Gaining access is the third phase of the penetration testing process.

Once vulnerabilities have

been identified in the scanning phase, the penetration tester attempts to exploit them to gain
access to the target system or network. This may involve using known exploits or developing
custom exploits to take advantage of specific vulnerabilities.
Here are some details about the gaining access phase of penetration testing:
1. Exploitation: The penetration tester attempts to exploit the vulnerabilities that were
identified in the scanning phase. This may involve using known exploits, developing
custom exploits, or using social engineering techniques to trick users into divulging
sensitive information.
2. Privilege escalation: Once initial access has been gained, the penetration tester may
attempt to escalate their privileges to gain greater access to the target system or
network. This may involve using additional exploits or techniques such as password
cracking to gain administrative privileges.
3. Persistence: Once access has been gained and privileges escalated, the penetration
tester may attempt to maintain persistence by installing backdoors or other persistent
access mechanisms that allow them to access the target system or network even after
the penetration testing engagement is complete.
4. Data exfiltration: Depending on the goals of the penetration testing engagement, the
penetration tester may attempt to exfiltrate sensitive data from the target system or
network. This can include stealing passwords, stealing intellectual property, or
accessing financial or personal information.
5. Reporting: Throughout the gaining access phase, the penetration tester documents
their actions and findings in order to provide a detailed report of the vulnerabilities
that were exploited and the methods used to gain access. This report is used to help
the organization understand the impact of the vulnerabilities and to develop a plan for
remediation.
Overall, the gaining access phase of penetration testing is critical for understanding the
impact of vulnerabilities and identifying potential threats to the target system or network. By
exploiting vulnerabilities and gaining access to the target environment, the penetration tester
can demonstrate the potential impact of a real-world attack and help the organization develop
a plan for improving their security posture.