What is Vulnerability Analysis?

Vulnerability analysis is the process of identifying and evaluating security weaknesses in systems and applications.

"Vulnerability analysis identifies security loopholes in the target organization's network, communication infrastructure, and any systems."

In today’s technology-driven world, organisations depend heavily on this process to protect vital information and assets.

Key Concepts

1. Vulnerability Research

The initial step involves analyzing systems and configurations to uncover potential security flaws. This includes staying up-to-date on the latest threats, attack surfaces, and newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Resources for effective vulnerability research include:

• Microsoft Vulnerability Research (MSVR)
• Security websites and magazines (e.g., SecurityFocus, DarkReading)
• Exploit databases
• News related to current exploits
• Underground hacking sites

2. Vulnerability Assessment

An in-depth examination using active or passive techniques to identify security loopholes.

• Active Scanning: Directly interacting with the target network to find vulnerabilities (e.g., vulnerability scanners, crafted attacks).
• Passive Scanning: Identifying vulnerabilities without directly interacting with the target, often by analyzing network traffic.

3. Vulnerability Scoring Systems and Databases

Standardized systems to assess and prioritize vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and exploitability.