Types of Attacks That Can Be Tested in Network Penetration Testing

Network Penetration Testing (often called network pentesting) is the process of testing the security of an organization’s network infrastructure by simulating real-world attacks. The goal is to discover vulnerabilities before malicious hackers find them.

In this process, an ethical hacker will attempt different attack techniques on both internal and external systems to measure how effective existing security defenses are.

Why Is It Important?

Through network penetration testing, organizations can:

Identify weaknesses in the network
Improve security policies
Prevent data breaches
Meet industry standards and compliance (e.g., ISO 27001, PCI-DSS)

Common Types of Attacks Tested in Network Penetration Testing

1. Port Scanning & Service Enumeration

Goal: Find open ports and services running on servers/hosts.
Tools: Nmap, Netcat, Masscan
This is usually the first step to identify targets and discover services that may have vulnerabilities.

2. Vulnerability Scanning

Goal: Detect known vulnerabilities in systems or network applications.
Tools: Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys
Often done after port scanning to check which services are exposed to risks.

3. Password Brute Force & Dictionary Attack

Goal: Test login security by trying multiple username-password combinations (e.g., SSH, FTP, RDP).
Tools: Hydra, Medusa, Ncrack
Helps evaluate password policies and authentication systems.

4. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack

Goal: Intercept or modify data transferred between devices.
Tools: Ettercap, Bettercap, Wireshark
Used to test if network traffic is properly encrypted.

5. ARP Spoofing & DNS Poisoning

Goal: Trick devices into sending data to the attacker.
Tools: arpspoof, dnsspoof
These attacks are common in local networks (LAN) and very dangerous if left unchecked.

6. Service Exploitation

Goal: Exploit known vulnerabilities in services (e.g., SMBv1, RDP, Apache bugs).
Tools: Metasploit, ExploitDB, Impacket
Once access is gained, attackers can escalate privileges or move deeper into the system.

7. Firewall & IDS/IPS Evasion

Goal: Test whether security solutions like firewalls and IDS can be bypassed.
Techniques: Packet fragmentation, payload encoding, traffic obfuscation
Important for evaluating the effectiveness of intrusion prevention systems.

8. Privilege Escalation

Goal: Gain higher privileges (e.g., from a normal user to admin/root).
Techniques: Exploiting SUID files, misconfigured services, or sudoers settings.
Usually done after initial access to strengthen the attacker’s control.

9. Pivoting & Lateral Movement

Goal: Move deeper into the network after initial access, targeting other critical systems.
Tools: ProxyChains, Impacket, Cobalt Strike
Tests how far an attacker could spread within the infrastructure.

10. Data Exfiltration Testing

Goal: Check how easily sensitive data can be taken out of the network.
Methods may include:
- File transfer via DNS tunneling
- Uploading to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox)
- Compressing and encrypting data before sending it out

Final Thoughts

Network Penetration Testing is not just about finding bugs—it’s about simulating how attackers think. By testing these different attack scenarios, companies gain a real understanding of their risks and can take proactive measures to protect their infrastructure.

Remember: it’s better to discover weaknesses internally now, rather than be exploited by hackers later.

Ready to Start Your Network Pentest?

Consult with a trusted cybersecurity team or hire professional pentesting services. Make sure to test regularly and fix any issues as quickly as possible.

A strong IT infrastructure is the key to business productivity. With Penetration Testing Malaysia, you can get complete IT solutions tailored to your needs. iLogo Malaysia, as your trusted partner, is ready to integrate everything seamlessly so your business stays secure and runs smoothly.