Learn Qualys Vulnerability Management (Home Lab)

Summary

In this video, Kevin demonstrates how to create a vulnerability management lab using Qualys Community Edition. As a vulnerability management administrator, Kevin walks viewers through the process of scanning networks for vulnerabilities and remediating them. He installs a Windows 10 virtual machine, configures it, and adds outdated software to test the vulnerability scanner. Kevin also explains the difference between authenticated and non-authenticated scans. The video emphasizes hands-on learning, encouraging viewers to practice vulnerability management and improve their skills for future career opportunities in cybersecurity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vulnerability management is an ongoing process that involves scanning, identifying, and remediating vulnerabilities in an organization's network.
• 😀 The goal of vulnerability management is to reduce vulnerabilities to an acceptable level and continuously assess and manage them as new threats emerge.
• 😀 Qualys Community Edition is a popular tool used to scan for vulnerabilities in networks, with a free version available for scanning up to 19 devices.
• 😀 In this lab, a Windows 10 virtual machine is used to simulate vulnerabilities by installing outdated software like VLC Media Player and Firefox.
• 😀 The process starts with setting up VirtualBox, downloading the necessary software (Windows 10 ISO, outdated software, and Qualys), and configuring a virtual scanner appliance.
• 😀 After setting up the virtual machine, outdated software is installed, and the machine's IP address is assigned within the scanner's specified IP range for scanning.
• 😀 A non-authenticated scan is first performed to identify external-facing vulnerabilities like open ports, and a report is generated with basic findings.
• 😀 Authenticated scans, which require credentials, provide deeper insights into vulnerabilities by checking internal configurations and settings, offering more comprehensive results.
• 😀 The authenticated scan can identify vulnerabilities like default admin accounts and outdated software, with risk scores to indicate severity and recommended solutions.
• 😀 Remediating vulnerabilities, such as updating software or disabling unnecessary accounts, can significantly reduce the number of vulnerabilities on the system, making it more secure.

Q & A

What is the main objective of vulnerability management?

The main objective of vulnerability management is to identify, prioritize, and remediate vulnerabilities within a network or system, reducing them to an acceptable level to protect the organization.

What role does a vulnerability management administrator play in an organization?

A vulnerability management administrator's role involves scanning and identifying vulnerabilities, prioritizing assets that need immediate attention, reporting to the respective teams, and verifying that vulnerabilities have been remediated. This process is ongoing as new vulnerabilities are discovered regularly.

What is Qualys and how does it help in vulnerability management?

Qualys is a popular tool used by organizations to scan networks for vulnerabilities and perform threat assessments. It helps by identifying vulnerabilities, providing reports, and offering solutions for remediation. The Qualys Community Edition allows users to scan up to 19 devices for free.

Why are outdated software versions used in the vulnerability management lab?

Outdated software versions, like older VLC media player or Firefox, are used to demonstrate common vulnerabilities that arise from using unsupported or older software. These vulnerabilities can be exploited if not remediated, making them ideal for testing vulnerability management procedures.

What is the significance of using VirtualBox or VMware in this lab?

VirtualBox or VMware are used to create virtual machines for the lab environment. This allows users to simulate different network setups and vulnerabilities without affecting their primary system. The virtual machines also allow for isolated testing of scans and remediation processes.

What is the difference between an authenticated and unauthenticated vulnerability scan?

An unauthenticated scan only examines external-facing vulnerabilities, such as open ports. An authenticated scan, on the other hand, involves providing the scanner with login credentials to access the machine's internal system for a deeper analysis of vulnerabilities, offering a more comprehensive view.

Why is it necessary to turn off the firewall during the vulnerability scan?

The firewall needs to be turned off during the scan to ensure that the vulnerability scanner can access the machine without being blocked. Firewalls can block network traffic that scanners need to identify vulnerabilities, so disabling it ensures an accurate scan.

How do you assign a static IP address to a virtual machine in the lab?

To assign a static IP address, you go to the network settings in the virtual machine, access the TCP/IPv4 properties, and manually input the desired IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. This ensures that the machine has a consistent address for scanning.

What is the purpose of creating a virtual scanner appliance in the Qualys setup?

The virtual scanner appliance in Qualys acts as a tool to scan devices on the network for vulnerabilities. It connects to the Qualys Cloud profile and performs scans based on the configuration and IP ranges set up in the system.

How does remediation impact the results of a vulnerability scan?

After vulnerabilities are remediated, the scan results will show fewer or lower-severity vulnerabilities. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the remediation process and how addressing issues reduces the overall risk to the system.