July 10th, 2023
Part 3: Basic Scanning Techniques
Scanning is a critical step in the penetration testing process. It involves identifying potential vulnerabilities in a target system by probing it with various tools and techniques. In this post, we'll cover some basic scanning techniques that you can use to identify potential vulnerabilities in a target system.
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Port Scanning
Port scanning is the process of probing a target system to identify open ports and the services running on them. This can be done using tools like Nmap, which can scan for open ports and identify the services running on them. Understanding which ports are open can help you identify potential attack vectors and vulnerabilities -
Vulnerability Scanning
Vulnerability scanning involves using tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, or Qualys to identify potential vulnerabilities in a target system. These tools scan the target system for known vulnerabilities and can provide detailed reports on potential vulnerabilities and how to remediate them. -
Web Application Scanning
Web application scanning involves probing web applications for potential vulnerabilities. This can be done using tools like Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, or Nikto. These tools can identify potential vulnerabilities in web applications, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and file inclusion vulnerabilities. -
Operating System Fingerprinting
Operating system fingerprinting involves identifying the operating system running on a target system. This can be done using tools like Nmap, which can identify the operating system based on the response to network probes. Understanding the operating system running on the target system can help you identify potential vulnerabilities and tailor your attack strategy accordingly. -
Banner Grabbing
Banner grabbing involves retrieving the banner or header information from a service running on a target system. This can be done using tools like Netcat or Telnet. Banner grabbing can provide valuable information about the version of the software running on the target system and can help you identify potential vulnerabilities.
Scanning can be time-consuming, so it's important to prioritize which techniques to use based on the target system and your objectives. In the next post, we'll cover some basic exploitation techniques that you can use to take advantage of potential vulnerabilities in a target system.