Security Pen Test Internal Workflow
Conduct an internal penetration test to identify vulnerabilities in the application before external attackers do.
Objective
Find and fix security vulnerabilities through structured internal penetration testing.
Environment
- A target application in a test environment
- Penetration testing tools
- Authorization to test the target application
Steps
1. Define scope
Document the application components, endpoints, and data flows to test.
Expected state: A clear scope and rules of engagement are documented.
2. Reconnaissance
Map the application surface: endpoints, parameters, authentication, and session handling.
Expected state: A complete application surface map is created.
3. Test for OWASP Top 10
Systematically test for injection, broken auth, sensitive data exposure, and other OWASP risks.
Expected state: Each OWASP Top 10 category is tested.
4. Document findings
Record each vulnerability with severity, reproduction steps, and remediation guidance.
Expected state: All findings are documented with actionable remediation steps.
5. Verify fixes
After fixes are applied, re-test to confirm vulnerabilities are resolved.
Expected state: All identified vulnerabilities are confirmed as fixed.
Decision points
Use automated or manual testing?
- Automated for coverage
- Manual for complex logic
Use automated tools for broad coverage; manual testing for business logic and authorization flaws.
Expected outcome
An internal penetration test is completed with documented findings and verified fixes.
Verification
Re-run the penetration test on fixed vulnerabilities and confirm they are resolved.
Cleanup
Delete any test data created during the penetration test.
Find vulnerabilities before attackers do
An internal pen test is a controlled simulation of real attacks that finds weaknesses safely.
Implementation Notes
This workflow provides a structured approach to ensure consistent results across team members and environments.
Common Pitfalls
Skipping verification steps or rushing through the process can lead to incomplete results. Always follow each step in order and verify before proceeding.
Quick Reference
# Execute the workflow steps as documented above
echo "Workflow completed successfully"