Piergiorgio Venuti
Penetration Testing and MFA: A Dual Strategy to Maximize Security
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
In a digital world where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, multi-factor authentication (MFA) represents a crucial defense against unauthorized access. However, the growing prevalence of phishing attacks aimed at bypassing MFA raises significant questions about post-authentication security and the overall effectiveness of security strategies. In this context, we examine how penetration testing can be used to assess and strengthen the security of web applications, considering both post-authentication security and user awareness of phishing attacks.
What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
MFA is a security methodology that requires more than one proof of identity to verify access to a system. These factors can include something the user knows (like a password), something the user has (like a hardware token or code-generating app), or something inherent to the user (like a fingerprint).
Benefits of MFA
Enhanced Security
With MFA, the difficulty for an attacker to gain unauthorized access increases significantly, protecting against brute force attacks, credential stuffing, and other methods of credential theft.
Compliance and Risk Reduction
Using MFA helps organizations comply with data security and privacy regulations, reducing the risk of breaches and the consequent penalties.
Vulnerabilities Related to MFA
Advanced Phishing Attacks
Despite its advantages, MFA is not infallible. Phishing attacks, especially those that use decoy pages to capture not only basic credentials but also temporary MFA tokens, can still compromise security.
Implementation and Management Issues
The complexity of implementing and managing MFA can also introduce vulnerabilities, especially if not managed properly.
Types of MFA and Security Considerations
Hardware Tokens
Pros: High security, hard to clone.
Cons: Expensive, risk of loss or theft.
Software Authenticators
Pros: Easy to implement, accessible.
Cons: Vulnerable if the hosting device is compromised.
Biometrics
Pros: Hard to replicate, quick for the user.
Cons: Privacy issues, high implementation costs.
The Importance of Penetration Testing with MFA
Testing Post-Authentication Security
Providing the MFA token to the penetration tester allows examining the security of the application once authentication is bypassed. This can reveal vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker after gaining access.
Assessing the Effect of Phishing Attacks
Conducting a separate ethical phishing test can evaluate how effectively MFA protects users and what additional measures might be necessary to prevent compromises through sophisticated phishing attacks.
Optimal Penetration Testing Strategies
Defining Objectives
Determine whether the focus is on testing defenses against unauthorized access, internal robustness post-authentication, or both.
Choosing the Type of Test
Decide between a black box, white box, or grey box approach depending on pre-existing system knowledge and specific objectives.
Using Advanced and Current Tools
Use penetration testing tools that simulate the latest and most advanced attacks, including those targeting MFA.
Documentation and Reflection
Accurately documenting findings, analyzing vulnerabilities, and providing detailed recommendations are essential for improving overall security.
Conclusions
Adopting MFA is a fundamental step towards information security, but it is not a universal solution. Implementing thorough penetration testing, both post-authentication and through ethical phishing, is crucial for identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited despite MFA. By doing so, organizations can ensure not only the robustness of their authentication measures but also the awareness and preparedness of their users against sophisticated attacks.
Useful links:
Share
RSS
More Articles…
- From Secure Online Desktop to Cyberfero: rebranding of the leading cybersecurity company
- NIS: what it is and how it protects cybersecurity
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs): what they are and how to defend yourself
- Penetration Testing and MFA: A Dual Strategy to Maximize Security
- Penetration Testing: Where to Strike to Protect Your IT Network
- Ransomware: a plague that brings companies and institutions to their knees. Should you pay the ransom? Here is the answer.
- Why IT audit and log management are important for Cybersecurity
- Red Team, Blue Team and Purple Team: what are the differences?
Categories …
- Backup as a Service (18)
- Acronis Cloud Backup (11)
- Veeam Cloud Connect (4)
- Cloud Conference (3)
- Cloud CRM (1)
- Cloud Server/VPS (22)
- Conferenza Cloud (4)
- Cyberfero (15)
- ICT Monitoring (5)
- Log Management (2)
- News (25)
- ownCloud (4)
- Privacy (7)
- Security (203)
- Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) (8)
- Deception (4)
- Ethical Phishing (11)
- Netwrix Auditor (2)
- Penetration Test (11)
- Posture Guard (3)
- SOCaaS (65)
- Vulnerabilities (84)
- Web Hosting (15)
Tags
Unknown Feed
Full Disclosure
- SEC Consult SA-20250604-0 :: Local Privilege Escalation and Default Credentials in INDAMED - MEDICAL OFFICE (Medical practice management) Demo version June 10, 2025Posted by SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab via Fulldisclosure on Jun 09SEC Consult Vulnerability Lab Security Advisory < 20250604-0 > ======================================================================= title: Local Privilege Escalation and Default Credentials product: INDAMED - MEDICAL OFFICE (Medical practice management) Demo version vulnerable version: Revision 18544 (II/2024) fixed version: Q2/2025 (Privilege Escalation, Default Password)...
- Full Disclosure: CVE-2025-31200 & CVE-2025-31201 – 0-Click iMessage Chain → Secure Enclave Key Theft, Wormable RCE, Crypto Theft June 10, 2025Posted by josephgoyd via Fulldisclosure on Jun 09Hello Full Disclosure, This is a strategic public disclosure of a zero-click iMessage exploit chain that was discovered live on iOS 18.2 and remained unpatched through iOS 18.4. It enabled Secure Enclave key theft, wormable remote code execution, and undetectable crypto wallet exfiltration. Despite responsible disclosure, the research […]
- Defense in depth -- the Microsoft way (part 89): user group policies don't deserve tamper protection June 3, 2025Posted by Stefan Kanthak on Jun 03Hi @ll, user group policies are stored in DACL-protected registry keys [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies] respectively [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies] and below, where only the SYSTEM account and members of the "Administrators" user group are granted write access. At logon the user's registry hive "%USERPROFILE%\ntuser.dat" is loaded with exclusive (read, write and...
- CVE-2025-45542: Time-Based Blind SQL Injection in CloudClassroom PHP Project v1.0 June 3, 2025Posted by Sanjay Singh on Jun 03Hello Full Disclosure list, I am sharing details of a newly assigned CVE affecting an open-source educational software project: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CVE-2025-45542: Time-Based Blind SQL Injection in CloudClassroom PHP Project v1.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Product: CloudClassroom PHP Project Vendor:...
- ERPNext v15.53.1 Stored XSS in bio Field Allows Arbitrary Script Execution in Profile Page June 3, 2025Posted by Ron E on Jun 03An authenticated attacker can inject JavaScript into the bio field of their user profile. When the profile is viewed by another user, the injected script executes. *Proof of Concept:* POST /api/method/frappe.desk.page.user_profile.user_profile.update_profile_info HTTP/2 Host: --host-- profile_info={"bio":"\">"}
- ERPNext v15.53.1 Stored XSS in user_image Field Allows Script Execution via Injected Image Path June 3, 2025Posted by Ron E on Jun 03An authenticated user can inject malicious JavaScript into the user_image field of the profile page using an XSS payload within the file path or HTML context. This field is rendered without sufficient sanitization, allowing stored script execution in the context of other authenticated users. *Proof of Concept:*POST /api/method/frappe.desk.page.user_profile.user_profile.update_profile_info HTTP/2 […]
- Local information disclosure in apport and systemd-coredump June 3, 2025Posted by Qualys Security Advisory via Fulldisclosure on Jun 03Qualys Security Advisory Local information disclosure in apport and systemd-coredump (CVE-2025-5054 and CVE-2025-4598) ======================================================================== Contents ======================================================================== Summary Mitigation Local information disclosure in apport (CVE-2025-5054) - Background - Analysis - Proof of concept Local information disclosure in systemd-coredump...
- Stored XSS via File Upload - adaptcmsv3.0.3 June 3, 2025Posted by Andrey Stoykov on Jun 03# Exploit Title: Stored XSS via File Upload - adaptcmsv3.0.3 # Date: 06/2025 # Exploit Author: Andrey Stoykov # Version: 3.0.3 # Tested on: Debian 12 # Blog: https://msecureltd.blogspot.com/ Stored XSS via File Upload #1: Steps to Reproduce: 1. Login with low privilege user and visit "Profile" > "Edit […]
- IDOR "Change Password" Functionality - adaptcmsv3.0.3 June 3, 2025Posted by Andrey Stoykov on Jun 03# Exploit Title: IDOR "Change Password" Functionality - adaptcmsv3.0.3 # Date: 06/2025 # Exploit Author: Andrey Stoykov # Version: 3.0.3 # Tested on: Debian 12 # Blog: https://msecureltd.blogspot.com/ IDOR "Change Password" Functionality #1: Steps to Reproduce: 1. Login as user with low privilege and visit profile page 2. Select […]
- Stored XSS "Send Message" Functionality - adaptcmsv3.0.3 June 3, 2025Posted by Andrey Stoykov on Jun 03# Exploit Title: Stored XSS "Send Message" Functionality - adaptcmsv3.0.3 # Date: 06/2025 # Exploit Author: Andrey Stoykov # Version: 3.0.3 # Tested on: Debian 12 # Blog: https://msecureltd.blogspot.com/ Stored XSS "Send Message" Functionality #1: Steps to Reproduce: 1. Login as normal user and visit "Profile" > "Message" > […]
Customers
Twitter FEED
Recent activity
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes L'impatto crescente delle minacce informatiche, su sistemi operativi privati op… https://t.co/FimxTS4o9G
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes The growing impact of cyber threats, on private or corporate operating systems… https://t.co/y6G6RYA9n1
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Tempo di lettura stimato: 6 minuti Today we are talking about the CTI update of our services. Data security is… https://t.co/YAZkn7iFqa
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Il tema della sicurezza delle informazioni è di grande attualità in questo peri… https://t.co/tfve5Kzr09
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes The issue of information security is very topical in this historical period ch… https://t.co/TP8gvdRcrF
Newsletter
{subscription_form_1}Products and Solutions
Partners
Cloud Models
News
- From Secure Online Desktop to Cyberfero: rebranding of the leading cybersecurity company May 6, 2024
- NIS: what it is and how it protects cybersecurity April 22, 2024
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs): what they are and how to defend yourself April 17, 2024
- Penetration Testing and MFA: A Dual Strategy to Maximize Security April 15, 2024
- Penetration Testing: Where to Strike to Protect Your IT Network March 25, 2024
Google Reviews
Ottima azienda, servizi molto utili, staff qualificato e competente. Raccomandata!read more
Ottimo supportoread more
E' un piacere poter collaborare con realtà di questo tiporead more
Un ottimo fornitore.
Io personalmente ho parlato con l' Ing. Venuti, valore aggiunto indubbiamente.read more
About
© 2024 Cyberfero s.r.l. All Rights Reserved. Sede Legale: via Statuto 3 - 42121 Reggio Emilia (RE) – PEC [email protected] Cod. fiscale e P.IVA 03058120357 – R.E.A. 356650 Informativa Privacy - Certificazioni ISO