WEB PENETRATION TESTING
Whether it is a SaaS product or a retail website launch, application security is an unmissable part. Let Cyphere assess your assets for security vulnerabilities with a Web Application Penetration Test.
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What is Web Application Penetration Testing?
An application pen test aims to identify security vulnerabilities resulting from insecure coding practices or underlying platform weaknesses of software or a website.
Website security testing is named differently, often based on the name of applications, platforms or popular software in use. Web application security assessments are beneficial security measures along with web application firewall (WAF) usage and these do not negate each other. There is history of WAF bypasses in the past and it is then an application code should come up to the task. Ensuring secure coding practices is the comprehensive way to secure an application.
Cyphere services can be commission to assess in-house developed applications, off-the-shelf or cloud service provider applications. For example:
- WordPress penetration testing, or similar CMS (Content Management System) application penetration test
- OWASP Penetration testing
- A retail website such as Magento Pen Testing
- More complex platforms such as Banking login product security, Gambling platforms web security, or eCommerce security

What type of Penetration Testing does your business need?

The following questions are helpful in deciding why and what type of web application penetration testing service a business requires.
- Could your website compromise lead to data breach?
- Could your platform or application be exploited to access underlying network?
- Are your development teams aware of API security risks?
- How is your CMS or off-the-shelf CMS security?
- Whether any processing or storing of payment details is performed securely?
- Is your application holding static content only, with a shared database instance?
- Whether any PII (Personally Identifiable Information) is stored in the shared database instance at the backend.
Most importantly, irrespective of your product, platform or network provider, Have you independently validated your security controls?
Benefits of Application Pen Testing
- Assess real-world threats to web applications
- Validate secure design best practices
- Timely check to avoid common pitfalls during development
- Ensure strong authentication, authorisation, encryption mechanisms
- Find loopholes to avoid data leakage or theft
- PCI DSS, ISO 27001, Compliance Support
A trusted partner, not a 'report and run' consultancy
Types of Application Security Assessments
Web Application Penetration Testing
A secure web application forms the basis of any business trading on the Internet. Without security in mind, applications are a treat for online fraudsters to target genuine unsuspecting users.
Secure Code Review
Secure Code review is the process of manually reviewing the source code that would highlight issues missed during a black box pentest. This review helps to detect the inconsistencies overlooked during all other security assessments.
API Security Assessment
APIs are the backbone of architecture backing the digitally connected world. Cyber assurance for public and private API web services used by Mobile, Web Applications and Thick clients.
Thick Client Applications
Thick or compiled applications are popular in an enterprise for their internal operations. Legacy thick client applications could have inherent problems waiting to be discovered or rather exploited
Threat Modelling
Threat modelling service deals with helping customers to identify, communicate, and understand threats and mitigations within the context of protecting most valuable data.
Database Security Review
Data breaches are directly related to extracting data from databases. Validation of security controls around data storage helps organisations protect the stored data. This includes both cloud and traditional database storage systems.
Web Application Vulnerabilities
Lack of Secure Hardening
Input Validation/ Injection Flaws
Business Logic Flaws
Access Controls
Encryption Flaws
Authentication Vulnerabilities
Password Policies & Storage
Session Management
Want to get in touch with our application security expert ?
Frequently Asked Questions about Web App Penetration Testing
What is a web application penetration test?
What are the different types of web application security assessments?
Based on the functionality and requirements, web application security testing offerings include an application pen test, API security testing, source code review, database security to a multi-tiered assessment involving entire tech stack.
Do you perform OWASP, SANS or CIS benchmarks?
Our testing methodology involves checks included in OWASP Top 10, OWASP API Security Top 10, SANS Top 20 Critical Controls and CIS, NIST 800-115. Any specific requirements should be discussed during scoping exercise to reflect this in the deliverables. See our pen test blog post for detailed information.
Which web application security testing tools are used?
Are we allowed to continue development during testing?
In order to maximise the investments in independent testing, one should wait till the assessment is over. This offers comprehensive view of the attack surface as well as coverage and depth of issues identified. Any development activities that must continue should be discussed with our team to mutually agree on minimising impact on pen test. Similar approach is considered when using Web Application Firewall (WAF) to cover unauthenticated and authenticated vulnerability detection scenarios.
Is web application pen testing service disruptive to our environment?
What happens after the web app pen test?
Do you perform pen test remediation?
Web Application Penetration Testing Methodology
Customer Business Insight
Threat Profiling & Recon
Threat profiling involves evaluating threats affecting the application. The types of attacks and likelihood of these threats materializing will serve as a basis for risk ratings / priorities assigned to the vulnerabilities during the assessment. Reconnaissance involves identifying tech stack of the application or company using various passive information gathering techniques (OSINT).
Web Server Analysis
OWASP Penetration Testing
Our assessments cover the industry recognised Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10 application security risks and other issues based on the functionality in use.
- Injection
- Broken authentication
- Sensitive data exposure
- XML External Entities (XXE)
- Broken access control
- Security misconfiguration
- Cross-site scripting
- Insecure deserialization
- Using components with known vulnerabilities
- Insufficient logging and monitoring
Data Analysis & Reporting
Debrief & Support
Recent Blog Entries
3 Principles of Information Security (Threats & Policies)
Read about 3 principles of information security and difference between information and cyber security. Further details include basics around security policies and their importance.
Top 7 API Security Risks (including prevention tips)
With APIs meteoric rise, most of our important data is consumed by API endpoints. It is important to ensure security is not an after thought. Read about top API security risks, attack examples and prevention measures.
Brexit and Data Protection | UK GDPR Law
Explaining the differences between DPA vs GDPR, for those wondering the differences between DPA and the newest GDPR legislation.
Top 6 Healthcare Cyber Security Threats and Best Practices (2021)
Healthcare troubles have worsened in 2020, facing two-pronged attack – Pandemic and Cyber Threats. Read our article detailing cyber security threats and best practices to follow in the healthcare sector in 2021. Discover more.
Facts About Computer Viruses & Malware (including 6 Virus Myths)
Read about interesting fun facts about computer viruses, their history and types. A fun read to beat your post lunch blues.
eCommerce Security : Cyber Threats & Best Practices (2021)
eCommerce platforms such as BigCommerce, Magento, Shopify are an attractive target for attackers. Learn what are the cyber threats facing eCommerce sector and best security practices to secure these businesses.
OWASP API Security Top 10 (With examples & fixes)
OWASP API Security Top 10 are the go to standard for API security. This article presents attacks, examples and how to prevent API security attacks. Discover more on thecyphere.com.
OWASP Top 10 Application Security Risks (With Examples & Recommendations)
OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks are the go to benchmark against web application attacks. This article presents attacks, examples and how to prevent these web application attacks. Discover more on thecyphere.com.
Top 7 Office 365 Security Best Practices (includes Actionable Tips)
Office 365 security best practices with actionable tips to improve your organisations’ security posture. We highly believe that with products, it’s more important to get the best out of product features first before investing into high end consultancies or shopping new products. We hope this article offers a useful advice for your organisation.
Red Team vs Penetration Testing – Which one is the right choice for your business?
With cyber threats increasing at exponential rate, defensive techniques must evolve at the same rate. Red Team vs Penetration Testing – Which one is the right choice for your business? Both have pros and cons, but what’s best for your environment. Whether you should do it, when not to do it, benefits, costs and vendor selections.