What types of files are examples of misconfigurations in a pentest report?

In a pentest report, examples of misconfigurations typically involve insecure configuration files. These files contain settings and parameters that determine how applications, services, or systems operate. If these configurations are not set according to best practices, they can expose vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. For instance, configuration files might include weak default settings, unnecessary open ports, or access permissions that are too permissive. These weaknesses can grant unauthorized access or allow for attacks such as privilege escalation, making them critical issues to address during a penetration test.

In contrast, executable files from failed tests, user documentation files, and backup files of databases do not directly represent misconfigurations. Executable files, while they may result from testing, are not indicative of configuration issues. User documentation files typically provide guidance for users rather than involve technical configurations. Lastly, backup files are meant for data recovery and do not inherently contain misconfiguration problems unless they are incorrectly configured for access or storage.