Everything You Need to Know About How to Perform Firewall Penetration Testing‍

Firewall penetration testing is the process of attempting to bypass or break through a firewall in order to gain access to resources that are otherwise protected. It is an important security measure for businesses and organizations of all sizes and should be part of any comprehensive information security plan. In this post, we'll look at what firewall penetration testing is, why it's essential, and how to perform penetration testing for the firewall.

What Does Firewall Penetration Testing Mean?

A firewall penetration test is a component of a company's security strategy, which also includes a thorough examination of the network. With more cyber-attacks on company networks, it's become clear that a firewall penetration check is required.

A firewall penetration test determines how efficiently a firewall stops unauthorized access to an organization’s network. By security testing a firewall, you can discover how well it obstructs traffic that shouldn't be allowed through.

By reaching the network off-site through port scanning and packet sniffing, you can test how well the firewall is performing. If done correctly, no one outside of the intended user group should be able to gain access.

Firewall penetration tests can either be conducted manually or with automated tools. The latter is more time-consuming and complex, yet it delivers superior outcomes.

Why Is It Necessary to Perform Firewall Penetration Testing?

A firewall penetration test is key for security teams in terms of measuring the danger of an attack and finding vulnerabilities. A firewall test allows you to trace your network's perimeter from the outside in order to discover potential flaws in your infrastructure architecture.

By understanding the traffic flow in and out of your network, you can evaluate potential vulnerabilities that could provide an opening for an intruder.

To put it simply, if you have a device that can connect wirelessly to the Internet (an AP), you need to know where the data associated with this traffic comes from and goes.

Firewall Penetration Testing: 3 Different Types

Man in the Middle (MiTM)

A man-in-the-middle (MiTM) test is an attempt by a security researcher to interfere with and modify network traffic between the firewall and any clients attempting to connect to it. Oftentimes, this type of testing is done with remote users because it might let attackers take over their traffic unnoticed, giving the attacker complete control over the user and their data once they're in the network.

Direct Traffic

The attacker connects to network web servers and application servers in a direct traffic test or an internal recon test to look for any vulnerabilities. This allows them access to sensitive data that could be harmful if not found. These tests are often used against employees internally as they have more knowledge of networks than outsiders.

Spoofed Traffic

Spoofed traffic is when an attacker creates imitated network traffic that appears to be a remote user attempting to connect to an internal network. By infiltrating the target system, cybercriminals can obtain confidential information. The difference between this and other tests is that the attacker has full access once connected, instead of just gathering information.

How to Perform Penetration Testing for Firewall? (Different Ways)

Black Box Testing: With black box testing, the tester is not given any firewall system information and tests it as if they are an outsider.

White Box Testing: When a tester has full knowledge of the system being tested and can access it from the inside, he or she is said to be performing white box testing.

Gray Box Testing: With gray box testing, the individual running the test is already aware of the firewall solution. This type of testing takes place from outside of the system.

The three types of firewall testing are all important in determining whether a system has flaws. A thorough system analysis may be conducted, as well as potential vulnerabilities discovered and addressed, by performing all three testing types.

How to Perform Penetration Testing for Firewall? (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Mapping Out the Network

The "mapping out your network step" is when the security researcher tries to identify the devices on your network from the perspective of someone who is not inside the network. This can be done through port scanning, banner grabbing, and other methods.

Connecting to Internal Services

After gaining access to the network, the hacker then tries to break into internal databases, web servers, and file shares. The pentest would try to access these services in any way feasible, even if it's using the phoney source of network traffic produced while mapping out your network or any other conceivable technique.

Identification of Vulnerabilities

Afterwards, the team will work to find any weak points in your network by mapping them out. The penetration tester then attempts to “exploit” these flaws in order to steal valuable information.

Accessing Internal Devices

At this point, the attacker has access to internal devices such as computers, servers, and portable gadgets. The next step is for an attacker to “hop” from device to device in order to find any vulnerabilities that would allow them access to sensitive information.

Penetration testing of a firewall is dangerous, so it's critical to double-check that all security measures are in working order before starting the test. It's also essential to have a clear grasp of the dangers and a strategy for reducing them.

Things to Consider Before Performing a Firewall Penetration Test

Weigh the pros and cons of firewall penetration testing with these key considerations. First, evaluate the risks to your organization's network security. Then, decide if the benefits of testing justify those risks.

More importantly, you need to understand the objectives and goals of the test before anything else. Secondarily, you should consider what resources are necessary in order to carry out the plan.

If you want to firewall penetration test your organization, there are a few key steps in the preparation process. Most importantly, you have to identify who will be involved in the testing. To complete a successful software test, you need to first create a plan that establishes the test's goals, limits, and methods. Afterwards, determine which team members or tools are necessary to carry out the test.

Conclusion

A firewall penetration test is the best way to prevent data breaches. By identifying and exploiting weaknesses in a network's architecture, potential entry points for malicious actors can be identified and mitigated. In our rapidly changing digital world, it has never been more important to ensure that your organization's defences are up to snuff.