Security Testing Of Web Applications
In recent years, security of web applications has become an indispensable part due to an upsurge in violation of end user confidentiality
. Web applications contain sensitive data, such as user information, financial records, etc., which is why security testing services of web applications is essential.
Security testing is a method that ensures sensitive data is not displayed to every individual and only authorized personnel can view the information and perform necessary actions. Security testing is done to check information leakage by either encoding the applications or using a wide range of hardware, software, firewall, etc.
A tester should test the web application for the following:
1. Vulnerability is an important term used widely in security testing of web applications; it provides the potential for an unlicensed party to gain access to critical and valuable information, use resources in an improper manner, and disturb businesses, causing a lot of damage to the secure data of companies. The main reason for these weaknesses in the application could be due to bugs and/or viruses.
For example: if an email with bad codes (auto executed program) is opened, the program gets executed and attacks the user application.
2. URL manipulation is another term used in security testing; valuable information is shared between the client (browser) and server in the URL. Any change in data in the URL may sometimes lead to unexpected behavior by the server.
For example: by using certain slices of URL, hackers can gain rights to access the web server.
3. SQL injection is a technique where a false code is entered into strings that are passed to SQL Server for investigating and execution. Any procedure that makes SQL statements should be studied for injection vulnerabilities because an expert and unwavering hacker can influence parameterized data, too. More often than not, these vulnerabilities ensue when one programming language is embedded into another. SQL injection is one of the most widely used application layer attack techniques today. False code is injected into strings meant for storage in a table. When these strings are sequentially combined into a SQL command, the bad code gets executed.
4. XSS is also referred as Cross-Site Scripting. In cross site scripting, bad scripts are inserted into the secured websites. Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks occur mainly when an attacker sends a bad code by using web applications or when a user inserts HTML code, which is visible to other users, in the user boundary of a web application.
For example: An attacker uses XSS to send a malicious script to an unsuspecting user. These bad scripts, on execution, can access cookies, session tokens, and other crucial information of the end users account.
Here are some of the solutions to the above defined problems during security testing of web application:
Before beginning the web application testing, it is crucial for the tester to know how client browser and server communicate via HTTP. Therefore, basic knowledge of SQL and XSS is a must for the testers. Following are few approaches that are followed in security testing:
1.The first and basic approach of security testing services in web application is the password cracking. Two techniques can be adopted: The first technique is the social hacking where hackers commonly use the social question for cracking passwords; the other method is the direct attack hacking by using various algorithms. At present, in most of the web applications, CAPTCHA is used for security purpose. Mostly, after the third attempt to provide the correct password, the application shows the mandatory CAPTCHA screen.
2.Second and most important approach for security testing of web applications is URL manipulation by using HTTP GET methods. In this approach, an application passes the important information in the form of query string. This occurs when the application uses HTTP GET methods to transfer the information between the client machine and web server. This information is passed in the form of parameters and testers need to check changed parameter values in the query string that are accepted by server.
In todays world of rapidly expanding technology, quality assurance department plays a vital role in order to ensure that the final product is free from security threats. By using the right tools and promptly testing the web application, many last minute issues can be avoided. This gives a guarantee of releasing highly secure and robust applications.
When hackers enter web applications, their main target is to access the secure back-end data of users and the company. The main aim of security testing is to find out vulnerabilities in the application so that they can be easily fixed by the developer in early stages. This will ensure the safety of web applications and data from unapproved activities.
by: Knowledge Sharing Team
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