Web Application Penetration Testing

The Importance of Web Application Penetration Testing

Web penetration testing specifically targets applications with browser-based clients. This encompasses the vast majority of applications used in today’s businesses. Because of the wide use of web-based applications, web penetration testing occupies a central location in any modern Cyber Security implementation. Web applications can give hackers access to personally identifiable information, financial information, credentials, and databases, as well as unwanted access to sensitive systems and assets. Because of this, the threat of an attack against a web-based client is particularly interesting for attackers.

Unlike physical systems and assets, web-based applications have an increased level of exposure to outside attacks. Due to this, it is important to regularly assess a Cyber Security implementation to determine if vulnerabilities are exploitable. Web penetration testing can also be used as a means to test the effectiveness of existing Cyber Security mechanisms in place. How an organization deals with a successful penetration can highlight operational and organizational deficiencies that can be corrected before a real attack takes place.

What will I achieve by performing Web Application Testing?

Security is not something you can ignore. We are in a digital age, and protecting your systems from attack is mission-critical. Performing an assessment by our team will tell you what you need to know to minimize business risk such as:

• Determine the possibility of specific attack vectors.
• Identify a combination of high and low-risk vulnerabilities exploited in a specific sequence.
• Uncover vulnerabilities that cannot be detected easily by automated vulnerability scanning software.
• Measure the potential impact of real attacks on your business operations.
• Check Security Policies, they need to be in place for the identification and escalation of possible threats.
• Assess the ability of automated & manual network vector attacks to detect and respond to such attacks on your systems.
• Ensure that all data security compliance protocols are being met, especially if you have a Payment System integrated.

Is a Web Application Penetration test right for you?

Web Application Penetration testing is a simulated ‘attack’ on your website to reveal any security weak spots or loopholes in your web applications. Penetration testing is the only way to find out what an actual hacker could access your systems. It lets you find and fix any vulnerabilities so you can perform the remediations and protect your assets.

These are some of the questions you should ask if you own a website presence:

• Could your application be exploited to access your network?
• Do you use a CMS (Content Management System)? Is it vulnerable to attack?
• Could your identity credentials be hacked, or account privileges escalated?
• Is your API secure?
• Do you process or store payment details on your website?
• Does your application store personally identifiable information at the back end?
• Can an attacker get direct access to your database using SQL injection or XSS Injection?

A Web Application Penetration Test is a comprehensive security assessment that focuses specifically on a website or web-based application. The objective of this test is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the system that could be exploited by cybercriminals. This is achieved by simulating an attacker’s perspective and using specialized tools to test the application’s various components, including its authentication process, data storage, and user input. The outcome of a Web Application Penetration Test provides valuable insights into the security posture of the website or application and helps organizations prioritize their security efforts to protect against potential threats.