Actionable information is the key to success when performing a penetration test. The amount of public data that is available on the Internet is staggering, and sifting through it all to find useful information can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are tools available that assist in gathering and sorting through this wealth of knowledge. In this chapter, we will be reviewing some of these tools and will focus on how to use the information to ensure your penetration tests are efficient, focused, and effective. Key topics covered include:

What is reconnaissance and why do we need it
Reconnaissance types
Using DNS to quickly identify potential targets
Using search engines data
Using metadata to your advantage

Note

Throughout this chapter we will use the domain names example.com, example.org, and example.net which are owned and maintained by IANA. DO NOT USE THESE FOR PRACTICE PURPOSES.

These domain names are used as a representation of a domain that you...

DNS recon

Domain Name System (DNS) can provide valuable data during the reconnaissance phase. If you do not already understand DNS, you may want to take some time to get a good grasp on the service and how it works. At a very basic level, DNS is used to translate domain names into IP addresses. Luckily for us, there are many tools available that are excellent at extracting the data that we need from nameservers. An example of the information you are able to gather includes:

Record	Description
CNAME	Alias, used to tie many names to a single IP. An IP address can have multiple CNAME records associated with it.
A	Used to translate a domain or subdomain name to a thirty-two bit IP address. It can also store additional useful information.
MX	Ties a domain name to associated mail servers.

There are other record types that can be collected from DNS tools as well; the records listed in the table are the most popular and often, the most useful.

Note

DNS reconnaissance is considered active...

Key benefits

Learn how to perform an efficient, organized, and effective penetration test from start to finish
Gain hands-on penetration testing experience by building and testing a virtual lab environment that includes commonly found security measures such as IDS and firewalls
Take the challenge and perform a virtual penetration test against a fictional corporation from start to finish and then verify your results by walking through step-by-step solutions

Description

The internet security field has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade. Everyday more people around the globe gain access to the internet and not all of them with good intentions. The need for penetration testers has grown now that the security industryhas had time to mature. Simply running a vulnerability scanner is a thing of the past and is no longer an effective method of determining a business's true security posture. Learn effective penetration testing skills so that you can effectively meet and manage the rapidly changing security needs of your company. Advanced Penetration Testing for Highly-Secured Environments will teach you how to efficiently and effectively ensure the security posture of environments that have been secured using IDS/IPS, firewalls, network segmentation, hardened system configurations and more. The stages of a penetration test are clearly defined and addressed using step-by-step instructions that you can follow on your own virtual lab.The book follows the standard penetration testing stages from start to finish with step-by-step examples. The book thoroughly covers penetration test expectations, proper scoping and planning, as well as enumeration and footprinting. You'll learn how to clean up and compile proof of concept, exploit code from the web, advanced web application testing techniques, client side attacks, post exploitation strategies, detection avoidance methods, generation of well defined reports and metrics, and setting up a penetration testing virtual lab that mimics a secured environment. The book closes by issuing a challenge to your skills and ability to perform a full penetration test against a fictional corporation; followed by a detailed walk through of the solution.Advanced Penetration Testing for Highly-Secured Environments is packed with detailed examples that reinforce enumeration, exploitation, post-exploitation, reporting skills and more.

Who is this book for?

If you are looking for guidance and detailed instructions on how to perform a penetration test from start to finish, are looking to build out your own penetration testing lab, or are looking to improve on your existing penetration testing skills, this book is for you. Although the books attempts to accommodate those that are still new to the penetration testing field, experienced testers should be able to gain knowledge and hands-on experience as well. The book does assume that you have some experience in web application testing and as such the chapter regarding this subject may require you to understand the basic concepts of web security. The reader should also be familiar with basic IT concepts, and commonly used protocols such as TCP/IP.

What you will learn

Detailed step-by-step guidance on managing testing results and writing clearly organized and effective penetration testing reports
Properly scope your penetration test to avoid catastrophe
Understand in detail how the testing process works from start to finish, not just how to use specific tools
Use advanced techniques to bypass security controls and remain hidden while testing
Create a segmented virtual network with several targets, IDS and firewall
Generate testing reports and statistics
Advanced web application testing and exploitation
Perform an efficient, organized, and effective penetration test from start to finish

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Amazon verified reviews

George T Feb 11, 2021

Excellent resource for my master’s-level course.

Amazon Verified review

Soufiane Dec 09, 2019

There is nothing "advanced" in the book :)

Hitch Dec 01, 2017

Nothing "advanced" about it. This is a simple walkthrough that looks like every other penetration testing methodology, with the exception that it goes through some basic Kali setup.

Roy Batty Apr 14, 2016

Text book... what can I say? I was forced to buy it.

AddersK Nov 05, 2015

Should be far shorter given the amount of information covered.

AFRINIC	http://www.afrinic.net
APNIC	http://www.apnic.net
ARIN	http://ws.arin.net
IANA	http://www.iana.com
ICANN	http://www.icann.org
LACNIC	http://www.lacnic.net
NRO	http://www.nro.net
RIPE	http://www.ripe.net
InterNic	http://www.internic.net

Advanced Penetration Testing for Highly-Secured Environments: The Ultimate Security Guide: Learn to perform professional penetration testing for highly-secured environments with this intensive hands-on guide with this book and ebook.

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