The customers and hackers get in touch with your site frequently. One attack on your web application or external infrastructure can reveal confidential data resulting in breach, downtime, and mistrust. To avoid this, web application penetration testing and external network penetration testing should be performed by the business. This method also offers multiple protection which secures not only your web platform but also your supporting systems.

Web Application Penetration Testing

Web application penetration testing is an examination of your websites and API based on vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. It is not just automated scans, but it mimics actual hacks to test the effectiveness of your application against attacks.

Key issues detected include:

• SQL Injection and XSS: The opportunity to allow the attacker to manipulate input and inject code.
• Weaknesses in authentication: weak login or session management controls.
• Insecure File Uploads: Posting a malicious code on the server.
• Cross-site Request Forgery (CSRF): Unauthorized commands that are initiated with trusted users.
• Misconfigurations: Not configured servers that reveal internal information or outdated software.

Testing guarantees the adherence to OWASP Top 10 and safeguards the user against data theft and service failure.

What Is External Network Penetration Testing?

Although the web application is all you see on the surface, your outside network is the structure behind it. external network penetration testing focuses on the security of these externally oriented assets, including web servers, DNS as well as VPNs.

It identifies:

• Unpatched Systems: old operating systems or software.
• Open ports and services: These are unneeded ports that are used by attackers.
• Firewall Misconfigurations: Low-quality perimeter defenses.
• DNS Vulnerabilities: The possible domain hijacking or redirection.
• Public Credential: Information about past breaches.

You minimize the attack surface, which links to your web applications by getting your external perimeter secured.

The way These Tests Coexist

Attackers do not care when they break one layer. A network vulnerability can destroy your application, and a web vulnerability can reveal the infrastructure credentials. The integration of the web application penetration testing and external network penetration testing can guarantee:

• Full Exposure Analysis: Secures both the front-end and the backend systems.
• Incident Prevention: Prevents attackers prior to their further pivot.
• Regulatory Compliance: ISO 27001 and PCI DSS security controls.
• Customer Assurance: Shows a continuous interest in the safety of data.

Aardwolf Security Integrated Testing Methodology

In Aardwolf Security, our ethical hackers conduct integrated testing to provide integrated information.

The process includes:

1. Discovery: Mapping applications, servers, and IP ranges.

2. Enumeration: Determining possible weaknesses on both levels.

3. Controlled Exploitation: SAFE validation.

4. Risk Prioritization: Classifying the vulnerabilities according to impact and severity.

5. In-depth Reporting: Administrating technical descriptions and executive reports.

Through our joint testing, we discover the vulnerabilities between your app and infrastructure that single-layer scanning likely overlooks.

Advantages of Combined Testing

• Prevents multi-layered chained attacks.
• Minimizes loss of time due to security-related cases.
• Prioritized insights are supported to facilitate faster patch management.
• Establishes a better trust with the customers and regulators.

Conclusion

Your security ecosystem cannot be separated into Web applications and network infrastructure. Web application penetration testing and external network penetration testing when done together makes the end to end resilient. Using the experience of Aardwolf Security, your organization will be able to find, learn, and minimize the vulnerabilities before they result in compromise securing your business in all directions.