Introduction
The digital era has made the world seem compact. Things that used to take an entire day are now completed in a matter of seconds. However, the internet also created opportunities for digital data information exploitation.
One example is cybercrime, since we know some of the applications, like Mozilla Firefox, Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Acrobat, we install on our PCs or smartphones are not secure. They are particularly vulnerable to data breaches and cybercrimes. We occasionally learn of cyber-attacks on different programs such as Microsoft Exchange Server attack and Colonial ransomware attack that happened in 2021.
The application security testing fixes any dangerous behavior it finds and alerts the user whenever it does. The method of protecting application from cyber-attacks is known as application security. [1]
What is Application Security Testing?
Application security testing is the act of assessing an application's security posture to find gaps or flaws that an attacker could take advantage of. It entails a set of tests and evaluations intended to find security holes in an application, such as desktop software, mobile applications, or web applications. [2]
Testing for application security can be done manually, automatically, or by combining both methods. A human tester aggressively explores the application during manual testing to find any potential flaws or vulnerabilities.
Utilizing tools and scripts to automatically test and scan the program for security flaws is known as automated testing.
There are several different types of application security testing, including:
- Static Application Security Testing (SAST): This type of testing involves analyzing the application's source code for security vulnerabilities. SAST can be performed manually or using automated tools.
- Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): This type of testing involves testing the application while it is running to identify security vulnerabilities. DAST can be performed manually or using automated tools.
- Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST): This type of testing involves a combination of SAST and DAST. It analyzes the application's source code and tests it while it is running to identify security vulnerabilities.
- Penetration Testing: This type of testing involves attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in the application to determine its security level. [3]
Application security testing is important because it helps to identify security vulnerabilities early in the development process, which can save time and money. By addressing security issues before the application is deployed, organizations can prevent security breaches and ensure that their applications are secure and reliable.
Importance of Application Security Testing
With app security testing, many of the biggest app breaches from the year 2020-2022 could have been avoided. The passport apps from Covid, Amazon, and Slack were some of the unfortunate victims of hackers due to vulnerabilities in them.
Data security and privacy must be a part of every application security plan. Every program manages and stores important company data and consumer information, which are typically the main targets of data breaches. A data breach damages a company's reputation over time by causing important customers to lose faith and trust. On the other hand, by associating businesses with strong data security measures, the administration of appropriate AppSec procedures and data privacy laws contributes to improving brand value.
The majority of people worry about how systems handle personal data. Customers can trust the platform in Windows and Android since it adheres to strong data privacy rules that guard against credit card fraud and identity theft. Adopting data protection legislation also effectively enforces an ethics code because ethical data processing is considered the norm. Failure to protect sensitive consumer data may result in fines from regulatory agencies, as well as loss of income or business licenses [4].
Application Security Testing Tools
Application Security Testing Tools are software tools designed to help identify vulnerabilities and security flaws in software applications, as well as provide guidance on how to fix them. These tools can be used by developers, security professionals, and quality assurance teams to detect and mitigate security threats in the development process.
There are various types of application security testing tools available, including static application security testing (SAST) tools, dynamic application security testing (DAST) tools, interactive application security testing (IAST) tools, and runtime application self-protection (RASP) [2]
In the IT industry, most companies use commercial tools but also use free open-source tools. Some popular application security testing tools include SonarQube, Vera code, OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite and Intruder.io. These tools can help improve the overall security of applications by identifying vulnerabilities and providing recommendations for remediation.
SonarQube
SonarQube is an open-source static code analysis tool used by developers to ensure the quality and uniformity of source code. It detects bugs and security vulnerabilities, can be automated, and can analyze branches and decorate pull requests. However, it has some disadvantages, such as false positives, limited language support, integration complexity, resource-intensiveness, limited reporting, and some advanced features requiring payment. [5]
Vera code
Vera code is a cloud-based web application security testing solution that offers black-box analysis and manual penetration testing tools. It also provides services such as Web Application Scanning, Static Analysis, and Vera code Static Analysis IDE Scan. Vera code is lightweight, cost-effective, and does not require additional hardware or security expertise to use. It is scalable and easy to use, making it a great choice for those looking for a comprehensive web application security testing solution. [6]
OWASP ZAP
OWASP ZAP is a free, open-source tool used for penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in web applications before they can be exploited by attackers. The tool is cross-platform and can be used on all operating systems (Linux, Mac, Windows) and generates reusable reports. OWASP ZAP also explains how ZAP works by creating a proxy server and intercepting website traffic using auto scanners to detect vulnerabilities. OWASP ZAP is an ideal tool for beginners in the field of penetration testing. [6]
Burp Suite
Burp Suite is a set of tools designed for web application penetration testing. Developed by PortSwigger, it is widely used by web app security researchers and bug bounty hunters due to its ease of use. The community edition of Burp Suite is available for free. [7]
Intruder.io
Intruder is an online vulnerability scanner that uses industry-leading scanning engines to identify high-risk vulnerabilities and threats in digital infrastructure, including publicly and privately accessible servers, cloud systems, websites, and endpoint devices. It performs ongoing, automated scans to find vulnerabilities such as misconfigurations, missing patches, encryption weaknesses, and application bugs. The software provides actionable results prioritized by context and helps businesses comply with security audits such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Intruder also offers integration to save users time and complete visibility across their cloud systems. With its powerful scanning engines and simple user experience, Intruder is a great choice for businesses of any size looking for an effortless and cost-effective vulnerability scanning solution. [6]
In conclusion, application security testing is a crucial process in identifying vulnerabilities and flaws in applications that attackers can exploit. The digital age has made the world more connected, but it has also brought cybercrime to the forefront. App security testing is essential to prevent data breaches and ensure the security and reliability of applications. By conducting app security testing early in the development process, businesses can save time and money while avoiding reputational damage that can result from security breaches. Various application security testing tools, including static application security testing, dynamic application security testing, interactive application security testing, and penetration testing, can be used to identify vulnerabilities and provide remediation recommendations. Therefore, it is crucial to implement app security testing in software development to ensure the protection of confidential data and prevent the loss of revenue and business licenses.
Finding and evaluating the application's potential risks and vulnerabilities is one of the crucial phases in guaranteeing application security. This can be achieved by carrying out routine security audits and assessments and by putting in place suitable security controls and procedures.
Combining several strategies, such as secure coding methods, routine testing and monitoring, and the use of security standards and protocols, can result in application security. Application security can also be improved by using additional controls like firewalls, access controls, and encryption.
References
| [1] | U. Mishra, "Introduction to Application Security," 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.analyticssteps.com/blogs/introduction-application-security. [Accessed 16 02 2023]. |
| [2] | C. Levan, "What is Application Security Testing (AST) | Tools & Best Practices | Imperva," 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/application-security-testing/. [Accessed 22 02 2023]. |
| [3] | M. S. ,. C. O. Karen Scarfone, "Recommendations of the National Institute," National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, 2008. |
| [4] | 2022. [Online]. Available: The importance of application security testing (2022). Available at: https://build38.com/the-importance-of-application-security-testing/#:~:text=It%20can%20help%20your%20team,risks%20before%20the%20hacker%20does. (Accessed: 16 February 2023).. |
| [5] | K. Dissanayake, "SonarQube(Part 2) — Features of SonarQube, Installation and some practice on SonarQube," 2020. [Online]. Available: https://medium.com/swlh/sonarqube-part-2-features-of-sonarqube-installation-and-some-practice-on-sonarqube-d523ae9a998a. [Accessed 16 02 2023]. |
| [6] | SoftwareTestingHelp, "OWASP ZAP Tutorial: Comprehensive Review Of OWASP ZAP Tool," 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/owasp-zap-tutorial/. [Accessed 16 02 2023]. |
| [7] | awasthi7xenextt, "What is Burp Suite?," 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-burp-suite/. [Accessed 16 02 2023]. |
Ahamed Nuski has a total of 10 months of experience in both software engineering and cyber security domains. He previously worked as an Associate Software Engineer and is currently a Cyber security Trainee at AION Company. Additionally, he is armed with NDT in Information Technology and Qualys, Cybrary, Fortinet, and Cisco certified in security certification.
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Wathmi Sureshika is an undergraduate student| SC-900, Qualys, Cybrary, IT Master, Fortinet and Cisco certified in security certification.
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Sandali Lavanya Liyanaarachchi is an undergraduate student. She is currently a Cyber security Trainee at Aion Company. She is armed with NSE 1, NSE 2, NSE 3, CISCO and Qualys Certified Security Specialist certifications.
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Nipuni Sathsarani is an undergraduate student|BSc Hons in computer science | Qualys, Cybrary, IT Master, Fortinet and Cisco certified in security certification.
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Umesh Irushika is a Cyber security trainee for the past few months with hands on experience in networking and cybersecurity domain. He is armed with diploma in Cyber Security and Networking, Microsoft-SC 900, AZ 900, Qualys, Cybrary, Fortinet and Cisco Certified in security certification.
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Chirath De Alwis is an information security professional with
more than 9 years’ experience in the Information Security
domain. He is armed with MSc in IT (specialized in
Cybersecurity) (distinction), PgDip in IT (specialized in
Cybersecurity), BEng (Hons) Computer networks & Security
(first class), AWS-SAA, SC-200, AZ-104, AZ-900, SC-300,
SC-900, RCCE, C|EH, C|HFI and Qualys Certified Security
Specialist certifications. Currently involved in vulnerability management, incident handling, cyber threat intelligence and digital forensics activities in Sri Lankan cyberspace.Contact: chirathdealwis@gmail.com