In order to understand what web application penetration testing is and why it is relevant, we first need to understand the basics of information security. Information security (infosec) is the process of ensuring that your data is secure from unwanted access, use, or disclosure. There are numerous forms of information security, but penetration testing is among the most essential.
Hacking is unauthorized access to a computer system or network in order to discover security flaws. It’s also known as “penetration testing” and “pen testing.” A web application penetration test goes one step further and specifically tests websites and web applications for vulnerabilities. In this post, we will discuss the different methodologies used in web application penetration testing and who should be using them.
Why Is Web Application Penetration Testing Relevant?
Web application penetration testing is relevant because it can help find vulnerabilities before an attacker does. A vulnerability is a weakness in software or hardware that allows someone with access to exploit it and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or data. By finding these vulnerabilities before they are exploited, you can fix them so they never get used against your organization.
Who Needs Web Application Penetration Testing?
Everyone! No matter who you are and what industry you work in, web applications and websites play important roles both inside and outside of the office. Even if you personally don’t use many web apps at work, your employees probably do every day without even realizing it (emailing coworkers on Gmail or logging into Salesforce). If any one of those sites has a vulnerability, then it could be exploited by someone who wants to steal confidential information from your company.
What Are the Different Web Application Penetration Testing Methodologies?
There are three main web application penetration testing methodologies: OWASP Top Ten, NIST SP 800-53, and Open SAMM. Each of these methodologies is used in different ways to test vulnerabilities on websites or web applications (such as Gmail). The one that you use will depend on what type of organization you work for and how much risk they’re willing to take with their data security needs but all three can be useful when evaluating your company’s needs.
OWASP Top Ten
This approach, created by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), is meant to identify the most prevalent web application vulnerabilities. It’s a good place to start for firms that have little or no experience with penetration testing. Advantages of OWASP top ten include-
- Covers the most common vulnerabilities
- Easy to use
- Focuses on security awareness
- Free to download and use
- The most common web application security standard
While the disadvantages are-
- It only covers the top ten vulnerabilities, so it may not be comprehensive enough for your organization’s needs.
- There is no official process to follow when using this methodology; you’ll have to create your own testing plan based on its recommendations.
NIST SP 800-53
The Risk Management Framework (RMF) is a federal program that establishes specific minimum data-loss requirements for the implementation of risk management processes in all key information systems. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed the Risk Management Framework as part of its Risk Management Framework (RMF). It is more comprehensive than OWASP Top Ten and covers a wider range of vulnerabilities, but can be more complicated to use. The advantage of NIST is-
- Includes both security testing and vulnerability management processes, making it a good choice for organizations that want to improve their overall data security.
While the disadvantages of NIST SP 800-53 are-
- It may not be comprehensive enough for your organization’s needs; you’ll have to create your own testing plan based on its recommendations.
- There is no official process to follow when using this methodology; you’ll have to create your own testing plan based on its recommendations.
Open SAMM
This methodology was created by the Software Assurance Marketplace (SAMM) and is designed for organizations that want to improve their software development processes. Open SAMM includes both security testing and vulnerability management processes, making it a good choice for organizations that want to improve their overall data security. The Advantages Of Open SAMM are-
- It’s an open-source initiative, which makes it free to use.
- The Framework outlines best practices for secure software development, making it a good choice for organizations that want to improve their overall data security.
The Disadvantages Of Open SAMM include-
- The Framework is only a guide; you’ll still need to create your own testing plan based on its recommendations.
- There is no official process to follow when using this methodology; you’ll have to create your own testing plan based on its recommendations.
Which Methodology Should You Use?
The methodology that you use will depend on your organization’s needs and risk tolerance. If you are just starting out with penetration testing, then OWASP Top Ten is a good place to start. The most prevalent web application security flaws are addressed by this training kit. It’s simple to understand, and it includes everything you need to assess the vulnerability of your website.
If you want a more thorough method, NIST SP 800-53 is an option. It includes both security testing and vulnerability management processes, making it a good choice for organizations that want to improve their overall data security. Finally, if you are looking for a methodology that focuses specifically on web application security, then Open SAMM may be the best option. It includes both security testing and vulnerability management processes, making it a good choice for organizations that want to improve their overall data security.
Features Of Web Application Penetration Testing
- Vulnerability scanning – A vulnerability scanner is a tool that scans your network and/or websites for vulnerabilities. It can scan for things like open ports, unpatched software, and weak passwords. A vulnerability scanning tool is a program that checks for potential security flaws. It can be used to discover potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
- Network mapping- The objective of network mapping is to create a map of your current network. This includes information on devices, servers, and applications. By understanding how your network works, you can identify potential areas where attackers could gain access to sensitive data.
- Threat modeling- Threat modeling is a method for security teams to find vulnerabilities in their technology. It involves analyzing data from multiple sources and determining what types of attacks could be successful against them based on those findings. The goal is to find the most likely attack vectors before they happen so that you can prepare defenses accordingly.
- Source code review- A source code review is an evaluation of software’s quality assurance (QA) practices, which includes examining all parts of an application for defects or errors. Bugs are identified during development, fixed before deployment, and then verified after release into production environments.
Conclusion
Penetration testing is an important part of data security, and there are a number of different methodologies that you can use to conduct your tests. Your selection of strategy will be determined by your organization’s needs and risk tolerance. If you are just starting out with penetration testing, then OWASP Top Ten, NIST SP 800-53, or Open SAMM are excellent options to follow through while making a good choice for your organization with regards to its holistic data.