The Challenges for Web Application Scanning

It is an essential process that helps organizations build their security posture but it also comes with various challenges. The challenges for web application scanning include:

• False Positives and Negatives: Scanners may incorrectly identify vulnerabilities. Thus, leading to inefficient reports and potential threats unresolved.

• Complex Web Applications: With the continuous evolution of web applications, they have become dynamic and complex. Thus, making it difficult for scanners to identify all the vulnerabilities in the application.

• Performance Impact: Scanning can sometimes slow down web application performance, which can be disruptive to users and operations.

• Frequent Updates: Continuous updates and changes to web applications require frequent rescanning, which can be resource-intensive and challenging to manage.

• Custom Code: Unique, custom-built features of a web application may not be effectively scanned by automated tools, necessitating manual review.

Web App Scanning vs. Web Vulnerability Scanning

The basic difference between the two scanning methods is based on the environment in which it is done. During a Web application scanning the application is scanned for vulnerabilities and potential security flaws.

While a web vulnerability scanning is a process that is based on the web environment to find flaws. The web environment includes servers, networks, and databases. Here is a list of differences between web application scanning and web vulnerability scanning:

Aspect	Web Application Scanning	Web Vulnerability Scanning
Scope	Focuses on identifying vulnerabilities specific to web applications.	Focuses on vulnerabilities in web applications, servers, networks, and other components.
Purpose	Its purpose is to secure web applications by detecting flaws and security risks.	Provides a complete security scan of vulnerabilities associated with web applications.
Common Tools	OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, and Metasploit.	Nessus, OpenVAS, and Qualys.
Types of Vulnerabilities	Vulnerabilities include SQL injection, XSS, and misconfigurations.	Includes web-specific vulnerabilities as well as network and servers.
Depth of Analysis	Provides in-depth analysis of application-specific vulnerabilities.	Provides an analysis of the security posture, and vulnerabilities.
Automation vs. Manual	This process uses automated tools.	It is usually done using automated tools but manual testing could also be done.
Output	Detailed reports on application vulnerabilities.	Comprehensive security reports.

Common Web App Scanning Tools

There are various types of tools available for scanning. These tools are used for various purposes and the scope of the testing that is required. Some of the web application scanning tools are listed below:

• Burpsuite
• Netsparker
• OWASP ZAP
• W3af
• SQLMap
• Nmap
• Nikto
• Open SSL
• Metasploit

Types of Web Application Scanning

Web application scanning can be typically categorized into two types, which are:

1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

SAST analyzes various aspects of the application. These aspects include source code and bytecodes of the application that’s being tested. It is termed a static tool because these tools perform the analysis without executing it.

It scans for security flaws during the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle). The vulnerabilities often include coding errors and flaws.

• Purpose: Find vulnerabilities in the code during development.
• Benefits: Helps developers fix issues before the application is run, making it more secure from the start.
• Examples: Checkmarx, Fortify, Veracode.

2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

DAST identifies vulnerabilities in the web application effectively. The tool finds these vulnerabilities by simulating attacks on the application and analyzes how the application responds. This is helpful for attacks such as SQL injection and Cross-site scripting (XSS).

• Purpose: Detect vulnerabilities that can be exploited from outside the application.
• Benefits: Identifies security flaws that appear when the application is live and running.
• Examples: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, Netsparker, SQL Map, etc.

How to Choose Web Application Scanning Tools

All web vulnerability scanners offer similar features: automated scans, an interface to monitor scans, a vulnerability scan report, and some help with fixing vulnerabilities.

1. Integration with CI/CD Pipeline

The web app scanner must fit into the firm’s continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline. This allows the firm to automate vulnerability scans whenever there’s a code update, in addition to regularly scheduled scans.

2. Centralized Control Dashboard

Web application scanning provides a comprehensive dashboard that manages every step of the vulnerability process. Through the dashboard, firms can do the following process:

• Monitor vulnerabilities
• Update their statuses
• Assign them to team members
• Discuss them with security experts

3. Actionable Vulnerability Reports

A good vulnerability report should be easy to understand. A firm or business needs to opt for scanners that provide risk scores and video proofs-of-concept (PoCs) to help you quickly address issues.

4. Compliance-Specific

Preparing for compliance audits can be challenging. Hence, businesses should choose a scanner that runs compliance-specific scans and tells the firm, what needs to be fixed to meet audit requirements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, web application scanning is essential for ensuring the security of web applications. By opting for this process firms can safeguard their web applications and the customer’s data from potential cyber-attacks and data thefts. This process needs to be done regularly so that their web applications’ security is up to date. As a result, it strengthens the security posture of the web application.

Qualysec is a leading cybersecurity firm that provides web application scanning services to businesses and firms. Our team of cybersecurity experts evaluates risks and generates reports of all the vulnerabilities found. We use automated tools and manual techniques for this process. Additionally, we also provide services such as manual penetration testing to our clients. Most importantly, we create an environment where web applications are more secure than before.

FAQ

Q. What is a web application scanning?

A: It is a process where automated tools are used to identify and pinpoint potential risks in applications that cyber criminals could exploit. It mitigates these risks before the web application is introduced in the market.

Q. What are the two types of Web application scanning?

A: The two important types of scanning tools are DAST and SAST. These stand for static application security testing and dynamic application security testing.

Q. What should I look for in a web application vulnerability scanner?

A: When choosing a web application vulnerability scanner, look for features such as integration with CI/CD pipelines, a centralized control dashboard for managing vulnerabilities, etc.