Is this legal? Do I need permission?

AttackVector performs passive security scanning only — we analyze publicly available information like HTTP headers, SSL certificates, and technology fingerprints. We do NOT perform active exploitation. However, you should only scan websites you own or have explicit authorization to test.

How does AttackVector compare to traditional pentesting?

Traditional penetration tests cost $5,000–$50,000+ and take weeks. AttackVector provides instant AI-powered scanning starting at $79/mo. While it doesn't replace a full manual pentest for compliance purposes, it catches 80% of common vulnerabilities at 1% of the cost.

What does the free tier include?

The free scan includes SSL/TLS certificate analysis, HTTP security headers audit, technology stack detection, your top 3 vulnerabilities, and an overall security grade (A-F). Upgrade to Pro to unlock all vulnerabilities, CVE matching, and AI remediation guides.

How do the AI agents work?

AttackVector uses a pipeline of specialized AI agents: Recon Agent discovers endpoints, Fingerprint Agent detects your tech stack, Scanner Agent checks for misconfigurations, CVE Matcher cross-references the NVD database, and Report Writer generates human-readable findings with fix instructions.

How often should I scan my site?

We recommend scanning after every deployment and at least weekly. Pro subscribers get continuous monitoring with weekly automatic re-scans. New CVEs are published daily, so regular scanning is essential.

Can AttackVector scan internal/private networks?

No. For security reasons, AttackVector only scans publicly accessible URLs. We block requests to private IP ranges (localhost, 10.x.x.x, 192.168.x.x, etc.).

What is automated penetration testing?

Automated penetration testing uses AI and software tools to simulate cyberattacks on your systems, identifying vulnerabilities without requiring a human security consultant. AttackVector automates recon, fingerprinting, vulnerability scanning, CVE matching, and report generation — delivering results in seconds instead of weeks.

How much does a penetration test cost?

Traditional manual penetration tests cost between $5,000 and $50,000+ per engagement. AttackVector provides AI-powered pentesting starting with a free tier, with Pro plans at $79/mo and Premium at $199/mo — making enterprise-grade security accessible to startups and small businesses.

What vulnerabilities does AttackVector detect?

AttackVector detects OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), CSRF, broken authentication, security misconfigurations, sensitive data exposure, and more. Pro and Premium plans add CVE matching against the National Vulnerability Database, DNS security auditing, API security testing, and frontend pentesting.

Is AI pentesting as good as manual penetration testing?

AI pentesting catches 80% of common vulnerabilities instantly and is ideal for continuous monitoring. Manual pentesting is still recommended for compliance audits (PCI DSS, SOC 2) and testing complex business logic. AttackVector is best used as a complement — providing continuous coverage between annual manual pentests.

What is a CVE and how does CVE scanning work?

CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) is a standardized system for identifying known security vulnerabilities. AttackVector detects your technology stack (frameworks, libraries, servers) and cross-references them against the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) with 50,000+ CVE entries to find known exploits affecting your software versions.

How do I check if my website is secure?

Enter your website URL at attackvector.tech/scan to get a free instant security assessment. You'll receive a security grade (A-F), SSL/TLS analysis, HTTP security headers audit, technology detection, and your top vulnerabilities — all in seconds with no signup required.

What is OWASP Top 10 and why does it matter?

The OWASP Top 10 is the industry standard list of the most critical web application security risks, published by the Open Worldwide Application Security Project. It includes injection attacks, broken authentication, sensitive data exposure, XML external entities, broken access control, security misconfigurations, XSS, insecure deserialization, using components with known vulnerabilities, and insufficient logging. AttackVector scans for all 10 categories.

Does AttackVector test APIs for vulnerabilities?

Yes. Pro and Premium plans include API discovery and API security testing. AttackVector automatically discovers API endpoints, then tests for SQL injection, command injection, authentication bypass, IDOR, rate limiting issues, CORS misconfigurations, and mass assignment vulnerabilities in your APIs.

What is a DNS security audit?

A DNS security audit examines your domain's DNS configuration for security issues including missing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (email spoofing protection), DNSSEC validation, zone transfer vulnerabilities, dangling DNS records, and subdomain takeover risks. AttackVector includes comprehensive DNS auditing in Pro and Premium plans.

How does AI-powered vulnerability scanning work?

AttackVector deploys multiple specialized AI agents in parallel: a Recon Agent maps your attack surface, a Fingerprint Agent identifies your technology stack, a Scanner Agent tests for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities, a CVE Matcher finds known exploits in your software, and a Report Agent generates human-readable findings with step-by-step remediation guides.

What is Sensitive Data Exposure? | AttackVector Glossary

Explain Like I'm 5

Imagine your house is full of valuable things like jewelry and important papers. You keep them safe by locking your doors and windows. But if you accidentally leave a window open, someone could sneak in and take them. In cybersecurity, Sensitive Data Exposure is like leaving that window open online. It happens when important info like passwords or credit card numbers aren't properly hidden. If a hacker finds this 'open window,' they can steal your data. So, just like you make sure all your windows are shut tight, you need to make sure your data is locked away safely online.

Technical Definition

Definition

Sensitive Data Exposure occurs when confidential information is inadequately protected, making it accessible to unauthorized parties. This can involve unencrypted data at rest or in transit, exposed API keys, or verbose error messages revealing internal information.

How It Works

1Data is stored or transmitted without encryption, making it readable to anyone who intercepts it.
2API keys and credentials are left in source code repositories, potentially public ones.
3Error messages provide too much detail, inadvertently disclosing stack traces or database queries.
4Misconfigured cloud storage, such as improperly set permissions on S3 buckets, leaves data open to public access.

Key Characteristics

Unencrypted data: Sensitive information stored or transferred without encryption.
Exposed secrets: API keys and credentials in code repositories.
Verbose error messages: Detailed errors that leak information about the application's internals.
Misconfigured storage: Cloud storage settings that allow public access to sensitive data.

Comparison

Feature	Sensitive Data Exposure	Data Breach	Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR)
Protection Level	Data not properly protected	Unauthorized access event	Incorrect access control configuration
Breach Requirement	No specific breach event required	Often involves an attack	Typically involves user manipulation

Real-World Example

The Capital One breach in 2019 involved a misconfigured S3 bucket, exposing 106 million customer records, including Social Security numbers and bank account information.

Detection & Prevention

Use tools like truffleHog to scan repositories for exposed secrets.
Implement strong encryption for data at rest and in transit.
Regularly audit error messages for excessive information leakage.
Configure cloud storage permissions to restrict public access.

Common Misconceptions

1"Encryption is optional." - Encryption is essential for protecting sensitive data.
2"Only large companies are targeted." - Small businesses can also fall victim to data exposure.
3"Cloud services are inherently secure." - Misconfigurations can leave cloud storage vulnerable.

Keywords

what is Sensitive Data ExposureSensitive Data Exposure explainedSensitive Data Exposure detectiondata protectioncybersecurity glossarypreventing data leakstruffleHog tool

Ready to scan your site?

AttackVector uses AI agents to find vulnerabilities before attackers do. Start a free scan now.

Start Free Scan