According to Security Magazine, there are approximately 2,220 cyberattacks daily, totaling over 800,000 attacks annually. While automated security testing tools can effectively uncover many common vulnerabilities, they frequently overlook specific issues that can only be identified through manual testing.
In this article, we will explain how to conduct manual security testing, outline best practices, and provide relevant examples. Let’s dive in!
Manual security testing is when security experts assess and identify system, application, or network vulnerabilities. Unlike automated tools, manual testing involves a tester using their skills and experience to explore potential security weaknesses, such as misconfigurations, logic flaws, or coding errors that automated scans may not detect.
For example, testers simulate real-world attack scenarios during manual security testing to evaluate how well a system can withstand potential threats. This testing approach allows you to get a more detailed inspection of the system’s security posture, focusing on business logic, authentication flows, and access control, which require human judgment and creativity to identify vulnerabilities.
Manual security testing includes several types, such as:
Here are some key security testing principles:
Let’s go through manual security testing best practices.
Test how the system manages user permissions and role-based access control to ensure that each user can only access the data and functions allowed for their specific role. Access controls must be enforced correctly to prevent unauthorized actions.
Example:
Verify that a regular user cannot escalate privileges to an admin level by manipulating session tokens or accessing restricted APIs.
Perform real-time tests on running applications to simulate external attacks. This method identifies vulnerabilities during application runtime that static analysis can miss.
Example:
Attempt to bypass authentication by injecting payloads into login fields or try to access hidden pages that should be restricted to specific users.
Review the application’s source code to identify security flaws such as hardcoded credentials or weak cryptographic implementations. This analysis helps catch vulnerabilities early in the development cycle.
Example:
Scan the code to find places where input validation is missing or improperly implemented, leaving the system open to injection attacks.
Verify that the server properly restricts access based on IP addresses, user roles, and other parameters. This practice ensures that sensitive areas are adequately protected against unauthorized access.
Example:
Attempt to access a secure server from an unapproved location or use an account with minimal privileges to check if it can reach sensitive directories or services.
Test all external entry points, such as APIs, web forms, and login interfaces, for vulnerabilities. Understanding how data enters and exits the system is crucial for identifying potential attack vectors.
Example:
Test an API endpoint by sending malformed or oversized requests to check for denial-of-service vulnerabilities or injection attacks.
Assess how the system manages user sessions, including session expiration, session ID generation, and handling of concurrent logins. Furthermore, proper session management helps protect against session hijacking and fixation.
Example:
Attempt session fixation attacks or hijack session tokens by inspecting the application’s cookies and other session-related data.
Test password policies, such as complexity requirements, password reset mechanisms, and storage practices. Strong password management is vital for protecting user accounts.
Example:
Check whether weak passwords can be used, whether passwords are stored securely (hashed), and whether password reset links properly expire after use.
Simulate brute-force attacks by trying multiple login attempts with automated scripts to check if the system properly limits failed login attempts or blocks repeated requests from a single IP address.
Example:
Test whether account lockout mechanisms are in place after multiple failed logins.
Attempt to inject SQL queries into input fields like login forms or search boxes to check if the application sanitizes user inputs properly. SQL injection still remains one of the most common and dangerous vulnerabilities.
Example:
Enter '; DROP TABLE users; -- into a login field and check if the application executes or rejects the query.
Test whether the application properly sanitizes user inputs to prevent XSS attacks. This vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages.
Example:
Inject a script like <script>alert('XSS')</script> into a comment form and check if the script gets executed when another user views the comment.
Check if users can modify URLs to gain unauthorized access to restricted areas. URL manipulation is a common tactic for bypassing security measures.
Example:
Try changing a URL parameter like user=123 to user=456 and see if it allows access to another user’s profile or account information.
Identify and focus on testing functions with high-security risks, such as payment gateways, authentication mechanisms, and file uploads. High-risk functions are critical points where security can fail.
Example:
Perform extensive tests on the file upload feature to ensure malicious files cannot be uploaded and executed on the server.
Here's a comparison table highlighting the key differences between manual and automated security testing:
In conclusion, manual security testing is crucial for identifying complex vulnerabilities that automated tools might miss. Understanding the steps needed to perform effective testing and knowing the various types available are fundamental for any security professional.
Moreover, applying best practices enhances the thoroughness and accuracy of the assessment. One significant advantage of manual testing is the ability to harness human intuition and creativity, allowing testers to think like attackers and discover unique vulnerabilities.
Global App Testing (GAT) specializes in functional bug identification, payment testing, and resolving UX issues. While we do not offer traditional penetration testing, we can still enhance your app's security through:
Global App Testing is committed to maintaining data integrity, availability, and confidentiality. We achieved ISO 27001 Certification in 2023, and our AWS operations utilize advanced security architecture, robust encryption protocols, and authentication mechanisms to protect your data. If you want to learn more about our services, let’s schedule a call today!
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