Manual Penetration Testing for Web Applications & Complex Platforms
binsec GmbH conducts penetration tests of web applications, whose scope and complexity can range from a simple static website to a multi-tenant web application. The approach is based on the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide and the OWASP Top 10. The Web Security Testing Guide is recognized globally as the most comprehensive framework for technical, manual web application testing. The OWASP Top 10 outlines the ten most critical vulnerabilities in web applications. In the latest release, it is evident that most vulnerabilities in web applications result from flaws in access control. In addition, we consider the OWASP API Security Top 10 whenever an API is publicly accessible in the background of the web application.
The methodical test approach of binsec GmbH is divided into the following 16 test phases:
- Information gathering (passive, external resources)
- Testing underlying IT systems as an attack vector
- Information gathering (active, test objects)
- Configuration management of web server & web application
- Authentication testing of access controls
- Identity management & registration process
- Testing of user password handling
- Secure data transmission
- Session management
- Authorization testing
- Authorization testing (multi-tenancy)
- Input validation (e.g. Injection, XSS)
- File upload implementation
- Low and Slow Denial of Service
- Error handling
- Successful exploitation
Various analysis tools are used during the pentest, as well as intensive manual testing. The exact course of the penetration test depends heavily on the characteristics of the respective application and is based on the approach a real attacker would take. We assess web applications using both authenticated and unauthenticated methods. To efficiently uncover flaws in access control and authorization management, test accounts for each user role and, if applicable, different tenants are usually required.
Among other tools, we utilize Burp Suite Professional for analysis, complementing it with additional tooling as well as custom-developed Python scripts. Classic vulnerability scanners for web applications fail to detect complex authentication, authorization, and business logic flaws, which primarily account for critical vulnerabilities.
Example Report
Your advantages with
binsec GmbH
As an owner-managed pentest boutique – staffed by a high-performing team of around 10 experienced senior experts – binsec GmbH has specialized in sophisticated penetration testing for over a decade. We demonstrate our deep roots in the community every day through our own platforms like binsec.tools, binsec.wiki, and binsec.academy. Relevant academic degrees, high-caliber industry certifications, and years of hands-on project experience are what truly matter to us – and how we guarantee a precise, manual analysis for every assessment.
Contact usMore than 10 years of practical experience in penetration testing
No subcontractors or external freelancers
Direct communication with the responsible senior penetration tester
Structured, documented, and reproducible testing methodology based on PTDoc®
Fully controlled in-house pentesting infrastructure, no cloud services used
Identification of technical and business-relevant security risks
Risk-weighted vulnerability assessment or CVSS based scoring
Report including executive summary and detailed technical section
Retesting of identified vulnerabilities included
Your advantages with
binsec GmbH
As an owner-managed pentest boutique – staffed by a high-performing team of around 10 experienced senior experts – binsec GmbH has specialized in sophisticated penetration testing for over a decade. We demonstrate our deep roots in the community every day through our own platforms like binsec.tools, binsec.wiki, and binsec.academy. Relevant academic degrees, high-caliber industry certifications, and years of hands-on project experience are what truly matter to us – and how we guarantee a precise, manual analysis for every assessment.
More than 10 years of practical experience in penetration testing
No subcontractors or external freelancers
Direct communication with the responsible senior penetration tester
Structured, documented, and reproducible testing methodology based on PTDoc®
Fully controlled in-house pentesting infrastructure, no cloud services used
Identification of technical and business-relevant security risks
Risk-weighted vulnerability assessment or CVSS based scoring
Report including executive summary and detailed technical section
Retesting of identified vulnerabilities included
Approach: Standard-Compliant & Reproducible
A penetration test is a structured attack on IT systems or applications to identify potential vulnerabilities. It uses the same tools and techniques that real attackers would use to break into a system. Thus, a penetration test is not an automated vulnerability scan. On the contrary, a penetration test as a service is always a combination of using security tools and conducting manual tests to uncover vulnerabilities. While a real attacker only needs to find and exploit a single vulnerability, a penetration tester checks all relevant attack vectors.
Having a structured approach is one of the most important factors. For this purpose, we use our own platform PTDoc®, a specialized pentest documentation tool that logs all manual testing steps in full compliance with all relevant security standards and translates them into a clear, reproducible report for you. Since this tool significantly reduces the overhead of report generation, it allows us to focus entirely on our core mission as pentesters: identifying and analyzing critical security flaws. This is particularly relevant when conducting a penetration test of a web application. Our approach is based on all relevant standards and publications.
How We Work During Web Application Penetration Tests
From Planning to Re-Testing
Preparations
We coordinate the technical and organisational framework for the penetration test, communication channels, points of contact and testing windows. Depending on the project, this is done through a kick-off meeting or a brief exchange via e-mail. Where required, the client provides relevant technical documentation and access to the systems within scope.
Conducting
The penetration test is performed using a structured and risk-oriented assessment approach that combines automated analysis techniques with extensive manual testing. The specific test cases and assessment procedures depend on the actual conditions, technologies and attack surface encountered within the target environment.
Reporting
After the assessment, we prepare a detailed report including an executive summary, risk ratings, technical details and remediation recommendations. Findings are documented in a clear and reproducible manner and critical issues are communicated immediately during the engagement if required.
Debriefing
We are happy to review the findings and recommendations together with your team. During the debriefing, we explain technical details, potential impacts and remediation priorities, while answering questions and discussing next steps.
Re-Testing
After remediation, we verify whether the identified findings have been successfully resolved and update the report accordingly. Re-testing is generally included for remote assessments and provides assurance that the implemented measures are effective.
Request a Quote for a Web Application Penetration Test
Planning a penetration test always requires a careful balance between the time invested in testing and the financial framework to achieve a reasonable price-performance ratio. Successful pentests are characterized by a precise balance between these factors, as this is the only way to guarantee a reliable review of all relevant attack vectors. The time required depends on the size and complexity of the scope. While analyzing a small web application without complex permission structures often takes just a few days, a comprehensive pentest of a mature enterprise web application can take several weeks.
To provide a tailored pentest offer, we require initial information regarding the systems and applications to be examined, allowing us to accurately assess the target environment. For web applications, details about the number of user roles, test credentials, and any publicly accessible APIs are highly beneficial. Any additional technical details, such as the frameworks and technologies utilized, help us design the ideal testing scenario for you.
binsec GmbH is a German pentest company for professional penetration testing. Contact Us for a Quote for a Web Application Penetration Test, get your pentest today!
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Pentesting
for specific standards and requirements
There are a lot of standards or legal requirements worldwide, that require conducting of a penetration test.
binsec GmbH for professional Penetration Testing
Web Application Penetration Test
binsec GmbH is the german professional penetration testing company focused on your web application ecosystem.
Get a pentest offer without typical sales nonsense. Talk to experts instead of pre-sales consultants. Better pentesting. No nonsense. As a professional penetration test provider we do some things differently than other pentest providers: As a penetration test firm, we do not sell automated vulnerability scans as a pentest. We also focus on business security risks. You are looking for a professionally conducted penetration test? Get the binsec team on board for your project!
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Frequently Asked Questions
It is difficult to give an generalized answer to this question, since the toolset used basically depends on the respective test object. Of course, we use tools such as nmap to check IT infrastructures or the Burp Suite Professional in the case of web applications.
However, we believe that publishing a tool list is mere window dressing, as each target system should be tested individually. However, you are welcome to ask us about the tools we used after the pentest.
Hosting critical business applications on a cloud provider such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud or Hetzner Cloud is becoming increasingly common.
Of course we perform penetration tests for applications hosted in the cloud. This also applies to penetration testing of cloud-based IT infrastructures, provided that the virtual machines are not managed directly by the cloud provider.
We perform penetration tests for almost any IT environment, system, application or network – right down to protocol fuzzing. Only the analysis of hardware chips under a microscope is something we leave to others.
Typical targets of our penetration tests include:
Web Applications and APIs
Mobile Applications
Servers, Platforms and Infrastructure
- Webserver Pentesting
- Network Pentesting
- Firewalls Pentesting
- WiFi / WLAN Pentesting
- Active Directory (AD) Pentesting
- RDP Server / Remote Desktop Pentesting
- OT Pentesting
Containers and DevOps
Identity and Authentication
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