Penetration testing
without the theater.
We assess systems the way an operator approaches a target: map the attack surface, identify exploitable weaknesses, and validate realistic attack paths within an agreed scope and rules of engagement.
This is not an automated scan with a logo applied to the output. Eldritch Engineering combines hands-on testing, technical analysis, and controlled exploitation where authorized and useful. The objective is evidence your defenders and engineers can act on—not disruption for its own sake.
Test the actual
attack surface.
Each engagement is shaped around the environment and objective. Depending on scope, testing may cover the following areas individually or as connected parts of a larger attack path.
External & Internal Networks
Internet-facing exposure, internal services, segmentation, trust boundaries, credentials, and privilege escalation paths.
Web Applications & APIs
Application logic, authentication, authorization, session handling, data exposure, and API-specific attack surfaces.
Active Directory & Identity
Identity architecture, delegated trust, credential access, control paths, and escalation opportunities across the environment.
Wireless, Cloud & Hosted Systems
Wireless controls, hosted infrastructure, cloud configuration, exposed services, and attack paths where the environment supports testing.
Physical & Electronic Controls
Physical and electronic access-control assessment when explicitly included in the engagement scope and rules of engagement.
Unusual Technology
Purpose-built assessment of custom, embedded, or otherwise nonstandard systems when conventional methodologies are insufficient.
Capabilities are not limited to this list. We define coverage against the systems, constraints, and risks that matter to the engagement.
Scope drives
the operation.
A narrow application review, an assumed-breach exercise, and a multi-surface assessment should not run from the same checklist. We select techniques and depth based on the agreed objective.
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01
Scope & rulesObjectives, targets, boundaries, authorization, communications, and safety constraints.
-
02
Reconnaissance & enumerationMap reachable systems, services, identities, relationships, and exposed functionality.
-
03
Vulnerability identificationCombine tooling and manual analysis to identify weaknesses worth validating.
-
04
Authorized exploitationValidate impact where appropriate without exceeding the agreed rules of engagement.
-
05
Attack-path validationConnect weaknesses to show practical reach, privilege, and consequence.
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06
Evidence & reportingPreserve useful evidence, document findings, and explain technical context.
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07
Findings reviewWalk through results, answer technical questions, and discuss remediation priorities.
Operator-driven
by default.
The people behind Eldritch Engineering bring many years of hands-on penetration testing and security-engineering work across enterprise and complex technical environments. Our experience spans software, networks, identity systems, hosted infrastructure, and physical-security technologies.
We work from an operator's perspective. Existing tools are useful, but they do not replace judgment. When standard tooling or workflows fail to answer the question, we develop the scripts, tooling, and testing approach needed to assess the system in front of us.
Findings built
to be used.
Deliverables vary with scope, but the goal remains consistent: communicate what was found, why it matters, and what engineering or defensive teams can do next.
Issues confirmed through appropriate technical testing, with false positives removed where practical.
Enough context to understand and reproduce the issue without burying the signal in raw scanner output.
Explanation of how individual weaknesses connect to access, privilege, or business-relevant impact.
Actionable technical guidance and a findings review with the people responsible for fixing and defending the environment.
Tell us what
needs testing.
There is no useful one-price-fits-all penetration test. Environment size, attack surface, complexity, testing depth, objectives, timeframe, and rules of engagement all change the work.
Talk to us about the environment, the question you need answered, and the constraints. We will define an engagement structure and pricing options around the actual job.