Web Application Penetration Testing
Web Application Penetration Testing: Ensuring Secure Applications
White Knight Labs is a leader in web application penetration testing, specializing in identifying vulnerabilities across a wide range of programming languages and environments. From web applications that handle HIPAA data to crypto trading platforms, our security experts have helped secure sensitive data in every sector.
Our engineers bring extensive experience from offensive cyber teams at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. We have tested hundreds of web applications across America’s critical infrastructure, providing unparalleled insights and solutions to safeguard your systems.
Our Methodology
At White Knight Labs, we follow a structured, repeatable methodology for web application penetration testing. This ensures that our findings are reliable, reproducible, and of the highest quality. Our approach not only identifies vulnerabilities but also aligns with industry standards like the OWASP Top 10 and SANS CWE Top 25 to provide a comprehensive assessment. Additionally, we require each engineer to follow a custom playbook to address vulnerabilities not covered by these frameworks, ensuring a thorough examination of the application. Here’s how we approach web application testing:
Web Application Scope
Effective communication with the client is key to defining the scope of the web application assessment. During this phase, we:
- Identify which web applications, APIs, and components are in scope for testing.
- Discuss any exclusions, such as specific modules or services that should not be tested.
- Confirm the official testing window, including time zones and application availability.
Information Gathering and Reconnaissance
White Knight Labs begins by collecting as much information as possible about the web application and its underlying infrastructure. This phase includes:
- Mapping the application architecture and identifying exposed endpoints.
- Leveraging OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools to gather information about the application, such as known vulnerabilities, public code repositories, and credential leaks.
- Understanding the technology stack, including the web server, database, frameworks, and third-party components in use.
- Identifying the primary business logic and key functionalities of the application.
Threat Modeling and Risk Assessment
Once the information is gathered, we proceed with threat modeling to identify potential risks. This phase includes:
- Analyzing the application’s attack surface, including entry points and sensitive data flows.
- Prioritizing potential threats based on impact and likelihood.
- Mapping threats to the OWASP Top 10 and SANS CWE Top 25 to ensure coverage of common vulnerabilities such as:
- Injection flaws (OWASP A01:2021, CWE-79, CWE-89)
- Broken authentication (OWASP A02:2021, CWE-287)
- Sensitive data exposure (OWASP A03:2021, CWE-200)
- Security misconfiguration (OWASP A05:2021, CWE-16)
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) (OWASP A07:2021, CWE-79)
- Using components with known vulnerabilities (OWASP A06:2021, CWE-1104)
Vulnerability Scanning and Enumeration
In this phase, we utilize a combination of automated and manual techniques to identify vulnerabilities within the web application. This includes:
- Running automated scanners to detect common vulnerabilities, including those listed in OWASP Top 10 and SANS CWE Top 25.
- Manual enumeration of web application directories, APIs, and parameters to uncover hidden or unexposed functionality.
- Examining authentication mechanisms, session management, and access controls for weaknesses.
- Checking for insecure configurations in the application server, database, and third-party services.
Exploitation and Penetration Testing
After identifying potential vulnerabilities, White Knight Labs carefully attempts to exploit these weaknesses to determine their severity and impact. This phase includes:
- Exploiting identified vulnerabilities in a controlled manner to verify their existence and assess their potential impact.
- Conducting business logic testing to identify flaws in application workflows that could be exploited by attackers.
- Chaining vulnerabilities together to demonstrate complex attack scenarios that might not be obvious when considering individual vulnerabilities.
- Testing for advanced threats such as SSRF, IDOR, and XXE based on the application’s functionality.
- Following a Custom Playbook: Each engineer uses a custom playbook tailored to the specific web application being tested. This playbook includes checks for vulnerabilities not covered by OWASP Top 10 and SANS CWE Top 25, ensuring comprehensive coverage of potential threats.
Reporting and Documentation
Clear and thorough reporting is crucial to the success of our web application assessments. Each report is tailored to the specific scope and risk profile of the organization and includes:
- An executive summary that outlines the overall security posture of the application.
- Detailed descriptions of each vulnerability, including proof of concept, severity, and risk ratings.
- Remediation recommendations that provide actionable guidance for developers and IT staff.
- A summary of the impact of each vulnerability on the application and business operations.
Remediation Testing and Follow-up
As part of our commitment to quality, White Knight Labs offers remediation testing services to verify that vulnerabilities have been properly addressed. This phase includes:
- Re-testing the application after remediation to ensure that fixes have been implemented correctly.
- Identifying any new vulnerabilities that may have been introduced during the remediation process.
- Updating the final report to reflect the current state of the application’s security posture.
Hunting Vulnerabilities in Web Applications and APIs
Web applications are increasingly integral to everyday life, handling sensitive data such as health records, financial information, and location data. As these applications become more interconnected through APIs, the potential attack surface grows exponentially. Security researchers discover new methods of exploiting these systems daily.
By partnering with White Knight Labs, you gain access to a knowledgeable team of web application penetration testers who will identify critical vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches. Our goal is to provide you with the foresight needed to fortify your web applications, ensuring that your most sensitive assets remain secure and your business stays out of the headlines.
Manual vs. Automated Application Testing
While automated scanners are useful for identifying common vulnerabilities, they often miss more subtle security flaws. Our experienced assessors understand the context of your application and can identify logical flaws and other vulnerabilities that automated tools may overlook.
At White Knight Labs, we use vulnerability scanners during the preliminary phases of our security tests, but our real value lies in manual testing. With a deeper understanding of your application’s context, we provide assessments that are tailored to your specific user base and security needs.
Why Choose White Knight Labs?
Expertise across Industries
From healthcare to finance, our engineers have secured data in every sector.
Customized Approach
We use custom playbooks and industry-standard frameworks to ensure comprehensive coverage of all potential vulnerabilities.
Proven Experience
Our team has extensive experience working on critical infrastructure for CISA, bringing that same level of expertise to your organization.
Call to Action
Download Sample Pentest Report
Review a sample Web App Penetration Test Report based on a theoretical engagement to understand our approach and the depth of our assessments.
Download Service Brief
Check out our comprehensive guide to our offensive cyber security services.
Contact Us
Get in touch to initiate a web app penetration test to enhance your security posture.
Sleep Better at Night
RISK REDUCTION
At White Knight Labs, our risk reduction strategy melds unparalleled technical acumen with a client-focused approach to deliver targeted, cost-effective, and accessible solutions that fortify your organization against the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.
BUSINESS INTEGRITY
At White Knight Labs, we leverage our cybersecurity expertise to safeguard your business integrity, ensuring you operate securely, confidently, and build trust in an interconnected digital world.
DATA PROTECTION
At White Knight Labs, we deploy cutting-edge cybersecurity measures and personalized strategies to offer unwavering data protection, reinforcing our commitment to preserving your company’s invaluable digital assets.
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