Python: Penetration Testing for Developers

Unleash the power of Python scripting to execute effective and efficient penetration tests

Key Features

• Sharpen your pentesting skills with Python
• Develop your fluency with Python to write sharper scripts for rigorous security testing
• Get stuck into some of the most powerful tools in the security world

Book Description

Cybercriminals are always one step ahead, when it comes to tools and techniques. This means you need to use the same tools and adopt the same mindset to properly secure your software. This course shows you how to do just that, demonstrating how effective Python can be for powerful pentesting that keeps your software safe. Comprising of three key modules, follow each one to push your Python and security skills to the next level.

In the first module, we'll show you how to get to grips with the fundamentals. This means you'll quickly find out how to tackle some of the common challenges facing pentesters using custom Python tools designed specifically for your needs. You'll also learn what tools to use and when, giving you complete confidence when deploying your pentester tools to combat any potential threat.

In the next module you'll begin hacking into the application layer. Covering everything from parameter tampering, DDoS, XXS and SQL injection, it will build on the knowledge and skills you learned in the first module to make you an even more fluent security expert.

Finally in the third module, you'll find more than 60 Python pentesting recipes. We think this will soon become your trusted resource for any pentesting situation.

This Learning Path combines some of the best that Packt has to offer in one complete, curated package. It includes content from the following Packt products:

• Learning Penetration Testing with Python by Christopher Duffy
• Python Penetration Testing Essentials by Mohit
• Python Web Penetration Testing Cookbook by Cameron Buchanan,Terry Ip, Andrew Mabbitt, Benjamin May and Dave Mound

What You Will Learn

• Familiarize yourself with the generation of Metasploit resource files and use the Metasploit Remote Procedure Call to automate exploit generation and execution
• Exploit the Remote File Inclusion to gain administrative access to systems with Python and other scripting languages
• Crack an organization's Internet perimeter and chain exploits to gain deeper access to an organization's resources
• Explore wireless traffic with the help of various programs and perform wireless attacks with Python programs
• Gather passive information from a website using automated scripts and perform XSS, SQL injection, and parameter tampering attacks
• Develop complicated header-based attacks through Python

Who This Book Is For

If you are a Python programmer or a security researcher who has basic knowledge of Python programming and wants to learn about penetration testing with the help of Python, this course is ideal for you. Even if you are new to the field of ethical hacking, this course can help you find the vulnerabilities in your system so that you are ready to tackle any kind of attack or intrusion.

Christopher Duffy currently leads cybersecurity and penetration testing engagements globally. He has a specialization in advanced technical testing, including penetration testing and security assessment done to evaluate an organization's security strategy from a malicious actor's perspective. He has worked a lot with both network and system engineering teams to evaluate critical system data flows, and identified areas where controls can be put in place to prevent a breach of sensitive or critical data. His work with multiple organizations has been key to protecting resources based on the information they have held, which has helped reduce risks while maintaining resilient and cost-effective security postures. Chris has over 12 years of experience in the information technology and security areas, including security consultation, with a focus on business risk. He has helped build advanced attack and penetration teams. The work that his teams have done has encompassed everything from threat modeling and penetration tests to firewall reviews and FedRAMP readiness assessments. Chris has led, managed, and executed over 400 engagements for Fortune 500 companies, U.S. government entities, medical providers and payers, educational institutes, financial services, research organizations, and cloud providers. For almost a decade prior to private sector work, Chris was a cyber warfare specialist, senior systems engineer, and network infrastructure supervisor for the United States Air Force (USAF). He has been honored with numerous technical and leadership awards. Some of these include the (ISC)2 Information Security Leadership Award (ISLA) for the information security practitioner category in 2013, the noncommissioned officer of the year (both at the base and wing levels) in 2011, and the top technician within the cyber transport career field for the United States Air Force (USAF) Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. He is a distinguished graduate of USAF network warfare training and has publications to his credit in SANS Reading Room, Hackin9 magazine, eForensics magazine and PenTest magazine. He holds 23 certifications, a degree in computer science, and a master's degree in information security and assurance.