Penetration Testing Methodology Guide
Section: 🔴 Offensive Security
Level: Advanced
Time to Complete: ~80 minutes
Prerequisites: Networking fundamentals, HTTP protocols, Linux/Windows CLI, vulnerability scanner tools
Status: ✅ Complete & Production-Ready
🎯 Overview & Learning Objectives
Penetration testing is the authorized, simulated security assessment of an organization's systems, networks, and web applications to identify security weaknesses before malicious actors exploit them.
By the end of this practical guide, you will be able to:
- Apply the PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard) and OWASP WSTG v4.2 frameworks.
- Conduct pre-engagement scoping, legal Rules of Engagement (RoE), and authorization setup.
- Execute passive and active reconnaissance (OSINT, Nmap, Subfinder, Amass).
- Audit web applications, APIs, and network endpoints using automated & manual vulnerability assessment tools.
- Calculate CVSS v4.0 vulnerability risk scores accurately.
- Write professional executive and technical pentest reports with actionable remediation steps.
📚 Module Navigation
- 01. Overview & PTES / OWASP WSTG Standards — Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), OWASP WSTG, Rules of Engagement (RoE), and legal scope authorization.
- 02. Reconnaissance & Target Mapping — OSINT, sub-domain discovery (Amass, Subfinder), Nmap port scanning strategies, and service fingerprinting.
- 03. Vulnerability Audit & Scanning Methodology — Vulnerability scanning (Nuclei, Nessus), manual verification workflows, and safe proof-of-concept validation.
- 04. CVSS v4.0 & Risk Scoring — Calculating CVSS v4.0 base, environmental, and supplemental metrics accurately.
- 05. Reporting & Remediation Tracking — Writing executive summaries, technical finding breakdowns, and remediation tracking.
- 06. Hands-On Audit Lab — Self-contained Python Lab: Target Web App + Nmap/Nuclei Audit Script + Remediation Verification.
- 07. References & Standards — PTES Standard, OWASP WSTG, Nmap Cheat Sheet, CVSS v4.0 calculator docs.
Begin reading: 01. Overview & PTES / OWASP WSTG Standards →