Network PeneyrationTesting

Aditya Chauhan
2 min readJan 24, 2023

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Network Penetration Testing is a security evaluation method that simulates a cyber attack against a network in order to identify vulnerabilities and assess the overall security of the network. The goal of network penetration testing is to identify any potential weaknesses in a network that could be exploited by a malicious actor, and to provide recommendations for improving the security of the network.

There are several steps involved in conducting a network penetration test:

  1. Reconnaissance: The first step in a network penetration test is to gather information about the target network. This can be done using tools such as Nmap, which can be used to scan the network for open ports and services. Other information that can be gathered during this phase includes IP addresses, network topology, and operating systems.
  2. Scanning: Once the network has been mapped, the next step is to scan the network for vulnerabilities. This can be done using tools such as Nessus, which can be used to scan the network for known vulnerabilities.
  3. Exploitation: Once vulnerabilities have been identified, the next step is to attempt to exploit them. This can be done using tools such as Metasploit, which can be used to launch exploit code against the target network.
  4. Post-Exploitation: After successfully exploiting a vulnerability, the next step is to gain access to the target network and move laterally. This can be done using tools such as Mimikatz, which can be used to extract credentials from the target network.
  5. Reporting: The final step in a network penetration test is to document the findings and provide recommendations for improving the security of the network. This can include recommendations for patching vulnerabilities, implementing security controls, and improving security policies.

Here are some examples of commands and tools that can be used during network penetration testing:

  1. Nmap: Nmap is a popular tool for mapping networks. It can be used to scan networks for open ports and services, and can also be used to identify the operating systems and software running on the target network.
nmap -sS -p- 192.168.1.0/24
  1. Nessus: Nessus is a tool for scanning networks for vulnerabilities. It can be used to identify known vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for mitigating them.
nessus -T 192.168.1.0/24
  1. Metasploit: Metasploit is a tool for exploiting vulnerabilities. It can be used to launch exploit code against a target network and gain access to the system.
use exploit/windows/smb/ms08_067_netapi
set RHOST 192.168.1.100
exploit
  1. Mimikatz: Mimikatz is a tool for extracting credentials from a target network. It can be used to extract usernames and passwords from the target network and move laterally.
privilege::debug
sekurlsa::logonPasswords

Conducting a network penetration test is a complex process that requires a thorough understanding of network security and the tools and techniques used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. It's important for organizations to work with experienced security professionals to conduct a network penetration test and to use the test results to improve the security of their networks.

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Aditya Chauhan

ISO 27001 LA | VAPT | Synack Red Teamer | HTB Dante | HTB RASTA | HTB Cybernetics | HTB Offshore | HTB APTLabs | Cyber Security Analyst | Security Researcher