What Should a Pen Test Report Have In It?

What should be included in the report from the pen test team?

The report serves as the results of the testing process, and provides actionable insights into an organization’s security. A well-constructed pen test report should be comprehensive and tailored to meet the needs of both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Here are the key components that should be included in a strong penetration test report.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is designed for non-technical stakeholders (executives and managers) who need a high-level understanding of the findings. This should include…

• Purpose of the test: Why the test was conducted and what it aimed to achieve.

• Scope: An overview of the systems, applications, or networks tested.

• Key findings: A summary of the most critical vulnerabilities discovered.

• Risk assessment: An evaluation of the overall risk to the organization based on the findings.

• Recommendations: High-level guidance for mitigating the risks identified.

Methodology

The methodology section provides transparency into the testing process. It should include…

• The frameworks or standards followed, such as OWASP or NIST.

• The types of testing performed (black-box, white-box, gray-box).

• The tools and techniques used during the assessment.

• Any constraints or limitations encountered during testing.

Detailed Findings

This section is the core of the report and is intended for technical staff who will implement remediation measures. Key elements include…

• Vulnerabilities discovered: Each vulnerability should be described in detail, including its location and potential impact.

• Evidence: Screenshots, logs, or other evidence to support the findings.

• Severity levels: Each vulnerability should be classified based on its risk level (critical, high, medium, low).

• Attack scenarios: How the vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker.

• Affected assets: Systems, applications, or data at risk.

Recommendations

Recommendations should provide actionable steps to amend each identified vulnerability. This section should include…

• Specific fixes for vulnerabilities.

• Suggested changes to policies or configurations.

• Long-term strategies to improve the organization’s security.

However, it is important to remember that not every network fix should be followed blindly without considering the bigger picture. For example, you would not suggest Advil to someone with liver problems, even though it is a common solution for headaches. The same idea applies to network fixes. Companies need to think through the impact of each recommendation, taking into account their unique setup, current systems, and possible risks. The effect of applying a fix or policy change can differ based on things like the organization’s infrastructure, legal rules, and even unintended side effects. So, it’s always best to customize recommendations before moving forward with any changes.

Risk Prioritization

A well-constructed report prioritizes vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact. This can be presented as:

• A risk matrix that visualizes the likelihood and impact of each vulnerability.

• A prioritized list that ranks vulnerabilities from most to least critical.

Reporting Metrics and Compliance Mapping

The report should include metrics that demonstrate the organization’s security status. It should also map vulnerabilities to relevant compliance requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS in order to show regulatory implications.

Appendix

The appendix includes supplementary information that supports the main report such as…

• A glossary of technical terms.

• A list of tools used during the test.

• Raw data or logs generated during the assessment.

• References to relevant industry standards or guidelines.

An effective penetration test report should have the following characteristics…

• Clarity: The report should be concise and written in clear language.

• Actionable insights: The pen tester’s recommendations should be practical and tailored to the organization’s specific needs.

• Customization: The report should address the unique requirements of the organization and the scope of the test.

A penetration test report is the most important part of the test and serves as a valuable tool for organizations to address security weaknesses and enhance their overall defense strategy.

What Should I Do After Receiving the Report

After receiving the report, you should follow a certain process to make sure the findings are addressed effectively.

1. Review the Report Thoroughly: The internal security team and relevant stakeholders (IT, operations, legal) should carefully review the findings. Understand the vulnerabilities discovered, their severity, and the potential risks to the organization.

2. Prioritize Vulnerabilities: The company must prioritize fixes based on the level of risk to the organization. Critical vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches or system compromises should be addressed immediately, and lower-priority ones can be scheduled for a later date.

3. Develop a Remediation Plan: The company should work with its IT team to create a plan to fix the vulnerabilities. This will involve patching systems or updating security protocols. There should be timelines and resources to ensure resolution.

4. Verify Fixes and Mitigation Efforts: Now you should test the fixes to ensure they actually resolve the issues without introducing new problems. This may involve conducting additional scans or even scheduling a follow-up penetration test to verify the effectiveness of the remediation.

5. Update Policies and Procedures: If the pen test highlights weaknesses in the company’s security policies or procedures, those should be updated to reflect lessons learned.

6. Monitor and Improve: The company should continue to monitor the network and systems for new vulnerabilities that come up over time. Regular pen tests and continuous vulnerability management must be part of the company's security strategy to stay ahead of potential threats.

7. Report to Stakeholders: The company should provide relevant stakeholders (management and board of directors) with an update on the findings and how risks are being mitigated. This ensures transparency throughout the process.

   
   

What Are Things In The Report That I Should Be Worried About

In a pen test report, certain findings should raise immediate concern because they indicate serious security vulnerabilities. You should focus on these issues primarily.

Critical Vulnerabilities (High Risk)

These are security gaps that attackers can easily exploit to gain unauthorized access and steal data.

• Remote Code Execution (RCE) – Attackers can run arbitrary code on your system. This could lead to full system compromise.

• SQL Injection (SQLi) – Attackers can manipulate your database, potentially exposing or deleting sensitive data.

• Privilege Escalation – Low-level users gaining administrator-level access.

• Unpatched Known Vulnerabilities – If your system has outdated software with publicly known exploits, this is a huge problem.

Authentication & Access Control Issues

• Weak Passwords/Default Credentials – Attackers can easily break in if your system still uses weak or default passwords.

• Broken Authentication – If attackers can bypass login mechanisms or session management, your security is compromised.

• Excessive Privileges – Employees or systems having more access than necessary increases insider threats.

Data Exposure Risks

• Sensitive Data in Plaintext – Sensitive information (user credentials, financial records, or API keys) that are stored or transmitted without encryption can be intercepted.

• Misconfigured Cloud Storage (S3 Buckets, Azure Blobs, etc.) – Publicly accessible storage could leak confidential files.

• Improper Logging & Monitoring – If an attacker breaches your system, and you have no logs or alerts, this is a huge issue.

Network Security Weaknesses

• Open Ports with Unnecessary Services – Exposed services can be exploited, especially the outdated ones.

• Lack of Network Segmentation – If an attacker gains access to one part of your network and can move freely, it increases the risk of lateral movement.

• Unsecured APIs – APIs that lack authentication or proper rate limiting can be abused to extract sensitive data.

Social Engineering & Phishing Risks

• Employees Falling for Phishing Attacks – If a pen tester is able to trick employees into revealing credentials or clicking suspicious links in their emails, real attackers can do the same.

• Weak Security Awareness Training – Employees should be aware of basic security hygiene.