Report Writing

Report writing forms a crucial part of penetration testing, transforming technical findings into actionable intelligence for organizations.

A well-structured penetration testing report helps stakeholders understand security vulnerabilities and make informed decisions about risk mitigation.

This guide covers the essential elements of writing effective penetration testing reports that deliver value to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Report Structure and Components

• Executive Summary
• Testing Methodology
• Findings and Vulnerabilities
• Risk Ratings
• Remediation Steps
• Technical Details
• Appendices

Executive Summary Best Practices

The executive summary should fit on one page and highlight the most significant security risks discovered during testing.

• Include scope of assessment
• Highlight critical findings
• Summarize risk levels
• Provide clear recommendations

Documenting Vulnerabilities

Risk Rating System

Writing Technical Details

Technical details should be precise and include command outputs, configurations, and specific tools used during testing.

Example vulnerability entry:
SQL Injection in login.php
CVSS: 9.8 (Critical)
Affected URL: https://example.com/login.php
Parameter: username

Report Quality Control

• Verify all findings are reproducible
• Check for technical accuracy
• Eliminate duplicate findings
• Validate remediation steps
• Proofread for clarity and grammar

Tools for Report Generation

• Dradis Professional (https://dradisframework.com)
• PlexTrac (https://plextrac.com)
• DefectDojo (https://www.defectdojo.org)
• Faraday (https://faradaysec.com)

Next Steps for Better Reporting

Start with a report template and customize it based on your client’s needs and industry requirements.

Consider using automated tools to streamline the reporting process while maintaining quality and consistency.

Regular peer reviews and client feedback help improve report quality and effectiveness over time.

Stakeholder Communication

Effective communication with stakeholders throughout the reporting process ensures alignment and maximizes the value of penetration testing efforts.

• Schedule preliminary findings review
• Address questions and concerns promptly
• Provide context for technical findings
• Discuss remediation priorities

Compliance Considerations

Many organizations require penetration testing reports to meet specific compliance standards and frameworks.

• PCI DSS requirements
• HIPAA security rules
• SOX compliance
• ISO 27001 standards

Common Reporting Pitfalls

Issues to Avoid

• Excessive technical jargon in executive sections
• Missing clear remediation steps
• Inconsistent risk ratings
• Lack of evidence for findings
• Poor organization of information

Delivering Actionable Results

Transform complex technical findings into clear, actionable recommendations that drive security improvements.

• Prioritize remediation efforts
• Provide realistic timelines
• Include implementation guidance
• Consider resource constraints
• Follow up on critical findings

Advancing Security Through Effective Reporting

Well-crafted penetration testing reports serve as roadmaps for security enhancement and risk reduction. Organizations should leverage these documents to guide their security strategy and resource allocation.

• Maintain consistent reporting standards
• Evolve templates with industry changes
• Build on lessons learned
• Track remediation progress
• Measure security improvements

FAQs

1. What are the essential components of a penetration testing report?
   A penetration testing report must include an executive summary, methodology, findings/vulnerabilities with severity ratings, detailed technical analysis, proof of concept, and remediation recommendations.
2. How should vulnerabilities be prioritized in a pentest report?
   Vulnerabilities should be prioritized using standard scoring systems like CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System), categorizing them as Critical, High, Medium, or Low based on their potential impact and exploitation difficulty.
3. What screenshot guidelines should be followed in a penetration testing report?
   Screenshots should be clear, properly redacted for sensitive information, annotated where necessary, and directly support the finding being described. Each screenshot should include proper captions and references in the report text.
4. How detailed should the technical information be in the report?
   Technical details should be comprehensive enough for technical teams to reproduce and verify findings, including specific commands, tools used, and exploitation steps, while maintaining readability for non-technical stakeholders.
5. What remediation information should be included for each vulnerability?
   Each vulnerability should include specific, actionable remediation steps, timeline recommendations, required resources, and potential impact of implementing the fix.
6. How should the executive summary be structured?
   The executive summary should concisely present the scope, key findings, risk overview, and critical recommendations without technical jargon, typically within 1-2 pages.
7. What testing methodology information needs to be documented?
   The methodology section should detail the testing approach, tools used, scope, limitations, timeline, and testing standards followed (such as OWASP, PTES, or NIST guidelines).
8. How should proof of concept (PoC) information be presented?
   PoC information should include step-by-step reproduction steps, necessary code snippets, and clear validation methods, while ensuring the information cannot be used maliciously.
9. What compliance-specific information should be included if applicable?
   Include relevant compliance standard mappings (such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or ISO 27001), specific control violations, and compliance-focused remediation guidance.
10. How should risk metrics be presented in the report?
    Risk metrics should be presented using clear visual aids (graphs, charts), quantitative scores, and qualitative descriptions that align with the organization’s risk assessment framework.

Author: Editor