Book Image

Kali Linux 2018: Assuring Security by Penetration Testing - Fourth Edition

By : Shiva V. N. Parasram, Alex Samm, Damian Boodoo, Gerard Johansen, Lee Allen, Tedi Heriyanto, Shakeel Ali
Book Image

Kali Linux 2018: Assuring Security by Penetration Testing - Fourth Edition

By: Shiva V. N. Parasram, Alex Samm, Damian Boodoo, Gerard Johansen, Lee Allen, Tedi Heriyanto, Shakeel Ali

Overview of this book

Kali Linux is a comprehensive penetration testing platform with advanced tools to identify, detect, and exploit the vulnerabilities uncovered in the target network environment. With Kali Linux, you can apply the appropriate testing methodology with defined business objectives and a scheduled test plan, resulting in successful penetration testing project engagement. This fourth edition of Kali Linux 2018: Assuring Security by Penetration Testing starts with the installation of Kali Linux. You will be able to create a full test environment to safely practice scanning, vulnerability assessment, and exploitation. You’ll explore the essentials of penetration testing by collecting relevant data on the target network with the use of several footprinting and discovery tools. As you make your way through the chapters, you’ll focus on specific hosts and services via scanning and run vulnerability scans to discover various risks and threats within the target, which can then be exploited. In the concluding chapters, you’ll apply techniques to exploit target systems in order to gain access and find a way to maintain that access. You’ll also discover techniques and tools for assessing and attacking devices that are not physically connected to the network, including wireless networks. By the end of this book, you will be able to use NetHunter, the mobile version of Kali Linux, and write a detailed report based on your findings.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)

General penetration testing framework

While some of these standards vary in their number of requirements, they can be loosely be broken down into the following phases:

  • Reconnaissance
  • Scanning and enumeration
  • Gaining access
  • Escalation of privileges
  • Maintaining access
  • Covering your tracks
  • Reporting

Let's look at each phase in more detail. 

Reconnaissance

A huge portion of your penetration testing time will be spent in this first critical part of the test. While some break down this phase into active and passive, I prefer to clump them together as the data acquired would speak for itself.

Reconnaissance is the systematic approach where you attempt to locate and gather as much information on your target, this is...