A security breach costs far more than a security test. Here are the fundamental checks that catch the most common web application vulnerabilities.

Authentication and session management

Test that passwords are hashed, sessions expire properly, and users cannot access accounts or data that are not theirs.

Input validation and injection

Try submitting SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and command injection payloads in every input field. Unsanitized input is the most common attack vector.

Authorization checks

Confirm that users can only access their own data and that admin functions are restricted to admin roles. Test by manipulating URLs and API calls.

HTTPS everywhere

All pages and API calls should use HTTPS. Check for mixed content warnings and ensure HTTP redirects to HTTPS.

Sensitive data exposure

Verify that API responses do not leak passwords, tokens, or personal data. Check error messages do not reveal internal system details.

CSRF protection

Forms and state-changing actions should be protected against cross-site request forgery. Test that requests from external sites cannot perform actions on behalf of logged-in users.

Dependency vulnerabilities

Scan third-party libraries and frameworks for known CVEs. Outdated dependencies are a common and preventable entry point.

Rate limiting and brute force

Login and API endpoints should limit repeated attempts. Test that brute force attacks are throttled or blocked.

The takeaway

Security testing covers authentication, input validation, authorization, encryption, and dependencies. Run these checks before every launch and after major changes.

Hedztech includes security testing in our QA process. Explore QA and testing services and web development, or talk to us.