How do you conduct a penetration test on a smart home or smart city system?

One of the key aspects of conducting a penetration test, especially in complex environments like smart homes or smart cities, is defining a clear and detailed scope. During a pentest I performed on a smart home system, we outlined the objectives and limitations with the client in detail. This included specifying which IoT devices (like smart locks and cameras) were in-scope and setting clear boundaries to avoid unintentionally disrupting critical services like home security or utility management. We made sure to obtain written consent and a detailed legal waiver, as smart environments often have sensitive personal data. Defining this scope not only protected us legally but also ensured we stayed aligned with the client’s expectations.

Defining objectives, limits and limitations, in addition to obtaining consent and strictly following legal and ethical aspects. A well-documented process, which includes customer agreements, assets to be tested, and regulatory compliance, is crucial to ensuring testing goes smoothly. And never forget the NDA, even if it is to do a service for a friend, relative or even help.

Objectives: Clearly outline the goals and purpose of the penetration test, whether it's identifying vulnerabilities, testing specific systems, or assessing overall security posture. Boundaries: Determine the scope of the test by specifying which devices, networks, and systems are included and excluded from testing. This ensures clarity on what areas will be assessed and helps manage expectations. Limitations: Identify any constraints or restrictions, such as prohibited actions or sensitive areas that should not be accessed during the test. Deliverables and Timelines: Agree on the expected deliverables, such as a comprehensive report detailing findings and recommendations, and establish timelines for completion.

Defining the scope of a penetration test involves setting clear objectives, boundaries, and limitations in agreement with the client or stakeholder. This includes specifying which devices, networks, and systems are to be tested, the extent of the testing, and the expected deliverables and timelines. Additionally, it requires documenting legal and ethical considerations, such as obtaining necessary permissions, consents, and waivers, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Definir o escopo de um teste de penetração em sistemas de casa inteligente ou cidades inteligentes é um passo crítico que estabelece a base legal e ética do projeto. É importante alinhar claramente com os clientes sobre os limites dos testes, quais dispositivos e sistemas podem ser explorados, e até que ponto. Esta etapa garante que todas as atividades sejam realizadas dentro de um quadro legal e com plena autorização. A definição de escopo não apenas protege o pentester de potenciais repercussões legais, mas também orienta o processo de teste para garantir que ele seja focado e eficiente, cobrindo todas as áreas críticas sem ultrapassar os limites acordados.

Scan wireless networks, especially hidden networks, use the aircrack suite and other sniffing suites that you have, such as a pineapple Wi-Fi or derivatives. After that, try to access the wireless network by cracking your password or using other techniques. After that, just enumerate the network and map the connected assets and then explore them.

In a recent penetration test for a smart home system, we identified several vulnerabilities, including default credentials on a smart thermostat and weak encryption in the communication between devices. By leveraging tools like Metasploit, we were able to exploit these weaknesses and gain unauthorized access to the system. One particularly interesting exploitation involved manipulating the thermostat's settings remotely to demonstrate the potential consequences of such an attack. Additionally, we used creative methods to bypass the local network’s firewall by exploiting a Zigbee protocol vulnerability in the smart lighting system, demonstrating how interconnected devices can be used as attack vectors.

My informative perspective on gathering information about the target environment is to focus on understanding the ecosystem surrounding the target. This includes identifying key stakeholders, analyzing business processes, considering regulatory compliance, reviewing past incidents, and researching the current threat landscape. By considering these factors alongside technical reconnaissance techniques, penetration testers can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the target environment, facilitating more effective testing strategies.

Gathering information about a target environment involves using both passive and active techniques. Passive techniques collect data from open sources like websites, social media, and databases without direct interaction, providing an overview of the target's digital footprint. Active techniques, on the other hand, involve tools like Nmap, Wireshark, or Shodan to probe and scan the target for devices, services, ports, protocols, and vulnerabilities. This process also includes mapping the network topology and architecture, identifying communication channels and protocols, and understanding the functionality and logic of the systems involved.

A coleta de informações é fundamental para preparar eficazmente a execução de um teste de penetração. Técnicas passivas permitem uma compreensão ampla do ambiente sem alertar o sistema de segurança, enquanto as técnicas ativas fornecem dados mais específicos sobre vulnerabilidades potenciais. Utilizar ferramentas como Shodan para reconhecer dispositivos de IoT conectados à internet ou Nmap para mapear a rede expõe a infraestrutura do alvo, revelando pontos críticos que podem ser explorados. Este processo de reconhecimento é crucial para qualquer teste de penetração bem-sucedido, pois fornece o mapa de onde e como as vulnerabilidades podem ser mais provavelmente encontradas e exploradas.

Analyze vulnerabilities, whether actively or passively, try to interact with assets and check for the possibility of a breach, be it a default password or even another incorrect configuration.

High Exploitability: These vulnerabilities are easily exploitable by attackers, either through automated tools or simple manual techniques. Examples include known software vulnerabilities with readily available exploits or misconfigurations that can be easily leveraged to gain unauthorized access. Medium Exploitability: These vulnerabilities require a certain level of skill or effort to exploit but are still within the reach of motivated attackers. They may involve complex attack techniques or the exploitation of less common software flaws. Low Exploitability: These vulnerabilities are difficult to exploit due to various factors such as strong security controls, limited attack surface, or specialized knowledge required.

Identificar vulnerabilidades em sistemas de casa inteligente ou cidades inteligentes é um desafio devido à diversidade de dispositivos e protocolos usados. As falhas podem ser técnicas, como firmware desatualizado que pode ser explorado remotamente, ou lógicas, onde uma má configuração de rede permite acesso não autorizado a sistemas críticos. A compreensão dessas vulnerabilidades permite que os pentesters planejem ataques que possam realçar efetivamente os riscos sem causar danos reais. É essencial que essas identificações sejam seguidas por uma análise de impacto para entender as possíveis consequências da exploração dessas falhas em um cenário real.

Automated Scanning: Use tools like Nmap, Nessus, or OpenVAS to perform automated scans for known vulnerabilities. Manual Testing: Conduct manual testing to identify weaknesses that automated tools might miss, such as logic flaws or misconfigurations. Firmware Analysis: Analyze the firmware of devices for known vulnerabilities or backdoors. Protocol Analysis: Inspect communication protocols for weaknesses, such as unencrypted data transmission or weak authentication mechanisms. Software Testing: Assess applications and services running on the devices for vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection, buffer overflows, or insecure APIs

Identifying vulnerabilities in a target environment involves examining technical, logical, and human aspects. Technical vulnerabilities include flaws in hardware, software, or configurations, such as weak encryption, outdated firmware, or default credentials. Logical vulnerabilities stem from design, implementation, or integration errors, like insecure authentication, authorization, or data validation. Human vulnerabilities arise from user behavior, awareness, or knowledge, such as susceptibility to phishing, social engineering, or poor password management.

start your command and control server and look for exploits that can help you compromise one of the assets, if necessary, look for the firmware and its version of a specific device and exploit it to get your 0day, remember that everything is possible, but what limits is only knowledge, perhaps this is the perfect time to move on to the next steps

To exploit identified vulnerabilities, you can use tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, or ZAP to automate or facilitate the process of gaining access, escalating privileges, executing commands, or manipulating data on target systems. Additionally, creative techniques such as physical access, RF attacks, or side-channel attacks can be employed to bypass security controls. It's crucial to document your exploits comprehensively, detailing the methods used, results obtained, and the impact of each exploit.

Explorar as vulnerabilidades identificadas é onde as habilidades técnicas do pentester são verdadeiramente testadas. Utilizar ferramentas como o Metasploit para automação de exploração ou desenvolver payloads customizados para ataques específicos são exemplos de como um pentester pode demonstrar a seriedade das vulnerabilidades identificadas. Documentar cada passo da exploração, incluindo a metodologia usada e os resultados obtidos, é crucial para preparar um relatório final que será crítico para os stakeholders entenderem as vulnerabilidades e como elas podem ser mitigadas.

Exploit Development: Develop or customize exploits for identified vulnerabilities. Controlled Exploitation: Execute exploits in a controlled manner to validate the presence of vulnerabilities. Ensure that the testing does not disrupt essential services. Privilege Escalation: Attempt to escalate privileges on compromised devices to gain deeper access or control. Lateral Movement: Test the ability to move laterally within the network to access additional devices or systems.

To achieve this, having a command and control server and taking advantage of evasion techniques and methods is important to maintain persistent access to the target.

To maintain access after compromising systems, employ persistence techniques like installing backdoors, creating hidden accounts, modifying config files, or using covert channels. Evade detection by bypassing firewalls, antivirus, and IDS using encryption, obfuscation, or timing-based attacks. Monitor and log activities to gather evidence while remaining stealthy, ensuring continued access for further exploration or actions. Regularly update tactics to counter evolving security measures and maintain undetected access for as long as necessary.

Manter o acesso a um sistema comprometido pode ser crucial para demonstrar como um atacante poderia explorar persistentemente uma vulnerabilidade. Técnicas como instalar backdoors ou modificar configurações de sistema para obter persistência ilustram a necessidade de medidas de segurança robustas e contínuas monitorações. Contudo, é vital realizar essas ações de maneira controlada e sempre com a permissão dos responsáveis pelo sistema, para evitar violações éticas e legais.

Persistence Mechanisms: Implement mechanisms to maintain access, such as installing backdoors or creating hidden user accounts. Data Exfiltration: Test the ability to exfiltrate data from the compromised system without detection. Evasion Techniques: Employ techniques to evade detection by security measures in place, such as intrusion detection systems or anti-virus software.

The final report for the penetration test should succinctly cover the scope and methodology used, emphasizing key findings and their impact on security. It should include a detailed list of vulnerabilities ranked by severity, accompanied by risk levels and clear remediation steps. The report should also acknowledge any limitations or challenges encountered during the test and highlight lessons learned. Presenting the report in a clear, constructive manner is crucial, demonstrating the value of the service by illustrating how addressing these vulnerabilities enhances overall security posture and reduces risk.

After completing a smart city penetration test, we compiled a comprehensive report for the stakeholders. The report not only covered the vulnerabilities we discovered—such as a misconfigured gateway that allowed access to sensitive data—but also included actionable remediation steps, such as updating firmware and implementing two-factor authentication for critical systems. One of the key findings was a human vulnerability—staff members were unaware of social engineering risks, which allowed us to gather critical information through phishing emails. We presented this in a way that not only highlighted the risk but also suggested training programs to improve employee awareness.

As the culmination of the penetration testing process, it's crucial to deliver a thorough and professional report to clients or stakeholders. This report should succinctly summarize the scope, methodology, findings, and impact of the test. Provide a detailed list of vulnerabilities and exploits, prioritized based on severity and accompanied by clear remediation steps. Additionally, include any encountered limitations, challenges, or insights gained during the test. Present the report in a clear, concise, and constructive manner, emphasizing the value and benefits of the service rendered.

A fase de relatório é uma das mais importantes de um teste de penetração. Um relatório detalhado e bem estruturado não apenas destaca as vulnerabilidades encontradas e suas potenciais explorações, mas também oferece recomendações de mitigação priorizadas e personalizadas para o ambiente em questão. Este documento serve como um roteiro para melhorias de segurança e demonstra o valor do teste de penetração ao fornecer insights claros e ações corretivas que podem ser tomadas para fortalecer a segurança de sistemas de casa inteligente ou cidades inteligentes.

Detailed Documentation: Document all findings, including identified vulnerabilities, methods used to exploit them, and the impact of successful exploitation. Risk Assessment: Provide a risk assessment for each vulnerability, including the potential impact and likelihood of exploitation. Remediation Recommendations: Offer practical recommendations for mitigating identified vulnerabilities, such as patching software, updating firmware, reconfiguring devices, or enhancing security protocols. Executive Summary: Prepare an executive summary that highlights the key findings and recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.

In one engagement with a large smart home environment, we faced challenges dealing with proprietary protocols that lacked adequate documentation. This led us to develop custom scripts to interact with and assess the security of certain devices, highlighting the need for flexibility in your approach as a penetration tester. Additionally, smart cities often rely heavily on cloud infrastructure. A penetration test I conducted for a smart grid system revealed that poor configuration of cloud services could allow unauthorized access to critical data. This shows that a thorough penetration test must not only cover local devices but also cloud security, ensuring comprehensive protection for interconnected systems.

Another aspect to consider is the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration with the client or stakeholders beyond the initial report delivery. This includes providing support for implementing remediation steps, answering any questions or concerns they may have, and offering guidance on improving overall security posture. Additionally, offering regular updates on emerging threats and security best practices can help ensure continued protection against evolving risks. By fostering a proactive and collaborative approach, you can strengthen the client's security resilience and build a lasting partnership based on trust and mutual success.