APPLICATION SECURITY TESTING

What is it?


Security testing techniques scour for vulnerabilities or security holes in applications. These vulnerabilities leave applications open to exploitation. Ideally, security testing is implemented throughout the entire software development life cycle (SDLC) so that vulnerabilities may be addressed in a timely and thorough manner. Testing is often conducted as an afterthought at the end of the development cycle.


Source Code Review: Given the common size of individual programs (often 500,000 lines of code or more), the human brain cannot execute a comprehensive data flow analysis needed in order to completely check all circuitous paths of an application program to find vulnerability points. The human brain is suited more for filtering, interrupting and reporting the outputs of automated source code analysis tools available commercially versus trying to trace every possible path through a compiled code base to find the root cause level vulnerabilities.


Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a technology that is frequently used as a Source Code Analysis tool. The method analyzes source code for security vulnerabilities prior to the launch of an application and is used to strengthen code. This method produces fewer false positives but for most implementations requires access to an application's source code and requires expert configuration and lots of processing power.


Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is a technology, which is able to find visible vulnerabilities by feeding a URL into an automated scanner. This method is highly scalable, easily integrated and quick. DAST's drawbacks lie in the need for expert configuration and the high possibility of false positives and negatives.


Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) is a solution that assesses applications from within using software instrumentation. This technique allows IAST to combine the strengths of both SAST and DAST methods as well as providing access to code, HTTP traffic, library information, backend connections and configuration information.


Why do Companies need Application Security Testing?


Not so long ago the majority of hacking occurred through weak links in operating systems. As those weaknesses disappeared, the focus shifted back to third-party software and devices. The result is that data is now at risk from the weakest link in the network. What that means is that even an app on someone’s cell phone with a connection to that network can become an open door for hackers. That is a general reason why app security is necessary. It does not matter whether the app is created for in-house use, selling an app, or buying an app. What matters is that the open door is not only closed but secured.


Applications are a necessary part of doing business in a world where everything connects to the internet. The Internet of Things, hyperconnectivity, and customer demand require that businesses use apps. Apps help bridge the connectedness of a business with mobile, peripheral, network, and wired devices. They allow to collect a great deal of information, provide ease of use for consumers and employees, and they make a difference in competitive markets. As such, business goals should address the following:

  • Reduce Risk — Including those from third-parties
  • Protect Brand Image — by projecting security and preventing leaks
  • Protect and Build Customer Confidence — Customer experience is driving competition
  • Protect and Safeguard Data — both own and customers
  • Improve Trust from customers, investors, and lenders — Mitigating risk improves trust from all parties


Whatever is the industry the three topics that require attention are trust, image and risk. Without anyone of these items businesses flounder.


How can we help?




At BinSec Technologies we provide varieties of application security testing. some of them are as mentioned below but not limited to only these:-

  • ✅SAST and DAST: For better result both the tests are carried out to rule out al possible chances of vulnerabilites.
  • ✅Software Composition Analysis (SCA): The application of SCA is limited only to open-source components, and they are unable to detect vulnerabilities in the in-house components of an application. However, they are highly efficient at finding vulnerabilities in the open source components by examining the origin of existing components, and libraries within the software. Also, they advise whether a component is outdated or there is a patch available.
  • ✅Database Security Scanning (DSS): databases are not considered a part of an application, they should not be ignored when an application security testing activity is being conducted. Dedicated database security scanning tools check for patches, versions, access control levels, weak passwords, etc.
  • ✅Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST): IAST is used to check whether known vulnerabilities (from SAST) can be exploited in a running application (i.e., DAST). With the combined knowledge of data flow and application flow in an application it is possible to visualize advanced attack scenarios using test cases which are further used to create additional test cases by utilizing DAST results recursively. This is one of the very important security tests that has direct bearing on the exploitation of the application.
  • ✅Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST): MAST is a blend of SAST, DAST, and forensic techniques while it allows mobile application code to be tested specifically for mobiles-specific issues such as jailbreaking, and device rooting, spoofed Wi-Fi connections, validation of certificates, data leakage prevention, etc
  • ✅Correlation Analysis: In application security testing, false positive pose a significant challenge. Using correlation analysis it is possible to reduce some of the noise by creating a central repository of findings from other application security tools.
  • ✅Test Coverage Analysis: Test–coverage analyzers are more like a tracking tool for the application security team to measure how many lines of code out of total lines of code have been analyzed. The result is presented in the form of a percentage of coverage, and these tools are really useful when large applications are being developed.
  • ✅Web Application Security Testing: Web applications along with database interation are tested for vulnerabilites and threats using the OWASP top 10 risks.