Vulnerability Scan

Unit III
• A vulnerability scan is a security assessment
process that involves identifying and
assessing vulnerabilities in computer
systems, networks, applications, or other
information technology assets.
• The primary goal of a vulnerability scan is to
discover potential weaknesses in a system's
security posture before they can be
exploited by malicious actors
Below are some key aspects of vulnerability
scanning

Automated Identifying Asset Network

Host Scanning
Scanning Vulnerabilities Discovery Scanning

Compliance
Regular
False Positives Reporting and Risk
Scanning
Management

Penetration Patch
Testing Management
• Vulnerability scanning is a fundamental component of
a robust cybersecurity strategy. It helps organizations
proactively identify and mitigate security weaknesses,
reducing the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
• However, it's important to remember that
vulnerability scanning is just one part of a
comprehensive security program, and organizations
should combine it with other security measures to
protect their systems effectively.
Plan the
vulnerability scan
• Planning a vulnerability scan is a crucial step
to ensure its effectiveness and minimize
disruptions to your organization's operations
Below is a step-by-step plan to help you
conduct a vulnerability scan
Define
Gain Select a Configure the
Objectives and Asset Inventory
Authorization Scanning Tool Scanning Tool
Scope

Review Legal
Define Scan Schedule the Analyze the
and Ethical Run the Scan
Parameters Scan Results
Considerations

Report Remediation Follow-Up Continuous

Documentation
Generation Planning Scans Improvement
Scanning Vulnerabilities
• Scanning vulnerabilities refers to the process of using
specialized software tools and techniques to identify and
assess security weaknesses in computer systems, networks,
applications, or other information technology assets
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to
conduct vulnerability scanning effectively:
Preparation Asset Discovery
Select the Right Configuration Scan
• Define Objectives • Create an
Inventory Tools and Setup Parameters
• Authorization

Analysis and Remediation

Scheduling Execution Reporting
Assessment Planning

Follow-Up Continuous
Documentation
Scans Improvement
Scanning Tools
• There are numerous vulnerability scanning tools available,
ranging from open-source solutions to commercial products.
• The choice of tool often depends on your specific needs,
budget, and the complexity of your IT environment.
 Nessus
OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System)

Here are
Qualys
Nexpose

some Acunetix

popular
Burp Suite
Retina

vulnerability OpenSCAP (Open Security Content Automation Protocol)

Snort
scanning Qualys Community Edition

tools: Tenable.io
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA):
Wireshark
OpenVAS-Client
• When selecting a vulnerability scanning tool, consider factors
like the size and complexity of your network, the types of
systems and applications you're scanning, the level of
automation required, and your budget constraints.
• It's often a good practice to combine multiple tools to cover
different aspects of vulnerability assessment, such as network
scanning, web application scanning, and host-level scanning,
to ensure comprehensive security coverage.
 Vulnerability scans come in various types,
each designed to assess different aspects
of your IT environment.
Types of
scans The choice of scan type depends on your
specific objectives and the areas of your
system or network you want to evaluate.
Here are some common types of scans:
Network Scanning Host-Level Scanning Web Application
• Port Scanning • Operating System Detection Scanning Wireless Network
• Ping Scanning • Service and Version • Web Application Scanning: Database Scanning:
Scanning
Detection • Crawl and Audit:

Patch Management Social Engineering Cloud Infrastructure

Compliance Scanning Credential Scanning
Scanning Scanning Scanning

Third-Party Vendor Mobile Application

IoT Device Scanning Container Scanning Red Team Scanning
Scanning Scanning
Each type of scan serves a specific purpose in identifying and mitigating
security weaknesses.

Organizations often employ a combination of these scans to comprehensively

assess their security posture and proactively address vulnerabilities.
Detect Defenses
• Detecting defenses in the context of
cybersecurity typically refers to identifying
the security measures, controls, or
mechanisms that an organization has in
place to protect its information technology
assets and data. Detecting defenses is an
important step in both offensive and
defensive cybersecurity strategies.
Here are some common ways to detect
defences:
• Port Scanning and Service Enumeration
• Banner Grabbing
• Enumeration and Reconnaissance
• Vulnerability Scanning
• Web Application Scanning
• Password Cracking and Brute Force Attacks
• Social Engineering Tests
• Firewall and IDS/IPS Evasion Techniques
• Log Analysis
• Honeypots and Deception Technologies
• Endpoint Security Solutions
• Network Traffic Analysis
• Incident Response Testing
• Red Team Assessments
• Detecting defenses is an essential aspect of both offensive security assessments (e.g., penetration
testing) and proactive defensive measures. Organizations should regularly evaluate their own
security measures while also considering how attackers may attempt to detect and bypass those
defenses. This ongoing assessment and improvement process are critical for maintaining a strong
cybersecurity posture.
Analysing Attack Surface
• Analyzing the attack surface is a crucial step in understanding and assessing the potential
vulnerabilities and risks that your organization's IT infrastructure and systems may face.
• The attack surface refers to the sum of all possible entry points and vulnerabilities that could be
exploited by attackers to compromise your organization's security.
Here's how to analyze and reduce your
attack surface:
• Asset Inventory
• Network Topology
• Service Enumeration
• Vulnerability Scanning
• Web Application Assessment
• Access Points and Authentication
• Third-Party and Vendor Assessment
• Data Classification and Protection
• Endpoint Security
• Security Patch Management
• Monitoring and Logging
• Incident Response Plan
• Least Privilege Access
• Security Awareness Training
• Continuous Monitoring and Improvement
• Analyzing your attack surface is an ongoing process, as new assets, services, and vulnerabilities can
emerge over time. By continually assessing, monitoring, and securing your attack surface, you can
better protect your organization against cyber threats.
Crafting Packets
• Crafting packets refers to the process of creating and customizing network packets to transmit over
a network. Packet crafting is often used for various purposes, including network testing, debugging,
security analysis, and penetration testing.
• By creating custom packets, you can simulate network traffic, test network devices, and assess the
security of a network.
How to Craft Packets:
• Select a Packet Crafting Tool
• Install and Configure the Tool
• Define Packet Parameters
• Generate and Send the Packet
Common Use Cases for Packet Crafting
• Network Testing
• Security Analysis
• Firewall and Intrusion Detection Testing
• Protocol Research
• Traffic Simulation
• Denial-of-Service (DoS) Testing
• Customized Network Tools
• It's important to note that while packet crafting can be a valuable tool for legitimate purposes, it
can also be used for malicious activities. Ethical considerations and compliance with laws and
regulations must be taken into account when conducting any network testing or analysis.
• Always obtain proper authorization and follow responsible disclosure practices when identifying
and reporting security vulnerabilities.
Network Traffic Analysis
• Network traffic analysis (NTA) is the process of monitoring and analyzing network traffic to gain
insights into the behavior, performance, and security of a computer network.
• NTA is an essential component of network management and cybersecurity, helping organizations
detect anomalies, troubleshoot issues, and identify security threats.
Key Goals of Network Traffic Analysis
• Visibility
• Performance Monitoring
• Security Monitoring
• Anomaly Detection
• Forensics and Investigations
Components and Techniques of
Network Traffic Analysis
• Packet Capture (Packet Sniffing)
• Flow-Based Analysis
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)
• Behavioural Analysis
• Signature-Based Detection
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Use Cases of Network Traffic Analysis:
• Security Monitoring
• Incident Response
• Compliance and Auditing
• Performance Optimization
• Troubleshooting
• Capacity Planning
• User Activity Monitoring
• Anomaly Detection
• Effective network traffic analysis requires a combination of tools, techniques, and skilled personnel.
• It plays a critical role in maintaining network integrity, optimizing performance, and safeguarding
against cyber threats.
Evaluate Wireless Network Traffic
• Evaluating wireless network traffic is a crucial aspect of managing and securing wireless networks.
• Understanding the patterns and characteristics of traffic on your wireless network allows you to
optimize performance, identify security threats, and make informed decisions about network
management.
Here are steps to evaluate wireless
network traffic effectively
• Traffic Monitoring Tools
• Packet Capture and Analysis
• Flow-Based Analysis
• Wireless Access Point Statistics
• Application Visibility
• Bandwidth Utilization
• User Activity Analysis
• Security Threat Detection
• Signal Strength and Coverage
• Frequency and Channel Analysis
• Client Device Analysis
• Guest Network Traffic
• Compliance and Policy Enforcement
• Usage Trends and Forecasting
• Reporting and Alerts
• Threat Mitigation
• Evaluating wireless network traffic is an ongoing process, as network conditions, user behavior, and
security threats can change over time.
• Regularly reviewing and analyzing traffic data is crucial for maintaining the performance,
availability, and security of your wireless network.
Analyzing Scanning Results
• Analyzing scanning results is a critical step in the vulnerability management process.
• It involves reviewing the data collected during vulnerability scans to identify, assess, prioritize, and
remediate security vulnerabilities.
Here are the key steps to effectively
analyze scanning
• Review Scan Reports
• Categorize Vulnerabilities
• Verify Findings
• Prioritize Vulnerabilities
• Assess Exploitation Risk
• Assign Ownership
• Remediation Planning
• Patch Management
• Configuration Changes
• Implement Security Controls
• Re-Scan and Validation
• Documentation
• Communication
• Continuous Improvement
• Regular Scanning Schedule
• Compliance and Reporting
• Analyzing scanning results is an iterative process that should be integrated into your organization's
broader cybersecurity strategy.
• By effectively analyzing and addressing vulnerabilities, you can reduce the attack surface and
enhance your overall security posture.