1. Input Validation Testing
- Test Inputs: Manually test inputs for fields and parameters to identify vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and buffer overflows.
- Boundary Testing: Check how the application handles input boundaries, such as maximum field lengths and special characters.
2. Authentication and Authorization
- Authentication Testing: Verify that authentication mechanisms (e.g., login, password reset) are secure and follow best practices.
- Authorization Testing: Ensure that users cannot access resources or perform actions outside their permitted scope. Test for privilege escalation and role-based access control.
3. Session Management
- Session Security: Test session management features for security issues such as session fixation, session hijacking, and improper session timeouts.
- Cookies and Tokens: Verify that cookies and tokens are properly secured with attributes like
Secure,HttpOnly, andSameSite.
4. Data Protection
- Data Encryption: Verify that sensitive data is encrypted both in transit and at rest. Check the implementation of encryption algorithms and key management.
- Data Storage: Ensure sensitive data is not exposed or improperly stored. Check for information leakage in logs or error messages.
5. Error Handling
- Error Messages: Review error messages to ensure they do not reveal sensitive information about the application’s internal workings or security mechanisms.
- Exception Handling: Check how exceptions are handled and whether they could potentially expose vulnerabilities or crash the application.
6. Code Review
- Source Code Analysis: Review the source code to identify security issues such as hardcoded credentials, improper input validation, and insecure coding practices.
- Secure Coding Practices: Ensure that the code follows secure coding guidelines and best practices.
7. Conduct Penetration Testing
- Manual Penetration Testing: Simulate attacks on the application to identify vulnerabilities. Focus on common attack vectors such as:
- SQL Injection: Test for unvalidated database queries.
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Test for script injection in web applications.
- Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF): Verify protections against unauthorized actions.
- File Upload Vulnerabilities: Check for improper handling of file uploads and potential exploits.
8. Review Security Configurations
- Security Headers: Verify that HTTP security headers (e.g., Content Security Policy, X-Frame-Options) are correctly implemented.
- Server Configuration: Review server and application configurations for security best practices, such as disabling unnecessary services and proper permissions.