A practical guide to implementing penetration testing strategies on websites, web applications, and standard web protocols with Kali Linux

Overview

Learn key reconnaissance concepts needed as a penetration tester

Attack and exploit key features, authentication, and sessions on web applications

Learn how to protect systems, write reports, and sell web penetration testing services

In Detail

Kali Linux is built for professional penetration testing and security auditing. It is the next-generation of BackTrack, the most popular open-source penetration toolkit in the world. Readers will learn how to think like real attackers, exploit systems, and expose vulnerabilities.

Even though web applications are developed in a very secure environment and have an intrusion detection system and firewall in place to detect and prevent any malicious activity, open ports are a pre-requisite for conducting online business. These ports serve as an open door for attackers to attack these applications. As a result, penetration testing becomes essential to test the integrity of web-applications. Web Penetration Testing with Kali Linux is a hands-on guide that will give you step-by-step methods on finding vulnerabilities and exploiting web applications.

"Web Penetration Testing with Kali Linux" looks at the aspects of web penetration testing from the mind of an attacker. It provides real-world, practical step-by-step instructions on how to perform web penetration testing exercises.

You will learn how to use network reconnaissance to pick your targets and gather information. Then, you will use server-side attacks to expose vulnerabilities in web servers and their applications. Client attacks will exploit the way end users use web applications and their workstations. You will also learn how to use open source tools to write reports and get tips on how to sell penetration tests and look out for common pitfalls.

On the completion of this book, you will have the skills needed to use Kali Linux for web penetration tests and expose vulnerabilities on web applications and clients that access them.

What you will learn from this book

Perform vulnerability reconnaissance to gather information on your targets

Expose server vulnerabilities and take advantage of them to gain privileged access

Exploit client-based systems using web application protocols

Learn how to use SQL and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks

Steal authentications through session hijacking techniques

Harden systems so other attackers do not exploit them easily

Generate reports for penetration testers

Learn tips and trade secrets from real world penetration testers

Approach

"Web Penetration Testing with Kali Linux" contains various penetration testing methods using BackTrack that will be used by the reader. It contains clear step-by-step instructions with lot of screenshots. It is written in an easy to understand language which will further simplify the understanding for the user.

Joseph Muniz

Joseph Muniz is a technical solutions architect and security researcher. He started his career in software development and later managed networks as a contracted technical resource. Joseph moved into consulting and found a passion for security while meeting with a variety of customers. He has been involved with the design and implementation of multiple projects ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to large federal network.

Joseph runs TheSecurityBlogger.com website, a popular resources regarding security and product implementation. You can also find Joseph speaking at live events as well as involved with other publications. Recent events include speaker for Social Media Deception at the 2013 ASIS International conference, speaker for Eliminate Network Blind Spots with Data Center Security webinar, speaker for Making Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Work at the Government Solutions Forum, Washington DC, and an article on Compromising Passwords in PenTest Magazine - Backtrack Compendium, July 2013.

Outside of work, he can be found behind turntables scratching classic vinyl or on the soccer pitch hacking away at the local club teams.

Aamir Lakhani

Aamir Lakhani is a leading Cyber Security and Cyber Counterintelligence architect. He is responsible for providing IT security solutions to major commercial and federal enterprise organizations.

Lakhani leads projects that implement security postures for Fortune 500 companies, the US Department of Defense, major healthcare providers, educational institutions, and financial and media organizations. Lakhani has designed offensive counter defense measures for defense and intelligence agencies, and has assisted organizations in defending themselves from active strike back attacks perpetrated by underground cyber groups. Lakhani is considered an industry leader in support of detailed architectural engagements and projects on topics related to cyber defense, mobile application threats, malware, and Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) research, and Dark Security. Lakhani is the author and contributor of several books, and has appeared on National Public Radio as an expert on Cyber Security.

Writing under the pseudonym Dr. Chaos, Lakhani also operates the DrChaos.com blog. In their recent list of 46 Federal Technology Experts to Follow on Twitter, Forbes magazine described Aamir Lakhani as "a blogger, infosec specialist, superhero..., and all around good guy."