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Security evaluation of a web application is a continuous process. With every version of the application comes new vulnerabilities. Even if an application is not updated with new features, it can incur new security vulnerabilities owing to out dated internal and external components, misconfigurations, etc. Penetration testing is the practice of simulating a breach in order to identify possible vulnerabilities in a system that may be exploited by an attacker.

We’ll go through the characteristics of web application penetration testing and why they’re essential in this comprehensive guide. We will also provide detailed steps for carrying out a successful web application penetration test. This article also mentions in detail the pros and cons of web application penetration testing along with the multiple resources that can help you execute a successful web application pentest.

What Is Web Application Penetration Testing? 

Web application penetration testing is the practice of attempting to break into a web application in order to discover security flaws that might be exploited by a hacker. Penetration testers use a variety of approaches to try to exploit flaws in online applications. Some of these techniques include:

• Scanning for open ports and services
• Identifying user input fields
• SQL injection, Cross-site scripting (XSS), and directory traversal are some of the most prevalent web application flaws that may be exploited.
• Brute force attacks against authentication mechanisms
• Man in the middle attacks

The goal of a penetration test is to identify potential security holes that an attacker may exploit. Once these vulnerabilities are identified, they can be fixed before an attacker has a chance to exploit them.

The Advantages of Web Application Penetration Testing

The features of web application penetration testing are important because they help to ensure that the penetration test is comprehensive and accurate. A good penetration tester will use a variety of techniques to attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in a web application. By using a variety of techniques, the tester can be sure that all potential vulnerabilities have been identified.

Additionally, the features of web application penetration testing can help to ensure that the results of the test are reliable. By documenting the process used by the tester, it is possible to reproduce the results if necessary. This helps to ensure that any findings from the test are not due to chance or error.

Tools for Web Application Penetration Testing

Here are some of the tools that will aid you in pentesting your web applications-

• Astra’s Pentest: Astra’s Pentest is a tool that runs 3000+ tests to scan websites for vulnerabilities. The test report includes detailed guidance for remediation and you get in-call assistance from security experts.
• OWASP ZAP: OWASP Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) is a tool for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. It includes features for spidering, scanning, and attacking websites.
• WebScarab: WebScarab is a tool for manipulating web requests and responses. It’s possible to use it to detect security flaws in web applications.
• Tamper Data: The Tamper Data Firefox add-on allows you to view and change request and response headers. It may be used to discover security flaws in web applications.
• Burp Suite: Burp Suite is a suite of tools for performing web application penetration tests. It has several tools for detecting and exploiting security vulnerabilities on your system.
• Netsparker: Netsparker is a tool that scans websites for vulnerabilities. It has protection against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other frequent assaults.

Resources for Web Application Penetration Testing

Here are some resources that will help you get started with web application penetration testing:

• OWASP: The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a global community that develops open source security tools and provides information about security vulnerabilities. OWASP has a wealth of resources on web application security, including the “Top Ten” risks for web applications.
• SANS: The SANS Institute is a global community of security professionals that provides information and training on cybersecurity topics. SANS offers a range of resources on penetration testing, including the “Penetration Testing Execution Standard” (PTES).
• White Hat Security: Cloud-based security solutions provider, White Hat Security, is a firm. They offer a variety of services, including web application penetration testing. White Hat Security also has a blog that covers various topics related to web application security.
• WASC Threat Classification: The Web Application Security Consortium (WASC) has developed a threat classification for web applications. This can be used to identify the most common threats that your system may face.
• NIST: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a United States government agency that develops standards and guidelines for information security. NIST has a range of resources on penetration testing, including the “Penetration Testing Guide” and the “Computer Security Incident Handling Guide”. NIST 800-53 contains controls that can be used to protect web applications.
• Google Hacking: “Google hacking” is the process of using Google search to find vulnerabilities in websites. This can be a valuable way to find potential vulnerabilities in your own system.

How Do I Perform a Successful Web Application Penetration Test?

 There are many stages that must be completed in order to conduct a successful web application penetration test. These steps are:

1. Planning: The first step is to plan the test. This includes deciding who will be responsible for each component of the test and what tools and techniques will be used.
2. Reconnaissance: The next stage is to collect information about the target system. Google hacking, social engineering, and footprinting are just a few of the tools that can be used to obtain this data.
3. Scanning: After collecting the data, it may be feasible to scan the target system for open ports and services. This information can also be used to find user input fields and frequent web application vulnerabilities.
4. Exploitation: Once the vulnerabilities have been identified, they can be attacked in order to determine if they are exploitable.
5. Reporting: The last stage is to present the penetration test’s conclusions. This includes list of vulnerabilities discovered with risk scores and advice for addressing them.

The Pros and Cons of Web Application Penetration Testing

Pros of Web Application Penetration Testing

• Comprehensive security assessment: A penetration test can provide a comprehensive view of your system’s security. By identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, you can get a clear picture of the risks that your organization faces.
• Pinpoints vulnerabilities: A penetration test will identify vulnerabilities in your web application that may be exploited by attackers. This can assist you in preventing these flaws from being used and causing damage.
• Helps with compliance: Many businesses need penetration testing as part of their compliance regulations. A penetration test can help you to demonstrate that your system is secure and meets the relevant standards.

Cons of Web Application Penetration Testing

• It is considerably more time-consuming and resource-intensive to perform a web application penetration test than just a vulnerability scan. It’s critical to prepare ahead of time and make sure you have all the materials needed to complete the test successfully.
• It has to be a continuous process: A penetration testing certificate loses its relevance with time, as your web app incurs new vulnerabilities. So, it has to be a repetitive procedure.

Detailed Tips for Carrying Out a Successful Web Application Penetration Test

Here are some tips to guarantee your web application penetration testing success:

• Be familiar with the target system: It is important to be familiar with the target system before beginning the penetration test. This includes knowing what software and applications are used, as well as the network topology.
• Plan the test: As mentioned above, it is important to plan the test before beginning. This includes deciding who will be responsible for each component of the test and what tools and techniques will be used.
• Gather information: The next step is to obtain information on the target system. This can be done using a variety of methods, including Google hacking, social engineering, and footprinting.
• Scan the target system: After gathering the data, it may be used to check for open ports and services on the target system. This information can also be used to spot user input fields and frequent web application flaws.
• Attack vulnerabilities: Once vulnerabilities have been identified, they are attacked in order to determine if they are exploitable.
• The results of the penetration test are summarized in the final stage. Any vulnerabilities that were discovered are recorded, as well as any recommendations for addressing them.

Follow these instructions to make sure your web application penetration test is a success. Before getting started, keep in mind to be organized and prepared. Finally, be sure to report the findings of the test accurately and concisely so that they can be acted on promptly.

Conclusion

When it comes to assessing and securing your web applications, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every organization faces different risks and needs to make its own decisions about the best way to protect its systems. However, penetration testing can be an important tool in your security arsenal, and it is worth considering whether this type of test is right for you.

By understanding the features and importance of web application penetration testing, as well as following some tips for success, you can ensure that your test is successful. By knowing the pros and cons of web application penetration testing, as well as the resources available, you can make an informed decision.

About the Author

Ankit Pahuja is the Marketing Lead & Evangelist at Astra Security. Ever since his adulthood (literally, he was 20 years old), he began finding vulnerabilities in websites & network infrastructures. Starting his professional career as a software engineer at one of the unicorns enables him in bringing “engineering in marketing” to reality. Working actively in the cybersecurity space for more than 2 years makes him the perfect T-shaped marketing professional. Ankit is an avid speaker in the security space and has delivered various talks in top companies, early-age startups, and online events.