Penetration Testing

Table of Contents

• [Overview](#overview)
• [When to Use](#when-to-use)
• [Quick Start](#quick-start)
• [Reference Guides](#reference-guides)
• [Best Practices](#best-practices)

Overview

Systematic security testing to identify, exploit, and document vulnerabilities in applications, networks, and infrastructure through simulated attacks.

When to Use

• Pre-production security validation
• Annual security assessments
• Compliance requirements (PCI-DSS, ISO 27001)
• Post-incident security review
• Third-party security audits
• Red team exercises

Quick Start

Minimal working example:

# pentest_framework.py
import requests
import socket
import subprocess
import json
from typing import List, Dict
from dataclasses import dataclass, asdict
from datetime import datetime

@dataclass
class Finding:
    severity: str
    category: str
    target: str
    vulnerability: str
    evidence: str
    remediation: str
    cvss_score: float

class PenetrationTester:
    def __init__(self, target: str):
        self.target = target
        self.findings: List[Finding] = []

    def test_sql_injection(self, url: str) -> None:
// ... (see reference guides for full implementation)

Reference Guides

Detailed implementations in the references/ directory:

Best Practices

✅ DO

• Get written authorization
• Define clear scope
• Use controlled environments
• Document all findings
• Follow responsible disclosure
• Provide remediation guidance
• Verify fixes after patching
• Maintain chain of custody

❌ DON'T

• Test production without approval
• Cause service disruption
• Exfiltrate sensitive data
• Share findings publicly
• Exceed authorized scope
• Use destructive payloads