Even if a development team adheres to strict coding guidelines and keeps dependencies up to date, they are still able to create software that is insecure. The real attackers don’t have an orderly checklist. A hacker could use an authentication flaw with a vulnerable API endpoint, exploit the process of resetting passwords or discover that a user’s account has access to a tenant’s personal information.
Professional penetration testing Brisbane businesses use for security assurance examines the systems from an adversarial view. Expertly trained testers do not ask whether security measures are in place, but whether they are able to be bypassed.
The difference is crucial to Australian companies that handle sensitive assets such as medical records, financial information and customer information, among other sensitive assets.
Automated scanning only tells part of the story
Vulnerability scanners can be useful. They can identify old software, insecure headers and CVEs as well obvious issues with configuration. They don’t understand how an application should behave.
Imagine a site for customers that allows them to view invoices of another company and also change their account number. A computerized scanner won’t notice anything wrong if a server is returning fully valid responses. Human testers can identify the error in authorization and act immediately.
Quality web penetration testing combines automation with manual investigation. Testing focuses on authentication, session and access control in addition to injection risks, API behaviors, configuration weaknesses and business processes.
SaaS-based systems raise their own questions about security
Testing multi-tenant cloud apps is crucial, as a mistake can impact multiple clients at the same time.
Effective Saas penetration testing should examine tenant isolation, privileged functions, API authorization, role changes, account recovery data exposure and integrations with other services. The tester should be able to discern not only whether a feature works, but also whether it can be manipulated in a manner that the developers never planned.
For instance, a person given a role of a minimum level may not recognize an administrative function within the interface. However, this does not mean that they cannot call directly. It is crucial to check the API, rather than merely looking at what appears to be the API.
Modern web apps have an enhanced attack surface
Applications of today often combine JavaScript front-ends and APIs cloud service providers, identity providers and microservices. An issue could exist within any component, or in the trust between them.
Comprehensive penetration testing of websites analyzes these connections. Testers will be able to examine how tokens are issued, whether sensitive endpoints are able to enforce authorization on a regular basis, how user-controlled data moves between different services, and if an issue with low risk could be coupled with a weakness to create a major security risk.
Siege Cyber is an expert in this type of testing application. They are able to work with the latest frameworks such as APIs and cloud-hosted platforms. They also test complex application architectures.
The report will aid developers find a solution to the issue.
The process of identifying vulnerabilities is only half of the job. Security testing can provide the greatest benefit when the engineers can recreate the issue, recognize the risks, and then address it with confidence.
Siege Cyber reports include evidence, reproduction steps, risk ratings, impact analysis, as well as practical remediation guidelines. Business stakeholders get an executive-level explanation of the exposure and technical teams receive the details needed to address it. The most critical findings may also be addressed during the engagement instead of waiting for the final report.
Testing after remediation provides another layer of assurance, by proving that the issue was addressed and not causing another one.
For those who want independent validation, proof of compliance or more confidence prior to a major release, penetration testing provides something policies and automated tools cannot give you: a safe opportunity to find out how skilled attackers could be able to attack the system. The value of the exercise is determining the answer prior to an actual adversary.