cyber-security-resources/pen_testing_reports

Public Pen Testing Reports

The following are several resources that are useful when writing penetration testing reports, including many different examples:

Resource	URL
Curated List of penetration testing reports	https://github.com/santosomar/public-pentesting-reports (forked from https://github.com/juliocesarfort/public-pentesting-reports)
SANS guidance on writing penetration testing reports	https://www.sans.org/reading-room/whitepapers/bestprac/writing-penetration-testing-report-33343
Offensive Security example	https://www.offensive-security.com/reports/sample-penetration-testing-report.pdf
PCI Security report guidance	https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/documents/Penetration_Testing_Guidance_March_2015.pdf
Dradis Framework	https://dradisframework.com/ce/

Best Practices

Creating comprehensive and effective reports is a crucial part of both penetration testing and bug bounty programs. The report not only serves as a record of your findings but also as a guide for organizations to improve their security posture. The following are some best practices for creating reports in both contexts:

Penetration Testing Reports

1. Executive Summary:

   • Provide a high-level overview suitable for management.
   • Highlight key findings and risks in non-technical language.

2. Scope and Methodology:

   • Clearly outline the scope of the test, including targets and timeframes.
   • Describe the methodologies and tools used during the test.

3. Findings:

   • List vulnerabilities found, ideally sorted by severity.
   • Include proof-of-concept code or screenshots.

4. Impact Assessment:

   • Describe the potential business impact of each vulnerability.

5. Recommendations:

   • Provide actionable remediation steps for each finding.

6. Technical Details:

   • Include detailed technical descriptions for each finding, suitable for an IT audience.

7. Appendices:

   • Include any additional information, such as data exports from tools or supplementary evidence.

8. Review and Revise:

   • Double-check for sensitive data that shouldn’t be in the report.
   • Review for clarity, completeness, and correctness.

Bug Bounty Reports

1. Clear Title:

   • Use a descriptive title that summarizes the vulnerability.

2. Vulnerability Description:

   • Clearly describe what the vulnerability is and why it is a security issue.

3. Steps to Reproduce:

   • Provide a step-by-step guide to reproducing the vulnerability.
   • Include code snippets, commands, or queries where applicable.

4. Proof of Concept:

   • Attach screenshots, videos, or other evidence that proves the vulnerability exists.

5. Impact Assessment:

   • Explain the potential impact of the vulnerability.

6. Mitigation Suggestions:

   • Offer possible fixes or mitigation measures.

7. Environment Details:

   • Note the platform, OS, software version, etc., where the vulnerability was found.

8. Disclosure Timeline:

   • If the report is being made public, include a timeline showing key dates like when the vulnerability was reported, acknowledged, and fixed.

General Best Practices

• Clarity: Use clear and concise language; avoid jargon unless it's industry-standard and you're sure the reader will understand.

• Audience Awareness: Know your audience and tailor the content accordingly. Technical staff will need different information compared to executive leadership.

• Confidentiality: Ensure that sensitive information is adequately protected, especially if the report will be shared or stored electronically.

• Validation: Before finalizing the report, validate your findings to ensure they are accurate and reproducible.

• Professionalism: Maintain a professional tone and presentation. Your report is a reflection of your expertise.

By adhering to these best practices, you'll ensure that your penetration testing or bug bounty report is not only thorough but also actionable, enabling the organization to improve its security posture effectively.