Published on July 12th, 2024
Penetration testing, or pentesting, stands as one of the most effective methods for IT professionals to proactively identify a company’s vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them.
By simulating realistic cyberattacks, pentests provide crucial insights into an organization’s security posture, highlighting weaknesses that could potentially lead to data breaches or other security incidents.
Recently, Vonahi Security, known for vPenTest, their automated network penetration testing platform, published their annual report titled “The Top 10 Critical Pentest Findings 2024.”
The report summarizes findings from over 10,000 automated network pentests conducted by Vonahi Security, revealing the top 10 internal network vulnerabilities discovered across more than 1,200 organizations.
Let’s delve into each of these critical findings to gain a deeper understanding of the common exploitable vulnerabilities faced by organizations and effective strategies to mitigate them.
Top 10 Pentest Findings
1. Multicast DNS (mDNS) Spoofing
- Multicast DNS (mDNS) is a protocol used in small networks for DNS name resolution without a local DNS server.
- Attackers can exploit this by responding with their own system’s IP address to intercept traffic.
2. NetBIOS Name Service (NBNS) Spoofing
- NetBIOS Name Service (NBNS) resolves DNS names in internal networks without a DNS server by broadcasting queries.
- Attackers can respond with their own IP addresses, potentially redirecting network traffic.
3. Link-local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) Spoofing
- Link-local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) resolves DNS names in local networks when DNS servers are unavailable.
- Attackers can respond to queries with their system’s IP address, intercepting communications.
4. IPv6 DNS Spoofing
- IPv6 DNS spoofing exploits rogue DHCPv6 servers on networks.
- By assigning IPv6 DNS servers to clients preferring IPv6, attackers intercept DNS requests, redirecting traffic to their malicious systems.
5. Outdated Microsoft Windows Systems
- Outdated Windows systems lack security updates, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
- Attackers target these weaknesses to compromise systems and potentially move laterally within networks.
6. IPMI Authentication Bypass
- Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) vulnerabilities allow attackers to bypass authentication, extract password hashes, and gain remote access to servers, especially with default or weak passwords.
7. Microsoft Windows RCE (BlueKeep)
- Vulnerable to CVE-2019-0708 (BlueKeep), these Windows systems can be fully compromised by attackers, leveraging available tools to gain remote code execution capabilities.
8. Local Administrator Password Reuse
- Multiple systems sharing the same local administrator password pose a significant security risk.
- Compromising one account allows attackers widespread access across systems within the organization.
9. Windows RCE (EternalBlue)
- Systems vulnerable to MS17-010 (EternalBlue) are susceptible to complete compromise.
- Attackers exploit this Windows vulnerability with readily available tools for remote code execution.
10. Dell EMC IDRAC 7/8 CGI Injection (CVE-2018-1207)
- Dell EMC iDRAC7/iDRAC8 versions prior to 2.52.52.52 are vulnerable to CVE-2018-1207, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute commands with root privileges, gaining full control over the iDRAC device.
Key Insights From The 2024 Pentest Report
| Key Point | Description | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration Testing (Pentesting) | Proactive method to identify vulnerabilities before exploitation by malicious actors. | Enhances overall security posture. |
| 2024 Pentest Report | Annual report by Vonahi Security summarizing findings from over 10,000 pentests. | Provides essential insights for organizations. |
| Top 10 Critical Findings | Highlights key internal network vulnerabilities discovered in various organizations. | Identifies areas needing immediate attention. |
| Common Vulnerabilities | Includes mDNS spoofing, NBNS spoofing, outdated systems, and more. | Represents prevalent security risks. |
| Root Causes | Configuration weaknesses and patching deficiencies as primary contributors to vulnerabilities. | Indicates areas for organizational improvement. |
| Need for Regular Testing | Ongoing testing reveals vulnerabilities in real-time, beyond annual assessments. | Supports continuous security improvement. |
| What is vPenTest? | Automated network penetration testing platform designed for proactive risk mitigation. | Streamlines vulnerability identification. |
| Features of vPenTest | Comprehensive assessments, real-world simulation, actionable reporting, and ongoing testing. | Ensures thorough and effective security strategy. |
| Compliance Alignment | Aligns with standards like SOC2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. | Aids in meeting regulatory requirements. |
Common Causes Of Critical Pentest Findings
Many of the top critical findings in penetration testing share common root causes, despite arising from different exploits.
Configuration weaknesses and patching deficiencies consistently stand out as primary contributors.
Configuration Weaknesses
Configuration weaknesses often stem from inadequately secured services deployed by administrators.
These issues include default or weak credentials, unnecessarily exposed services, and overly permissive user permissions.
While some configuration weaknesses may only be exploitable under specific conditions, their potential impact upon successful exploitation remains significant.
Patching Deficiencies
Patching deficiencies persist as a major challenge for organizations, primarily due to compatibility issues and configuration shortcomings in patch management solutions.
These critical issues underscore the necessity for frequent penetration testing.
While annual assessments have been customary, ongoing testing offers substantial benefits by identifying vulnerabilities closer to real-time scenarios, illustrating how security risks can lead to severe compromises.
For instance, Tenable’s Nessus scanner may flag LLMNR vulnerabilities as informational only.
However, quarterly or monthly network penetration testing with vPenTest by Vonahi not only identifies these issues but also clarifies their potential implications.
What Is vPenTest?
vPenTest represents a leading automated network penetration testing platform designed to proactively mitigate security risks and prevent breaches across an organization’s IT landscape.
By eliminating the challenges associated with finding qualified testers, vPenTest delivers comprehensive reports detailing identified vulnerabilities, their associated risks, and strategic guidance on remediation.
This capability enhances an organization’s compliance management efforts effectively.
vPenTest: Features And Benefits
- Comprehensive Assessments: Conduct thorough internal and external tests to scrutinize all potential network entry points.
- Real-World Simulation: Simulate actual cyber threats to gain actionable insights into your security readiness.
- Timely and Actionable Reporting: Receive detailed reports outlining vulnerabilities, their impacts, and recommended mitigation actions in an accessible format.
- Ongoing Testing: Schedule regular monthly tests to maintain proactive and responsive security measures.
- Efficient Incident Response: Early identification of vulnerabilities facilitates effective preparation for potential security incidents.
- Compliance Alignment: Align with regulatory standards including SOC2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and cyber insurance requirements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the findings from the 2024 Pentest Report underscore the pressing need for organizations to prioritize their cybersecurity efforts.
With over 10,000 automated network pentests revealing critical vulnerabilities, it’s evident that many companies still face significant security risks.
By understanding these vulnerabilities—ranging from protocol spoofing to outdated systems—organizations can take proactive measures to fortify their defenses.
Regular penetration testing, especially through robust platforms like vPenTest, is essential for identifying and addressing these weaknesses in real-time.
The insights gained not only help mitigate risks but also ensure compliance with industry standards.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, staying ahead through continuous assessment and improvement is vital for maintaining a strong security posture.
Embracing these strategies will ultimately lead to a more resilient and secure organizational environment.
