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Five critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities revealed in pen testing

October 29, 2024

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month wraps up, the importance of securing our digital environments remains paramount. One of the most effective methods to pinpoint weaknesses in your organization’s security is through penetration testing, or “pen testing.” This process simulates cyber attacks to expose vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

In this blog, we will count down the top five cybersecurity vulnerabilities commonly identified during pen tests, based on insights from John Bruggeman and Ryan Hamrick, leaders of the security consulting team at CBTS.

Watch video: Top 5 Cybersecurity vulnerabilities uncovered: OnX Penetration Testing

Countdown of vulnerabilities discovered in pen testing

Number 5: Absence of security headers for applications

One frequent vulnerability found in web application pen testing is the absence of security headers. Headers like HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) enforce secure connections, and other headers can help prevent attacks such as cross-site scripting (XSS). Without these protections, attackers can exploit unprotected data transmissions. Implementing security headers is a straightforward yet impactful way to bolster your website’s defenses.

Number 4: Insecure open ports

Penetration testing often reveals insecure open ports, such as Telnet and FTP, which are notorious for their vulnerabilities. These outdated protocols can grant cyber criminals easy access to sensitive information. Closing unused ports and securing necessary ones with measures like multi-factor authentication (MFA) or VPNs is crucial. Regular reviews of open ports can significantly lower the risk of external breaches.

Number 3: Issues with SMB signing

Internal pen testing frequently uncovers SMB (server message block) signing issues. Without proper signing, attackers can impersonate legitimate devices and intercept data through man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. Enforcing SMB signing throughout your network helps authenticate file exchanges and mitigates these risks.

Number 2: SSL/TLS misconfigurations

Outdated or improperly configured SSL/TLS settings continue to pose significant vulnerabilities. Many organizations still use deprecated protocols like SSL 3.0 and TLS 1.0, making them susceptible to downgrade attacks and other potential concerns exposed by pen testing. Weak cipher suites can enable attackers to intercept and decrypt sensitive data. It’s essential to utilize only the latest SSL/TLS versions and strong encryption methods to safeguard web traffic.

Number 1: Software that is unsupported

Unsupported software is the most critical vulnerability identified during pen testing. Running outdated operating systems and applications that no longer receive security updates exposes organizations to unpatched vulnerabilities. Regularly updating software and decommissioning outdated systems are vital steps to prevent exploitation. Conducting routine audits of your software environment ensures you’re not using unsupported tools that could be easy targets for attackers.

Read more: Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Staying safe with AI solutions

Take action to protect your organization

By addressing these five vulnerabilities highlighted through pen testing, organizations can adopt a proactive stance on cybersecurity. As Ryan and John stress, routine vulnerability scans and penetration testing are crucial for identifying and mitigating potential security risks before they can be exploited.

While Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great time to assess your organization’s security posture, it is always the right time to tackle what makes you vulnerable and protect your digital assets from evolving threats.

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