Database Security
Reviews
In-depth security assessment of SQL and NoSQL database platforms — identifying misconfiguration, privilege abuse, sensitive data exposure, and weak authentication before attackers do.
Databases are the crown jewels of most organisations — yet they are frequently the most poorly secured layer of the technology stack. Default configurations, excessive privileges, unencrypted sensitive data, and weak authentication are endemic across enterprise database environments, and are routinely exploited once an attacker achieves any foothold inside the network.
Levantis Cyber performs comprehensive database security reviews that go beyond automated scanning. Our assessors understand the internals of major database platforms and apply real attacker techniques to identify privilege escalation paths, data exposure risks, and authentication weaknesses that checklist-based audits consistently miss.
We assess SQL platforms (PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL / MariaDB) and NoSQL platforms (MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch, Cassandra) — adapting our methodology to each platform's specific attack surface.
Configuration & Hardening Assessment
Review of database server configuration against CIS Benchmarks and vendor security guides. We assess network exposure, listener configuration, unnecessary features and services, patch level, audit logging settings, and default credential usage — establishing the baseline security posture of the platform.
Authentication & Access Control Review
Examination of all database users, roles, and permissions. We identify accounts with excessive privileges, shared credentials, missing password policies, and accounts that violate the principle of least privilege. Application service accounts are reviewed for privilege creep, and administrative access paths are mapped and assessed for appropriate controls.
Stored Procedure & Function Analysis
Review of stored procedures, triggers, user-defined functions, and jobs for dangerous implementations — including SQL injection within stored code, privilege escalation via EXECUTE AS, and insecure dynamic SQL construction. Extended stored procedures (xp_cmdshell and equivalents) are assessed for inappropriate enablement or access.
Sensitive Data Identification & Encryption Review
Systematic identification of sensitive data within the database — including PII, credentials, payment card data, and health records — to assess whether appropriate encryption, masking, or access controls are applied. We review Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) implementation, column-level encryption, and backup encryption practices.
Audit Logging & Monitoring Assessment
Review of database audit trail configuration to assess whether sufficient events are captured for security detection and forensic purposes. We identify gaps in logging coverage — particularly around privileged operations, schema changes, bulk data export, and failed authentication — and assess whether logs are adequately protected and retained.
Network Exposure & Encryption in Transit
Assessment of database network accessibility, firewall controls, and connection encryption. We verify that database listeners are not unnecessarily exposed, that TLS is enforced for connections, and that weak cipher suites or protocol versions are not accepted. Jump host and bastion configurations are reviewed where applicable.
Reporting & Remediation Guidance
A detailed technical report covering all findings risk-rated by impact, with platform-specific remediation guidance and configuration hardening recommendations. An executive summary is included for senior stakeholders. We provide a debrief call with your DBA and security teams, and a retest of critical findings once remediated — included as standard.
Database security is a specialist discipline that most penetration testing firms treat as an afterthought. Our assessors have deep platform knowledge and understand the nuanced privilege models of each database engine — we don't rely on generic checklists. We assess databases in the context of your wider environment, identifying how database weaknesses combine with other vulnerabilities to create real attack paths.
We work closely with your DBA team throughout the engagement, ensuring findings are accurately understood in the context of your environment. Every recommendation is actionable and costed — we provide the evidence your team needs to prioritise and remediate effectively.