The penetration check is a method by which trained security experts (such as penetration testing or ethical hackers) test a code to detect its security vulnerabilities. The purpose of such a test is to validate the security vulnerabilities that may exist in the code so that hacking community does not exploit it (or benefit from it).
The software being tested is a Web application saved on a remote server that clients may access over the Internet in case of web application penetration testing. Clearly web applications for hackers are easy targets, so designers of those web applications must periodically conduct penetration tests to ensure their web applications remain healthy–away from various security vulnerabilities and malware attacks.
Let’s look at some things in this blog that should include every web application penetration testing list, so that the penetration testing process is really successful.
Guide of Web App Pen Reviews
Here is the web application guide for penetration testing:
- Contact Form Testing
- Proxy Server(s) Testing
- Spam Email Filter Testing
- Network Firewall Testing
- Security Vulnerability Testing
- Credential Encryption Testing
- Cookie Testing
- Testing For Open Ports
- Application Login Page Testing
- Error Message Testing
- HTTP Method(s) Testing
- Username and Password Testing
- File Scanning
- SQL Injection Testing
- XSS Testing
- Access Permission Testing
- User Session Testing
- Brute Force Attack Testing
- DoS (Denial of Service) Attack Testing
- Directory Browsing
Contact Form Testing
The most preferred entry point for spammers is often the contact form for a web application. Therefore, you should be able to identify and prevent such spam attacks using the contact form in your web application. CAPTCHA included is one of the easiest ways to prevent spamming of contact form.
Proxy Server(s) Testing
Proxy servers play a major role in monitoring and detecting malicious behaviors on the traffic of your web application. Make sure that your network proxy servers work accurately and efficiently. Tools such as Burp Proxy and OWSAP ZAP will help you achieve this.
Spam Email Filter Testing
Make sure spam email filters work properly. Verify the incoming and outgoing traffic is effectively filtered and unsolicited emails are blocked. In other words, make sure that email security policies are properly implemented. As we all know, spam mails are the most popular attack mode for hackers.
Network Firewall Testing
Make sure that your firewall does not allow undesirable traffic to enter your web application. Always, ensure proper execution of the security policies built using the firewall. A crash in your firewall means that hackers are invited to come and access your web app.
Security Vulnerability Testing
Check your web application’s different aspects such as server and other network devices thoroughly and list the security vulnerabilities they pose. Then figure out how to patch them and introduce them.
Credential Encryption Testing
Ensure that all usernames and passwords are encrypted and transmitted via protected “HTTPS” link, so that hackers do not impact the credentials of such attacks or other attacks. As your web application needs to be stable, so are your clients ‘ sensitive data.
Cookie Testing
Cookies store user session information. Therefore, when revealed to hackers, this sensitive piece of information will endanger the safety of many of the users who visit your website or web application. Make sure that your cookie data is not revealed. Or, in other words, not readable or as plain text.
Testing For Open Ports
Open ports on the web server on which your web application is hosted often give hackers a good opportunity to exploit the security of your web app. Therefore, conduct this security check and make sure your web server has no open ports.
Application Login Page Testing
Ensure that your web application is disabled after certain failed login attempts. This is one of the most basic elements that can be properly enforced to protect your web application from hackers.
Error Message Testing
Makes sure that all the error messages are standard and do not over-reveal the issue. When you do that, it’s like asking the hacking collectivity, “We have a problem here, you are welcome to take advantage of it!”For example, the message should not be specified” invalid username or password “but” invalid credentials “is nice.
HTTP Method(s) Testing
Review HTTP method used to communicate with your clients through your web application. Make sure that PUT and Delete methods are not activated as hackers will use your web application easily.
Username and Password Testing
Test all the usernames / passwords used on your web app. Passwords should be quite complicated and usernames should not easily be guessed. Separe these poor usernames and passwords and warn users about changing them.
File Scanning
Before uploading all files you upload to your web application or server.
SQL Injection Testing
SQL injection is one of the most popular methods used by hackers for the use of web applications and websites. Make sure your web application is resistant to several forms of SQL injection.
XSS Testing
Make sure you still avoid cross-site scripting or XSS attacks on your web application.
Access Permission Testing
Review your users ‘ access permissions and, if your web application offers role-based access, make sure that users only have access to those sections of the Web application they are entitled to. More or less. Nothing more or less.
User Session Testing
This is very critical. Ensure the client sessions end after signing out. Because if you do not, hackers can easily hide the legitimate session–known as session hijacking–to perform malicious activity.
Brute Force Attack Testing
Make sure your web application is safe from brute force attacks using correct testing methods.
DoS (Denial of Service) Attack Testing
Please ensure that your web application is free from attacks by using sufficient security tools against DoS (Denial of Service).
Directory Browsing
Ensure that your web application hosts directory browsing is disabled on the web server. You’ll give hackers easy access to your restricted files if you don’t.