Threat Led Penetration Testing: Enhancing Cyber Resilience

admin

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, Defense through Offense is not just a concept – it’s a structured and actionable strategy. At Xfensive, this approach translates into an adversary-driven operating model, based on the realistic simulation of Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) used by the most advanced threat actors.

Xfensive has developed a Threat Led Penetration Testing (TLPT) methodology aligned with both European regulation and global best practices, combining sector-specific threat intelligence, advanced automation, artificial intelligence, and deep human expertise.

TLPT goes beyond vulnerability scanning: it evaluates an organization’s true operational resilience, from detection to response, across the entire kill chain.

An Adversary-Driven and Intelligence-Based Model

Our TLPT methodology is built on three core pillars:

  • Contextualized threat intelligence
  • Proprietary technology enhanced by AI and human-led OSINT
  • Realistic simulation of advanced attack scenarios

This combination allows us to mimic the behavior of highly-sophisticated threat actors, generating highly actionable insights for our clients.

1. Attack Surface Discovery with Xfenser

Every engagement begins with a comprehensive attack surface discovery phase, powered by Xfenser, our proprietary technology developed internally over fifteen years of hands-on experience in offensive security.

Xfenser lies at the heart of our external mapping process, integrating:

  • Adaptive multi-protocol scanning engines
  • AI-based correlation algorithms
  • Continuous manual supervision and validation

There is no fully automated process: every piece of data is analyzed, validated, and interpreted by our expert team.

Key Capabilities:

  • Advanced enumeration of services, open ports, subdomains, and cloud exposure
  • Detection of misconfigured assets, known vulnerabilities, and leaked credentials
  • Technology stack fingerprinting and versioning
  • Multilevel OSINT and shadow asset discovery


Xfenser’s integrated artificial intelligence supports the analysis of potential vulnerabilities and helps prioritize attack vectors, while final decisions always rely on human expertise.

2. Integration of Threat Intelligence

Each engagement is supported by a tailored threat profile, built from:

  • APT groups active in the client’s industry
  • Recurring attack patterns targeting similar verticals (e.g., manufacturing, energy, aerospace, healthcare)
  • Sector-specific Indicators of Compromise (IoC)
  • Exposure across IT, OT, IoT, and ICS systems

The output is a set of realistic, up-to-date, and targeted attack scenarios, aligned with emerging threats and evolving geopolitical dynamics.

3. Advanced Attack Simulation

All collected data and industry-specific threat intelligence fuel a full-scale simulation conducted by our specialized Red Team, following a progressive and measurable execution model.

Core Scenarios:

  • Initial Access: targeted phishing, web-based exploits, use of credential leaks
  • Persistence: backdoors, hidden accounts, system service manipulation
  • Privilege Escalation: local escalation, misconfiguration abuse
  • Lateral Movement: network pivoting, targeting core systems
  • Data Exfiltration: stealthy data theft simulation

Advanced Scenarios:

  • Supply Chain Attack
  • Living Off The Land
  • Defense Evasion

All techniques are selected according to the latest MITRE ATT&CK mappings, ensuring alignment with the most relevant and current threat models.

4. Technology, AI and Community: The Role of BackBox.org

Xfensive actively contributes to the development of BackBox Linux, an Ubuntu-based distribution tailored for penetration testing and ethical hacking.

Our role within the BackBox community enables us to:

  • Gain early access to tools, techniques, and exploits
  • Share and improve evasion, pivoting, and persistence methods
  • Develop open-source tools for the broader ecosystem
  • Test and integrate AI-assisted modules into operational workflows

AI supports the automated detection of behavioral anomalies and the assisted generation of complex attack chains – but never replaces human oversight.

Alignment with the TIBER-EU Framework

Our TLPT methodology is fully aligned with TIBER-EU (Threat Intelligence-Based Ethical Red Teaming), the European Central Bank’s framework for testing the cyber resilience of critical infrastructures.

Shared Principles:

  • Activities driven by real-world threat intelligence
  • Structured and approved engagements
  • Realistic and controlled simulations
  • Final debriefing with Blue Teams and executive stakeholders

While our model is applicable across all sectors, its compliance with TIBER-EU requirements makes it particularly suitable for regulated environments and high-criticality infrastructures.

Why Choose Xfensive

Our TLPT offering stands out for:

  • Operational realism: threat-informed and tailored attack scenarios
  • Proprietary, AI-driven technology: Xfenser, and specialized tools
  • Human-led decision making: no blind reliance on automation
  • Compliance: with TIBER-EU and MITRE ATT&CK standards
  • Actionability: clear, prioritized, and implementable recommendations