Web and Mobile Application Fuzzing Best Practices
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably used tools like Ffuf or Gobuster to fuzz an application to expand the attack surface and potentially find sensitive files and directories. Unfortunately, we here at Brackish find that a lot of testers are doing fuzzing incorrectly. Read below to get our Rules of Fuzzing and even a generic […]
What are Default Credentials? A Penetration Testers Best Friend!
While organizations focus on patching vulnerabilities, updating software, and training staff, one of the most overlooked yet dangerous entry points remains default credentials. These seemingly harmless username and password combinations are a hacker’s golden ticket into your network or destruction of the network. Unfortunately, default credentials are something we see on every. single. engagement. The […]
Part 1: Understanding the Basics of Penetration Testing
To stay one step ahead of cybercriminals, proactive measures are necessary. One of the most effective tools in your cybersecurity toolkit is a penetration test (pen test). This blog post is the first in a series designed to guide you through the penetration testing process from start to finish. We’ll start by covering the basics—what […]
Physical Penetration Testing: Why Every Company Should Prioritize It
In an era dominated by digital transformation, businesses are more focused than ever on securing their online assets. Cybersecurity measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and encryption protocols are essential, but one often overlooked aspect of comprehensive security is physical penetration testing. What Is Physical Penetration Testing? Physical penetration testing involves simulating a real-world attack […]
DIY Penetration Testing
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, companies, regardless of their size, need to ensure their networks and systems are secure. However, many small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) operate on limited budgets, making it challenging to allocate significant resources toward comprehensive security measures. One solution for these companies is to adopt a DIY approach to penetration […]
JavaScript Source Map Vulnerabilities
What is a JavaScript source map file? Source map files map the transformed, minified, or compiled code back to the original source code, and they can often be found exposed publicly in web applications. This is particularly useful for debugging because it allows developers to view and step through the original source code even when […]
Red Teaming vs. Penetration Testing
In the realm of cybersecurity, both red teaming (also known as adversarial simulation), and penetration testing play crucial roles in identifying vulnerabilities within an organization’s digital infrastructure. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct methodologies with unique objectives. Understanding the differences between red teaming and penetration testing is essential for organizations aiming […]
Penetration Testing Findings: Exposed Non-Production Environments
Non-production environments refer to any setup that is used for purposes other than live, operational applications. This includes development, testing, staging, and quality assurance (QA) environments. They are essential for preparing software for production by allowing thorough testing and debugging. A lot of us security minded folks are aware developers standup non prod environments and […]
IoT Penetration Testing Part 1
IoT Penetration Testing is one of our favorite types of testing here at Brackish Security. This will be the first of a multi-part blog series on embedded device security (the “Internet of Things” or IoT). Our goal is to show how the Brackish security team approaches an IoT pentest, including detailed methodologies and examples. IoT […]
MouseJacking (With Flipper Zero): Tales from Pen Testing Trenches
As a continuation in our series of penetration testing stories (who doesn’t love those) we bring you MouseJacking (With Flipper Zero). Check out the first blog post in the series here here. In this engagement, we were successfully able to compromise a network utilizing an old attack vector – MouseJacking. MouseJacking was first brought to […]
The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Business from Phishing Scams
In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is not just a technical necessity but a cornerstone of a successful business strategy. Among the myriad of cyber threats, phishing scams stand out for their cunning simplicity and devastating effectiveness. Phishing attacks manipulate human psychology to steal confidential information, disrupt business operations, and compromise customer trust. This comprehensive guide […]
Tales from Pen Testing Trenches: MAC Address Whitelisting Failure
MAC address whitelisting is commonly perceived as a foolproof network security mechanism. Yet, Brackish Security’s recent test on a wireless network illustrates how easily this method can be bypassed, challenging its efficacy as a standalone security solution. MAC address whitelisting operates on the premise that only devices with pre-approved MAC addresses can access a network. […]
Different Types of Penetration Testing: A Comprehensive Guide
Penetration testing, a critical component of cybersecurity, involves evaluating the security of IT systems by simulating cyber attacks. These tests are essential for uncovering vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. This post explores the various types of penetration testing, each targeting different aspects of an organization’s IT infrastructure. Network Penetration Testing: Network penetration tests […]
Penetration Testing 101: What Every Business Owner Should Know
As the digital landscape evolves, so do the challenges in maintaining robust cybersecurity. For business owners navigating this terrain, understanding the role and significance of penetration testing, commonly referred to as pen testing, is essential. This introductory guide aims to demystify pen testing, explaining what it is, how it’s conducted, and the benefits it offers […]
Risks of Storing Passwords in BitBucket Repositories
As penetration testers, like SharePoint, (check out our previous blog post here https://brackish.io/the-risks-of-storing-passwords-in-sharepoint), Bitbucket is a gold mine for credentials. In the dynamic world of software development, tools like Bitbucket are indispensable for version control and collaboration. However, a common yet often overlooked security misstep is the storage of sensitive information, such as passwords, within […]
The Risks of Storing Passwords in SharePoint
In the era of increasing cyber threats, the security of sensitive information has become paramount for organizations of all sizes. SharePoint, a widely used platform for collaboration and information management, is not immune to these concerns. A particularly alarming issue is the storage of passwords in SharePoint, which, if not managed properly, can lead to […]
What is Blind XSS?
You may have heard of Reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) or Stored XSS, but what is Blind XSS? Unlike traditional XSS attacks, where the immediate impact is visible, Blind XSS vulnerabilities are typically triggered when the malicious input is viewed by a different user, often an administrator or a support person, at a later time […]
Another OSCP Blog Post
First, what is the OSCP? If you are ever curious about what it takes to become an ethical hacker, you will most likely find yourself googling “How to become a hacker”. Within your research, it doesn’t take long to read countless blogs and forums that point to the OSCP certification, by Offensive Security. As many […]
Common IoT Device Vulnerabilities in 2023
We made a list of common IoT device vulnerabilities we discovered during the year of 2023! Understanding common vulnerabilities in IoT devices is crucial for both consumers and manufacturers to ensure the safety and privacy of users. In this blog post, we’ll explore these vulnerabilities and discuss measures to mitigate them. Common Vulnerabilities in IoT […]
The Importance of Comprehensive IoT Penetration Testing in Modern Cybersecurity
IoT Penetration Testing is needed in today’s dynamic landscape of the Internet of Things (IoT), where everyday devices are interconnected and smarter than ever. Comprehensive IoT Penetration Testing emerges as a crucial strategy for businesses and individuals alike to fortify their digital frontiers. This blog post delves into the why and how of thorough IoT […]
Shodan Series Part 2: The Untraditional Web Ports
Our goal of this series is to revisit Shodan and demonstrate to IT admins and business owners, how much an attacker can glean of a network without sending any packets to the actual to an organization. Our last post focused on Remote Desktop Protocol being exposed to the publicly accessible internet: https://brackish.io/shodan-series-part-1-the-accidental-open-door/ This week we […]
The Power of Password Complexity
In the constantly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, two factors consistently play pivotal roles in safeguarding digital assets: password complexity and regular penetration testing. At Brackish Security, we’ve seen firsthand how these elements work in tandem to fortify defenses against cyber threats. The Importance of Password Complexity In an age where data breaches are increasingly common, […]
Not All Penetration Tests Are Created Equally
In the dynamic world of cybersecurity, penetration testing (pen testing) has become a cornerstone for businesses seeking to fortify their defenses against cyber threats. However, it’s crucial to understand that not all Penetration Tests are created equally. At Brackish Security, we believe in enlightening our clients about these differences, ensuring they can make informed decisions […]
Shodan Series Part 1: The Accidental Open Door
We wanted to create this blog series to highlight how important regular penetration testing is and how it effectively reduces risk. This week we will focus on port 3389, traditionally used for Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which allows users to access their desktop over a network connection. It’s like leaving the keys in the […]
Penetration Testing for Small Businesses: Why It’s Crucial and How to Get Started
In today’s digital age, where online transactions and interactions form the backbone of most businesses, cybersecurity has emerged as a paramount concern. For small businesses, especially, navigating the vast and often murky waters of cybersecurity can seem daunting. Yet, the need for such endeavors has never been more pressing. A concerning statistic reveals that a […]
More MobSF – Mobile Application Penetration Testing #3
Mobile Application Penetration Testing
What is the Difference Between Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing?
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, businesses often come across terms like ‘vulnerability assessments‘ and ‘penetration testing‘. While they might seem interchangeable to the untrained eye, they serve distinct purposes. Both are critical components of a comprehensive security strategy, but they approach the task of safeguarding a network from different angles. Let’s dive into the […]
Does Affordable Penetration Testing Exist?
Affordable Penetration Testing: A Necessity, Not A Luxury In today’s interconnected world, it’s not a question of if your business will face a cyber threat, but when. As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses of all sizes find themselves in the crosshairs of potential attacks. But for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the idea of […]
Mobile Application Penetration Testing – #2 – MobSF Intro
If you haven’t read the previous entry in the Mobile Application Penetration Testing series, check it out. In this post we will start in with a frequently use mobile application security tool – MobSF. This is a tool that you’ll pretty much want to use on every mobile test that you do. As said before, […]
Mobile Application Penetration Testing – #1 – Getting Started
Welcome to the first of many parts of our series on Mobile Application Penetration Testing. We wanted to write this series because it seems like a lot of the material out there on mobile application penetration testing is out of date, wrong, or lacking. Furthermore, when it comes to mobile application penetration testing, there are […]
Turkeys Will Get Stuffed Soon. Credentials Will Get Stuffed Now.
Introduction Credential stuffing is a form of cyberattack where attackers use automated scripts to try a large number of username and password combinations (usually obtained from previous breaches) on multiple websites, hoping that individuals have reused their credentials. While this attack method is not sophisticated, its simplicity and effectiveness make it a go-to strategy for […]
Unmasking the Shadows: The Unseen Vulnerabilities Within Your Walls
Prior to reading this, please check out a previous blog of ours on how important an external penetration test is. Hey there, security enthusiasts and curious minds alike! Today, we are taking a deep dive into a topic that’s often buzzing around but isn’t always entirely understood – yes, we’re talking about Internal Penetration Testing […]
Beyond the Breach: The Essential Role of Regular Penetration Testing in Safeguarding Organizational Reputation
In today’s interconnected world, cyber resilience is not just about protecting data but is closely tied to an organization’s reputation and trustworthiness. A cyberattack doesn’t only translate to financial losses but can significantly tarnish a company’s image. A case in point is the recent cyberattack on Clorox, emphasizing the imperative of preemptive measures, particularly regular […]
Guarding the Digital Front Door: The External Penetration Test
The demand and pressure for penetration testing services are growing every day – ethical hackers are racing to find all the vulnerabilities before the not so ethical ones do. The subject of penetration testing has expanded and deepened, with each specific area, whether web application, IoT, wireless, or even mobile, carrying significant importance. Arguably, the […]
White Box Web Application Testing for Pentesters and Bug Bounty Hunters
White box web application penetration testing is one of my favorite things to do in the security world. If you’re new to this, “white box” means you have access to the source code of the application you’re testing. Keep in mind that the vast majority of what I will discuss in this post actually applies […]
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is the Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and at Brackish Security, we’re not just marking our calendars – we’re taking action! We understand the devastating impacts phishing attacks can have on individuals and organizations alike. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our ‘Free Phishing Campaign’ in honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Understanding Phishing Phishing is a […]
OWASP Top Ten – Security Misconfiguration
What exactly is a Security Misconfiguration? It seems kind of nebulous, right? Well, that’s because it is. This vulnerability covers a wide range of issues that are some of the most prevalent in the wild and manifests in different forms—unnecessary default settings, overly verbose error handling, and unprotected files and directories, to name a few. […]
Is Caido The New Burp?
There has been some buzz around Caido recently – a contender to the Burp crown. Brackish Security testers recently sat down and tried Caido out on some real pentests. Our findings follow. Keep in mind that Caido is still fairly new, while Burp has been in development and use for a very long time. Additionally, […]
The Shield of Cyberspace: Understanding Web Application Firewalls
Introduction In our digital age, data security has grown into an essential necessity, not just a luxury. As companies depend heavily on web applications to offer their services, protecting these platforms against cyber threats becomes crucial. Here enters the Web Application Firewall (WAF) – a potent tool designed to safeguard web applications from a multitude […]
Reflected XSS: Differences and Relationship with Stored and DOM XSS
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) is a prevalent security vulnerability in web applications that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of reflected XSS, compare it with stored and DOM XSS, and discuss if reflected XSS can also be stored or DOM XSS. […]
Unraveling the Intricacies of IoT Penetration Testing
Internet of What? The Internet of Things (IoT) penetration testing is needed more than ever as IoT devices have become an essential component of our everyday lives, with smart devices seamlessly integrating into various aspects of our routines. From wearable fitness trackers to smart home appliances, the IoT ecosystem is growing exponentially, promising greater convenience, […]
OWASP Top Ten – Cryptographic Failures
OWASP Top Ten – Cryptographic Failures The world of cybersecurity is constantly evolving as new threats and vulnerabilities emerge. This includes Cryptographic Failures. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top Ten is a widely recognized list of the most critical security risks to web applications. One of the entries on this list is Cryptographic […]
Now With Merch!
After receiving many inquiries about t-shirts and other merchandise, we are pleased to announce our store – https://shop.brackish.io. We will be added more products shortly, so stay tuned!
OWASP Top Ten – Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
What is an SSRF? The next entry in our OWASP Top Ten Series covers Server Side Request Forgeries. Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) is a security vulnerability that occurs when an attacker is able to make HTTP requests to an internal or external system from a vulnerable server, effectively using the server as a proxy. […]
IoT Testing
Here at Brackish, we’ve recently received inquiries from several customers in regards to testing their IoT devices. We took a look at our current roster of testers and while we do have some experience testing IoT devices, it wasn’t something we felt comfortable charging our clients for at this point. With that said, one of […]
Insecure Deserialization
Introduction Insecure deserialization is a cybersecurity vulnerability that affects various programming languages, including C#, Java, PHP, Python, and others. This article explores the dangers of insecure deserialization, how it affects different languages, and how developers can mitigate the risks. Additionally, we will discuss the roles of penetration testing and source code reviews in helping companies […]
Phishing, Domain Names, and TLDs
As a small or medium-sized business owner, you may be aware of the threat of phishing attacks. Phishing is a common technique used by cybercriminals to trick people into giving away sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers. One way to protect your business against these attacks is to buy common domain […]
OWASP Top Ten – Identification and Authentication Failures
Identification and Authentication Failures Today we will cover Identification and Authentication Failures in our series on the OWASP Top Ten. Online security has become a crucial aspect of modern life. Today, every business is a tech business, and it becomes increasingly important to ensure that sensitive data and information are protected from unauthorized access. One […]
Phishing – The Most Important Thing?
It seems like every day we see in the news that another organization was compromised. If we dig deep into the root cause of these breaches we find a very common theme – phishing. Phishing is the act of sending fraudulent emails or messages with the intention of tricking the recipient into revealing sensitive information […]
TLS Versions Explained
Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a widely-used protocol for securing communications on the internet. TLS is responsible for establishing a secure and encrypted connection between two communicating devices, ensuring that the data transmitted between them is protected from eavesdropping, tampering, and other attacks. TLS has undergone several revisions over the years, with TLS 1.0 and […]
