Before an application is attacked by an attacker, it should have been tested by its own developer.
In today's digital age, almost all services run on web applications, from academic systems to e-commerce to banking services. However, the more complex a web application, the greater the potential for security vulnerabilities, This is where Web Application Security Testing comes in.
What is Web Application Security Testing?
According to the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG), Web Application Security Testing
A systematic process for evaluating the security of web applications by identifying exploitable vulnerabilities.
This is the testing process to find security vulnerabilities before attackers find them. Security testing involves more than just running tools like:
- OWASP ZAP
- Burp Suite
- Nikto
- Gobuster
But also includes:
- Business logic analysis
- Authentication testing
- Session management evaluation
- Access control testing
Security testing can be performed:
- During development (Secure SDLC)
- Before deployment
- Periodically as a security audit
What is a Vulnerability?
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system that can be exploited by an attacker. Examples:
- Input not validated → SQL Injection
- No CSRF protection
- Passwords stored in plaintext
- Server misconfiguration
Essentially:
A vulnerability is a gap.
Without a vulnerability, an attack cannot occur.
What is a Threat?
Many people misunderstand the difference between vulnerability and threat. A threat is a potential danger that can exploit a vulnerability. Examples:
- Hacker
- Malware
- Insider threat
- Bot automated attack
The difference is simple:
What is a Test?
In the context of OWASP:
A test is a structured procedure to verify whether a vulnerability exists.
Tests are performed using:
- Manual techniques (manual testing)
- Automated scanning
- A combination of both
Example tests:
- Sending an XSS payload to see if input is validated
- Brute-force login testing
- Accessing an endpoint without authentication
A good test is:
- Repeatable
- Structured
- Methodologically based
What is the OWASP Testing Methodology?
OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG)
This methodology is designed to ensure that the security testing process is:
- Systematic
- Structured
- Not just random scanning
- Accountable
OWASP Testing Goals:
1.Identify vulnerabilities 2.Reduce security risks 3.Provide technical guidance for testers 4.Become an industry standard
OWASP Testing Guide Structure
OWASP WSTG testing to several: 1.Information Gathering 2.Configuration and Deployment Management Testing| 3.Identity Management Testing 4.Authentication Testing 5.Authorization Testing 6.Session Management Testing 7.Input Validation Testing 8.Error Handling 9.Cryptography Testing 10.Business Logic Testing 11.Client-Side Testing
Testing isn't just about SQL injection or XSS. Testing encompasses all aspects of application security.
Conclusion
Web Application Security Testing is a crucial process for maintaining the security of web applications through a systematic and methodological approach. It's important to understand that:
- A vulnerability is a gap
- A threat is a threat
- A test is a verification method
- The OWASP Testing Guide is a testing standard
Security is not an optional feature Security is part of system quality.