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1. Vulnerability Assessment
& Penetration Testing
By: Michael Lassiter Jr. (@EthicalMJPen)

2. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & PEN TESTING
Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability Assessment:
• Is the assessment of a system to determine if it has vulnerabilities or
weaknesses that need to be resolved or patched.
• Is also known as a security audit.
• Can be performed by one person or a team of vulnerability researchers or
security engineers.
• Is often known as a flaw or weakness that could be exploited by an outside
attacker or compromised by internal personnel.
• Is necessary because many organizations, companies, and health facilities are
required to meet certain compliance.
• HIPPA regulations are important so that health facilities hire the services
of pen testers in order to meet compliance with vulnerability assessment
being a great portion of the service.

3. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & PEN TESTING
Vulnerability Assessment Tools
• Nessus is on of the most popular vulnerability scanning tools. It is a commercial
product and many companies often desire an individual that is skilled with it.
• OpenVas, which is the older open-source version of Nessus, is still available. It
comes pre-packaged with Linux distributions such as Kali Linux.
• Nexpose – The vulnerability scanner, which is by Rapid 7, is available and
highly capable of scanning a system for vulnerabilities with accuracy.
• There are plenty of open-source tools available, so I suggest that you take
time to try them in your virtual lab.
• Do not choose an active target under any circumstances without
authorization. Always obey the law!

4. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & PEN TESTING
Vulnerability Assessment Key Points
• Vulnerability Assessments do not involve any steps to fix or apply patches to a
system.
• The objective of a vulnerability assessment is to determine the vulnerabilities
and report them to the client.
• The assessment must be requested and authorized by the client prior to the
performance of the assessment.
• The laws and permission of the client are in place to protect the client and
security engineer form liabilities and legal backlash.

5. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & PEN TESTING
Penetration Testing
• Penetration Testing includes the actual exploitation of the vulnerabilities that
are discovered during the phases of the vulnerability assessment.
• It includes vulnerability assessment; however, vulnerability assessment does
not include penetration testing.
• Rules of engagement (ROE) are signed and understood by both parties before
the beginning of a penetration test. The ROE limits the penetration testers from
touching targets that are not permitted by the client.

6. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & PEN TESTING
Penetration Testing – Black Box, Gray Box, and White Box Testing
• Penetration testing usually falls under three categories: Black Box, Gray Box,
and White Box.
• Black Box does not include any knowledge of the structure of the system,
so this type of testing simulates the approach of an outside attacker.
• Gray Box includes only a limited knowledge of the layout of the target.
• White Box testing occurs when a penetration tester has complete
knowledge of the layout of the target(s).

7. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & PEN TESTING
Penetration Testing – Personal Experiences
• My personal experience in pen testing is primarily from a black box testing
perspective. Black box testing will surely test your knowledge and training in
penetration testing.
• If the penetration test requires a team, the success of the it is heavily dependent
on the cohesion of the team. A strength in one can balance the weakness in
another.
• Penetration testing is not about ramming a tool into the most fortified part of a
system, but using it to exploit the overlooked weaknesses.
• During a pen test, my team had to request permission to touch additional
system that were found. We then received permission. The rules of
engagement are in place for a reason.

8. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & PEN TESTING
Conclusion
• The key difference between vulnerability assessment and penetration testing is
the lack of exploitation in vulnerability assessment and the actual exploitation
in penetration testing.
• Permission must be granted to carry out either or both of these operations.
• Obey the cybercrime laws and regulations at all times.
• There are many available tools, yet one should not simply rely on only one tool
to fit every situation.
• To gain further experience and training; research OWASP, create virtual labs,
and complete the training on Cybrary.

9. VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT & PEN TESTING
A special thank you to Michael Lassiter for his submissions to Cybrary. We
appreciate every member and hope that you enjoy expanding your knowledge
through the trainingand resources provided.
Thankyoufor yourcontinuedsupport!
-CybraryStaff