Pentesting Reports: Key Sections and 5 Tips for Effective Reports

Key Sections of a Penetration Testing Report

Executive Summary

An executive summary provides a high-level overview of the penetration test findings and recommendations. It is for senior management and non-technical stakeholders, highlighting key vulnerabilities and the potential impact on the organization. This section prioritizes clarity and conciseness, ensuring important issues are immediately clear without reading the entire report.

Scope and Methodology

The scope and methodology section details the boundaries and techniques used during the penetration testing process. It defines what was tested, including systems, applications, or networks, and explains excluded components. This clarity ensures stakeholders understand the breadth of the testing to manage expectations correctly.

Additionally, this section outlines the methodologies and tools employed during testing. It assures stakeholders of the thoroughness and integrity of the assessments. By documenting the steps followed, it establishes a transparent process that can be reviewed and replicated for future testing cycles.

Findings and Vulnerabilities

This section lists discovered vulnerabilities and associated risks in detail. Each finding includes a description, affected systems, potential impacts, and proof of concept, reinforcing the credibility of the detected issues. It is structured to enable easy comprehension and categorization of vulnerabilities, helping prioritize remediation efforts.

The documentation within this section ensures the technical team can replicate and address the issues. Detailed descriptions guide developers and security teams in verifying identified vulnerabilities and implementing appropriate fixes.

Risk Assessment and Severity Ratings

In this section, vulnerabilities are assessed based on their risk level and severity. Each finding is categorized using standardized severity ratings such as high, medium, or low, alongside potential impacts on the organization. This enables clearer prioritization of remediation tasks according to the level of threat posed.

A consistent risk assessment approach helps articulate the urgency of each issue to stakeholders. Including a rationale for each severity rating improves the report's transparency and supports informed decision-making across the organization.

Recommendations and Remediation

This section offers actionable recommendations for addressing identified vulnerabilities. It provides guidance on mitigating each risk, utilizing a clear and structured action plan to improve security postures. The recommendations align with industry best practices, ensuring they are both practical and effective.

Appendices

Appendices provide additional information and detailed data supporting the report’s findings. This may include raw data, tool outputs, or detailed logs that give deeper insights into the penetration testing process. Appendices serve as a resource for technical teams needing comprehensive technical details. They also give  stakeholders confidence in the report's credibility.

Related content: Read our guide to pentesting tools

Types of Penetration Testing Reports 

External Penetration Testing Reports

These reports focus on vulnerabilities that could be exploited from outside the organization. They assess the security of external-facing assets such as websites, servers, and network perimeters. The primary goal is to identify weaknesses that could be targeted by external attackers, highlighting potential entry points into the organization.

External testing reports are crucial for understanding how external threats perceive an organization’s security posture. By detailing vulnerabilities accessible outside the network, they assist in fortifying defenses against intrusion attempts.

Internal Penetration Testing Reports

Internal penetration testing reports evaluate threats originating from within the organization. They explore vulnerabilities that could be exploited internally, often by malicious insiders or compromised internal assets. These tests focus on permission management, data protection, and network segmentation to prevent lateral movement within the organization.

By simulating insider threats, internal reports reveal weaknesses not visible through external assessments. They aid in protecting sensitive data and ensuring that insider or compromised endpoint access does not lead to widespread security incidents.

Web Application Penetration Testing Reports

Web application penetration testing reports focus on identifying vulnerabilities within web applications. Common issues found include injection flaws, cross-site scripting, security misconfigurations, and broken authentication mechanisms. These reports aim to protect sensitive data that web applications often handle, like user credentials and personal information.

Detailed assessments in these reports guide developers in fixing vulnerabilities to improve application security. By addressing potential risks during the development or post-deployment phases, these reports contribute to building a resilient web application infrastructure.

Wireless Network Penetration Testing Reports

Wireless network penetration testing reports identify vulnerabilities specific to Wi-Fi and other wireless communications. They test the network for weak encryption methods, insecure configurations, and potential unauthorized access points. Their focus is on ensuring secure remote and internal communication to prevent data interception and unauthorized network access.

These reports ensure that wireless networks are not an entry point for attackers. By documenting existing risks and providing mitigation strategies, they aid in strengthening the overall network security ecosystem.

Physical Penetration Testing Reports

Physical penetration testing reports assess the security of physical barriers and controls. They simulate scenarios where attackers attempt unauthorized physical access to secure areas, testing locks, surveillance systems, and access controls. The aim is to expose vulnerabilities that could lead to direct breaches of physical premises.

Physical reports highlight weaknesses in security measures protecting physical assets. By evaluating these controls, organizations can improve their physical security posture, preventing unauthorized access to critical infrastructure.

Tzvika Shneider

CEO, Pynt

Tzvika Shneider is a 20-year software security industry leader with a robust background in product and software management.

Tips from the expert

• Link vulnerabilities to business impactClearly connect each vulnerability to potential business risks, such as financial losses, reputational damage, or legal consequences. This makes the findings more relevant to non-technical stakeholders and fosters prioritization of critical issues.
• Include exploitability context: Assess and document how easily each vulnerability can be exploited under realistic conditions. This helps teams understand the urgency of fixing certain issues based on the likelihood of exploitation.
• Document mitigated risks for transparency: If certain risks were addressed during the penetration test (e.g., applying patches or configuration changes), include these details in the report. This demonstrates progress and builds confidence in the organization's security efforts.
• Highlight trends from previous tests: Compare findings with those from prior penetration tests to identify recurring vulnerabilities or improvements. This long-term view helps track the effectiveness of remediation efforts and guides resource allocation.
• Incorporate red-teaming insights: If a red-teaming exercise was part of the engagement, integrate lessons learned into the report. Highlight scenarios where simulated attackers succeeded or were detected, providing actionable feedback on the organization's response mechanisms.

5 Best Practices for Writing Penetration Testing Reports 

Here are some useful practices to keep in mind to ensure accurate pentesting reports.

1. Know Your Audience

Different stakeholders have varying levels of technical expertise; thus, the report should cater to both technical and non-technical readers. Crafting concise explanations for executives while providing detailed technical insights for IT teams ensures the report's relevance and comprehensibility.

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By tailoring language and detail to relevant audiences, reports effectively communicate findings and recommendations. This alignment enables decision-making and fosters a cohesive understanding across departments.

2. Use Clear and Concise Language

Reports should employ clear, precise language, avoiding technical jargon where possible. A straightforward writing style helps convey complex security issues without ambiguity, ensuring all stakeholders understand the findings and implications. Clarity is essential in communicating risks and necessary actions effectively across the organization.

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By using direct language, the report improves accessibility and reduces misinterpretations, vital for fostering informed decision-making. Concise communication promotes faster comprehension and consensus-building among stakeholders.

3. Prioritize and Categorize Findings

Effective reports prioritize and categorize findings by severity and impact. This approach helps organizations address the most urgent threats first while systematically working through less critical vulnerabilities. By clearly distinguishing critical, high, and low-risk issues, the report guides efficient resource allocation and targeted remediation planning.

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Categorization allows for strategic prioritization, focusing efforts on vulnerabilities with the highest potential impact on the organization. Having a structured approach to reporting empowers teams to manage risks proactively.

4. Include Visuals and Evidence

Incorporating visuals such as charts, graphs, and screenshots improves the clarity and engagement of penetration testing reports. Visuals provide snapshots of findings and evidence, supporting the narrative and enabling quicker interpretation. They offer a tangible dimension to the data, aiding stakeholders in grasping the scope and nature of vulnerabilities.

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Evidence and visuals complement written descriptions, reinforcing the report’s credibility and impact. Including well-organized graphics and proofs of concept ensures stakeholders have a comprehensive understanding of security issues.

5. Provide Actionable Recommendations

Reports should deliver actionable recommendations, guiding stakeholders on how to address vulnerabilities effectively. Recommendations must be clear, feasible, and aligned with broader organizational security goals. Providing concrete steps ensures organizations can promptly mitigate risks and improve their security frameworks systematically.

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By presenting tailored remediation actions, the report empowers teams to implement changes effectively. Detailed, actionable insights enable planning and execution, enabling organizations to strengthen their defenses against current and future threats.

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