Strengthening your Web Application Security with Software Testing

There has been a move towards building web applications given the rising cost of mobile applications. However, one thing has remained unchanged – of according low priority to web application security testing. The consequences are quick and dire with cybercriminals targeting such applications confidently. Companies like Monsanto, Ebay, and Target, among many others bore the brunt of security breaches. The situation is not getting under control but rather worsening with each passing day.

It appears the hackers are finding it easy to break into applications and databases at will and decamping with the stolen data. If analysed properly, part of the problem seems to lie with the enterprises themselves. Their obsession with releasing web applications quickly and get ahead of the block is leaving vulnerabilities and glitches go unchecked. In fact, software application security testing is often overlooked in favor of app management, code development, and visual design.

So, as an enterprise if your priority is to be commercial with web applications, then web application security testing needs to be the priority and not an afterthought. Let us first understand the consequences of not making dynamic application security testing an integral part of the SDLC.

·       Resident vulnerabilities can remain unchecked, which are exploited by hackers

·       Breaches occur leading to a loss of sensitive customer and business data and information

·       Enterprises may fall foul of regulatory bodies by not complying with mandatory protocols/regulations

·       Enterprises may face lawsuits from affected parties (customers and clients) and served penalties causing huge financial outgo

·       Brand name takes a hit, sometimes irretrievably

To pre-empt your organization from being at the receiving end of such attacks, you should strengthen the security of web applications or for that matter any software during development. Let us understand how by applying a robust application security testing methodology the security of web applications can be strengthened.

Strengthening web application security with software testing

The importance of testing cannot be glossed over any further and should be applied in letter and spirit. This can strengthen your application’ security mechanism and make it impervious to cyber-attacks.

·       Penetration testing to identify the loopholes: You must know how hackers can attack your web application. This will provide you with insights on the ways to strengthen security. So, conduct penetration testing wherein professional QA testers shall attack the application to identify its loopholes or vulnerabilities. However, conduct such a testing in an isolated environment. The security penetration testing can help you learn more about the following:

o   Cross-site scripting

o   Cross-site request forgery attacks

o   SQL injection attacks

o   Broken authentication

o   Insecure deserialization

·       Keep a backup: It is always a good idea to keep a backup of your data. So, post any cyber-attack scenario when you need to have your website go live once again, the backup data will come in handy. No need to describe the scenario where there is no backup and a malware attack strips everything clean leaving the organization tottering on the brink.

·       Implement DevSecOps: With DevOps implementation, enterprises aim at building a CI/CD pipeline where both Development (along with QA) and Operations work in close coordination and collaboration. This can be further strengthened with DevSecOps where ‘Sec or Security’ is made part of the whole system. Enterprises need to mandatorily follow a culture wherein security becomes everyone’s responsibility and not just of the QA team. As an application security testing strategy employees should scrupulously follow the Risk and Compliance manual and do not inadvertently divulge password or other details.

·       Encryption is a must: Any web application has several APIs connecting various modules to third-party applications. These can be the entry points for hackers to get into the application and siphon off sensitive business and customer information. So, all conduits for data transmission within and outside the application should be encrypted. The same can be verified through software application security testing.

·       Use SSL Encryption or HTTPS: Use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TSL (Transport Layer Security) protocol to encrypt information in your login pages. These can protect sensitive information such as debit/credit card numbers, login details, or social security numbers, among others from falling into the hands of hackers. In addition, many browsers flag certain websites or web applications without HTTPS as insecure thereby preventing potential users from accessing them.

Conclusion

The security testing of web applications is of prime importance, like any other software, as it will help enterprises to secure their deliverables and earn trust from the end customers. In the competitive world of business, it is trust that will keep any company in good stead vis-à-vis its equation with customers and competitors.

Why Application Security should be your top priority and what you can do about it?

Web or mobile applications are ruling our lives. From paying utility bills, playing games, and browsing on social media to booking movie and airline tickets and receiving news-feeds, applications are here to stay. According to statistics, the annual downloads of applications in the year 2020 is likely to touch 258 billion (Source: app-scoop.com). What does this imply? Our lives are going to be increasingly driven by digital applications. These bring in their wake attributes like convenience, ease of navigation, speedy delivery, and security, among others. However, the last one, ‘security’, has turned out to be a challenge of sorts with cyber threats growing incessantly.

Today, cyber threats have assumed menacing proportions with alarming consequences - for individuals, enterprises, and governments alike. These have evolved with advanced technologies and the propensity of users to remain indifferent. Cyber threats are just lurking behind the IT infrastructure waiting to exploit the built-in vulnerabilities. So, how does one remain vigilant and preempt such an eventuality? The answer lies in conducting a robust and time-bound application security testing. It ensures the timely detection of any vulnerability, breach, or risk, thereby allowing the organization to mitigate it.

It is not that only a certain size or kind of business becomes a victim of cybercrime. Everyone using the digital ecosystem is vulnerable. So, as we go about expanding our digital capabilities, we must also lay equal emphasis on strengthening the security framework. This can be done by conducting routine software application security testing in the SDLC. Further, as the Internet of Things (IoT) revolution slowly but steadily envelops the digital landscape, there is a concurrent increase in cybersecurity scare. The biggest challenge to have emerged is identifying the weak nodes among the billions of interconnected IoT devices.

Planning and running an application security testing exercise can have challenges (and vulnerabilities) such as:

l  Presence of threats like SQL injections and cross-site scripting

l  Lack of a proper strategy for application security testing

l  Not using the right dynamic application security testing tools

l  Inadequate tracking of the test progress

l  Reduced scope of testing due to the pressure of time and speed

l  Inability to build the right team and plan

l  Failure to adhere to the established security protocols

l  Absence of an application inventory. The same would have tracked expired SSL certificates, mobile APIs, and added domains, among others

How to build a robust application security testing methodology

The threat from hackers is real as enterprises have become wary of falling prey to their shenanigans. Statistically, cybercrime is expected to cost a global loss of around $6 trillion annually by 2021 (Source: Annual Cybercrime Report of Cybersecurity Ventures.) Also, hackers have been found to attack every 39 seconds or 2,244 times a day on an average as per a survey by the University of Maryland. Hence, web and mobile application security testing should be accorded the highest priority. Let us understand the process to build an effective strategy.

# Analyze the software development process: Many-a-times the processes drawn for building software can have gaps or weak links. These can bring a smile on the faces of hackers. Thus, testers should scrutinize or analyze the development cycle to identify the gaps or vulnerabilities.

# Create a threat model: Post analyzing the development process, prepare a threat model to understand the data flow through the application. This way, testers can identify the problem areas or defective locations in the process.

# Automate: The testing of applications comprises steps that are iterative in nature. These mundane tasks can tie human resources, which otherwise could have been used to execute other critical tasks. So, to improve efficiency and better identification of glitches, the testing process should be automated. By running automated test scripts, testers and developers can examine the source code to identify vulnerabilities. Thereafter, the same can be mitigated before actual deployment.

# Manual testing not to be dispensed with: Even though manual testing receives a lot of flak when it comes to the identification of errors, they can be effective as well. This is due to the fact that automated tools working on a script can miss certain errors that are not accounted for in the script. This is where manual testing can help by leveraging human expertise.

# Fixing metrics: The vulnerabilities in an application can only be ascertained when the features and functionalities are tested against a set of metrics. These help enterprises to focus on specific areas and improve risk management.

Conclusion

Cyber threats have emerged as key concerns for enterprises or organizations. They can have damaging consequences when it comes to factors like trust and customer experience. By undertaking static or dynamic application security testing, enterprises can address such issues and truly harness the benefits of an advanced digital ecosystem.

How to Secure your Web Applications - Complete Guide

Digitization has led to the development of web applications, websites, and other tools. Besides changing the way that we share information, interact, or do business, these digital elements have transformed our lives for the better. Enterprises, in order to stay flexible, profitable, and competitive, are moving their operations online. This way, they allow their employees, clients, customers, and other stakeholders to stay connected 24x7. Also, employees working in remote offices across countries can interact and collaborate in real-time by using such technologies.

The introduction of Web 2.0 has brought convenience, speed, choices, and quality on a platter for the customers. The growing customers’ appetite for top-notch web applications has led businesses or entities to share sensitive data all across the value chain. The examples of e-commerce stores and online banking exemplify this trend. If such advancements have brought enormous benefits for individuals, businesses, and organizations, they have attracted hackers and scammers as well.

The news about malware, ransomware, trojans, and viruses playing havoc has become common now. In fact, cybercrime has become a $1.5 trillion industry as we move into the year 2020. It has the potential to push individuals, businesses, and organizations into a downward spiral. The cumulative effect of cybercrime has given rise to the industry of web application security.

Let us take you through the ways to secure your web applications in the form of a guide. Here, the focus would be on conducting a comprehensive web application security audit encompassing web application security testing.

Assessing the Target Web Application: The process can involve the use of an automated web vulnerability scanner provided the pre-scan activities are already done. However, the procedure is not foolproof and can give rise to several false positives as well. This happens as the web vulnerability scanners are meant to scan a number of complex web applications. The users, thus, need to align these scanners to the specific business needs.

The web application security testing can begin by conducting a manual assessment of the target web application. Thus, you can get familiarized with the architecture and topology of the web application. Find out about the directory, file structure, number of pages, and files present in the application. Also, know about the application’s root directory, source code, online forms, and URL structure. Since there are a number of vulnerabilities specific to web technologies, it is better you know the one used to develop the application - PHP and .NET, among others. Find out if the web application had crawled from the black-box scanner before launching the scan. Remember, if the web application is not crawled and leaves out some parts or parameters, then securing the application will not happen.

Denial of Service (DOS) Checklist: Web applications cannot distinguish between valid traffic and a malicious attack. Among the reasons, the uselessness of IP addresses as identification credentials comes at the top. For example, during a distributed attack the web application cannot identify a real attack from multiple users reloading at the same time. In this type of software application security testing, the number of sessions per user should be checked and regulated, if need be.

Penetration Testing: Make sure all the web penetration tools are available in a centralized repository supporting the import and export of data. The application security testing services should use penetration testing - manually as well as using tools to check for logical vulnerabilities and to audit the application.

Web Application Firewall (WAF): It can analyze web traffic emanating from IP addresses containing both HTTP and HTTPS. This way WAF can identify malicious traffic that works at the application layer. It can block connections to known vulnerabilities in a web application thereby preempting any malicious attack. However, it comes with a few shortcomings as well:

• Ability to detect only known security vulnerabilities
• Depends on the expertise of the user
• No fixing of security holes in web applications

The software application security testing should be conducted throughout the SDLC and not when the application goes live. It comprises of several methods such as:

• Using a black-box scanner
• Conducting a manual source code audit
• Identifying coding issues using an automated white-box scanner
• Penetration testing
• Conducting a manual security audit

Conclusion

Web applications can be the ideal conduit for the ingress of malicious codes into an IT system. However, the quality of such applications can be enhanced, and security strengthened by using the right vulnerability scanner. By employing a focused application security testing methodology, both logical and technical vulnerabilities can be identified and fixed. The other avenues include limiting remote access, switching off unnecessary functionalities, using accounts with limited privileges, segregating live environments from development and testing, installing security patches, and staying informed.

Why you need to take Application Security Testing seriously?

The digital ecosystem of today is underpinned on applications that influence us in the way we communicate and interact. The applications are repositories of sensitive personal or business information, which if accessed by inimical forces such as hackers/cybercriminals, the consequences can be catastrophic - both for the individuals and businesses. If we go by statistics, then cybercrime has taken a humongous toll on individuals, businesses, organizations, and entities with an annual loss projected at $1.5 trillion globally. As if on cue and given the ramifications, the global spending on cybersecurity has shown an increase as well and is predicted to touch $170.4 billion by 2022.

With the change in technology, the contours and mechanics of cyberattacks are changing as well. Let us understand the changing trends of cyber-attacks.

New targets: The impact of cybercrime is seen mostly in information theft, which can hit a big blow to the bottom lines of businesses. However, apart from data, the cybercriminals also target the core industrial control systems with the purpose of disrupting and destroying organizations.

Change in impact: Stealing data may have become foremost outcome of any cybercrime incident. However, the changing modus-operandi is more about attacking data integrity. This is done to create distrust in the minds of end-users, clients, and business stakeholders.

New techniques: As people, organizations, and entities are waking up to the menace, cybercriminals are changing their attacking methods. In many cases, they are targeting the weakest link - the human layer - to wreak havoc using phishing and turncoat insiders.

Businesses often do not take the job of application security testing seriously, thanks to the prevalence of several myths:

Myth 1: Our digital assets are protected by firewalls, so we are safe.

Fact: Firewalls can prevent the access of cybercriminals at the network level, that to a certain extent. However, cyber-attacks can take the route of the application layer, which firewalls are not adept at protecting.

Myth 2: The applications are not exposed to the internet and have internal storage and usage.

Fact: In most cases, businesses prioritize protecting their systems and databases from external attacks. However, compromised insiders with authorized system access and familiarity with the system architecture and security protocols can be more dangerous.

Myth 3: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology is foolproof and protects a website from cyber-attacks.

Fact: Even though SSL is key to strengthening the cybersecurity architecture of a website, it can be exploited by cybercriminals. The latter can make use of low encryption algorithms to decrypt traffic and steal information.

Steps to enhance application security testing

When so much is at stake for individuals and businesses, investing in an application security testing methodology has become critical. Let us discuss the steps that enterprises can take to enforce software application security testing.

Complying with security protocols: With cybersecurity becoming critical in ensuring the smooth functioning of the digital ecosystem, the industry has set up some regulations and standards. These include ISO 27001, NIST, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and Sarbanes-Oxley, among others. Enterprises must comply with the above-mentioned standards to avoid penalties, censure, and filing of lawsuits for damages.

Conduct penetration testing: It calls for an in-depth security assessment of the system’s architecture to identify its vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities can get into the system due to poor coding, weak design elements, improper configuration management, and poor implementation of security policies and standards.

Implement DevSecOps: The DevOps methodology can help enterprises in accelerating the time to market, enhance the quality of products or services, improve the customer experience, and achieve ROI. It calls for the continuous integration and testing of codes and breaking silos between the development and operations teams. However, given the emerging dimension of cybersecurity, security should be made an integral part of DevOps where everyone in the pipeline should be made accountable.

Identification of outliers: Any software application security testing should be able to identify the outliers. In other words, any malicious behavior of the code should be quickly identified and set for remedial action.

Supervision of the IoT network: The advent of IoT technology is making communication between devices a reality. However, this is also giving rise to the issues of security breaches. This calls for continuous monitoring of the IoT network to check any cybersecurity breaches.

Conclusion

Securing the IT system has become the need of the hour given the wider ramifications of cybercrime. In the digital ecosystem where applications help to connect devices and systems, a single vulnerability can compromise the entire infrastructure. By rigorously implementing web application security testing, vulnerabilities can be identified, and an overarching protection can be ensured.

Author Bio

Oliver has been associated with Cigniti Technologies Ltd as an Associate Manager - Content Marketing, with over 10 years of industry experience as a Content Writer in Software Testing & Quality Assurance industry.

This article is originally published on dev.to.

How does Interactive Application Security Testing improve your software

The spectre of cybercrime is spreading thick and fast with companies and individuals being defrauded of sensitive personal and business information and money on a humongous scale. It is estimated that by 2020, the world shall witness an annual outgo of $5 trillion because of cybercrime (Source: www.cyberdefensemagazine.com). Strands of malware, ransomware, viruses, and trojans are wreaking havoc worldwide with around 31% of organizations having experienced cyber-attacks on their IT architecture and IoT facing attacks to the tune of 600% in 2017 alone (Source: Symantec.)

The only way to address the alarming situation is by increasing the security budget and adopting the best cyber security practices. First and foremost, businesses should ensure their software architecture conforms to the regulatory protocols such as PCI DSS, GLBA, SOX, and HIPPA among others. Furthermore, they should ensure any software application being developed to undergo rigorous application security testing. To ensure the same, it is about time businesses embraced Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) instead of the dated Static and Dynamic Analysis (SAST and DAST).

IAST is being hailed as the next big thing in the arsenal of cyber security testing for its plethora of benefits including an expansive test coverage. It has emerged as a potent disrupter in the world of application security testing with an innate capability to elicit information from an application undergoing QA. The information may comprise data flow, stack trace, libraries, runtime requests, and control flow among others. Let us understand IAST better in the following segment.

What is IAST?

As the code of an application is run by an automated test tool or human tester (manual testing) to test its functionality, the IAST or Interactive Application Security Testing analyzes the code for any built-in security vulnerability by using agents or sensors. IAST doesn’t include testing the entire software application but only the codes that are being part of the functional test. Needless to state, IAST is best leveraged when the QA environment encompasses an automated functional test. In addition to monitoring the existing security vulnerabilities in an application, IAST can verify them and declare them as potential threats. Thereupon, IAST can produce a vulnerability test report with the suggested course of action needed to fix the same. The report and its attendant guidelines enable the development team to fix the issues on priority. Typically, IAST is implemented shift-left in the SDLC resulting in early identification of runtime vulnerabilities. This pre-empts delays and mitigates the risk of breaches leading to cost savings.

What are the benefits of IAST?

IAST offers a host of benefits as listed below to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen the security framework of applications.

• There is no process disruption in executing IAST as it can run concurrently (and transparently) with existing software security testing. Since there is a premium on testing time due to a business’s obsession with time-to-market, IAST offers no disruptions or checkpoints. This is due to the fact that an IAST technique executes application security testing by leveraging activities that are already running.

• There is no need to rewrite the test scripts as IAST can be run by reusing the existing ones. This results in savings on time, effort, and money.

• Provides integration with analytics tools such as Software Composition Analysis (SCA) to scan open source components in third party applications or binary files.

• Since static and dynamic analysis does not include the testing of frameworks or libraries, a vast section of the application remains unchecked of vulnerabilities. On the other hand, since IAST validates the entire application from inside while the same is being run, there is better test coverage of the entire codebase.

• IAST does not need customization, finetuning, or configuration during its implementation. It simply runs alongside the software application security testing process automatically and on a continuous basis.

• IAST offers instant feedback assuring developers that the code being developed is clean. This can eliminate procedural delays in validating glitches thus saving time and money.

• Security tools can generate false error reports, which can engage the attention of testers and lead to the stretching of their workload. Moreover, this increased workload can let testers spend less time in identifying the critical flaws. However, with IAST, there is more access to data resulting in better error findings.

Conclusion

Web applications are increasingly being threatened by hackers to steal sensitive personal data, critical intellectual property, and other info. The existing methods or techniques for security vulnerability testing are not uniform and differ in the way they scan and test. Since not all tools are similar in their effectiveness, businesses have their task cut out while choosing the best one. However, the shift-left testing in IAST helps to identify and address the vulnerabilities early and prevents delays and cost overruns.

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