If you’re responsible for the security of a web-based system, then you need to know about web pentesting. Pentesting is the process of testing a web application for vulnerabilities. In this article, we’ll discuss what web pentesting is, why it’s important, and how to perform a web pentest using some of the best tools available. We’ll be discussing some of the most popular web pentest tools available in the current market. So, whether you’re just getting started or seeking an upgrade, this post has something for you.
What is Web Pentesting?
Web pentesting is the process of identifying, exploiting, and reporting vulnerabilities in web-based systems. A pentester’s goal is to find all the vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an attacker. This includes both technical and non-technical flaws.
Importance of Web Pentesting
Web pentesting is important for several different reasons, however, the following two are of paramount importance:
- To safeguard your data: All organizations must take steps to secure their data. A web pentest can help you identify vulnerabilities in your system so that you can fix them before an attacker does.
- To protect your reputation: A company’s reputation is its most valuable asset in today’s digital age. If an attacker were to exploit a vulnerability in your web application and deface your website, it would damage your reputation and cost you money in lost business.
Web Pentest Tool: Why You Need One
- To automate the testing process: A web pentest tool can automate many of the tasks that a pentester would otherwise have to do manually. This includes things like scanning for vulnerabilities and brute-forcing passwords.
- To find hidden vulnerabilities: A web pentest tool can help you find vulnerabilities that would otherwise be difficult to find.
- To improve your efficiency: A web pentest tool can help you work more efficiently by automating tasks and providing you with all the information you need in one place.
Different types of Web Pentest Tools
There are a few different types of web pentest tools:
- Port Scanners: A port scanner is a program that searches for open ports on a web server. This may be used to identify security issues such as unpatched software or incorrectly configured servers.
- Vulnerability Scanners: A vulnerability scanner is a tool that checks a website for known vulnerabilities. This might be used to discover SQL injection and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, among other things.
- Network Sniffers: A network sniffer is a tool that captures network traffic and analyzes it for sensitive data. This may be utilized to discover things like passwords and credit card numbers.
- Intercept Proxy: An intercepting proxy is software that sits in the middle of a web browser and a web server. It may be used to monitor and modify online traffic. This can be utilized to detect or exploit session hijacking flaws.
- Password Crackers: A password breaker is a program that tries to guess passwords by using brute force. This may be used to discover weak passwords that are easy to guess by an attacker.
Web Pentest: How to Perform One?
Performing a web pentest is not as simple as just running a few tools and looking for vulnerabilities. A web pentest consists of four phases: preparation, pre-attack, attack, and aftermath.
- Planning Phase: The planning phase is where you determine the scope of the test and what you want to achieve. This includes things like deciding which systems to test and which tools to use.
- Pre-Attack Phase: The pre-attack phase is where you recon the target and gather information about it. This includes things like footprinting and enumeration.
- Attack Phase: The attack phase is where you actually exploit the vulnerabilities that you have found. This includes things like SQL injection and cross-site scripting attacks.
- Post-Attack Phase: The post-attack phase is where you document your findings and report them to the client. This includes things like writing a report and giving presentations.
Best Web Pentest Tools
Astra’s Pentest
Astra Security has been driven by the desire to make web application security easier for end users. Astra’s Pentest has adopted this idea. This web pentest tool comes with a number of advantages. For example, you may link CI/CD tools with Astra’s pentest suite, so that every time there is a code upgrade, an automated scan is triggered.
You may also link it with, for example, Jira or Slack to enable your team members to perform pentest and remedy procedures without the entire suite having access. Of course, the pentest suite allows you, on-site staff and developers, to communicate with one another. It’s like having an in-house security department without actually having one.
Some of these capabilities may be found in other web pentest tools, and Astra’s relationship management, support, and goodwill are important parts. They’ve worked with firms such as Ford, Gillette, and GoDaddy. When searching for the best Penetration Testing Tools, you can’t miss them.
NMAP
The essence of NMAP is the ability to scan for open ports. It’s an open-source program that aids in network mapping by scanning ports, identifying operating systems, and generating a device inventory as well as a service list.
Owing to the way in which these protocols are assigned and implemented, a VPN tunnel is able to send distinct packet types for each layer of the OSI model. They’ll be back with IP addresses and additional information.
WireShark
Another famous open-source tool for protocol analysis is WireShark. It enables you to examine network traffic at a microscopic level. Protocol analysis is a common use for WireShark. If you are aware of the ins and outs of this software, it can be an extremely beneficial instrument.
Metasploit
Metasploit is a Ruby-based open-source tool that may be used by both good and bad hackers to exploit network and server vulnerabilities. The Metasploit framework also includes parts of fuzzing, anti-forensic, and evasion tools.
It’s simple to set up and will operate on a variety of platforms, regardless of the languages they’re written in. Metasploit’s popularity and widespread accessibility among professional hackers have made it a crucial instrument for Penetration Testers.
The framework incorporates listeners, encoders, post-exploitation code, and other elements. Metasploit may be a truly powerful tool for Pentesting in the hands of the right person.
Conclusion
Web pentesting is a critical part of web security. A web pentest tool can help you find vulnerabilities that would otherwise be difficult to find. There are a few different types of web pentest tools, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The best way to perform a web pentest is to follow the four phases: planning, pre-attack, attack, and post-attack. Last but not least, there are a few web penetration testing tools that distinguish themselves from the competition.