Penetration Testing Termination Rule Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current penetration testing systems lack flexibility in termination conditions, making it difficult for users to halt tests based on specific, user-defined criteria such as exporting files, damaging files, or compromising a certain number of network nodes, leading to inefficient and potentially prolonged testing processes.

Innovation Solution

A penetration testing system that allows users to manually and explicitly select termination conditions through a user interface, enabling tests to be terminated when specific conditions are met, such as exporting files, damaging files, encrypting files, compromising a number of network nodes, or detecting defensive software applications, among others.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated penetration testing systems are used to reduce human involvement, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to flexibly adjust termination conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidtermination condition flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the penetration testing process by allowing termination conditions to be modified during execution. The automated system can respond to changing requirements by accepting new termination conditions from users without requiring complete reconfiguration, making the automation adaptable to different testing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of the penetration testing process by allowing users to define and modify termination conditions (such as number of compromised nodes, time limits, specific vulnerability targets) during the testing campaign. This enables the automated system to adapt its behavior based on varying testing requirements while maintaining automation benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If comprehensive penetration testing is performed against all threats, then reliability is improved, but duration of action increases making the process too long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity assessment completenessVSAvoidtesting campaign duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to define partial testing scopes by specifying particular termination conditions that limit the testing to relevant threats or timeframes. Instead of requiring complete comprehensive testing, the system can terminate when specific security objectives are met or when predefined conditions indicate sufficient assessment has been achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where termination conditions are continuously evaluated during the testing process. When predefined conditions (such as achieving a certain number of compromised nodes or discovering specific vulnerabilities) are met, the system automatically terminates the campaign, providing feedback-driven control over the testing duration while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If penetration testing is performed frequently to detect new threats, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to resource constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevulnerability detection timelinessVSAvoidtesting frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for frequent testing by pre-configuring termination conditions and testing parameters before campaigns begin. This preliminary setup reduces the time and resources required for each individual testing campaign, enabling more frequent assessments without proportionally increasing resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables periodic penetration testing by allowing users to schedule and execute multiple testing campaigns with predefined termination conditions. Each campaign can be configured with appropriate termination criteria that match the specific testing objectives, allowing organized periodic assessments that balance reliability with resource management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10068095B1Systems and methods for selecting a termination rule for a penetration testing campaign

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 XM CYBER LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods of penetration testing of a networked system by a penetration testing system that is controlled by a user interface of a computing device so that a penetration testing campaign is executed until a termination condition is satisfied, the termination condition being manually and explicitly selected and being an indirect termination condition.