About Me
CompTIA PenTest+
1 Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities
1-1 Common Threat Actors
1-2 Threat Intelligence Sources
1-3 Threat Actors and Motives
1-4 Threat Actor Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)
1-5 Vulnerability Types
1-6 Exploit Types
1-7 Attack Types
1-8 Threat Detection and Monitoring
1-9 Threat Hunting
1-10 Incident Response
2 Architecture and Design
2-1 Security Controls
2-2 Network Architecture
2-3 Cloud and Virtualization
2-4 Web Application Security
2-5 Wireless Security
2-6 Mobile Security
2-7 IoT Security
2-8 Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security
2-9 Physical Security
2-10 Secure Software Development
3 Tools and Code
3-1 Penetration Testing Tools
3-2 Exploitation Tools
3-3 Post-Exploitation Tools
3-4 Reporting Tools
3-5 Scripting and Automation
3-6 Programming Languages
3-7 Code Analysis
3-8 Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Tools
4 Planning and Scoping
4-1 Penetration Testing Methodologies
4-2 Legal and Compliance Considerations
4-3 Scope Definition
4-4 Risk Assessment
4-5 Threat Modeling
4-6 Information Gathering
4-7 Asset Identification
4-8 Data Classification
4-9 Business Impact Analysis
4-10 Penetration Testing Objectives
5 Information Gathering and Vulnerability Identification
5-1 Passive Reconnaissance
5-2 Active Reconnaissance
5-3 Vulnerability Scanning
5-4 Network Mapping
5-5 Service Identification
5-6 Web Application Scanning
5-7 Wireless Network Scanning
5-8 Social Engineering Techniques
5-9 OSINT Techniques
5-10 Vulnerability Databases
6 Attacks and Exploits
6-1 Exploit Development
6-2 Buffer Overflows
6-3 SQL Injection
6-4 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
6-5 Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
6-6 Command Injection
6-7 Privilege Escalation
6-8 Lateral Movement
6-9 Evasion Techniques
6-10 Exploit Delivery Methods
7 Penetration Testing Process
7-1 Pre-Engagement Activities
7-2 Reconnaissance
7-3 Scanning and Enumeration
7-4 Exploitation
7-5 Post-Exploitation
7-6 Reporting
7-7 Remediation
7-8 Retesting
7-9 Documentation and Evidence Collection
7-10 Communication and Coordination
8 Reporting and Communication
8-1 Report Structure
8-2 Executive Summary
8-3 Technical Findings
8-4 Risk Assessment
8-5 Remediation Recommendations
8-6 Legal and Compliance Considerations
8-7 Presentation Skills
8-8 Communication with Stakeholders
8-9 Documentation Standards
8-10 Continuous Improvement
9 Security and Compliance
9-1 Regulatory Requirements
9-2 Industry Standards
9-3 Compliance Audits
9-4 Data Protection
9-5 Privacy Laws
9-6 Incident Response Planning
9-7 Disaster Recovery Planning
9-8 Business Continuity Planning
9-9 Risk Management
9-10 Security Awareness Training
5.9 OSINT Techniques Explained

5.9 OSINT Techniques Explained

Key Concepts

1. Search Engines

Search engines are powerful tools for gathering information from publicly available sources. Techniques such as Google Dorks can be used to perform advanced searches and uncover sensitive information.

Example: Using the query "site:targetdomain.com filetype:pdf" to find all PDF files hosted on the target's website.

2. Social Media Analysis

Social media platforms are rich sources of information about individuals and organizations. By analyzing social media profiles, penetration testers can gather insights into the target's activities, relationships, and potential vulnerabilities.

Example: Using tools like Maltego to map out the social network of a target organization, identifying key personnel and their connections.

3. WHOIS and DNS Queries

WHOIS and DNS queries are used to gather information about domain names and their associated IP addresses. WHOIS provides details such as the domain owner's contact information, while DNS queries can reveal the IP addresses associated with the domain.

Example: Using a WHOIS lookup tool to find the registration details of a target domain, such as the registrant's name and email address.

4. Public Records and Databases

Public records and databases contain a wealth of information that can be accessed to gather intelligence about a target. This includes court records, business filings, and government databases.

Example: Searching court records to find legal disputes involving the target organization or individuals associated with it.

5. Dark Web and Deep Web Research

The Dark Web and Deep Web contain content that is not indexed by traditional search engines. Specialized tools and techniques are required to access and gather information from these areas.

Example: Using Tor to access hidden services and forums on the Dark Web to gather intelligence about potential threats or vulnerabilities.

Examples and Analogies

Consider a detective investigating a crime as an analogy for OSINT techniques:

1. Search Engines: The detective uses a search engine to find articles, documents, and other resources that provide clues about the suspect's whereabouts and activities.

2. Social Media Analysis: The detective analyzes the suspect's social media profiles to gather insights into their daily routines, relationships, and potential vulnerabilities.

3. WHOIS and DNS Queries: The detective uses public records to find the suspect's contact information and associates, similar to how a WHOIS lookup provides domain registration details.

4. Public Records and Databases: The detective searches court records, business filings, and government databases to gather intelligence about the suspect's past activities and associates.

5. Dark Web and Deep Web Research: The detective uses specialized tools to access hidden resources and gather intelligence from areas not indexed by traditional search engines.

By understanding and utilizing these OSINT techniques, penetration testers can gather valuable intelligence, identify potential vulnerabilities, and enhance their reconnaissance efforts.

© 2024 Ahmed Baheeg Khorshid. All rights reserved.