What is Cyber Security Vulnerability Scanning?

If you keep sensitive information on your company’s network, you should ensure it is as secure as possible by patching any holes or weak points you discover.

Vulnerability scanning is a complementary assessment technique to penetration testing that helps find these openings. In this post, you will find a detailed answer to the question of what vulnerability scanning is.

What is Cyber Security Vulnerability Scanning?

The term “vuln scan” refers to vulnerability scanning, an automated process for proactively locating security flaws in a system’s infrastructure, software, and other potential weak points. The IT department or an external security firm usually conducts vulnerability scans. Attackers will perform this scan to look for vulnerabilities in your network.

System weaknesses in networks, communication devices, and computers are detected and categorized during the scanning process. Vulnerability scans not only locate security flaws but also estimate the efficacy of preventative measures in the event of an attack.

A vulnerability scanning service employs software that operates from the vantage point of the individual or business conducting the scan. The scanner compares information about the potential attack surface in a database.

The database lists potential entry points to sensitive data and known vulnerabilities such as coding errors, packet construction anomalies, default configurations, etc.

After scanning all devices in the contract, the software compiles a report detailing any security flaws. The report’s findings can be interpreted and analyzed to reveal openings for the company to strengthen its security.

What Are the Benefits of Vulnerability Scanning?

Vulnerability scanning offers several benefits to organizations in enhancing their cybersecurity posture and mitigating potential risks. Some key benefits of vulnerability scanning include:

1. Risk Identification: Vulnerability scanning helps identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities within an organization’s systems, networks, and applications. It provides insights into weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers, allowing organizations to prioritize and address them promptly.

2. Proactive Approach: By regularly conducting vulnerability scans, organizations can take a proactive approach to security. They can identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited and implement necessary patches, updates, or configuration changes to mitigate risks effectively.

3. Compliance Requirements: Many industry regulations and standards, such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), mandate regular vulnerability scanning. By conducting scans, organizations can demonstrate compliance and avoid potential penalties or fines.

4. Security Patch Management: Vulnerability scanning helps organizations identify systems and software that require security patches or updates. It ensures that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, reducing the window of opportunity for attackers.

5. Enhanced Incident Response: By regularly scanning for vulnerabilities, organizations can detect potential security issues early. This allows them to respond quickly and effectively to incidents, minimizing the potential impact of a security breach.

6. Improved Network Visibility: Vulnerability scanning provides organizations with a deeper understanding of their network infrastructure. It helps identify all connected devices, assess their security posture, and uncover potential blind spots that could be exploited by attackers.

7. Cost-effectiveness: Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities through scanning is often more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of a successful cyber attack. It helps prevent potential financial losses, reputational damage, and the associated costs of incident response and recovery.

Overall, vulnerability scanning plays a crucial role in maintaining a robust cybersecurity program, reducing risks, and protecting organizations from potential threats. It allows organizations to identify vulnerabilities proactively, address them promptly, and strengthen their overall security posture.

How Does Cyber Security Vulnerability Scanning Work?

Here, we have walked through the answer to the question of how vulnerability scanning works.

It is common practice for application vulnerabilities to be uncovered after they have been deployed to production. At this point, organizations must manage the exposures to prevent them from being exploited.

The following actions accomplish the necessary for businesses this goal effectively:

Scanning: Vulnerability scanning helps companies find security flaws in their software so they can fix them.
Security operation center (SOC) analysts perform investigations and triage in the analysis phase to establish the severity of a vulnerability, the steps necessary to address it, and the availability of a patch (if needed).

Remediate/Patch: The necessary steps to fix a vulnerability can vary depending on the type of vulnerability. A configuration problem, like using a weak or default username or password, can result in a security hole. In other cases, the vulnerability may necessitate the installation of a patch or update to address a code’s design or implementation flaw.

Confirm that the patch or remediation has fixed the vulnerability: Scan the application again after attempting remediation to make sure the problem has been fixed and that no new ones have been introduced.

This method needs to be used constantly. In light of the constant discovery of new security flaws, it is prudent to automate the vulnerability scanning process so that a security team is alerted to and can act swiftly to patch the most serious vulnerabilities.

Best Practices for Implementing a Vulnerability Scanning Program

Implementing a vulnerability scanning program is an essential step in maintaining a secure and resilient cybersecurity posture. Here are some best practices to consider when implementing a vulnerability scanning program:

Define Objectives and Scope: Clearly define the objectives and scope of your vulnerability scanning program. Identify the systems, networks, and applications that will be included in the scans and determine the frequency and depth of the scans.

Use Comprehensive Scanning Tools: Select a reputable and comprehensive vulnerability scanning tool that suits your organization’s needs. Ensure that the tool can scan for a wide range of vulnerabilities across different platforms and technologies.

Establish a Baseline: Before conducting regular scans, establish a baseline by performing an initial comprehensive scan. This baseline will help you understand the current state of vulnerabilities and track progress in remediation efforts.

Regular and Continuous Scanning: Conduct vulnerability scans regularly and continuously to identify new vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of security controls. Schedule scans at appropriate intervals, considering factors such as system changes, patch cycles, and regulatory requirements.

Prioritize Vulnerabilities: Analyze the scan results and prioritize vulnerabilities based on their severity, potential impact, and exploitability. Focus on addressing critical vulnerabilities first to mitigate the most significant risks.

Patch Management and Remediation: Establish a robust patch management and vulnerability remediation process. Develop a systematic approach to address identified vulnerabilities promptly, including patching, configuration changes, or other necessary remediation actions.

Maintain Updated Scan Policies: Regularly update and fine-tune your vulnerability scan policies to align with evolving threats, technologies, and organizational requirements. Stay informed about emerging vulnerabilities and ensure that your scans cover the latest known threats.

Secure Scan Data: Protect the confidentiality and integrity of scan data. Ensure that the vulnerability scanning tool and associated systems have appropriate security controls in place, such as access controls, encryption, and secure storage of scan results.

Documentation and Reporting: Maintain detailed documentation of vulnerability scan results, remediation actions, and progress. Generate comprehensive reports to communicate the status of vulnerabilities and remediation efforts to relevant stakeholders, including management and technical teams.

Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and refine your vulnerability scanning program based on lessons learned, industry best practices, and emerging threats. Seek feedback from stakeholders and consider conducting periodic assessments or third-party audits to validate the effectiveness of the program.

By following these best practices, organizations can establish an effective vulnerability scanning program that helps identify and address vulnerabilities proactively, reducing the overall risk of cyber threats and enhancing their cybersecurity posture.

What Are the Common Types of Vulnerabilities Detected by Scanners?

There are multiple approaches to vulnerability scanning, each affecting the quality of the results and the level of risk revealed.

Internal vs. External vulnerability scans Both external and internal scans protect against various attacks. While internal scans simulate insider attack scenarios, external scans help find vulnerabilities an outsider could exploit.

Differentiating between authenticated and unauthenticated access is a crucial objective for many cyberattacks. As the name implies, unauthenticated scans mimic an attacker without this level of access. In contrast, authenticated scans test the vulnerabilities that may be accessible to an attacker who has gained access to a user account.

Some common types of vulnerabilities detected by scanners include:

Software and Operating System Vulnerabilities: Scanners can detect vulnerabilities in software applications and operating systems, including missing patches, outdated software versions, and known vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.

Configuration Issues:

Vulnerability scanners identify misconfigurations in systems, networks, and applications that could expose them to security risks. This includes weak passwords, default configurations, improper access controls, and insecure network configurations.

Open Ports and Services:

Scanners can detect open ports and services running on systems, which may provide potential entry points for attackers. They identify ports that should not be open or unnecessary or outdated services.

Web Application Vulnerabilities:

Vulnerability scanners effectively detect common web application vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, insecure direct object references, and insecure file uploads. These vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities.

Weak Encryption and SSL/TLS Issues:

Scanners can identify weak encryption algorithms, expired or self-signed SSL/TLS certificates, and misconfigurations related to secure communication protocols. These vulnerabilities can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data.

Security Misconfigurations:

Vulnerability scanners highlight misconfigurations in security settings, including insecure permissions, access controls, and authentication mechanisms. These misconfigurations can lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, and other security breaches.

Vulnerable Third-Party Components:

Scanners can detect vulnerabilities in third-party software components and libraries that are used in applications and systems. This helps identify vulnerabilities in dependencies that require patching or updates.

Default Credentials:

Vulnerability scanners can identify systems or applications still using default usernames and passwords, which attackers often exploit easily.

Malware Infections:

Some vulnerability scanners incorporate malware scanning capabilities to identify the presence of known malware signatures or indicators of compromise (IoCs) on monitored systems.

Insecure Network Configurations:

Scanners can detect network vulnerabilities such as weak encryption protocols, insecure wireless network configurations, and improper firewall rules that could expose the network to unauthorized access and attacks.

It’s important to note that vulnerability scanners automatically detect known vulnerabilities, but they may not identify all potential vulnerabilities or zero-day exploits. Regularly updating scanner signatures and using multiple scanning techniques can help improve the detection rate and coverage of vulnerabilities.

Scan vs. Test: Vulnerability Assessment vs. Penetration Testing

An organization’s security team can discover cyber flaws through vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. These two approaches, however, are not the same.

A vulnerability scan is a program that checks for common security flaws automatically. Many different vulnerability scanners are available, and they all function by looking for telltale signs of common security flaws and vulnerabilities (such as the use of weak passwords). Typically, these scans aim to detect critical vulnerabilities in a company’s software and network.

A penetration test evaluates a company’s cyber defenses conducted by a human or human team. Because the penetration testers will exploit the vulnerabilities they find, they can gain further access to the target network and locate problems deeper within the system. Social engineering and phishing are just two examples of potential attack vectors that penetration testers can test.

What Are the Common Types of Vulnerabilities Detected by Scanners?

Vulnerability scanners are designed to identify various types of vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. Some common types of vulnerabilities detected by scanners include:

Software and Operating System Vulnerabilities: Scanners can detect vulnerabilities in software applications and operating systems, including missing patches, outdated software versions, and known vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.

Configuration Issues: Vulnerability scanners identify misconfigurations in systems, networks, and applications that could expose them to security risks. This includes weak passwords, default configurations, improper access controls, and insecure network configurations.

Open Ports and Services: Scanners can detect open ports and services that are running on systems, which may provide potential entry points for attackers. They identify ports that should not be open or services that are unnecessary or outdated.

Web Application Vulnerabilities: Vulnerability scanners are effective in detecting common web application vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, insecure direct object references, and insecure file uploads. These vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities.

Security Misconfigurations: Vulnerability scanners highlight misconfigurations in security settings, including insecure permissions, access controls, and authentication mechanisms. These misconfigurations can lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, and other security breaches.

Vulnerable Third-Party Components: Scanners can detect vulnerabilities in third-party software components and libraries used in applications and systems. This helps identify vulnerabilities in dependencies that require patching or updates.

Default Credentials: Vulnerability scanners can identify systems or applications still using default usernames and passwords, which attackers often exploit easily.

Malware Infections: Some vulnerability scanners incorporate malware scanning capabilities to identify the presence of known malware signatures or indicators of compromise (IoCs) on scanned systems.

Insecure Network Configurations: Scanners can detect vulnerabilities such as weak encryption protocols, insecure wireless network configurations, and improper firewall rules that could expose the network to unauthorized access and attacks.

It’s important to note that vulnerability scanners automatically detect known vulnerabilities but may not identify all potential vulnerabilities or zero-day exploits. Regularly updating scanner signatures and using multiple scanning techniques can help improve the detection rate and coverage of vulnerabilities.

In What Ways Can You Benefit from a Vulnerability Scan?

Cybercriminals employ a wide range of techniques to break into computer networks. Attackers can gain access to sensitive information through various entry points, including weak passwords, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, unprotected endpoints, phishing emails, social engineering, etc. In contrast, known vulnerabilities are those that have been discovered and disclosed to the public. Patches or updates to the affected software exist to address these flaws. An unpatched security hole in your network is like a welcome mat for cybercriminals.

In Q1 of 2022, over 8,000 flaws were disclosed. The National Vulnerability Database (NVD), maintained by the United States government, now contains more than 176,000 entries from the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) list. It would be impossible to search for potential risks within a network by manually sifting through a list of known vulnerabilities. Vulnerability scanning is automatically checking a network for risks and providing a detailed report about the flaws that exist by using information about known vulnerabilities. Information technology (IT) teams and cybersecurity professionals can use this knowledge to patch the system to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited.

Severities

Vulnerabilities that could compromise your system are highlighted, the severity of those vulnerabilities is described, and recommendations for fixing them are included in a useful vulnerability scan report. For the most part, the NIST National Vulnerability Database’s Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is used to determine the severity of vulnerabilities. Vulnerability scores range from 0 to 10 with 5 gradations of severity.

None: 0.0
Low: 0.1-3.9
The range between 4.0 and 6.9 is considered “medium.”
High: 7.0-8.9
Imminent: 8.0-9.9

The Importance of Vulnerability Scanning

Around 75% of attacks in 2020 exploited flaws at least two years old. Vulnerability scans could have uncovered many issues before malicious actors used them. Many companies without good cybersecurity practices may be unaware of the method behind even the most public attacks.

Sum-Up

Scanning helps identify and prioritize potential threats, giving organizations the information they need to take proactive steps to protect their networks and data. Additionally, vulnerability scanning can help organizations identify missing patches and updates for software applications and operating systems. This enables them to improve their patch management processes and ensure that systems are updated with the latest security fixes.

Implementing a vulnerability scanning program demonstrates an organization’s commitment to security. It helps create a culture of security awareness and encourages proactive measures to protect sensitive data and assets.