Security Testing is a comprehensive testing methodology that evaluates the security of systems, applications, and networks through systematic techniques to identify vulnerabilities and verify the effectiveness of security controls.

What is Security Testing?

Security Testing is the systematic process of evaluating the security of computer systems by identifying vulnerabilities, verifying security controls, and validating resistance to malicious attacks.

Types of Security Testing

Static Testing (SAST)

  • Static Application Security Testing: Static application security testing
  • Code Analysis: Source code analysis
  • Vulnerability Scanning: Vulnerability scanning
  • Compliance Checking: Compliance verification

Dynamic Testing (DAST)

  • Dynamic Application Security Testing: Dynamic application security testing
  • Runtime Testing: Runtime testing
  • Behavioral Analysis: Behavioral analysis
  • Penetration Testing: Penetration testing

Interactive Testing (IAST)

  • Interactive Application Security Testing: Interactive security testing
  • Hybrid Analysis: Hybrid analysis
  • Real-time Testing: Real-time testing
  • Context-aware Testing: Context-aware testing

Component Testing (SCA)

  • Software Composition Analysis: Software composition analysis
  • Dependency Scanning: Dependency scanning
  • License Compliance: License compliance
  • Vulnerability Management: Vulnerability management

Security Testing Methodologies

OWASP Testing Guide

  1. Information Gathering: Information gathering
  2. Configuration and Deployment Management: Configuration management
  3. Identity Management: Identity management
  4. Authentication: Authentication
  5. Authorization: Authorization
  6. Session Management: Session management
  7. Input Validation: Input validation
  8. Error Handling: Error handling
  9. Cryptography: Cryptography
  10. Business Logic: Business logic

PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard)

  1. Pre-engagement: Preparation
  2. Intelligence Gathering: Intelligence gathering
  3. Threat Modeling: Threat modeling
  4. Vulnerability Analysis: Vulnerability analysis
  5. Exploitation: Exploitation
  6. Post Exploitation: Post-exploitation
  7. Reporting: Reporting

NIST SP 800-115

  • Planning: Planning
  • Discovery: Discovery
  • Attack: Attack
  • Reporting: Reporting

Security Testing Phases

Phase 1: Planning

  • Scope Definition: Scope definition
  • Objective Setting: Objective setting
  • Resource Allocation: Resource allocation
  • Timeline Planning: Timeline planning

Phase 2: Reconnaissance

  • Information Gathering: Information gathering
  • Asset Discovery: Asset discovery
  • Service Enumeration: Service enumeration
  • Vulnerability Scanning: Vulnerability scanning

Phase 3: Analysis

  • Vulnerability Assessment: Vulnerability assessment
  • Risk Analysis: Risk analysis
  • Threat Modeling: Threat modeling
  • Impact Assessment: Impact assessment

Phase 4: Exploitation

  • Penetration Testing: Penetration testing
  • Exploit Development: Exploit development
  • Privilege Escalation: Privilege escalation
  • Lateral Movement: Lateral movement

Phase 5: Reporting

  • Findings Documentation: Findings documentation
  • Risk Assessment: Risk assessment
  • Recommendations: Recommendations
  • Remediation Planning: Remediation planning

Security Testing Tools

Scanning Tools

  • Nessus: Vulnerability scanner
  • OpenVAS: Open source scanner
  • Qualys: Cloud service
  • Rapid7: Security platform

Penetration Testing Tools

  • Metasploit: Exploitation framework
  • Burp Suite: Web application testing
  • OWASP ZAP: Security proxy
  • Nmap: Network scanning

Code Analysis Tools

  • SonarQube: Code quality analysis
  • Checkmarx: Code security analysis
  • Veracode: Security platform
  • Fortify: Security analysis

Dependency Analysis Tools

  • Snyk: Dependency analysis
  • WhiteSource: Dependency management
  • Black Duck: Component analysis
  • FOSSA: License analysis

Types of Vulnerabilities Evaluated

Application Vulnerabilities

  • Injection: Code injection
  • Broken Authentication: Broken authentication
  • Sensitive Data Exposure: Sensitive data exposure
  • XML External Entities: XML external entities
  • Broken Access Control: Broken access control

Network Vulnerabilities

  • Open Ports: Open ports
  • Weak Protocols: Weak protocols
  • Misconfigured Services: Misconfigured services
  • Network Segmentation: Network segmentation
  • Firewall Rules: Firewall rules

System Vulnerabilities

  • Unpatched Systems: Unpatched systems
  • Weak Passwords: Weak passwords
  • Privilege Escalation: Privilege escalation
  • Service Misconfiguration: Service misconfiguration
  • Default Credentials: Default credentials

Use Cases

Software Development

  • SDLC Integration: SDLC integration
  • CI/CD Pipeline: CI/CD pipeline
  • Code Review: Code review
  • Release Testing: Release testing

Security Operations

  • Vulnerability Management: Vulnerability management
  • Incident Response: Incident response
  • Compliance Testing: Compliance testing
  • Risk Assessment: Risk assessment

Auditing and Compliance

  • Compliance Audits: Compliance audits
  • Security Assessments: Security assessments
  • Penetration Testing: Penetration testing
  • Red Team Exercises: Red team exercises

Best Practices

Planning

  1. Scope Definition: Clearly define scope
  2. Objective Setting: Set specific objectives
  3. Resource Planning: Plan resources adequately
  4. Timeline Management: Manage timeline effectively
  5. Stakeholder Communication: Communicate with stakeholders

Execution

  1. Methodology: Follow consistent methodology
  2. Tool Selection: Select appropriate tools
  3. Documentation: Document completely
  4. Quality Assurance: Ensure quality
  5. Continuous Improvement: Continuous improvement

Reporting

  1. Clear Findings: Clear findings
  2. Risk Prioritization: Risk prioritization
  3. Actionable Recommendations: Actionable recommendations
  4. Executive Summary: Executive summary
  5. Technical Details: Technical details

Security Testing Benefits

Organizational

  • Risk Reduction: Risk reduction
  • Compliance: Better compliance
  • Reputation: Reputation protection
  • Cost Savings: Cost savings

Technical

  • Vulnerability Identification: Vulnerability identification
  • Security Improvement: Security improvement
  • Quality Assurance: Quality assurance
  • Performance Optimization: Performance optimization

Commercial

  • Customer Trust: Customer trust
  • Competitive Advantage: Competitive advantage
  • Market Position: Market position
  • Business Continuity: Business continuity

References

Glossary

  • SAST: Static Application Security Testing
  • DAST: Dynamic Application Security Testing
  • IAST: Interactive Application Security Testing
  • SCA: Software Composition Analysis
  • PTES: Penetration Testing Execution Standard
  • SDLC: Software Development Life Cycle
  • CI/CD: Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment
  • OWASP: Open Web Application Security Project
  • CVE: Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures
  • CVSS: Common Vulnerability Scoring System
  • NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • XML: eXtensible Markup Language