Web Application Penetration Testing is the procedure which uses penetration testing methods on a web app to find vulnerabilities. The process uses either manual or automated tests to spot any vulnerability, security issues, or threats to web applications. Using any of the known malicious attacks, the tester mimics attacks from the attacker’s point of view — such as using SQL injection testing.

The main result identifies security weaknesses across the entire app and components, including source code and back-end network. The testing assists in prioritizing known vulnerabilities and threats, as well as searches for a way to mitigate gaps in security.

White Hat

Penetration tests, also called ‘pen tests’ are often known as ‘white hat attacks’. The good guys are trying to break in through known vulnerabilities.

Targeted Testing

Also known as a ‘lights-turned-on’ approach, as everyone can see the test running in real time, the agency’s IT team normally performs pen testing in collaboration with the testing team.

External Testing

This sort of test focuses on a business’s externally visible server or device, including domain name servers. Email and web servers are tested, as well as firewalls. The goal of external testing is to determine if an outsider can get in and, if they gain access, how deep they can go.

Internal Testing

An authorized user with normal access privileges mimics an inside attack. This test estimates how much damage an angry and vengeful employee could create.

Blind Testing

This strategy mimics the procedures and activities of a true hacker by limiting the data provided to the individual or the team which performs the test beforehand. Often the hacker is given just the name of the company. Blind testing is not cheap, as it requires a significant amount of time.

Double Blind Testing

This takes the blind test and pushes it a step further. In this test, only one or two persons within the agency will be aware an analysis is being carried out. Double blind tests are useful for evaluating an agency’s security monitoring and indemnifying incidents. Response plans are also measured and monitored.

Penetration Testing Tools

A suspected geek is someone who thinks it would be fun for a company to hire them to hack its website and network.

A real geek knows the most powerful penetration testing tools by heart.

While businesses know they can’t make every system perfectly secure, they do want to know what kind of security problems they may have. That’s where a real geek comes in, and their skills for web penetration application testing are put to the challenge.

Netsparker

Netsparker is an automated scanner which identifies vulnerabilities. The software verifies the vulnerabilities and demonstrates that they are real and not false positives, saving hours by eliminating manual testing for verification.

Metasploit

Possibly the most popular Framework used for pen testing, it is based on the idea of ‘exploit’ which is a code which surpasses the security measures and enters the targeted system. When it enters, a ‘payload’ is run, which performs the specific operations required.

Wireshark

Basically an analyzer, Wireshark is popular for revealing the smallest details about network protocols, pack information, and decryption method.

The Takeaway

Remember to put on your white hat, because with great power comes great responsibility.