How can you securely audit web applications?

1 Identify the scope and objectives

The first step of any web application audit is to define the scope and objectives of the assessment. You should determine what aspects of the web application you want to test, such as functionality, performance, security, usability, or accessibility. You should also identify the target audience, the legal and ethical boundaries, and the expected outcomes of the audit. Having a clear scope and objectives will help you plan and execute the audit more efficiently and effectively.

2 Perform a reconnaissance

The next step is to gather as much information as possible about the web application and its environment. This includes identifying the web application's components, such as the domain name, the hosting provider, the web server, the programming language, the framework, the database, and the third-party services. You should also map out the web application's structure, such as the pages, the links, the forms, the parameters, and the cookies. You can use tools like Nmap, WHOIS, DNS lookup, web crawlers, and browser extensions to perform a reconnaissance.

3 Conduct a vulnerability scan

The third step is to scan the web application for common security vulnerabilities, such as injection attacks, cross-site scripting, broken authentication, insecure configuration, or outdated software. You should use automated tools like ZAP, Burp Suite, Nmap, or Nikto to perform a vulnerability scan. These tools can help you identify and prioritize the most critical and exploitable vulnerabilities in the web application. However, you should also verify the results manually, as automated tools can generate false positives or miss some vulnerabilities.

4 Perform a penetration test

The fourth step is to simulate real-world attacks on the web application to test its security defenses and resilience. You should use manual techniques and tools like Metasploit, SQLmap, or BeEF to perform a penetration test. You should also follow a structured methodology, such as the OWASP Testing Guide or the PTES, to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach. A penetration test can help you discover and exploit vulnerabilities that automated tools cannot detect, such as logic flaws, business logic errors, or privilege escalation.

5 Analyze and report the findings

The final step is to analyze and report the findings of the web application audit. You should document the vulnerabilities, the risks, the impacts, and the recommendations for each finding. You should also provide evidence, such as screenshots, logs, or code snippets, to support your findings. You should also present the findings in a clear, concise, and actionable way, using charts, graphs, or tables to illustrate the data. You should also communicate the findings to the relevant stakeholders, such as the developers, the managers, or the clients.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?