C|PENT Review, Preparation Tips, and Cyber Range Experience: Advice From a Licensed Penetration Tester (Master)

Before sharing my experience with and advice for the Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT) program, I must mention that C|PENT is different from other programs. While preparing for C|PENT, I learned many new, cool concepts and practiced them in EC-Council’s iLabs and Cyber Range. There are so many concepts and technologies that you will learn about in this course. I cannot outline all of them here, but I will try to highlight the most important ones.

With C|PENT, you don’t just get a certificate; you earn it. The program equips you with real-world knowledge of how penetration tests are done and what you can expect when you jump into cybersecurity as a career.

C|PENT Preparation Tips

I began preparing by watching all the videos and then moving to the course materials. My advice would be to not skip any of the pages, as there is always something new, even when the topic seems repetitive. For instance, I was astonished when I noticed something new in Linux even though I have been using it for a long time. One of the best things about C|PENT is that you learn to do the same thing multiple ways; this ensures that you always have a backup plan during a real penetration test.

When reviewing for the C|PENT exam, keep the following things in mind. My most important advice is to make exhaustive notes, as this will be a lifesaver. During the exam, you don’t want to spend time searching for the command that will give you root or admin access. I suggest making two sets of not

1. Explanation of the theory: In these notes, you’ll describe how something works and how it can be exploited, the theory behind certain exploits, and so on.

2. Commands with brief explanations: This set of notes is more important and will be useful throughout your cybersecurity journey. Note the commands and provide a short explanation—preferably, use variables that you can define in your penetration test exercise. The ones that I used in my notes were:

◉ $MYIP: IP of my attacking machine

◉ $IP: IP of the machine that I wanted to attack

◉ $IPRANGE: Range of the IP address that I wanted to scan or exploit (for password spraying, Nmap, and others)

◉ $HOSTNAM: DNS name of the host that I wanted to attack

Practice all the exploits and concepts. Although you get 6 months of iLabs access, the time will fly by, as there is a lot to learn. While doing the labs and practicing on the Cyber Range, I also wrote the aliases, functions, and scripts in Bash and Python to ensure that I could do it faster next time. I had a lot of aliases defined for many commands, and with practice, I had most of them committed to muscle memory.

Practice pivoting if you are not used to it. Initially, you will not realize how difficult it might be to exploit a box when you cannot reach it directly, but having a good understanding of networking and how subnets work will help you in the long run. And don’t forget that double pivoting needs double the practice, if not more.

Let’s take an example of the script I used. I called it connect.sh and used it only to connect to any host that I had compromised. First, I had a text file (named creds.txt) that contained details of how I wanted to connect to the machine. It looked something like this:

ssh|1.1.1.1|user1|pass1

winrm|2.2.2.2|user2|pass2

As you can see, the fields are separated with a pipe symbol, and each line has a connection method, IP address, username, and password. Now for the script:

#!/bin/bash

## Read the creds.txt file in current folder to get the creds and connect method

rdp='xfreerdp /dynamic-resolution +clipboard /cert-ignore +auto-reconnect /auto-reconnect-max-retries:3 /v:$IP /u:$USER /p:$PASS /t:$IP /rfx +fonts '

rdph='xfreerdp /dynamic-resolution +clipboard /cert-ignore +auto-reconnect /auto-reconnect-max-retries:3 /v:$IP /u:$USER /pth:$PASS /t:$IP /rfx +fonts '

ssh='sshpass -p $PASS ssh -l $USER $IP'

winrm='evil-winrm -u $USER -i $IP -p $PASS'

winrmh='evil-winrm -u $USER -i $IP -H $PASS'

smb='impacket-smbexec "$USER:$PASS@$IP"'

ps='impacket-psexec "$USER:$PASS@$IP"'

w=( $(grep $1 creds.txt | sed 's/|/ /g') )

export IP=${w[1]}

export USER=${w[2]}

export PASS=${w[3]}

echo ${!w[0]} |envsubst

if [[ $2 == p* || $3 == p* ]] then

eval proxychains4 ${!w[0]}

exit

fi

if [[ $2!= "" ]]

then

w=( $(grep $1 creds.txt|grep $2 | sed 's/|/ /g') )

export IP=${w[1]}

export USER=${w[2]}

export PASS=${w[3]}

echo ${!w[0]} |envsubst

eval ${!w[0]}

else

eval ${!w[0]}

fi

Note that this script saved me a lot of time and served two purposes. At the end of the exam, I had all the usernames, passwords, and access mechanisms in one file (i.e., creds.txt for reference. In addition, and most importantly, despite there being so many machines and ranges, I did not struggle to search for usernames or passwords in my notes. This is only one example of a script I used; I created numerous others during my practice in iLabs and on the Cyber Range, which was helpful. The scripts will also enable you to organize logs and your report

How to Navigate Challenging Topics

The C|PENT program is very challenging; even the web range that you find on many other platforms is not as straightforward in C|PENT. A few topics are more difficult than others because there are not many options to practice these areas. Let’s have a look at some of the difficult topics and tips to navigate them.

Pivoting and Double Pivoting

You will not find this on any other cybersecurity training platform, and very few blogs and YouTube videos are available on this topic. So, make the best use of the lab time to figure out how this technique works.

Note down the issues you can run into if you try double pivoting. When pivoting, some things will not work the way you expect them to; try to understand why.

Binary Exploitation

Although I love binary exploitation, I still have not been able to fully master it, as there are too many things to learn. Address space layout randomization (ASLR) and return to LIBC (ret2libc) are some of the things that I found fascinating. Differences between 32- and 64-bit binaries, how they work, and how to exploit them were other challenges.

Active Directory Range

This is something I enjoyed learning in C|PENT. The first thing I learned is that Active Directory (AD) is not accessible from outside the network, so you need to pivot—and when you pivot, strange things happen.

To top it off, some of the tools you will find online will not work as is, so you need to understand why they do not work and then fix them to get the information you need. This is a real challenge.

My Cyber Range Experience

My favorite Cyber Ranges were the binary exploitation, AD, and double pivoting ranges. Above, I explained the challenges I faced. Here, I share what I learned in my favorite Cyber Ranges.

My C|PENT advice would be to spend a lot of time in iLabs to understand the concepts. Practice techniques that don’t seem easy multiple times, and finally, when you feel you are ready, go for the Cyber Range. Spend a lot of time mastering Cyber Ranges you find difficult. Ensure that you find and get root or admin access on all of them, but remember that there are systems where you will not get any access or not get admin or root access, and you should know when to move on. Learn and understand when you want to stop trying to get user-level or root access; this will be helpful for you on the exam. Note down what you have found and attempted, and then move on.

AD Range

1. You cannot access all the machines directly.

2. There could be antivirus software, firewalls, or other defense mechanisms on the machines, so be prepared. The firewalls are simple, not next generation, but a Windows firewall could be enabled on the host.

3. You need to use pivoting here.

4. Practice post-enumeration, as you don’t learn much about it in capture-the-flag (CTF) exercises and it is very important for C|PENT. Post-enumeration will tell you how the network and other machines are configured. Again, list what you want to capture from the machine once it is compromised. Don’t be afraid to record more details than required.

Binary Analysis

1. Learn the concept.

2. Understand how it works.

3. Follow the process and understand what you need to do when you encounter binary exploits. Following the process—along with a lot of Googling—is a very important part of understanding why something does not work.

Double Pivoting

You must practice this in the lab or Cyber Range. You will not be able to do this in your own setup unless you do some complex configurations, so use the Cyber Range to learn something new, if you have not already done so.

Internet of Things and Operational Technology

Learn the tools and techniques needed to penetration test Internet of Things (IoT) and operational technology (OT) devices. Remember what you need to do when you get a machine on the Cyber Range.

Valuable Tips to Crack the Exam

These C|PENT tips helped me ace the exam:

1. Don’t hesitate to try password guessing, cracking, and spraying. This could be an easy win and save you time, though don’t waste your time waiting for results. While the tool is doing its thing, continue with your enumeration and find what you can do next. Don’t hesitate to try different tools. They all work differently, and sometimes your second favorite tool can get you the password you need.

2. The domain controller (DC) will not be accessible from the outside, so be prepared. Practice this well and keep your tools ready for ADRecon.

3. Have your commands and scripts ready; you will need them. Don’t waste your time looking for them

4. Be persistent. Some boxes will seem to be impossible to get, but follow the methodology you have learned, and you’ll see the benefits.

C|PENT Program Experience

I love learning new things, and C|PENT was the best course for learning new concepts. It is remarkably close to real-life scenarios and helps you understand how real-world penetration tests should be conducted. You also learn how to write a penetration test report and can take notes during the exam to prepare the report, which is amazing.

The C|PENT course has taught me many new things, including practical aspects of penetration testing. In addition, it helps with networking: I now have a lot of connections with security professionals worldwide and am part of the elite global group of ethical hackers who have cleared the C|PENT exam

Source: eccouncil.org

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What Is Threat Modeling?

Data breaches cost companies USD 8.64 million on average (Johnson, 2021), but many companies report they don’t have adequate protection against these vulnerabilities because there aren’t enough IT security professionals to help. The shortage of cybersecurity professionals leaves these organizations vulnerable to costly data breaches.

Threat modeling is a technique cybersecurity professionals use to identify security vulnerabilities in a company’s IT infrastructure and develop techniques to protect its resources. This guide explores cyber threat modeling and explains which threat modeling skills and tools companies need most.

How Cybersecurity Professionals Use Threat Modeling

Cyberattacks are getting more sophisticated and causing more damage to companies’ systems by the day. Security professionals use a structured process to identify the threats that plague organizations.

A threat intelligence professional’s goal is to identify potential cyberthreats and determine their impact. Once the threat intelligence analyst has this information, they can strategize how to prevent each type of attack. Security teams use a process called threat modeling to identify the areas of the organization’s systems and networks that are most vulnerable to attack.

The Cyber Threat Modeling Process

Cybersecurity professionals have several objectives they must meet to evaluate whether they’ve successfully mitigated a risk.

Define Scope

Determining scope helps narrow the focus to a specific area. Attempting to tackle too broad an area may cause analysts to miss vulnerabilities. Often, analysts focus on one or two areas of the system at a time.

Decompose the System

The threat analysis itself starts with decomposing the system. Security analysts must understand every event or action that takes place in the system. Their research highlights the following information.

External Dependencies

External dependencies represent systems outside the target system. For example, an external dependency could be:

◉ A system within the organization, such as a customer relationship management or human resources information system

◉ A system at a third-party vendor or business partner that provides information to the target system, such as updated information from a supplier’s inventory database

Entry and Exit Points

Entry points represent the specific locations where an attacker could enter the system. An example entry point is input fields on a web form. Exit points define where data leaves the system. Entry and exit points define what is known as the “trust boundary.”

Assets

When an attacker targets a system, they have a goal in mind—often, this is access to a particular organizational asset. For example, a malicious hacker may want a list of a company’s customers and each customer’s personal information.

Trust Levels

Trust level represents specific access rights for the system. Threat intelligence analysts cross-reference these access rights against the entry points and exit points. This enables them to see what privileges an attacker needs to interact with to access the asset.

Data Flow

Threat intelligence professionals create data flow diagrams to obtain a high-level picture of the path of information as it flows through the system. These diagrams show analysts what happens to the data at each step.

Identify Threats

At this stage, the analyst chooses a threat model. A threat model represents the process analysts use to pinpoint weak spots in the system. Two of the most common threat models are:

◉ STRIDE. The STRIDE model—an acronym for six threat categories (Spoofing identity, Tampering with data, Repudiation of threat, Information disclosure, Denial of service, and Elevation of privilege)—applies a general set of rules to evaluate a system and identify common vulnerabilities (Geib et al., 2022).

◉ Attack trees. Attack trees represent a graphical way of attacking a system in tree form. The root is the goal, and leaves are possible methods of achieving that goal. Each branch represents a separate attack.

List and Prioritize Threats

In this stage, the analyst creates a list of threats based on the risks the threat modeling identifies. Each risk represents what the company must fix to secure the system.

Mitigate Risk

Cybersecurity professionals share the list created in the previous step with the appropriate parties in the organization to mitigate risks. Common fixes include:

◉ Operating system updates

◉ Code changes

◉ Hardware updates for the network

Validate Outcomes

After addressing risks, the analyst verifies that the solutions work. They perform another evaluation of the system to confirm the results.

Threat Modeling Tools

Manual threat modeling is generally too time consuming for threat intelligence analysts. Instead, they rely on cyber threat modeling tools to speed up the process. These tools make the process more efficient and create accurate documentation of the outcome. Analysts have a variety of options for tools to help with this process.

Cairns

Cairns is a web-based tool that enables users to create attacker personas. The persona includes information such as attack goals, resources the hacker may use, and possible attack paths. The tool automatically spots attack patterns and recommends mitigation strategies.

IriusRisk

IriusRisk is a questionnaire-based system that asks analysts a set of questions to collect data about the system. IriusRisk uses the information from the questionnaire to create a list of potential threats, including suggested mitigation strategies for each threat. IriusRisk integrates with issue trackers such as Jira as well as Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery tools to run as a part of a DevOps pipeline.

Threagile

Threagile is an integrated developer environment (IDE) tool. It focuses on threat modeling at the coding level. Developers input infrastructure information and risk rules into the tool. Threagile generates models that identify potential weak points. That way, developers can address these weak points before releasing code.

Start Your Threat Modeling Career

From 2020 to 2021, deployment of security technologies rose from 15% to 84% in response to the rise in security threats (Gartner, 2021). This increased investment signals the strong demand for trained threat intelligence professionals equipped to address cyberthreats.

Investing in cybersecurity training is important for success in this field. EC-Council’s Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (C|TIA) certification is an excellent step in your cybersecurity career journey. The C|TIA program equips learners with skills in threat intelligence data collection, complete threat analysis process methodologies, understandings of various cyberthreats and attack types, and more.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How Ethical Hackers Are Changing the Game in Cybersecurity

It’s strange to think about, but imagine walking into a business and saying, “Yes, hello. I’d like to hack your entire computer network…ethically.”

If the company was smart, they’d respond: “That sounds great—let’s talk.”

The Need for Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking has become a highly in-demand field. Ethical hackers can conduct a variety of useful assessments (Ahmed, 2021), including:

◉ Exploring a company’s security system to find vulnerabilities

◉ Assisting a company in developing appropriate training tools to close security loopholes and prevent social engineering and phishing attacks

◉ Making recommendations about network vulnerabilities and how to address them

Ethical hacking works well when combined with other cybersecurity measures, such as penetration testing. Penetration testers check for weak points in computer networks, analyze security systems, and identify openings that ethical hackers can exploit. Penetration testing is the first step in testing a network’s security, since it often happens after a vulnerability assessment (a test that helps show where weaknesses lie).

What Is a Certified Ethical Hacker?

EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) certification allows cybersecurity professionals to demonstrate their competency in the technical skills required to perform ethical hacking. The certification teaches learners how they can use the most up-to-date hacking tools and information about security flaws to better protect their clients.

The C|EH certification from EC-Council is the leading ethical hacking course available today, as it teaches an array of skills unavailable elsewhere. In the C|EH program, you’ll learn about numerous essential topics, including vulnerability assessments, social engineering and phishing tactics, and penetration testing.

Certified Ethical Hackers Create Value

Ethical hackers have a significant and positive impact on the business community. Consider the following:

◉ Billions of records—including sensitive personal information—have been compromised in hundreds of attacks over the past few years (Lazic, 2021), and businesses are growing increasingly nervous about cybercrime’s potential impact.

◉ By October, the number of cyberattacks in 2021 had already eclipsed all of 2020 (Brooks, 2021).

◉ The average cost and overall number of cyberattacks continue to grow, with ransomware attacks becoming increasingly common (Insurance Information Institute, 2021).

The fact that cybercrime has become such a massively pressing issue demonstrates the importance of ethical hackers. Businesses increasingly need to develop robust anti-hacking protocols, and ethical hackers are a vital part of these security plans.

Career Opportunities for Certified Ethical Hackers

Ethical hacking certifications are not only good for businesses that hire certified ethical hackers—they’re also good for ethical hackers themselves.

What does this mean, exactly? Career opportunities. The demand for ethical hackers is rising, and as many as 3.5 million new computer security positions may open up in the next 3 years; however, hundreds of thousands of these jobs will go unfilled unless more people become qualified cybersecurity professionals (Morgan, 2021).

The laws of supply and demand will likely apply here, pushing salaries higher. As of March 2022, the average salary for a certified ethical hacker is around USD 103,000 (Salary.com, 2022). This salary is well above the average American’s annual pay, and it seems likely to increase in the future.

Comparing Cybersecurity Certifications

EC-Council’s C|EH is the leading certification for those seeking a career in ethical hacking. While you may have seen the C|EH compared with other certifications, like CompTIA’s Security+ and PenTest+, you should know that these comparisons are misleading. Directly comparing the C|EH certification with Sec+ or PenTest+ fails to consider the C|EH’s unique strengths.

The truth is, there’s no one-to-one comparison for these certifications—each is designed to achieve different things. A better comparison would be EC-Council’s Certified Cybersecurity Technician (C|CT) versus Security+ or EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Tester (C|PENT) versus PenTest+. These offerings from EC-Council have numerous advantages, including flexibility, more up-to-date curricula, and integration of real-world examples and practice.

How to Become an Ethical Hacker

Becoming an ethical hacker can be exceptionally useful. Ethical hacking is a valuable skill that can protect an organization and position you for significant career success.

At EC-Council, we’ve developed a robust curriculum for the C|EH program: a serious, in-depth certification designed to give you the industry-relevant skills necessary to become an ethical hacker.

In the C|EH course, you’ll learn about a wide variety of aspects of ethical hacking, including:

◉ The 18 most common attack vectors used by hackers

◉ Modern exploit technologies, including application to existing, new, and emerging vulnerabilities

◉ Contemporary and ongoing cyberattacks, including what you can learn from them and how ethical hackers could have helped prevent them

◉ How to stay on top of the latest technological developments to ensure that your skills are always as sharp and up to date as possible

Source: eccouncil.org

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Understanding the Basics of Footprinting and Reconnaissance

Footprinting and reconnaissance are two essential steps in any security assessment (Hunt, 2021). They help provide a blueprint of an organization’s security posture and can uncover potential vulnerabilities. This article will discuss footprinting, reconnaissance, and different types of footprinting methodologies. We will also look at what information can be gathered through footprinting and how it can improve organizations’ cybersecurity.

What Is Network Footprinting?

“What is network footprinting?” is a common question among novice ethical hackers. It is the process of identifying and understanding the security risks present in an organization. Like reconnaissance, it involves gathering as much information about the target as possible, including information that may not be readily available online. This information can then be used to build a profile of the organization’s security posture and identify potential vulnerabilities.

There are two main types of footprinting: passive and active.

◉ Passive footprinting: Gathering information from publicly available sources such as websites, news articles, and company profiles

◉ Active footprinting: Using more intrusive methods to access sensitive data, such as hacking into systems or applying social engineering techniques

The type of footprinting approach you use will depend on what information you want to collect and how much access you have to the target. For example, if you’re going to collect information about an organization’s network infrastructure, you may need to use active footprinting methods such as port scanning and vulnerability assessment. However, passive footprinting will suffice if you want to gather publicly available information, such as the names of employees and their contact details.

What Is Reconnaissance?

Footprinting is a part of a larger process known as reconnaissance. Reconnaissance is the information-gathering stage of ethical hacking, where you collect data about the target system. This data can include anything from network infrastructure to employee contact details. The goal of reconnaissance is to identify as many potential attack vectors as possible.

Data collected from reconnaissance may include:

◉ Security policies. Knowing an organization’s security policies can help you find weaknesses in their system.

◉ Network infrastructure. A hacker needs to know what type of network the target is using (e.g., LAN, WAN, MAN), as well as the IP address range and subnet mask.

◉ Employee contact details. Email addresses, phone numbers, and social media accounts can be used to launch social engineering attacks.

◉ Host information. Information about specific hosts, such as operating system type and version, can be used to find vulnerabilities.

Footprinting Methodology

There are many different ways to approach footprinting, but all approaches should follow a similar methodology. This includes identifying the assessment goals, gathering information about the target, analyzing this information, and reporting your findings.

The first step is to identify the goals of the assessment. What do you want to achieve by conducting a security assessment (Arora, 2021)? Do you want to find out how easy it would be to hack into the organization’s systems, or do you want to gather general information about the organization’s network infrastructure?

Once you have identified your goals, you can gather information about the target. This includes anything relevant, such as the company’s name, website, contact details, and relevant social media profiles. It is also essential to gather information about the organization’s security posture, such as what type of security measures they use and how they are implemented.

Once you have gathered all this information, it needs to be analyzed and evaluated. What threats does this data pose to the organization? Are there any areas of weakness that an attacker could exploit?

Finally, what recommendations can you make to improve the organization’s security posture? Reporting your findings is an essential part of the footprinting process. You need to provide a detailed report that outlines your conclusions and recommendations. This will help improve the organization’s awareness of cybersecurity threats and help it take steps to mitigate these risks.

Information Gathered Through Footprinting

The information gathered during a footprinting assessment can be used in many different ways. It can be used to improve an organization’s security posture by identifying vulnerabilities and recommending corrective actions. It can also be used in future penetration tests or red team exercises (Forbes Technology Council Expert Panel, 2021) to assess the effectiveness of security measures.

Finally, it can also be used as evidence in the aftermath of a data breach or cyberattack. Having a comprehensive record of its security posture can help an organization show that it took all reasonable steps to protect its data.

How Footprinting Is Used

Footprinting in ethical hacking is a common technique used by security professionals to assess an organization’s security posture. It can be used as part of a more extensive assessment or in isolation and can provide valuable information about the organization’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

For hackers, footprinting can be used to gather information about a target that can then be incorporated when planning an attack. This includes information such as the names of employees, contact details, and social media profiles.

The Golden Career Opportunity: Start Your Cybersecurity Journey

Learning footprinting is an excellent way to get started in cybersecurity. It is a relatively simple concept, and there are many tools and resources available to help you get started. There are also many job opportunities available for those with cybersecurity skills like footprinting, which opens up a world of possibilities for your career.

For those looking to get into or improve their competencies in cybersecurity, it’s essential to take an accredited course to ensure that you have the most up-to-date knowledge and skills. EC-Council is one of the world’s largest cybersecurity training and certification providers, with courses covering everything from penetration testing to digital forensics. The Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) is one of EC-Council’s most popular courses. The C|EH program covers the basics of ethical hacking, teaching you how to find and exploit weaknesses in systems using the latest methodologies and tools.

Whether you’re looking to get started in cybersecurity or improve your existing skills, EC-Council has a program for you. With world-class instructors and a wide range of courses, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your needs, from the basics of footprinting and reconnaissance to advanced penetration testing techniques. Equipped with the knowledge and skills you’ll gain from these courses, you’ll be ready to take your cybersecurity career to the next level.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Reverse Engineering Techniques and Tools for Penetration Testers

Penetration testing is a highly in-demand job skill in today’s cybersecurity market. Data breaches cost companies USD 4.2 million in 2021 (IBM, 2021), and penetration testers can help companies protect and secure some of their most valuable assets.

In a World Economic Forum (2022) survey, 50% of executives said it would be difficult to respond to security threats due to the talent shortage. This means there is tremendous opportunity in cybersecurity for anyone hoping to advance their career. In this guide, we’ll explain why reverse engineering methods and tools are an important part of a cybersecurity professional’s skill set.

Common Reverse Engineering Methods

Finding vulnerabilities in software is complex, and the difficulty escalates with the size of the code base. To locate issues, testers rarely rely on one method alone, instead using a variety of penetration testing techniques, including reverse engineering.

Reverse-engineering analysis typically falls into two categories: static and dynamic. Many cybersecurity professionals use a combination of the methods and tools described below to find vulnerabilities.

Static Analysis

Static analysis debugs compiled code without actually running the application. In this process, testers use static code analyzers: software that examines the code to look for weaknesses that may lead to security incidents. These tools can find issues such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities. Static analysis can be further subdivided into two categories: source code analysis and binary code analysis.

How Do Static Code Analysis Tools Work?

Static analysis tools can evaluate compiled code before it runs, including both source code and binary code.

◉ Source code analysis: This technique looks at the source code to identify areas where there are flaws that an attacker could exploit. Source code analyzers can find buffer overflows, vulnerabilities to format string attacks, invalid pointer dereferences, and so on. Static analyzers can be used to find vulnerabilities in both client-side and server-side applications.

◉ Binary code analysis: This method involves analyzing the binary code of a piece of software using a hex editor, which displays all characters as hexadecimal numbers. This is then converted into machine code that can be read and analyzed for patterns or keys that can help uncover weaknesses within an application’s programming logic.

Common reverse engineering tools for static analysis include:

◉ Static Analysis Tool for Java (SATJ): This tool can be used to find defects in Java source code.

◉ PVS-Studio: PVS-Studio integrates with several popular integrated development environments (IDEs), including Microsoft Visual Studio and Eclipse. The tool includes a C/C++ syntax checker, an IDA Pro plugin, and integration with the Viva64 decompiler.

Dynamic Analysis

Dynamic analysis is an automated approach that runs through a program’s entire set of execution paths to identify vulnerabilities. Dynamic analysis tests all the possible paths of an application, as well as the behavior of each path, and finds vulnerabilities using predefined rules.

◉ Automated fingerprinting: Automated fingerprinting is a technique for identifying malicious code using heuristics to find commonalities—for example, applying a pattern for finding exploits in C++ to Java or another programming language. The idea is to create a “fingerprint” for each language, which can be thought of as a template that can be used to apply the same pattern for identifying malicious code across multiple programming languages.

◉ Preprocessor injection: The idea behind preprocessor injection is to inject shellcode into a program before it is compiled and run. Then, when the program is run, it executes the shellcode instead of the real code. This technique exploits a flaw in how some programs handle their command-line arguments.

◉ Symbol resolution: Symbol resolution involves finding functions in binaries and linking them to their correct symbols. This is useful because it helps identify unused functions in the binary.

Common engineering tools for dynamic analysis include:

JavaBeacon (JBeacon): This Java-based dynamic analysis tool can be used for static and dynamic analysis of Java applications.

Kali Linux: Kali is an open-source Linux distribution designed for penetration testing that includes multiple tools for static and dynamic application security testing, including:

◉ Nikto

◉ Maltego

◉ sqlmap

◉ WhatWeb

◉ WHOIS lookup

Why Should You Get Certified in Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing is a lucrative career. According to ZipRecruiter (2022), the average yearly salary for a penetration tester in the United States is USD 116,323. In addition to a solid understanding of information technology fundamentals and testing strategies, like reverse engineering, penetration testers also typically need knowledge and skills in the following areas:

◉ Network and application security

◉ Programming, especially scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash, Java, Ruby, Perl)

◉ Threat modeling

◉ Comfort working in Linux, Windows, and macOS environments

◉ Familiarity with security assessment tools

Source: eccouncil.org

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Five SIEM Tools That Every SOC Analyst Should Know

A cursory look at 2021’s cyberattack statistics shows that organizations need the help of trained, certified security operations center (SOC) analysts who know how to effectively use the latest tools and techniques, including security information and event management (SIEM) platforms.

Take a look at the following data recently published by TechJury (Bulao, 2022):

◉ Malicious actors on average introduce 300,000 pieces of new malware each day.

◉ Ransomware cases grew by 150% in 2020 compared with the previous year.

◉ By 2021, a business was hit by ransomware every 11 seconds, compared with every 40 seconds back in 2017—an increase of approximately 360%.

◉ Approximately 94% of malware infections come from email, indicating that employees do not have the proper training to spot suspicious emails.

These trends highlight the value of SOC analysts for businesses, as an effective SOC can help mitigate the various cyberthreats faced by businesses today. To get started, let’s define SOC and SIEM before reviewing the most effective SIEM tools that SOC analysts can use to improve efficiency.

Defining SOC and SIEM

A SOC is a centralized department within an organization or data center that consists of security analysts, who use a variety of processes, tools, and technologies to monitor and improve the organization’s cybersecurity infrastructure (LogDNA, 2022).

“SIEM” refers to a specific management tool that SOC analysts and other cybersecurity professionals use. A SIEM platform typically includes a range of tools that aid SOC professionals, including:

◉ Forensic tools for investigating cyberattacks

◉ Threat hunting features to locate vulnerabilities

◉ Threat intelligence and security analytics features

◉ Advanced analytics visualization

The core difference is that SOC refers to an entire centralized department, including SOC analysts and their processes and tools, whereas SIEM refers to specific software used by a SOC analyst or team. SIEM platforms facilitate a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity by giving SOCs the ability to monitor data in real time and establish security policies that improve overall network safety.

To avoid confusion, it’s worth noting that the abbreviation “SOC” has two meanings. In addition to the definition of SOC outlined above, SOC can also refer to System and Organization Controls, a set of compliance standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (Imperva, 2022). SOC auditing helps ensure that all institutions using financial data employ methods to keep that data secure.

The Top SIEM Tools for SOC Analysts

SOC analysts need a broad set of tools to diagnose potential vulnerabilities, proactively secure networks, and find innovative solutions for evolving malware threats.

1. Splunk

Splunk pulls information from all aspects of a network, making it easier for SOC analysts to locate pertinent data and act quickly in on-site, cloud, and hybrid database environments (Splunk, 2022). When an anomalous event occurs that suggests a potential breach, SOC analysts will have easy and efficient access to database information so they can respond appropriately.

2. SolarWinds Security Event Manager

SolarWinds’ Security Event Manager provides SOC analysts with a tool that improves security through advanced threat identification, forensic analysis, and automated incident responses (SolarWinds, 2019). In addition to offering an intuitive dashboard, the Security Event Manager integrates with many compliance reporting tools to aid businesses that must conform to HIPAA, PCI DSS, and other regulations.

3. LogRhythm

LogRhythm’s SIEM platform offers a reliable way to improve an organization’s security posture in light of challenges associated with the rise in remote work and cloud migration (LogRhythm, 2022). LogRhythm applies a zero-trust model while optimizing security infrastructures against emerging cybersecurity threats. LogRhythm provides additional training that helps all types of IT professionals use its features correctly.

4. Trellix Platform

The Trellix platform provides real-time visibility into system activity. The tool allows SOC analysts to see real-time system, network, application, and database activity and performance (Trellix, 2022). When fully integrated into a system, analysts can examine specific events to identify potential issues, from suspicious activity to slow speeds. Trellix users can also add content packs to customize the tool for relevant industry compliance regulations.

5. AlienVault OSSIM

AlienVault OSSIM is an open-source SIEM product by AT&T designed to help security professionals in asset discovery, assessing vulnerabilities, intrusion detection, behavior monitoring, and SIEM event correlation (AT&T Business, 2020).

Source: eccouncil.org

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Preventing Malicious Hacks with Port Scanning Techniques

Port scanning techniques are a valuable part of any cybersecurity professional’s toolkit. Ethical hackers and penetration testers frequently use port scanning techniques to locate vulnerabilities in a network that malicious hackers can use to gain access. Port scanning is a fundamental part of the pre-attack phase of a penetration test.

EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT) certification teaches port scanning, advanced Windows attacks, and many other penetration testing techniques essential for success as a cybersecurity professional. Keep reading to gain a deeper understanding of port scanning, and check out EC-Council’s C|PENT course to learn more about advancing your career in cybersecurity.

What Is Port Scanning?

Port scanning aims to determine the organization of IP addresses, hosts, and ports in a network—in particular, which ports are open and sending or receiving data. Port scanning can also reveal the presence of firewalls and other security measures between a server and a user’s device (Avast Business, 2021).

Port scans almost always occur after an initial network scan, which detects network hosts and maps them to their IP addresses. Port scanning then commences by sending packets to specific ports on a host (Fortinet, 2020).

The overarching goal of port scanning is to find ports, hosts, and server locations vulnerable to an attack and to diagnose those points’ security levels. Malicious hackers also use the same process to identify port security weaknesses that they can use to compromise a network’s security and gain access.

Due to possible vulnerabilities associated with network ports, penetration testers and other cybersecurity professionals must understand the importance of using the most relevant port scanning techniques for a particular situation.

It is also essential to understand that port scanning and port sweeping are not synonymous, as both terms are frequently used. While port scanning targets multiple ports on a single system, port sweeping targets one specific port number across multiple systems at once.

What Is a Network Port?

In simple terms, a network port receives and transmits information on a network for a specific service. You can think of network ports as information docking points: endpoints for information in transit through a network to and from devices, the internet, and programs. Network ports allow individual computers to handle multiple requests across a single network. Each port is differentiated using an assigned port number ranging from 0 to 65535 (Wright, 2021).

Port numbers 0 to 1023 are “well-known” ports and are always associated with a specific service. Some common examples include:

◉ Ports 20 and 21, used for File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

◉ Port 53, used for the Domain Name System (DNS) that translates names to IP addresses

◉ Port 80, used for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

Software corporations have registered port numbers 1024 to 49151 for their products. The remaining ports (49151 to 65535) are dynamic or private ports that virtually anyone can use (Avast Business, 2021).

Basic Port Scanning Techniques

There is a wide range of port scanning techniques to choose from as a cybersecurity professional. EC-Council’s C|PENT certification course teaches many of these techniques, focusing on the latest approaches. Four of the most common techniques you will encounter are ping scans, vanilla scans, SYN scans, and XMAS scans.

Ping Scan

Ping scans are one of the most basic port scanning techniques. In ping scans, a scanner sends several Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) requests to different servers in an attempt to elicit a response. The goal of a ping scan is to see whether the scanner can send a data packet to an IP address without issue. If a response is received, it indicates the absence of a firewall or other type of network protection (Avast Business, 2021).

SYN Scan

SYN scans, or half-open scans, determine whether a port is open and is receiving information. Scanners can do this by initiating a TCP connection with the target port in the form of a SYN (request to connect) message. The scanner will know the status of the target port when the target responds with an acknowledgment response (SYN-ACK). The target system will not log the interaction if the scanner takes no further action and doesn’t complete the TCP connection (Palo Alto Networks, 2012).

Vanilla Scan

Vanilla scans, or full-connect scans, work much like SYN scans at a larger scale. The scanner sends SYN messages to all 65,536 ports in a network to elicit SYN-ACK responses from as many as possible. When the scanner receives acknowledgment responses, it responds with a final ACK response to complete the TCP handshake and connect to the port. While these scans are incredibly accurate and comprehensive, they are also easily detected, since target networks log full-connect interactions (Palo Alto Networks, 2012).

XMAS Scan

XMAS scans are another covert scanning technique that doesn’t often appear in monitoring logs, as they take advantage of FIN packets: packets that a server or client normally sends to terminate a TCP connection. XMAS scans send packets to a server containing all necessary TCP flags, such as SYN and ACK. They also include the FIN flag to terminate the TCP connection simultaneously. Usually, this receives no response and indicates that the target port is open. The port is closed if the scanner receives an RST (connection reset) response instead of a SYN-ACK response that initiates the TCP handshake (Avast Business, 2021).

Protecting Against Malicious Port Scanning

As a penetration tester or ethical hacker, after you have conducted a full port scan for your client, you will need to provide an outline of the security vulnerabilities they face and remediation strategies. There are three primary defenses against malicious port scanning:

◉ Using a robust and up-to-date firewall that controls port visibility and detects and shuts down port scanning activity

◉ Applying TCP wrappers that permit or deny access based on IP addresses and domain names

◉ Conducting regular port scans and penetration tests to ensure that only necessary ports are left open

Port scanning is an effective way to test a network’s vulnerability to malicious hacking by identifying the number of open ports in the network and the effectiveness of the network’s security measures for preventing unauthorized access. Cybersecurity professionals must employ the appropriate port scanning techniques based on the network environment and the latest cyberthreats, so knowledge of a wide range of techniques is essential.

If you are interested in furthering your skills as a cybersecurity professional or want to start a career in this rewarding and in-demand field, get a head start with EC-Council’s C|PENT certification today. EC-Council’s C|PENT program takes a hands-on approach focused on developing practical skills and experience as well as theoretical knowledge to fully prepare learners for real-world employment responsibilities.

The C|PENT labs and exam are designed to provide course participants with dynamic experiences that encompass entire enterprise network segments. Instead of repetitive drills that do not mimic real penetration testing situations, EC-Council students have access to a cyber range where they can practice on deeply immersive live networks. In the C|PENT course, your skills will be put to the test as you face the latest penetration testing challenges and take on live targets in a highly realistic environment, preparing you for a successful future as a penetration tester.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How to Understand, Design, and Implement Network Security Policies

One of the most important elements of an organization’s cybersecurity posture is strong network defense. A well-designed network security policy helps protect a company’s data and assets while ensuring that its employees can do their jobs efficiently. To create an effective policy, it’s important to consider a few basic rules.

What Is a Network Security Policy?

A network security policy (Giordani, 2021) lays out the standards and protocols that network engineers and administrators must follow when it comes to:

◉ Identifying which users get specific network access

◉ Determining how policies are enforced

◉ Choosing how to lay out the basic architecture of the company’s network environment

The policy document may also include instructions for responding to various types of cyberattacks or other network security incidents.

Types of Security Policies

◉ A general security policy defines the rules for secure access to company resources, including which users can access certain systems and data and what level of authentication is required.

◉ An acceptable use policy establishes guidelines for appropriate employee behavior when using company resources, including the internet and email.

◉ A data destruction policy specifies how long data should be retained and what steps must be taken to destroy or delete it once that time has elapsed.

◉ An incident response policy outlines the steps to take in a security breach or attack, including who should be notified and what type of action should be taken.

◉ An authentication policy defines how users are verified when accessing the organization’s networks.

◉ An encryption policy determines how data is encrypted to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing it.

Basic Rules for Developing Security Policies

When designing a network security policy, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

◉ Tailor the policy to your specific business needs. When crafting a policy, it’s important to consider things like the size of the company, the type of data it stores, and the network security risks it faces.

◉ Keep the policy easy to understand and follow. It’s essential to keep network security protocols simple and clear so that employees can easily comply with them.

◉ Update the policy regularly. As new threats emerge that may endanger the organization’s networks, security teams need to update policies to reflect them.

◉ Enforce the policy consistently. Network security protocols need to apply equally to everyone, no matter their position within the company.

◉ Train employees on how to apply the policy. Organizations should provide employees with regular training on the network security policy to make sure that everyone knows what is expected of them.

How to Design and Implement Network Security Policies

When creating a policy, it’s important to ensure that network security protocols are designed and implemented effectively. Companies can break down the process into a few steps.

Assess the Current State of the Network

This step helps the organization identify any gaps in its current security posture so that improvements can be made. At this stage, companies usually conduct a vulnerability assessment, which involves using tools to scan their networks for weaknesses. Companies must also identify the risks they’re trying to protect against and their overall security objectives.

Develop a Plan

Once the organization has identified where its network needs improvement, a plan for implementing the necessary changes needs to be developed. It’s essential to determine who will be affected by the policy and who will be responsible for implementing and enforcing it, including employees, contractors, vendors, and customers. Companies will also need to decide which systems, tools, and procedures need to be updated or added—for example, firewalls, intrusion detection systems (Petry, 2021), and VPNs.

Make Changes

This is where the organization actually makes changes to the network, such as adding new security controls or updating existing ones. One of the most important security measures an organization can take is to set up an effective monitoring system that will provide alerts of any potential breaches.

Test the Changes

It’s essential to test the changes implemented in the previous step to ensure they’re working as intended. Companies can use various methods to accomplish this, including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning.

Monitor the Network

Even if an organization has a solid network security policy in place, it’s still critical to continuously monitor network status and traffic (Minarik, 2022). This includes tracking ongoing threats and monitoring signs that the network security policy may not be working effectively. It’s also helpful to conduct periodic risk assessments to identify any areas of vulnerability in the network.

Security leaders and staff should also have a plan for responding to incidents when they do occur. Consider having a designated team responsible for investigating and responding to incidents as well as contacting relevant individuals in the event of an incident.

The Need for Network Security Professionals

With the number of cyberattacks increasing every year, the need for trained network security personnel is greater than ever. Businesses looking to create or improve their network security policies will inevitably need qualified cybersecurity professionals.

Cybersecurity is a complex field, and it’s essential to have someone on staff who is knowledgeable about the latest threats and how to protect against them. If you’re looking to make a career switch to cybersecurity or want to improve your skills, obtaining a recognized certification from a reputable cybersecurity educator is a great way to separate yourself from the pack.

EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (C|ND) program, designed for those with basic knowledge of networking concepts, is a highly respected cybersecurity certification that’s uniquely focused on network security and defense. The C|ND covers a wide range of topics, including the latest technologies and attack techniques, and uses hands-on practice to teach security professionals how to detect and respond to a variety of network cyberthreats.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Understanding the Phases of the Penetration Testing Process

Penetration testing is the process of identifying the security vulnerabilities in a system or network and trying to exploit them. The results of penetration tests play a vital role in finding and patching security flaws.

In this article, we’ll discuss the responsibilities of a penetration tester and outline the five penetration testing phases, in addition to looking at some popular penetration testing tools that can be used to examine systems for vulnerabilities.

Responsibilities of a Penetration Tester

A penetration tester is responsible for finding security vulnerabilities, including determining which penetration testing method (Gupta, 2021) is best suited to the situation. This is a challenging task that requires advanced skills and knowledge.

A penetration tester needs to be familiar with different hacking techniques and have in-depth network security knowledge. They must also know how to use various tools to assess the target system’s security posture.

The Five Phases of Penetration Testing

There are five penetration testing stages: reconnaissance, scanning, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, and reporting. Let’s take a closer look at each of these phases.

Reconnaissance

The first phase of penetration testing is reconnaissance. In this phase, the tester gathers as much information about the target system as possible. This includes information about the network topology, operating systems and applications, user accounts, and other relevant information. The goal is to gather as much data as possible so that the tester can plan an effective attack strategy.

Scanning

Once all the relevant data has been gathered in the reconnaissance phase, it’s time to move on to scanning. In this phase, the tester uses various tools to identify open ports and check network traffic on the target system. Since open ports are potential entry points for attackers, the goal of this phase is to find as many as possible so that the tester can take advantage of them in the next phase.

Vulnerability Assessment

The third phase of the penetration testing process is vulnerability assessment. The tester scans all the data gathered in the reconnaissance and scanning phases to identify potential vulnerabilities and determine whether they can be exploited.

Exploitation

Once a vulnerability has been identified, it’s time for exploitation. The tester attempts to exploit the vulnerability and access the target system. This is typically done using a tool like Metasploit to simulate real-world attacks.

Reporting

Once the exploitation phase is complete, the tester prepares a report documenting all of the penetration test’s findings. This report can be used to fix any vulnerabilities found in the system and improve the organization’s security posture.

Popular Penetration Testing Tools

There are many different penetration testing tools available, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most popular include:

◉ Nmap. Nmap is a powerful network scanning tool that can scan for open ports and services. It also includes features for identifying vulnerable applications.

◉ Metasploit. Metasploit is a vulnerability exploitation tool. It includes a library of exploits for a variety of programs and operating systems, as well as an easy wizard that can assist penetration testers in capitalizing on known vulnerabilities.

◉ Wireshark. Wireshark is a network analysis tool that can capture packet data from a network and decode it into readable form. This can be useful for identifying malicious traffic or sensitive information being transmitted over a network.

◉ Burp Suite. Burp Suite is an all-in-one web application security testing tool. It can scan websites for vulnerabilities, manipulate requests and responses, and intercept traffic between the client and server.

These are just a few of the many penetration testing tools available (Aboagye, 2021). As a penetration tester, it’s essential to be familiar with as many of them as possible so that you can choose the right tool for the job.

Common Penetration Testing Mistakes

As with any activity, people make some common mistakes when performing penetration testing. Some of the most common include:

◉ Failing to plan. Planning is essential for any penetration test. Without a plan, the tester will miss important targets and waste time gathering irrelevant data.

◉ Not knowing your tools. Knowing which tools to use and how to use them is essential for any penetration tester. Using the wrong tool for the job can lead to wasted time and false positives.

◉ Testing too early. Testing too early in the process can lead to inaccurate results. The tester needs to understand the environment and the vulnerabilities that exist to perform a good test.

◉ Relying on automation. Automated tools can be a great time saver, but they should never be relied on exclusively. Automated tools can miss things that human testers would easily find, so it’s essential to always manually review the results of an automated scan.

These are just a few of the many mistakes people make when performing penetration testing. Knowing what they are can help you avoid them and improve your chances of success.

The Benefits of Penetration Testing

There are many benefits to performing penetration testing. Some of the key ones include:

◉ Helping with compliance. Many organizations must undergo periodic penetration tests to comply with regulations (Graham, 2021) like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Performing their own tests can help organizations save money and ensure that all relevant vulnerabilities are identified and fixed.

◉ Identifying vulnerabilities. One of the main benefits of penetration testing is finding vulnerabilities in systems. These problems can then be addressed before hackers exploit them.

◉ Improving security posture. Penetration testing can help improve an organization’s security posture. Through identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, a system becomes less susceptible to attack.

◉ Keeps cybersecurity professionals up to date. To be a successful penetration tester, keeping up with the latest trends and techniques is essential. Conducting regular penetration testing can also be beneficial for cybersecurity professionals because it allows them to stay current on the latest cyberthreats and how to defend against them.

Understand the Basics of Penetration Testing

Penetration testing is a critical part of information security, and as more organizations move to cloud-based models and adopt new technologies, the need for penetration testers will only increase. By identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, penetration testers can improve the security of organizations’ systems and protect their data from hackers.

If you’re a cybersecurity professional, it’s essential to be familiar with the basics of penetration testing. EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT) program is one of the most popular and widely recognized certifications in the field. The certification covers the fundamentals of penetration testing, including planning, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and report generation.

Source: eccouncil.org

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