Network Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (Network VAPT) is a security process that evaluates an organization’s network infrastructure to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Network VAPT combines two approaches:
- Vulnerability Assessment (VA): This identifies, assesses, and prioritizes security weaknesses in network components such as routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and other devices. Vulnerability assessment tools scan the network for known vulnerabilities, weak configurations, and outdated software without actually exploiting them.
- Penetration Testing (PT): Also called ethical hacking, this goes a step further by attempting to exploit vulnerabilities to assess the extent of potential harm. Penetration testers mimic real-world attack scenarios to determine how an attacker might breach the network and the potential damage they could cause.
Phases in Network VAPT
Network VAPT follows a structured process:
- Planning and Scoping: This phase defines the scope, goals, and limitations of the testing process. It includes determining which parts of the network to test and obtaining permissions.
- Reconnaissance: Also known as information gathering, this step involves collecting as much data as possible about the network. Techniques like IP scanning, DNS analysis, and OS fingerprinting are used to understand the network’s structure and connected devices.
- Scanning and Enumeration: Automated tools scan the network to identify open ports, services, and versions. Enumeration involves gathering detailed information about network services to identify potential vulnerabilities in detail.
- Vulnerability Analysis: The collected data is analyzed to identify security weaknesses. Automated vulnerability assessment tools, such as Nessus or OpenVAS, help to pinpoint vulnerabilities like open ports, weak configurations, or missing patches.
- Exploitation: In penetration testing, security experts attempt to exploit vulnerabilities to understand their potential impact. Common methods include exploiting misconfigured access controls, testing for man-in-the-middle attack vectors, and identifying weak authentication protocols.
- Post-Exploitation: This involves understanding the impact of a successful attack. Penetration testers examine what data they can access, what further vulnerabilities are exposed, and how far an attacker could penetrate the network.
- Reporting and Recommendations: The findings are documented in a detailed report with the identified vulnerabilities, severity levels, and recommended remediation steps. This report is shared with the network administration team for review and action.
- Re-testing: After vulnerabilities are addressed, the network is tested again to confirm that security measures are effective.