Updated April 12, 2025
Cybersecurity and coding go together in many ways, yet they are also very separate in some. Often, a question that many people have when first starting in cybersecurity is whether or not it is worth putting in the time to learn how to code. This can be a complex question since it can take time to decide where to focus when approaching such a vast field as cybersecurity. Penetration testing alone is such a complex topic with so much to learn, so allocating effort where it fits best is very important.
Application of Coding in Penetration Testing
Penetration testing encompasses many different things, but the first one that comes to mind for most is exploiting software vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities often come from poorly written code that the attacker can then manipulate to get unintended results. Knowing how the vulnerabilities work and what is actually happening behind the scenes allows for a more complete understanding of what is happening. This can often be the difference between less skilled hackers and more skilled hackers. This does not mean that knowledge of coding is needed to be a good hacker, but it can certainly be helpful.
Understanding how a vulnerability works can often allow a penetration tester to find more bugs as well. For example, understanding how SQL Injection works will make it much easier to find. These vulnerabilities arise when user input is not properly checked and is passed into the back end as it was received. Knowing what areas in an application will be passing user input will make a penetration tester much better at identifying SQL Injection vulnerabilities.
Aside from finding more vulnerabilities, this can also save the tester a lot of time. With so many different attacks and more being found each day, it can be just as important to know what not to try. Understanding how the application operates and what language and technologies are being used can rule out certain attacks that would otherwise be a time-consuming process to test. This knowledge makes for more efficient testing with faster results.
White Box Testing
White Box Tests are typically going to be the most comprehensive level of testing. This is when the tester goes in and analyzes the code base to identify any potential vulnerabilities. This type of testing will be able to uncover vulnerabilities that often will be difficult or impossible to find from less invasive testing. At Blue Goat, our team will usually be able to uncover all sorts of vulnerabilities that slipped through the cracks during development. We have experience identifying many different problems with code that can result in weaknesses being exposed to the internet.
White Box Testing requires a solid understanding of coding. Since this involves going in and reading through the code, it will have little benefit if the tester is unfamiliar with what they are reading. When performing White Box Tests at Blue Goat, we often like to go in and create proof-of-concept exploits for identified vulnerabilities. This can accurately show the impact of the bug while making replication easy. Doing this requires knowing how to write custom exploits based on what we find.
Scripting
While not necessarily required during a penetration test, scripting is a very valuable skill set that will save a tester immense amounts of time. This can involve various small things, such as automating various tools, chaining together output in custom scripts, creating lists, or simply creating lists and target files. It can also become more complex, with the tester developing custom exploits based on the unique environment encountered during the test.
To be as efficient as possible, we will often want to set up custom workflows for tests. This can allow us to kick off our tools and have them run in the background while we perform more intensive manual testing. Knowing how to build a custom workflow and adapt it based on each client’s unique needs can save lots of time and allow for more comprehensive coverage of the network.
Meet Your Cybersecurity Needs with Blue Goat Cyber
Our team is experienced in many penetration tests and is ready to help you find the right security solution for your organization. We understand that each client is unique and has specific needs to remain hardened against cyber-attacks while maintaining peak functionality. Contact us to schedule a meeting.
Coding and Penetration Testing FAQs
Understanding coding helps penetration testers analyze how software is built, identify logic flaws, reverse-engineer vulnerabilities, and craft tailored exploits—skills that elevate the effectiveness and depth of any pen test.
Not necessarily. While you don’t need to be a full-time developer, having proficiency in scripting and reading code (especially Python, JavaScript, C, or Bash) is essential for automating tasks, modifying exploits, and understanding application behavior.
- Python: Automation, scripting, exploit writing, API testing
- JavaScript: Web app attacks (XSS, CSRF, client-side logic)
- Bash/PowerShell: System-level enumeration, persistence
- C/C++: Reverse engineering, binary exploitation
- SQL: Injection testing and database attacks
Coding skills allow testers to:
- Analyze and bypass input validation
- Understand JavaScript-driven behaviors
- Reverse engineer client-side logic
- Customize test payloads and automation scripts
Pen testers may need to write or modify custom proof-of-concept (PoC) exploits to validate vulnerabilities, especially in embedded systems or proprietary protocols. Coding makes this possible.
Yes. Testing APIs often involves crafting raw requests, scripting token manipulation, or fuzzing inputs—all of which require scripting knowledge. Mobile app testing also benefits from reverse engineering and analyzing obfuscated code.
Pen testers automate repetitive tasks—like scanning, enumeration, or password attacks—using custom scripts. This improves test efficiency, especially in large environments or CI/CD pipelines.
- Burp Suite extensions (written in Python or Java)
- Metasploit (Ruby-based modules)
- Custom Nmap scripts (NSE in Lua)
- Fuzzers and payload generators
- Scripting within testing frameworks like pwntools or Impacket
Absolutely. After initial access, testers often write scripts to escalate privileges, extract data, or maintain persistence. These scripts are usually platform-specific and require solid coding fundamentals.
Our testers use coding daily to:
- Develop custom payloads
- Reverse engineer firmware
- Craft exploit chains for embedded and medical devices
- Simulate advanced threat actors We combine technical depth with regulatory understanding to deliver actionable results aligned with FDA, HIPAA, and NIST frameworks.
