Penpaths

Penpaths is a term that can refer to a few related concepts, primarily within the context of pen testing and cybersecurity. At its core, a penpath describes a potential sequence of actions or a chain of vulnerabilities that a penetration tester might exploit to achieve a specific objective within a target system. It outlines a hypothetical route from an initial point of compromise to a desired end state, such as gaining administrator privileges or accessing sensitive data.

These paths are often visualized or documented to represent the logical progression of an attack. A penpath might start with a low-privilege user account and, through a series of discovered vulnerabilities like privilege escalation or lateral movement techniques, lead to a high-privilege system. The creation and analysis of penpaths are crucial for understanding the attack surface of a system, identifying critical weaknesses, and developing more effective defense strategies.

In some contexts, "penpath" can also refer to the actual tool or software used by penetration testers to map out and automate the discovery of these exploit chains. These tools help in identifying interdependencies between vulnerabilities and suggesting potential attack vectors that might not be immediately obvious. The goal is to provide a structured approach to complex penetration tests, ensuring thoroughness and efficiency in identifying and mitigating risks.