Creating Vulnerability Assessment Plans with ChatGPT

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This article is an excerpt from the book, ChatGPT for Cybersecurity Cookbook, by Clint Bodungen. Master ChatGPT and the OpenAI API, and harness the power of cutting-edge generative AI and large language models to revolutionize the way you perform penetration testing, threat detection, and risk assessment.

Introduction

In this recipe, you'll learn how to harness the power of ChatGPT and the OpenAI API to create comprehensive vulnerability assessment plans using network, system, and business details as input. This recipe is invaluable for both cybersecurity students and beginners looking to familiarize themselves with proper methods and tools for vulnerability assessments, as well as experienced cybersecurity professionals aiming to save time on planning and documentation. 

Building upon the skills acquired in Chapter 1, you will delve deeper into establishing the system role of a cybersecurity professional specializing in vulnerability assessments. You'll learn how to craft effective prompts that generate well-formatted output using markdown language. This recipe will also expand on the techniques explored in Enhancing Output with Templates (Application: Threat Report) and Formatting Output as a Table (Application: Security Controls Table) in Chapter 1, enabling you to design prompts that produce the desired output format. 

Finally, you'll discover how to use the OpenAI API and Python to generate the vulnerability assessment plan, and then export it as a Microsoft Word file. This recipe will serve as a practical guide for creating detailed and efficient vulnerability assessment plans using ChatGPT and the OpenAI API. 

Getting Ready 

Before diving into the recipe, you should already have your OpenAI account setup and have obtained your API key. If not, revisit Chapter 1 for details. You will also need to be sure you have the following Python libraries installed: 

1. python-docx: This library will be used to generate Microsoft Word files. You can install it using the command pip install python-docx.  

2. tqdm: This library will be used to display progress bars. You can install it using the command:

pip install tqdm

How to do it… 

In this section, we will walk you through the process of using ChatGPT to create a comprehensive vulnerability assessment plan tailored to a specific network and organization's needs. By providing the necessary details and using the given system role and prompt, you will be able to generate a well-structured assessment plan. 

1. Begin by logging in to your ChatGPT account and navigating to the ChatGPT web UI. 

2. Start a new conversation with ChatGPT by clicking the "New chat" button. 

3.  Enter the following prompt to establish a system role: 

You are a cybersecurity professional specializing in vulnerability assessment. 

4. Enter the following message text, but replace the placeholders in the “{ }” brackets with the appropriate data of your choice. You can either combine this prompt with the system role or enter it separately as follows: 

Using cybersecurity industry standards and best practices, create a complete and detailed assessment plan (not a penetration test) that includes: Introduction, outline of the process/methodology, tools needed, and a very detailed multi-layered outline of the steps. Provide a thorough and descriptive introduction and as much detail and description as possible throughout the plan. The plan should not only assessment of technical vulnerabilities on systems but also policies, procedures, and compliance. It should include the use of scanning tools as well as configuration review, staff interviews, and site walk-around. All recommendations should following industry standard best practices and methods. The plan should be a minimum of 1500 words. 

Create the plan so that it is specific for the following details: 

Network Size: {Large} 

Number of Nodes: {1000} 

Type of Devices: {Desktops, Laptops, Printers, Routers} 

Specific systems or devices that need to be excluded from the assessment: {None} 

Operating Systems: {Windows 10, MacOS, Linux} 

Network Topology: {Star} 

Access Controls: {Role-based access control} 

Previous Security Incidents: {3 incidents in the last year} 

Compliance Requirements: {HIPAA} 

Business Critical Assets: {Financial data, Personal health information} 

Data Classification: {Highly confidential} 

Goals and objectives of the vulnerability assessment: {To identify and prioritize potential vulnerabilities in the network and provide recommendations for remediation and risk mitigation.} 

Timeline for the vulnerability assessment: {4 weeks{ 

Team: {3 cybersecurity professionals, including a vulnerability assessment lead and two security analysts} 

Expected deliverables of the assessment: {A detailed report outlining the results of the vulnerability assessment, including identified vulnerabilities, their criticality, potential impact on the network, and recommendations for remediation and risk mitigation.} 

Audience: {The organization's IT department, senior management, and any external auditors or regulators.} 

Provide the plan using the following format and markdown language: 

#Vulnerability Assessment Plan 

##Introduction 

Thorough Introduction to the plan including the scope, reasons for doing it, goals and objectives, and summary of the plan 

##Process/Methodology 

Description and Outline of the process/Methodology 

##Tools Required 

List of required tools and applications, with their descriptions and reasons needed 

##Assessment Steps 

Detailed, multi-layered outline of the assessment steps 

Hint 

If you are performing this in the OpenAI Playground, it is advisable to use Chat mode and enter the role in the System window, and the prompt in the User message window. 

Figure 2.1 shows the system role and user prompt entered into the OpenAI Playground. 

Figure 2.1 – OpenAI Playground Method 

5. Review the generated output from ChatGPT. If the output is satisfactory and meets the requirements, you can proceed to the next step. If not, you can either refine your prompt or re-run the conversation to generate a new output. 

6. Once you have obtained the desired output, you can use the generated markdown to create a well-structured vulnerability assessment plan in your preferred text editor or markdown viewer. 
 
Figure 2.2 shows an example of ChatGPT generation of a vulnerability assessment plan using markdown language formatting. 

Figure 2.2 – Example ChatGPT Assessment Plan Output 

How it works… 

This GPT-assisted vulnerability assessment plan recipe leverages the sophistication of natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to generate a comprehensive and detailed vulnerability assessment plan. By adopting a specific system role and an elaborate user request as a prompt, ChatGPT is able to customize its response to meet the requirements of a seasoned cybersecurity professional who is tasked with assessing an extensive network system. Here's a closer look at how this process works: 

1. System Role and Detailed Prompt: The system role designates ChatGPT as a seasoned cybersecurity professional specializing in vulnerability assessment. The prompt, which serves as the user request, is detailed and outlines the specifics of the assessment plan, from the size of the network and types of devices to the required compliance and the expected deliverables. These inputs provide context and guide ChatGPT's response, ensuring it is tailored to the complexities and requirements of the vulnerability assessment task. 

2. Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning: NLP and machine learning form the bedrock of ChatGPT's capabilities. It applies these technologies to understand the intricacies of the user request, learn from the patterns, and generate a well-structured vulnerability assessment plan that is detailed, specific, and actionable. 

3. Knowledge and Language Understanding Capabilities: ChatGPT uses its extensive knowledge base and language understanding capabilities to conform to industry-standard methodologies and best practices. This is particularly important in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity, ensuring that the resulting vulnerability assessment plan is up-to-date and adheres to recognized standards. 

4. Markdown Language Output: The use of markdown language output ensures that the plan is formatted in a consistent and easy-to-read manner. This format can be easily integrated into reports, presentations, and other formal documents, which is crucial when communicating the plan to IT departments, senior management, and external auditors or regulators. 

5. Streamlining the Assessment Planning Process: The overall advantage of using this GPT-assisted vulnerability assessment plan recipe is that it streamlines the process of creating a comprehensive vulnerability assessment plan. You save time on planning and documentation and can generate a professional-grade assessment plan that aligns with industry standards and is tailored to the specific needs of your organization. 

By applying these detailed inputs, you transform ChatGPT into a potential tool that can assist in creating a comprehensive, tailored vulnerability assessment plan. This not only bolsters your cybersecurity efforts but also ensures your resources are utilized effectively in protecting your network systems. 

Conclusion

In harnessing ChatGPT and the OpenAI API, this guide unlocks a streamlined approach to crafting detailed vulnerability assessment plans. Whether a novice or seasoned cybersecurity professional, leveraging these tools optimizes planning and documentation. By tailoring assessments to specific network intricacies, it fosters precision in identifying potential threats and fortifying defenses. Embrace this method to not only save time but also ensure comprehensive security measures aligned with industry standards, safeguarding networks effectively.

Author Bio

Clint Bodungen is a cybersecurity professional with 25+ years of experience and the author of Hacking Exposed: Industrial Control Systems. He began his career in the United States Air Force and has since many of the world's largest energy companies and organizations, working for notable cybersecurity companies such as Symantec, Kaspersky Lab, and Booz Allen Hamilton. He has published multiple articles, technical papers, and training courses on cybersecurity and aims to revolutionize cybersecurity education using computer gaming (“gamification”) and AI technology. His flagship product, ThreatGEN® Red vs. Blue, is the world’s first online multiplayer cybersecurity simulation game, designed to teach real-world cybersecurity.