes later), but rather about discovering and documenting them so they can be understood and, most importantly, fixed.
Think of it as a reconnaissance mission. We're gathering intelligence on potential entry points and vulnerabilities. This process often involves using automated tools, but human intelligence and understanding are crucial for interpreting the results and identifying the true risks.
Here's a breakdown of the key concepts in vulnerability scanning and analysis:
- Automated Vulnerability Scanners: These are your primary tools. They are software applications designed to probe systems for known vulnerabilities. They compare the discovered configurations and software versions against vast databases of known exploits and misconfigurations.
Common examples include:
- Nessus: A widely used commercial scanner known for its comprehensive vulnerability checks.
- OpenVAS: A powerful open-source vulnerability scanner.
- Nmap (with NSE scripts): While primarily a network scanner, Nmap's scripting engine (NSE) can be leveraged for vulnerability detection.
- Nikto: A web server scanner that tests for dangerous files/CGIs, outdated server versions, and other problems.
- Types of Scans:
- Network Scans: These focus on identifying open ports, running services, and potential vulnerabilities at the network layer.
- Host Scans: These examine individual systems (servers, workstations) for specific software vulnerabilities, unpatched systems, and misconfigurations.
- Web Application Scans: These target web applications to find common flaws like SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and insecure direct object references (IDOR).
- False Positives and False Negatives:
- False Positive: The scanner flags a vulnerability that doesn't actually exist. This can happen due to misconfigurations or outdated scanner definitions. It's crucial to manually verify these.
- False Negative: The scanner fails to detect a real vulnerability. This can occur if the scanner isn't comprehensive enough, the vulnerability is novel, or it's hidden behind complex configurations.