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Asset discovery
Identify computers, servers, firewalls, switches, VoIP systems, file shares, and other key internal assets, then look for configuration gaps attackers could exploit.
INTERNAL NETWORK PENTESTING
How AP tests your internal network
A practical, human-led methodology for mapping your environment, validating weaknesses, demonstrating realistic attack paths, and turning findings into a clear remediation plan.
Human-led testing · Evidence-backed findings · Environment-specific remediation
THE APPROACH
From asset discovery to validated attack paths
Internal penetration testing examines how an attacker could move through an environment after gaining a foothold. AP’s methodology combines reconnaissance, technology fingerprinting, controlled exploitation, credential testing, lateral movement analysis, and reporting.
The goal is not simply to produce a vulnerability list. The engagement is designed to show where security controls, permissions, credentials, segmentation, and hardening break down in real attack paths.
01
RECONNAISSANCE
Understand the environment before testing it
AP begins by identifying the systems, identities, services, and trust relationships that shape the internal attack surface.
Active Directory enumeration
Map users, groups, privileged accounts, and group policies. BloodHound may be used to visualize attack paths, excessive permissions, and privilege-escalation opportunities.
Network topology mapping
Map segments, routers, VPNs, wireless networks, communication paths, trust relationships, and potential pivot points between zones.
Service and protocol enumeration
Review DNS, DHCP, SMB, RDP, FTP, internal web apps, network shares, printers, and management interfaces for exposed or insecure services.
User and email enumeration
Gather usernames, email addresses, and organizational structure that may inform credential-based testing later in the engagement.
02
FINGERPRINTING
Identify what is running and how it is configured
AP develops a more precise picture of exposed software, services, operating systems, patch levels, and cryptographic configuration.
Technology stack analysis
Identify software, languages, frameworks, and applications to understand the technology stack and where configuration weaknesses may exist.
Open port discovery
Use network scanning to identify listening ports across in-scope assets and uncover potential entry points.
Running service identification
Probe open ports, identify running services, and use banner information to determine versions that may require deeper validation.
OS and patch-level identification
Identify operating systems, service packs, installed patches, and kernel versions to evaluate exposure to known weaknesses.
SSL/TLS assessment
Review certificates, cipher suites, deprecated protocols, and other cryptographic settings on internal services using SSL/TLS.
03
EXPLOITATION
Validate what an attacker could actually do
Where appropriate within the engagement, identified weaknesses are tested to determine whether they can be chained into meaningful access, privilege escalation, or lateral movement.
Known vulnerability validation
Cross-check identified software and dependencies against known CVEs and assess whether relevant vulnerabilities are exploitable in the environment.
Active Directory attacks
Test common AD weaknesses such as Kerberoasting, NetBIOS and LLMNR poisoning, exposed shares, NTLM relay, password spraying, and insecure group-policy permissions.
Exploitation and attack simulation
Use known exploit techniques and proof-of-concept testing to validate security gaps, including relevant application vulnerabilities and exposed-service weaknesses.
Credential attacks and dumping
Assess whether credentials can be extracted, cracked, reused, or abused, and identify weak password practices or insecure credential storage.
Lateral movement and privilege escalation
Test whether compromised accounts or systems can cross access boundaries, move laterally, or gain higher privileges through weak permissions and local misconfigurations.
Persistence and post-exploitation
Assess whether access could be maintained and what sensitive data may be reachable, using controlled proof-of-concept techniques within the permitted scope.
04
REPORTING
Turn technical findings into priorities your team can act on
The final report connects validated findings to likelihood, impact, evidence, and remediation so technical and business stakeholders can work from the same picture.
Executive summaryA concise view of the overall security posture and the most important issues uncovered.
Risk-rated findingsEach vulnerability is prioritized using likelihood and potential impact.
Proof-of-concept evidenceScreenshots, logs, and command output show how findings were identified and validated.
Practical remediation guidanceRecommendations are tailored to the environment and aligned with established security practices.
ENGAGEMENT ROADMAP
What the process looks like from scope to retest
The source methodology outlines a seven-step engagement flow. This customer-facing version keeps the operational milestones and omits internal payment notes.
01
Scope the environment
Scope the environment
02
Receive quote and SOW
Receive quote and SOW
03
Schedule and start the engagement
Schedule and start the engagement
04
Active testing period
Active testing period
05
Receive the report
Receive the report
06
90-day remediation period
90-day remediation period
07
Retest
Retest
READY TO TEST YOUR INTERNAL NETWORK?
Scope a pentest around the environment you actually run.
Tell AP what needs testing, what access is available, and what your timeline looks like. The next step is a clear scope and quote.