What Is Web Application Security? Definition, Testing, and Best Practices

Web application security is defined as a field of information security that aims to safeguard websites, web applications, and web-based services, focusing primarily on online threats. This article discusses the ins and outs of web application security with actionable tips to help on the way forward.

Table of Contents

• What Is Web Application Security?
  
• Web Application Security Testing: 8 Key Steps
• Top 10 Best Practices for Web Application Security in 2021

What Is Web Application Security?

Web application security is a field of information security that aims to safeguard websites, web applications, and web-based services, focusing primarily on online threats, invariant of the device or browser being used for access.

For instance, if you are a small business with an ecommerce site, you need security measures to protect customers as well as your business from online threats. Similarly, any communications channel that connects two systems via the internet requires strong security so that the communication isn’t routed to a malicious destination. 

Businesses choose website-based applications that can be accessed using any browser, over mobile apps or desktop software to avoid OS compatibility issues. That’s why the web application security market has seen a meteoric rise, from $2.9 billion in 2017 to an estimated $4.63 billion by 2022Opens a new window . 

As our reliance on browsers and web-based interfaces grow, security threats are evolving in tandem. In fact, hackers now have more vectors than ever before to target. This gives rise to a wide variety of attack types to be addressed via web application security:

• Cross-site request forgery – A malicious website enters your website and convinces an innocent user to execute an unauthorized command. It is the top attack variant in 2021, claiming 36% of all web application security breaches.
• WordPress vulnerabilities – WordPress vulnerabilities have been a concern for developers for years now, as it forms the foundation for over 455 million websites (35% market share). 24% of all attacks happen via vulnerabilities in this popular content management system.
• Cross-site scripting – Cross-site scripting allows a hacker to inject a malicious client-side script into a webpage, bypassing access controls and network security measures. Until 2007, cross-site scripting made up a whopping 84% of all security vulnerabilities, according to Symantec. Since then, efforts in web application security as well as the birth of new variants have brought this number down to 25%.
• Vulnerable JavaScript libraries – Nearly every website uses pre-built JavaScript libraries with existing security flaws. Three years ago, it was found that 77% Opens a new window of websites used vulnerable JavaScript libraries. And it continues to be a problem today, with almost 1 in 4 targets arising from a vulnerable JavaScript library. 

Apart from this, you also have to keep an eye on remote code execution, SQL injection, directory reversal, server-side request forgery, and host header injection. The good news is that the state of web application security has improved slowly but steadily over the years.

State of Web Application Security From 2016 To 2019
Source: AcunetixOpens a new window

However, there is still a long way to go, which is why web application security testing is so important. 

Learn more: Top 10 Vulnerability Management Tools for 2021

Web Application Security Testing: 8 Key Steps

Web application security testing tries to root out security flaws and vulnerabilities right at the beginning, even before the application goes live. There are eight key steps in this process: 

1. Review the web application source code.

Go through the source code with a fine-tooth comb. This not only includes the original code developers might have written but also open-source libraries and reused code snippets that were lifted and shifted into the application. Vulnerabilities from open source are such a big problem that there is an entire foundation (OWASP) dedicated to addressing them. Typically, the QA team performs this step, but companies could hire a dedicated application security engineer or have the Dev team wear multiple hats, depending on the company size. 

2. List out the vulnerabilities revealed from this white-box exercise.

A thorough source code review or white-box testing will give you a list of clear gaps, ambiguous vulnerabilities, and code that might lead to an attack somewhere down the line. Start by creating a comprehensive list of these issues that make it shareable within the organization. Ask Dev and the product team to share their feedback. Developers are often aware of flaws when they are building a product but compromise for the sake of functionality and time management. The collective intelligence of your organization will lead to a detailed list that is closed to being exhaustive. 

3. Formulate threat profiles to classify the list.

Assign each vulnerability a risk score. This will determine the prioritization of your web application security testing roadmap, routing your efforts in the right direction. The risk score will depend on several factors: what is the consequence if a hacker targets the vulnerability? Would data get exposed, and if yes, who is the data subject? What is the effort level for exploiting the vulnerability? Flaws with the most severe negative consequences, likely to expose customer or proprietary data, and requiring minimal exploitation efforts should be at the top of this list. 

Also Read: What Is Application Security? Definition, Types, Testing, and Best Practices

4. Identify test automation possibilities.

It is not possible to effectively test an entire web application landscape on tight timelines; in fact, this is what causes vulnerabilities in the first place. Manual testers focus on high-priority issues, relegating the rest to the backburner. Over time, this builds up a large volume of vulnerabilities, multiplying the risk. 

Test automation looks after those test cases that require iterative efforts. For example, you might want to enter a variety of quotes on every text field to check for SQL injection vulnerability. A script can achieve this at a fraction of the time it would take a human tester. Depending on your in-house competencies, you could build custom automation scripts from scratch or partner with a testing services provider. 

5. Prepare the test case documentation.

The test case documentation will list out all the vulnerabilities spotted during code review and self-report it by developers in detail. It explains the risk involved, mentions the appropriate stakeholder, suggests the to-be-achieved scenario, and specifies if an automation script is involved. Documentation is vital when undertaking a web application security testing program, particularly for large enterprises. If there is a resource change or there are updates to the source code, the documentation helps keep the program on track. 

6. Execute manual and automated tests.

This is the central step when you execute the test cases. Refer closely to the documentation at hand and alter the documentation whenever there is a need to adapt the testing approach. In the execution phase, you will verify the degree of risk, the possibility of a breach, and the outcomes of a worst-case scenario. 

Automated tests are excellent for common issues that are easy to document and resolve. But for more innovative threats, manual intervention is helpful. You could even take a black-box approach, assuming no knowledge of the source code. You then target the web application with multiple threat tactics (as in ethical hacking), trying to break down the security layer. This will reveal another list of unknown vulnerabilities that require documentation. 

Also Read: Application Security Engineer: Job Role and Key Skills for 2021

7. Work with developers to fix vulnerabilities and retest.

The most effective testers and QA professionals maintain a constant line of communication with the developers. This ensures a perfect balance between security and functionality, and each test case execution or patch doesn’t damage the underlying source code. Collaborate with developers when fixing the vulnerabilities, stressing why it is important to close any gaps even if that requires a workaround in terms of functionality or UI. 

This step will reduce web application security testing efforts in the long run, keeping flaws at go-live to a bare minimum. After Dev has rolled out the necessary fixes and patches, you need a retest to check if all parameters are met. 

8. Conduct regression testing to ensure functionalities.

Regression testing isn’t necessarily the responsibility of a web application security engineer, but the same stakeholder might have to look after both tasks in a small organization. The goal of regression testing is to check all core functionalities and non-functional requirements are still in place after rolling out security fixes and patches. At this step, you can place recommendations in front of developers on how to configure a feature for maximum safety if it surfaces during regression tests. 

These eight steps are central to conducting a secure business on the web, which is part of most company’s value proposition right now. Fortunately, there are several tools and technologies that you can use to simplify the process. 

Learn More: What Is Malware? Definition, Types, Removal Process, and Protection Best Practices

Top 8 Web Application Security Solutions in 2021

The following solutions (listed in alphabetical order) can help you in several areas of web application security. Some are vulnerability scanners, while others help in web application security testing. Given today’s multi-faceted digital environment, they can significantly reduce the manual efforts needed to protect your online assets from web-based exploitation. 

Disclaimer: These listings are based on publicly available information and include vendor websites that sell to mid-to-large enterprises. Readers are advised to conduct their own final research to ensure the best fit for their unique organizational needs.

• Burp Suite – Burp Suite covers a range of application security needs, including web applications. The Professional Edition includes a web vulnerability scanner and other essential and advanced manual tools. The scanner can find over 100 vulnerability types, including SQL injections and cross-site scripting.
• Crashtest – Crashtest is a pure-play vulnerability scanning tool meant only for websites, web applications, and API-based web services. It scans your application landscape for all attack vectors identified by the OWASP, giving you a detailed report with remediation links and how to fix them. Crashtest has a support team to assist you in fixing the vulnerabilities.
• Detectify – We included Detectify on this list for its dedicated tool for small businesses. Today, every small business must have an online presence, but they often lack the internal teams to maintain a secure web presence. Detectify scans web applications for 2,000+ security test cases, including and beyond OWASP. It also fits into your Jira, Slack, and Trello workflows.
• Metasploit – Metasploit is a framework that you can tailor to your penetration testing needs. It mobilizes the collective intelligence of cybersecurity communities, adding its own expertise to deliver a framework for penetration testing. It is available for free downloading, and there is a paid version that comes with commercial support if you hit a roadblock.
• SiteLock – SiteLock is an end-to-end website protection and optimization tool. It scans the application to reveal any vulnerability, automatically removes malware, fixes simple flaws, and attaches a trust seal to increase customer confidence. What’s more, you can remove security issues that could bring down your search ranking.
• TestProject – TestProject is an automation platform that speeds up testing for both web, mobile, as well as API-based web services, used by the likes of IBM, Payoneer, and Wix. The base, open-source-led platform is available free of cost, but you could contact TestProject, a paid, customized solution for your web application security needs.
• w3af – w3af or web application attack and audit framework is an open-source python-based solution for web application security. It can identify 200+ vulnerabilities (including all the common OWASP threats) and has complete documentation. This tool is intended primarily for independent developers, small teams, and mid-sized businesses with technical expertise.
• Wapiti – Wapiti is a black-box testing enabler, which you can use to audit a website and web application security. You can feed it a list of URLs, and Wapiti will inject payloads to test its vulnerability level. It reveals a wide variety of vulnerabilities, including cross-site scripting, SQL injections, and the like. But this open-source tool has a command-line interface instead of a GUI. 

There are hundreds of other paid and free tools out there to support your web application security initiative. You can make these tools go the extra distance by following a set of important best practices. 

Learn More: What Is Data Security? Definition, Planning, Policy, and Best Practices

Top 10 Best Practices for Web Application Security in 2021

You can prevent security breaches and hacks by following web application security best practices across an app’s value chain – from development to maintenance. Here are the ten best practices to remember in 2021.

1. Plan for regular web application security assessment

Testing is only the first step in strengthening web application security. Over time, as your application landscape evolves through new interfaces, API integrations, and partnerships, new flaws are also likely to creep in. A regular assessment, much like an annual audit, will highlight what might be going wrong and needs fixing. 

Think of web application security as a law or compliance mandate, where non-compliance could cost you millions in a data breach or business downtime. Regular assessments can protect you from this risk – it will map your end-to-end application and service landscape, highlight problem areas like architecture or access controls, give you detailed findings on the level of impact, and recommend the best resolution possible. 

2. Protect customers against malicious URLs

Brand recall plays a key role in URL manipulation, where an effort is made to confuse the user based on domain name changes. For example, coca-cola.com (with a hyphenation) is the actual brand URL for the homepage. A hacker may send a link to a user with an authentic-looking email that asks the user to login to their account. Such a URL may be like cocacola.com, coca-cola.co, cocacola.org, co-ca-cola.com, etc. 

One of the solutions is to purchase and redirect all similar-looking domains while registering websites for your brand and have them redirected to the original website, invariant of the URL suffix. Another solution is to report any domain that is pretending to be your brand.

3. Document persistent risks

In a complex digital landscape, it might be impossible to weed out every single vulnerable surface entirely. For instance, the core functionalities underlying the code might contain a flaw – but it is challenging to exploit, does not expose any data, and would lead to no/very little damage. That’s why risks like these need to be documented and publicly shared with users. 

Large enterprises will use this documentation to run bounty hunter programs, inviting ethical hackers worldwide to identify exact flaws and possible high-severity bugs for a fee. 

Also Read: Top 10 Application Security Tools for 2021

4. Enforce a layered password creation protocol

Hacking user passwords is a time-honored way of getting access to privileged data. And this is especially easy when you consider that 1 in every 142 passwords is “123456”! The application should demand a strong password with a unique mix of alphanumeric characters, and the tester must ensure that these rules are impossible to bypass. 

5. Beware of (and address) shadow IT

Shadow IT arises when individual employees or teams subscribe to a new web application without direct governance of the central IT HQ. This causes a slew of new risks, as the application isn’t vetted against enterprise security standards and might even be accessible outside of your network parameters. Shadow IT leads to a sprawling enterprise web application landscape that’s difficult to monitor. Use a subscription management tool like CoreSaaS, the third-party subscription management app in Microsoft Teams, or an equivalent to staying abreast of web application licenses. 

6. Check if you are vulnerable to SQL injections

This is among the top ten vulnerabilities in 2021, with hackers feeding unauthorized SQL statements to a text field. Ensure that every text field rejects information that is in an incorrect format. If the web application accepts the statement, you might be vulnerable to SQL injection – even if it throws up a database error. 

7. Update web applications incrementally

Let’s say you have run an end-to-end security assessment of your entire application landscape. This could reveal an enormous list of minor-to-severe vulnerabilities, requiring months to fix entirely. A big bang approach to updates, where you intend to roll out all the fixes/patches together, means that your systems remain vulnerable in the interim period. An incremental model switches your applications to “core functionality only” operations, minimizing risk while you work on the overhaul. 

Also Read: What Is Data Loss Prevention (DLP)? Definition, Policy Framework, and Best Practices

8. Retire HTTP assets in favor of HTTPS

HyperText Transfer Protocol is a global standard for public applications, with a massive majority of live websites, applications, and services using it. HTTPS ensures that any communication via your web asset is fully encrypted (the S stands for Secure, preventing data transfers from being visible as a plain text format). HTTPS is widely recognized as a web application security best practice, so it is advisable to spend a little extra to secure your online presence as per these norms. 

9. Prepare for DDOS attacks well in advance

Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks aren’t very common, but they cause severe damage to your web applications. In June of 2019, the online messaging service, Telegram, faced a severe DDOS attack that brought its operations to a halt. You can mitigate such threats at the network level, working with your network infrastructure provider to analyze traffic as it interacts with your web assets. A dedicated web application security team can help resolve DDOS attacks quickly and keep downtime to a minimum. 

10. Conduct penetration testing

This web application security best practice is a no-brainer. Prior knowledge of the source code will inevitably bias testers to a certain type of vulnerability and severity level. Penetration testingOpens a new window and black-boxed techniques encourage- testers – often external ethical hackers – to find “unknown unknowns.” 

Learn More: The Pitfalls of Traditional Web Application SecurityOpens a new window

Security testing is integral to the web application development cycle, and regular assessments can help update your risk profile dynamically. But between these steps, it’s important to ensure that regular patches, continuous log monitoring, and Identity Access Management for web apps are practiced. Finally, remember to regularize web application security as part of your larger compliance plan. 

Without it, companies leave themselves open to a fast-evolving world of risk, cyber-attacks, and malicious online activity. A few simple best practices can go a long way in protecting your business while gaining from a connected world. 

Which threat do you believe is most dangerous for web application security in 2021? Tell us on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you!