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Organizations use web application penetration testing to prevent bad actors from exploiting vulnerabilities on client-facing apps. These tests can vary in complexity due to the vast amount of different browsers, plugins, and extensions that all come into play when running a pen test on a web application.
Web app vulnerabilities can leak sensitive information that may help attackers during the information gathering stage of an attack or get backend access into a specific application.
Agile code can be used to combat these attacks, along with regular testing in sandbox environments on a web development branch. Even after testing and deployment, penetration testers can bring new exploits to light to help companies avoid an actual real attack.
Bug bounty programs are a great way to incentivize ethical hackers to test the latest exploits against different web applications.
Practice-Verified Codes and Commands
1. Nmap Scan for Web Application Enumeration
nmap -sV --script=http-enum <target_ip>
2. Nikto Web Server Scanner
nikto -h <target_url>
3. OWASP ZAP for Automated Scanning
zap-baseline.py -t <target_url>
4. SQL Injection Test with SQLmap
sqlmap -u <target_url> --risk=3 --level=5
5. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Test with XSStrike
python3 xsstrike.py -u <target_url>
6. Directory Bruteforcing with Dirb
dirb <target_url> /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt
7. SSL/TLS Vulnerability Check with SSLScan
sslscan <target_url>
8. Web Application Firewall (WAF) Detection with Wafw00f
wafw00f <target_url>
9. Brute Force Login with Hydra
hydra -l <username> -P <password_list> <target_url> http-post-form "/login:username=^USER^&password=^PASS^:F=incorrect"
10. File Inclusion Vulnerability Test with LFI Suite
lfi-exploiter.py -u <target_url> -f /etc/passwd
What Undercode Say
Penetration testing on web applications is a critical aspect of modern cybersecurity. By identifying vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of data breaches and other cyberattacks. Tools like Nmap, Nikto, and OWASP ZAP are indispensable for security professionals, providing comprehensive scanning and enumeration capabilities. SQLmap and XSStrike are particularly useful for identifying and exploiting common web vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
Regularly updating and patching web applications is essential, but so is continuous testing. Bug bounty programs offer a proactive approach by incentivizing ethical hackers to find and report vulnerabilities. This collaborative effort helps maintain a robust security posture.
In addition to the tools mentioned, Linux commands like grep, awk, and `sed` can be used to parse and analyze logs for suspicious activity. Windows users can leverage PowerShell scripts to automate security tasks, such as checking for open ports or monitoring network traffic.
For those interested in further reading, the OWASP Foundation provides extensive resources on web application security, including the OWASP Top Ten Project, which outlines the most critical web application security risks.
By integrating these practices and tools into your cybersecurity strategy, you can better protect your web applications from potential threats. Remember, the goal of penetration testing is not just to find vulnerabilities but to understand and mitigate them effectively. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and keep your systems secure.
References:
initially reported by: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jacknunz_penetration-testing-on-web-applications-activity-7302334473352695810-8UlL – Hackers Feeds
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