Grey box testing is one way organizations are raising their defenses against cyberattacks. Is it time for your team to do the same?

Given the massive increase in cyberattacks, organizations are gearing up to prevent ransom attacks on their systems. From conducting massive simulated hacking tests, to limiting access to outsiders using evaluation models, a lot is going on within this domain.

Penetration testing, also known as pen testing or ethical hacking, is a security assessment that uses network security tools to simulate an attack on a computer system or network.

Some standard pen testing techniques include black, white, and grey box testing. Never heard of grey box testing? Let's dive in.

Grey box testing is a testing type that looks at a system's internal structure to identify potential errors or vulnerabilities.

As a penetration testing technique, it acts as an intermediary between black box testing, which looks at a system's external inputs/outputs, and white box testing, which looks at the system's internal code.

Security analysts and ethical hackers use grey box testing to find errors in a system's functional and non-functional aspects.

In functional testing, the focus is on ensuring the system performs the required tasks correctly. In non-functional testing, the focus is on ensuring the system design meets performance, security, and scalability standards.

Grey box testing is essential to any quality assurance process, as it can help identify potential problems before they cause significant issues. It is crucial for complex systems, where a small error can have a ripple effect.

Businesses use several types of grey box penetration tests. To outline a few:

Regression testing is a type of grey box penetration testing that tests for identified and fixed software flaws. This testing type ensures a software has not regressed to a less secure state.

Testers use the most commonly available pen testing tools and techniques to conduct regression testing. It can be done by re-running and verifying the outputs from previous runs with the new results derived from recent code changes.

Regression testing is essential because it ensures the inherent code changes have not introduced new vulnerabilities.

The Matrix technique involves breaking down the target system into different areas, or variables, and testing for each variable's vulnerabilities.

For example, the first variable might be the network infrastructure, followed by the operating system, applications, and data.

Each variable is tested for weaknesses that a hacker can exploit to access the subsequent variable. This is proven to be a very effective way to find vulnerabilities because it allows you to focus on specific variables at a time and understand how it works.

Additionally, the Matrix technique can help you identify potential attack paths that you may not have considered otherwise. It provides a clear picture of the system's security posture.

Orthogonal array testing is a powerful grey box testing technique that has the potential to uncover a wide range of software defects.

This technique covers arrays, which ensures that all pairs of input values are exercised at least once. Orthogonal array testing helps test all possible combinations of input values, making it a potent tool for uncovering defects.

Orthogonal array testing is a grey pentest technique that reduces test cases without coverage. In theory, you could reduce the number of test cases you need to run while still testing the complete functionality of your software.

A pattern technique is a powerful tool for ethical hackers, who wish to detect system vulnerabilities. Using this technique in conjunction with other grey box testing techniques, gives you a comprehensive view of the system's security.

While it can be challenging to test a system for all potential vulnerabilities, the pattern technique is invaluable for testing common and uncommon vulnerabilities.

Like the two sides of a coin, there are a few limitations to grey box penetration testing that you should consider when conducting this assessment type. Some limitations are outlined below:

You need to consider several factors before deciding whether to opt for grey box testing or not. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

In general, grey box testing is a good compromise between white and black box testing. It can prove more efficient and effective than black box testing while providing some coverage.

Penetration testing is one of the leading ways to validate a system's security. It is an integral part of an organization's software development lifecycle.

As a penetration testing methodology, grey box pen testing combines the benefits of white box and black box testing. However, in simple terms, even penetration testing programs follow a hierarchy, with black box testing occupying the top position.

Before indulging in any testing methodology, you should carefully weigh the security resources and choose a suitable plan. Do ensure you cover the basics of each testing type, to make a prudent decision.

Advait Singh has three years of freelancing experience. Over the years, his newfound love for technology has helped him delve deeper into programming languages like Python and VBA. He loves to spend time looking at various elements within the tech gamut, so that there is always something new to learn.

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