Web application security testing is the process of testing, analyzing and reporting on the security level and/or posture of a Web application.
It is used by Web developers and security administrators to test and gauge the security strength of a Web application using manual and automated security testing techniques. The key objective behind Web application security testing is to identify any vulnerabilities or threats that can jeopardize the security or integrity of the Web application.
Types of Web Application Security Testing
•Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): A DAST approach involves looking for vulnerabilities in a web app that an attacker could try to exploit. This testing method works to find which vulnerabilities an attacker could target and how they could break into the system from the outside. Dynamic application security testing tools don’t require access to the application's original source code, so testing with DAST can be done quickly and frequently.
•Static Application Security Testing (SAST): SAST has a more inside-out approach, meaning that unlike DAST, it looks for vulnerabilities in the web application's source code. Since it requires access to the application's source code, SAST can offer a snapshot in real time of the web application's security.
•Application Penetration Testing: Application penetration testing involves the human element. A security professional will try to imitate how an attacker might break into a web app using both their personal security know-how and a variety of penetration testing tools to find exploitable flaws.
Some of the processes within the testing process include:
•Brute force attack testing
•Password quality rules
•Session cookies
•User authorization processes
•SQL injection
3 Tips for Web Application Security Testing
•If a system is business-critical, it should be tested often.
•The earlier security is tested in software's design lifecycle, the better.
•Keep development teams on track by prioritizing remediation and bug fixes.
Types of Web Application Security Testing
•Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): A DAST approach involves looking for vulnerabilities in a web app that an attacker could try to exploit. This testing method works to find which vulnerabilities an attacker could target and how they could break into the system from the outside. Dynamic application security testing tools don’t require access to the application's original source code, so testing with DAST can be done quickly and frequently.
•Static Application Security Testing (SAST): SAST has a more inside-out approach, meaning that unlike DAST, it looks for vulnerabilities in the web application's source code. Since it requires access to the application's source code, SAST can offer a snapshot in real time of the web application's security.
•Application Penetration Testing: Application penetration testing involves the human element. A security professional will try to imitate how an attacker might break into a web app using both their personal security know-how and a variety of penetration testing tools to find exploitable flaws.
Some of the processes within the testing process include:
•Brute force attack testing
•Password quality rules
•Session cookies
•User authorization processes
•SQL injection
3 Tips for Web Application Security Testing
•If a system is business-critical, it should be tested often.
•The earlier security is tested in software's design lifecycle, the better.
•Keep development teams on track by prioritizing remediation and bug fixes.
