How do you manage false results from penetration testing?

1 What are false results?

False results are outcomes of penetration testing that do not reflect the actual state of your security. They can be false positives or false negatives. False positives are vulnerabilities that are reported by the testing tools or methods, but do not exist or are not exploitable in reality. False negatives are vulnerabilities that are not detected or reported by the testing tools or methods, but do exist and are exploitable in reality. Both types of false results can compromise the effectiveness and credibility of your penetration testing.

2 What causes false results?

False results can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the limitations or errors of the testing tools or methods, the configuration or customization of the testing tools or methods, interference or noise from the network, systems, or applications, and the skill or experience of the tester. For example, some tools may not support certain protocols, formats, or encryption methods, require specific settings, parameters, or inputs to perform correctly, have firewalls, antivirus, or intrusion detection systems that block or alter the testing traffic, or have testers that may not have sufficient knowledge or understanding of the testing tools or methods. All of these factors can lead to inaccurate results and should be taken into consideration when conducting tests.

5 How to handle false results?

Communicating and documenting your testing results clearly and transparently is the best way to handle false results. You should report your results honestly and accurately, highlighting the true positives and negatives, and acknowledging the false positives and negatives. Explain the causes and consequences of the false results, and provide evidence and references to support your claims. Additionally, recommend testing actions and improvements, such as remediation or mitigation measures for true positives, or additional testing or verification steps for true negatives. Moreover, document your testing process and lessons learned, recording details and outcomes of tools, methods, and findings. Identify strengths and weaknesses of your testing process, as well as opportunities and challenges for improvement. Finally, share your testing knowledge with your team and community.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?