Infrastructure penetration testing, also known as network penetration testing, involves
assessing the security of an organization's IT infrastructure, including networks, systems,
servers, and devices. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that could be
exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access, cause disruption, or steal sensitive data.
Here's a general outline of how to conduct infrastructure penetration testing:

**1. Planning and Preparation:**
– Understand the scope of the infrastructure to be tested. Define which systems, networks,
and components will be included.
– Determine the testing objectives and goals. Identify the potential impact of successful
attacks.
– Obtain proper authorization and inform relevant stakeholders to prevent any disruption.

**2. Information Gathering:**
– Collect information about the target infrastructure, including IP addresses, domains, subnets,
and network architecture.
– Use tools like DNS enumeration, WHOIS lookup, and network scanning to gather information
about potential entry points.

**3. Vulnerability Assessment:**
– Conduct automated vulnerability scanning using tools like Nessus, OpenVAS, or Qualys.
Identify known vulnerabilities in systems and network services.
– Manually assess configurations for misconfigurations, weak passwords, and insecure settings.

**4. Network Mapping and Enumeration:**
– Create a map of the network infrastructure, identifying hosts, routers, switches, and
firewalls.
– Enumerate services and protocols running on each host to identify potential attack vectors.

**5. Exploitation:**
– Attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
– Use ethical hacking techniques to validate the severity of vulnerabilities.

**6. Privilege Escalation and Lateral Movement:**
– If access is gained, explore ways to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network
to identify potential pathways attackers might use.

**7. Post-Exploitation and Data Collection:**
– If access is achieved, gather evidence of successful exploitation, such as capturing
screenshots, extracting sensitive information, or logging actions taken.

**8. Reporting:**
– Document all findings, including vulnerabilities, exploited weaknesses, and recommendations
for improving security.
– Provide a clear and concise report outlining the risks, potential consequences, and actionable
steps for remediation.

**9. Remediation and Recommendations:**
– Collaborate with the organization's IT and security teams to prioritize and address identified
vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
– Provide guidance on best practices for securing the infrastructure.

**10. Retesting and Validation:**
– After remediation, perform validation tests to ensure that vulnerabilities have been properly
addressed.
– Reassess the security posture to verify that the infrastructure is more resilient against
attacks.

**11. Continuous Monitoring:**
– Implement ongoing security monitoring and proactive measures to detect and respond to
new threats and vulnerabilities.

Remember that infrastructure penetration testing requires deep technical knowledge and
expertise in networking, operating systems, and security tools. It's essential to follow ethical

guidelines, obtain proper authorization, and maintain a responsible and professional approach
throughout the testing process.