Blackbox penetration testing is a type of security testing that simulates a real-world attack on a target system, network, or application. It is performed from the perspective of an attacker who has no prior knowledge of the target, except for its IP address or domain name. The goal of blackbox penetration testing is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be exploited by a malicious attacker.
The techniques and technologies used for blackbox penetration testing vary depending on the target and the scope of the test. However, some common techniques and technologies include:
- Information Gathering: This stage involves collecting information about the target, such as its IP address range, domain name, and any publicly available information about its technologies and services. Tools commonly used for this stage include reconnaissance scanners, WHOIS databases, and search engines.
- Vulnerability Scanning: This stage involves using automated tools to scan the target for known vulnerabilities. These tools can identify missing patches, misconfigured services, and other issues that could be exploited by an attacker.
- Exploitation: This stage involves attempting to exploit identified vulnerabilities using manual or automated methods. The goal is to gain access to sensitive information, systems, or data.
- Post-Exploitation: This stage involves further exploring the target and collecting information after a successful exploit. The goal is to understand the extent of the compromise and gather additional information about the target’s infrastructure.
- Report Generation: This stage involves documenting the results of the penetration test and providing recommendations for remediation.
In addition to these techniques, blackbox penetration testers may also use social engineering techniques to gather information about the target and its employees, as well as physical security techniques to test the target’s physical security measures.
Common tools used for blackbox penetration testing include Nmap, Metasploit, Nessus, and Burp Suite. These tools automate many of the tasks involved in the testing process, making it easier for testers to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. We also use them and many of internal made or commercially available task-specific software and scanners.