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Security Intermediate

What is Vulnerability Scanning?

Automated testing that identifies known security weaknesses in systems, applications, and network infrastructure.

Vulnerability scanners check systems against databases of known vulnerabilities (CVEs). They test for missing patches, misconfigurations, default credentials, outdated software, and known exploits. Scans can be authenticated (with credentials) or unauthenticated.

Tools include Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys, and Trivy (containers). Regular scanning is required by PCI DSS, HIPAA, and other compliance standards. Scanners report findings with severity ratings (CVSS scores) and remediation guidance. Integrate scanning into CI/CD pipelines for continuous security.

Related Terms

XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
An attack that injects malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially stealing data or session tokens.
SQL Injection
An attack where malicious SQL code is inserted into application queries through user input to access or manipulate the database.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service)
An attack that floods a target server or network with traffic from multiple sources to overwhelm it and deny service to legitimate users.
Man-in-the-Middle Attack
An attack where the attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties who believe they are communicating directly.
Firewall Rules
Configuration entries that define which network traffic is allowed or blocked based on source, destination, port, and protocol.
OAuth 2.0
An authorization framework that allows third-party applications to access user resources without sharing passwords.
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