What is Web Application Security testing and how does it work?

 The application's vulnerabilities are detected through the strategic implementation of web application security testing. Web application security testing is a considerably big testing process that requires an efficient team that understands the in and out of web application security testing and can implement it cohesively and pragmatically. 

In this article, you will get to know about web application security testing and the specific steps required to make it work.

What is Web application security testing?

It is a specific testing process wherein the posture of a web application is analyzed, tested and reported on a security level. The security aspects of a web application are tested and scrutinized by security administrators and web developers using manual and automated security testing methods. Vulnerabilities and security-related threats are identified.

Following are the five steps that describes the working of web application security testing:

1. Identify the testing needs: The scope of the security assessment needs to be analyzed. There may be internal requirements or client/business-based requirements. There must be a clear idea about the code, network systems and applications that need to be tested.

2. The specific tools needs to be selected: Web vulnerability scanner is generally used in web application security testing. Acunetix Web vulnerability scanner or Netsparker can be used. HTTP proxy such as Burp Suite can be used for authenticated testing, wherein application workflows, session management, user logins etc., can be manipulated.

3. Vulnerability scanning: Rather than developing a checklist for every test, every vulnerability needs to be run for web application security testing. The scanners should be able to test aspects such as file inclusion, SQL injection etc. Owasp Top 10 can be used to run the scanner or a similar kind of policy can be used. A custom policy can also be created based on specific requirements and the application platform.

4. Validating scanner: Web vulnerability scanner findings needs to be validated to know what's exploitable and what matters in the context of your business and application. Following are a few additional areas that need to be included:

· The session manipulations and login mechanism that involves tokens, cookies and passwords

· Flaws and functionality that are web browser or user-specific

· Application logic weaknesses that allow for manual manipulation of specific input fields and business workflow

· Password policy exploitation including intruder lockout capabilities and complexity enforcement.

5. Findings need to be documented accordingly: The findings need to be codified into a formal security assessment report. This demonstrates due care and creates a paper trail. It is also helpful for other stakeholders such as the executive management, DevSecOps staff and development teams.

Objectives of Web Application Security Testing:

To achieve the objectives of web application security testing, potential threats need to be audited by specialists based on the specifics of the software. Based on the rule of continuity, facility of access and confidentiality, web application security testing assists guarantee the safeness of user communications, accession, accounts and information.

The potential weak points of the system elements within web application security testing needs to be assessed accordingly. The actual reaction of the product's defense mechanisms needs to be checked by the team of QA engineers.

The Following are the goals of web application security testing:

· The risk of distortion, theft and data loss is minimized

· Resistance is increased toward DoS attacks

· Confidential information needs to be protected from unauthorized users

· Online transactions need to be secured.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing web application security testing for your specific software development project, then do get connected with a devoted software testing services company that will provide you with a tactical testing roadmap that is precisely in line with your project specific requirements.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.