Web Application Security Testing Checklist: Important Steps

The web is the most common target for application-level attacks. It is critical to take a strategic approach when securing your applications. The web application security testing checklist provided in this article will help you through the testing process, gather key testing elements, and help prevent oversights in application testing.

Web Application Security Testing Checklist

1. Testing of Contact Forms

Spammers’ preferred entry point is usually an online application’s contact form. As a result, the contact form in your web application should be capable of detecting and preventing such spam attacks. Incorporating CAPTCHA is one of the easiest ways to avoid contact form spam.

2. Testing of Proxy Server

Proxy servers are critical for evaluating the traffic to your web application and flagging any suspicious activity. As a result, ensure that the proxy servers inside your network are functioning correctly and efficiently. Burp Proxy and OWSAP ZAP are two tools that may assist you in doing this task.

3. Testing of Spam Email Filters

Ensuring that spam email filters are functioning properly. Verify that they are appropriately blocking spam emails and screening incoming and outgoing traffic. Alternatively, to put it another way, ensure strict adherence to email security standards because spam communications are hackers’ most often used attack vectors.

4. Firewall Testing of the Network

A firewall will help prevent undesirable traffic from entering your web application. Verify that the firewall’s security rules correctly implement. Having a flaw in your firewall is the equivalent of allowing hackers unfettered access to your web application.

5. Testing of Security Vulnerability

Make a list of the security threats presented by the various components of your web application, such as servers and other network devices, then resolve those issues.

6. Testing Credential Encryption

Both your online application and the personally identifiable information supplied by your clients need security. Encrypt and transmit all usernames and passwords using a secure “HTTPS” connection to prevent hackers from obtaining them through man-in-the-middle attacks or other similar methods.

7. Testing Cookies

Cookies are small text files that keep track of a user’s session. As a result, if hackers get this sensitive information, the security of many individuals who visit your website or use your online application may be at risk. As a result, ensure that no one else has access to the cookie information you have given.

Alternatively, it must not be in a readable format, such as plain text.

8. Testing of Error Messages

A generic error message will not provide an excessive amount of information about the problem. It would be a mistake to inform the hacker community that you have a problem and invite them to exploit it. For example, the message “Invalid Credentials” is okay, as long as it does not include the phrase “invalid username or password.”

9. Testing HTTP Methods

Examine the HTTP methods used by your web application to interact with your consumers. You must not permit PUT and DELETE actions since they expose your web application to simple hacking.

10. Testing of Password and Username

Ensure that all usernames and passwords for your online applications are functioning correctly. Without specialized expertise, usernames and passwords should be difficult to understand. Remove known vulnerable usernames and passwords from the system and inform anybody who is still using them to change them.

11. Testing For Any Open Ports

Unsecured ports on the webserver that hosts your web application provide hackers a way into your online program’s security. Conduct this security check to ensure that no ports on your web server are open.

12. Testing of an Application’s Login Page

Ensure that your online application locks itself after a certain number of unsuccessful login attempts. Ensure that your web application can lock itself. A critical component that, when built correctly, may significantly help secure your web application from hackers.

13. SQL Injection Testing

SQL injection is a popular method for hackers when it comes to hacking websites and online apps. As a result, ensure that your web application is secure against various kinds of SQL injection.

14. Testing Using XSS

Ensure that your web application is immune to XSS (cross-site scripting) attacks.

15. File Scanning

Conduct a virus check on any files that get uploaded to your web application or server before posting.

16. Conducting Denial-of-Service Attacks Testing

Use effective testing methods to protect your web application against DoS (Denial of Service) attacks.

17. Using a Directory to Locate Information

Ensure to disable directory browsing on the webserver hosting your application. That is because failing to do so allows hackers to access restricted data.

18. Testing User Session

Verify your users’ access permissions. If your web application supports role-based access, ensure that users have access to just those parts of the web application to which they are relevant.

19. Testing Access Permission

Ensure that sessions end when a user signs out. Because if they do not, hackers will easily hijack a legal session and use it to do malicious acts (a process known as session hijacking).

20. Testing Brute Force Attack

Use effective testing techniques to ensure the security of your web application against brute force attacks.