Web application penetration testing

Detailed web app pen testing from OSCP & CREST certified security experts.

Trusted penetration testing services

CREST approved
PEN TEST approved
Offensive Security OSCP
ISO 27001 Certified
National Cyber Security Centre Cyber Advisor
Cyber Essentials Certification
Cyber Essentials Plus Certification

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Expert web app pen tests from Bulletproof

Web Apps & APIs

Expert web app security testing assesses authenticated and unauthenticated web apps and APIs.

Crest Certified Security Experts

Bulletproof penetration testers are independently qualified by industry-recognised certification bodies such as CREST.

Modern Dashboard Driven Platform

Our simple to use data driven threat dashboard prioritises test results and gives you key remediation guidance.

Continuous Automated Protection

Discover new security flaws and protect your business 24/7 with continuous security testing.

Secure your web apps and APIs Secure your web apps and APIs

API and web app security

Web application penetration testing is used to test websites and their features by safely simulating a cyber attack. Web app pen testing uses the same up-to-date technology that’s used by real-world attackers to critically assess security vulnerabilities, weaknesses and technical misconfigurations in your web apps and APIs. Regular application pen testing is the cornerstone of any modern security strategy and is vital for keeping your online presence protected against data breaches.

Bulletproof pen testers use their expertise in how to penetration test web applications to carry out static source code reviews such as SAST, and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST). DAST simulates an attack on the application when it’s running, meaning we can detect security weaknesses that only occur under certain conditions or operating scenarios. DAST and SAST are integral parts of securing your software development lifecycle (SDLC).

Website security testing

  • Input Validation

    Prevent SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) & Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

  • API Testing

    Rigorously test the security of your APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

  • Secure File Upload

    Check the security of file upload functionalities to prevent malicious file uploads & execution

  • Encryption & transportation

    Ensure data is securely encrypted with strong ciphers and correct implementation

  • Error Handling

    Verify errors handling doesn't disclose sensitive information that could be useful to attackers

  • Security Patching

    Ensure all areas of your web apps and APIs are up to date with known security vulnerabilities


Benefits of web app penetration testing Benefits of web app penetration testing

Benefits of web app penetration testing

Bulletproof’s CREST-certified penetration testers will carefully analyse all aspects of your web app and API to methodically uncover your security weaknesses. Every test follows industry best practices, such as OWASP, and is designed to protect what matters most to your business. Bulletproof’s comprehensive after-action reports provide both an easy-to-understand executive summary and a vital technical breakdown.

  • Expose vulnerabilities and poor security controls
  • Uncover web application security flaws
  • Reveal insecure functionality in your app
  • Discover security design issues

We understand how dynamic the threat landscape is, which is why we offer 12-months of free vulnerability scanning on up to 8 IP addresses when you book a web app pen test.

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Types of web app pen test

Web application penetration testing methodology models different attack vectors. Bulletproof recommends a blend of authenticated and unauthenticated testing to ensure all security risks are discovered and documented.

Authenticated

Authenticated

Authenticated (aka white box testing) pen tests analyse the security of your web app from the perspective of an attacker who has breached the external security or phished valid credentials. This is a more in-depth test and shows the real damage a successful cyber attack could cause.

Unauthenticated

Unauthenticated

Unauthenticated web app testing, or ‘black box testing’ models what kind of damage a cyber criminal could do without having access to valid user credentials. This type of testing is useful for identifying vulnerabilities that can be exploited by anyone who has access to the web app, such as a login page.

API

API

API penetration testing is a vital component to include if your web app uses an application programming interface. It’s best practice to test your APIs in addition to the rest of your web apps, though API testing is often covered separately from the scope of a web app penetration test.

Top 10 web app vulnerabilities

Top 10 most common web application vulnerabilities we have found when pen testing:

  1. Improper Access Controls
  2. Stored Cross-Site Scripting
  3. Outdated Website Libraries/Components
  4. Cross-Site Request Forgery
  5. SQL Injection
  6. Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
  7. CSV Injection
  8. Arbitrary File Upload
  9. Server-Side Request Forgery
  10. Unrestricted File Upload
78%

of web vulnerabilities are a low effort to fix

18.42%

high likelihood of being exploited


A Bulletproof app pen testing methodology & service

Most penetration testing follows a 6-step lifecycle:

Scope definition & pre-engagement interactions

Based on your defined goals, we’ll work with you to develop a tailored testing strategy.

Intelligence gathering & threat modelling

In this reconnaissance stage, our experts use the latest groundbreaking techniques to gather as much security information as possible about the web apps and sites in the remit.

Vulnerability analysis

Our penetration testers use the latest security tools and industry knowledge to carry out a detailed analysis, uncovering exactly what is making your critical assets vulnerable to attack.

Exploitation

Using a range of custom-made exploits and existing software, our web app penetration testers will test all external and internal-facing systems without disrupting your business.

Post-exploitation

The team will determine the value of the compromised targets by trying to elevate privileges and pivot to other systems and networks. All compromised systems will be thoroughly cleaned of any scripts.

Reporting

Our security team will produce a comprehensive report with their findings. Once received, we’ll invite you for a collaborative read through. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and request further information on key aspects of your business.


Here’s what our customers say about us

Web app testing FAQs

A web application penetration test is a comprehensive security review where our team of specialised and accredited pen testers takes on the role of a cyber criminal. They’ll attempt to uncover and exploit security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in your website or a specific web application. Web application penetration testing provides vital information on how to secure your web app and, ultimately, helps keep your organisation secure online.

Bulletproof believes in working to the very best standards, so all our web application tests include the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10 vulnerabilities as a minimum. We use a blend of advanced automated tools and manual expertise to uncover security weaknesses. This includes code injection, broken authentication, misconfigurations, XSS, and much more.

The duration of a web application penetration test will be determined by the size and complexity of the scope. For example, the greater the number of applications to test, the longer the web app pen test will take. Once the pen tester has understood the business, the number of applications to be assessed, and the desired outcomes of the web app pen test, the tester will then be able to assign a timeframe for the duration of the test.

Whilst all web app penetration tests have the same goal of uncovering security weaknesses, there are different areas to consider:

  • Authenticated tests analyse the security of your web app from a privileged user perspective.
  • Unauthenticated tests mean that our penetration testers hunt for security weaknesses without access to user credentials.
  • API tests are a vital component to include if your web application has an API. Penetration testing a web app’s API uses slightly different tools, and techniques. It is often covered separately from the scope of a web app test.

Bulletproof recommends a blend of all three testing types to get the most value from your penetration testing engagement and understand all the risks.

To scope a web application penetration test and for an organisation to get the most value out of the test, the tester would first need to establish the rules of engagement and what the end goal is for the web app pen test.

A scope would include gathering as much information about the target as possible, identifying all the web applications that require testing, and whether the test will be authenticated or unauthenticated.

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