Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT)
Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing Overview
Find Weaknesses. Validate Real Risk. Strengthen Your Security.
VAPT helps organisations identify, validate, and remediate security weaknesses before attackers can exploit them. Condition Zebra combines automated vulnerability assessment with manual penetration testing to uncover vulnerabilities, safely test whether they can be exploited, and determine their real-world business impact.
SCOPE
Define the Assessment
Establish testing objectives, systems, applications, environments, and rules of engagement.
VALIDATE
Test Real-World Exploitability
Safely exploit identified vulnerabilities to confirm which findings represent genuine security risks.
DISCOVER
Identify Assets & Entry Points
Perform reconnaissance to identify systems, services, applications, and potential attack paths.
PRIORITISE
Understand Risk & Impact
Assess severity, business impact, privilege escalation, and potential attacker movement to prioritise remediation.
ASSESS
Find Vulnerabilities
Combine automated scanning and manual testing techniques to uncover security weaknesses and misconfigurations.
STRENGTHEN
Remediate & Retest
Provide actionable remediation guidance, detailed reporting, and retesting support to confirm identified weaknesses have been resolved.
More Than a Vulnerability Scan. Real-World Security Validation.
Web & Mobile Applications • APIs • Internal & External Networks • Cloud • Wireless • Servers • Databases
Scope of Testing
Our VAPT services cover a wide range of environments:
Applications
- Web Applications
- Mobile Applications (iOS & Android)
- APIs & Web Services
-
Infrastructure
- Internal Network
- External Network (Internet-facing assets)
- Servers and Endpoints
Other Areas
- Wireless Networks
- Cloud Environments (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Databases
NETWORK PENETRATION TESTING (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL)
Internal Penetration Testing is an authorised internal hacking attempt aimed at identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities within an organisation’s perimeter defences.
Testers are typically given onsite access through an Ethernet cable (similar to the way employees or contractors could connect to an internal environment). They then attempt to escalate privileges and gain access to critical information.
For certain environments, such as data centres, we can supply specific jump posts that we use to test remotely via your organisation’s VPN access.
Benefits of Internal Penetration Testing:
- Reduce risk to business continuity and the cost of being non-compliant
- Ensure compliance with PCI DSS and other security standards
- Harden your network against information leakage through current or terminated employees, or through data that may be available online
- Detect installations which are non-compliant with your organisation’s internal policy, and which may serve as a pivot for external attackers
- Provide management with a proof of exploit, which outlines the assets that an attack can compromise.
- Avoid adding unnecessary security layers before receiving an independent attestation on the effectiveness of current systems
- Detect known vulnerabilities and discover unknown vulnerabilities, which may be exploited to access privileged information
- Audit security monitoring procedures and test your incident response tactics.
External Penetration Test is an authorised hacking attempt against an organisation’s internet facing servers such as web and email servers and ecommerce sites.
This test is aimed at hardening the external facing network against attackers attempting to compromise vulnerable hosts from outside an organisation’s perimeter.
Benefits of External Penetration Testing:
- Reduce risk to business continuity and the cost of being non-compliant
- Provide management with a proof of exploit, which outlines the assets that an attack can compromise
- Avoid the costs of adding unnecessary security layers before receiving an independent attestation on the effectiveness of current systems
- Detect known vulnerabilities and discover unknown vulnerabilities which may be exploited to access privileged information
- Audit external security monitoring procedures and test your incident response tactics
- Detect installations which are non-compliant with your internal policy and which may serve as a pivot for external attackers
- Harden systems and network against host compromise
- Get independent security verification of your organisation’s internet facing presence
WEB APPLICATION PENETRATION TESTING
A web application penetration test aims to identify security issues resulting from insecure development practices in the design, coding and publishing of software or a website.
A web applications test will generally include:
- Testing user authentication to verify that accounts cannot compromise data;
- Assessing the web applications for flaws and vulnerabilities, such as XSS (cross-site scripting);
- Confirming the secure configuration of web browsers and identifying features that can cause vulnerabilities; and
- Safeguarding web server security and database server security.
The vulnerabilities are presented in a format that allows an organisation to assess their relative business risk and the cost of remediation. These can then be resolved in line with the application owner’s budget and risk appetite, inducing a proportionate response to cyber risks.
THICK CLIENT PENETRATION TESTING
A thick client, also known as Fat Client is a client in client–server architecture or network and typically provides rich functionality, independent of the server. In these types of applications, the major processing is done at the client side and involves only aperiodic connection to the server.
The most common thick clients are the three tiers where the applications talks to the application server via communication protocol such as HTTP/HTTPS.
Application security assessments of web applications are comparatively easier than thick client application, as these are web based applications which can be intercepted easily and major processing takes place at the server side.
Since the thick client applications include both local and server side processing, it requires a different approach for security assessment. The type of web based vulnerabilities such as Cross Side Scripting and Clickjacking Attacks which are browser based vulnerabilities are no more applicable.
The critical vulnerabilities faced by thick client application such as sensitive data storage on files and registries, DLL, Process and File injection, Memory & Network Analysis are sample techniques utilized by Condition Zebra’s consultants in assessing thick client’s vulnerabilities.
WIRELESS PENETRATION TESTING
A Wireless Penetration test is an authorised hacking attempt, which is designed to detect and exploit vulnerabilities in security controls employed by a number of wireless technologies and standards, misconfigured access points, and weak security protocols.
Benefits of Internal Penetration Testing:
- Ensure Compliance with PCI DSS and other security standards
- Audit security monitoring procedures and incident response tactics
- Detect vulnerabilities, misconfigured wireless devices, and rogue access points
- Reduce the risk and legal ramifications of a business breach
- Harden the wireless access path to your internal network
- Get independent security verification – of encryption and authentication policies – for devices interacting with your wireless network
- Prevent unauthorised use of your wireless network as a pivot for cyber attacks, which may be traced back to your organisation
- Provide management with a proof of exploit, which outlines the assets that an attack can compromise; such as, compromising critical data or gaining administrative level rights over routers and switches
DATABASE PENETRATION TESTING
Database Vulnerability Assessments are integral to a systematic and proactive approach to database security. This form of penetration testing reduces the risk associated with both web- and database-specific attacks, and is often required for compliance with relevant standards, laws & regulations.
Benefits of Database Penetration Testing:
- Quickly identify configuration errors, default settings, coding errors, and patch management issues in an automated manner in an economical fashion;
- Capable of being run on automated, regular basis to provide baseline and ongoing vulnerability management metrics; and,
- Can be used to focus other database assessment activities on those areas of greatest concern.
HOST ASSESSMENT
A host assessment is a systematic review of security weaknesses in an information system. It evaluates if the system is susceptible to any known vulnerabilities, assigns severity levels to those vulnerabilities, and recommends remediation or mitigation, if and whenever needed.
Benefits of Host Assessment:
- Identify known security exposures before attackers find them.
- Create an inventory of all the devices on the network, including purpose and system information. This also includes vulnerabilities associated with a specific device.
- Create an inventory of all devices in the enterprise to help with the planning of upgrades and future assessments.
- Define the level of risk that exists on the network.
- Establish a business risk/benefit curve and optimize security investments
MOBILE APPS PENETRATION TESTING
A Mobile Application Penetration Test is an authorised and simulated hacking attempt against a native mobile application such as Android, Windows, and iOS. The purpose of this test is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in an application, and the way it interacts and transfers data with the backend systems.
Our Testing Methodology
We follow globally recognized standards and best practices:
- OWASP Testing Guide
- PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard)
- NIST Guidelines
Process Flow
1. Planning & Scoping
Define objectives, scope, and rules of engagement
2. Reconnaissance & Discovery
Identify assets, services, and potential entry points
3. Vulnerability Identification
Vulnerability Identification
4. Exploitation
Safely validate vulnerabilities through controlled attacks
5. Post-Exploitation Analysis
Assess impact, privilege escalation, and lateral movement
6. Reporting & Recommendations
Deliver actionable insights and remediation guidance.
Key Features
- Manual + Automated Testing
Ensures deeper and more accurate findings - Exploit Validation
Focus on real, exploitable risks—not false positives - Risk-Based Prioritization
Findings ranked using CVSS and business impact - Comprehensive Reporting
Technical details + executive summary - Compliance Alignment
Supports requirements such as ISO 27001, PDPA, and industry regulations
Benefits of Penetration Testing
Avoid vulnerabilities
Fixing vulnerabilities before they are exploited by cybercriminals
Improved compliance
Supporting PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliance
Security controls
Providing independent assurance of security controls
Commitment to security
Demonstrating a continuous commitment to security
Understand cybersecurity risks
Improving awareness and understanding of cybersecurity risks
Prioritize future investments
Supplying the insight needed to prioritize future investments
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT) ?
VAPT is a security assessment that combines vulnerability scanning with controlled penetration testing. Vulnerability Assessment identifies potential security weaknesses, while Penetration Testing safely attempts to exploit them to determine their real-world impact.
2. What systems and environments can be tested ?
VAPT can cover a wide range of environments, including web applications, mobile applications, APIs, internal and external networks, servers, endpoints, wireless networks, cloud environments, and databases.
3. What is the difference between Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing ?
A Vulnerability Assessment systematically identifies known weaknesses and misconfigurations, while Penetration Testing goes further by manually validating whether vulnerabilities can actually be exploited and assessing their potential impact on the organisation.
4. How often should VAPT be conducted ?
VAPT should generally be conducted at least once a year, as well as after major system changes, new application deployments, infrastructure upgrades, or significant changes to your organisation’s technology environment.
5. Will VAPT disrupt our business operations ?
VAPT is carefully scoped and conducted using controlled testing methods to minimise disruption to normal business operations. Testing objectives, systems, schedules, and rules of engagement are agreed upon before the assessment begins.
6. What will we receive after the VAPT assessment ?
You will receive comprehensive technical and management reporting, including identified vulnerabilities, risk ratings, proof of concept (PoC), affected systems, business impact, prioritised findings, and actionable remediation recommendations. Condition Zebra can also provide remediation support and retesting to verify that identified weaknesses have been addressed.
Why Choose Condition Zebra
Local cybersecurity expertise backed by proven penetration testing methodologies, experienced security professionals, manual and automated testing, real-world exploit validation, and actionable remediation guidance to help organisations identify and address security weaknesses before attackers exploit them.
VAPT Expertise
Experienced cybersecurity professionals conducting in-depth vulnerability assessments and penetration testing across applications, networks, APIs, cloud environments, servers, endpoints, and other critical systems.
Manual + Automated Testing
Combine advanced security tools with expert manual testing techniques to uncover vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and security weaknesses that automated scanning alone may miss.
Real-World Validation
Safely validate identified vulnerabilities through controlled exploitation to determine their actual exploitability, potential attack paths, and business impact.
Risk-Based Remediation
Prioritise findings based on severity, exploitability, and business impact, with clear technical recommendations to help your teams address the most critical risks first.
Trusted Security Partner
Local expertise backed by 10+ years of cybersecurity experience and CREST accreditation since 2020, with comprehensive reporting, remediation guidance, ongoing support, and retesting to help strengthen your organisation’s security posture.
