To gather information about the network without causing detection mechanisms to flag the reconnaissance activities, the penetration tester should use sniffing.
Sniffing:
Definition: Sniffing involves capturing and analyzing network traffic passing through the network. It is a passive reconnaissance technique that does not generate detectable traffic on the network.
Tools: Tools like Wireshark and tcpdump are commonly used for sniffing. They capture packets and provide insights into network communications, protocols in use, devices, and potential vulnerabilities.
Advantages:
Stealthy: Since sniffing is passive, it does not generate additional traffic that could be detected by intrusion detection systems (IDS) or other monitoring tools.
Information Gathered: Sniffing can reveal IP addresses, MAC addresses, open ports, running services, and potentially sensitive information transmitted in plaintext.
Comparison with Other Techniques:
Banner Grabbing: Active technique that sends requests to a target service to gather information from banners, which can be detected.
TCP/UDP Scanning: Active technique that sends packets to probe open ports and services, easily detected by network monitoring tools.
Ping Sweeps: Active technique that sends ICMP echo requests to determine live hosts, also detectable by network monitoring.
Pentest References:
Reconnaissance Phase: Using passive techniques like sniffing during the initial reconnaissance phase helps gather information without alerting the target.
Network Analysis: Understanding the network topology and identifying key assets and vulnerabilities without generating traffic that could trigger alarms.
By using sniffing, the penetration tester can gather detailed information about the network in a stealthy manner, minimizing the risk of detection.
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