Top Open-Source Security Testing Tools for Web Apps

 

Colonial Pipeline, America’s largest fuel supplier, faced one of the worst cyberattacks in recent times a couple of months ago. Ransomware attacks, as they are known, have become increasingly common worldwide. Even tech giants are not immune.

Microsoft, for instance, recently faced a security breach for which the U.S. government has now accused China. These incidents of attacks spanning industries are telling cases of why businesses need to prioritize security.

With hackers getting more widespread across the globe, security testing tools are gaining prominence among businesses.

Increasingly, software makers and users alike are looking for tools that enhance their digital security. That is where the talking point of this blog post comes into the picture.

Open-source security testing tools ensure the desired protection without spending substantial money that security software usually costs.

In this post, we will talk about some of the most tried-and-tested testing tools. And the best thing about all of them is that they are free! Keep scrolling to know more.

Security Testing Tools for Your Web Apps 

Below listed are some of the most reliable testing tools for ensuring the security of your website and web app.

  1. Zed Attack Proxy

Also known as ZAP, Zed Attack Proxy is an open-source and multiplatform testing tool used worldwide. It helps you find an array of security vulnerabilities in your website and web app. With an intuitive GUI, the tool is handy for beginners and web experts alike.

Zed Attack Proxy supports command-line access for advanced-level users.  Written in the reliable Java language, it also enables testers to intercept proxy for manual web-page testing. Some other key features include application error disclosure, private IP disclosure, and SQL injection.

  1. Wapiti 

Wapiti is one of the most reliable security testing tools for web applications. Using this platform, you can thoroughly analyze the security threats to your web app.

Also Read : What company would you suggest for a usability testing service for a website?

Its features like “black box testing” for vulnerability assessment make it one of the most trusted tools. It relies on a security testing mechanism that involves scanning every component of a web page.

After which, it injects the findings to spot security lapses of all kinds. Key features of the testing tools include file disclosure, database injection, and XSS injection, among others.

  1. Wfuzz

Written in Python, Wfuzz is used widely for brute-forcing web apps. With a no GUI interface, it only relies on command-line inputs.

However, the security tool can detect a wide range of vulnerabilities, including LDAP injection, SQL injection, and XSS injection.

Capabilities that help the tool qualify the tool for this list of tools are wide-ranging. These include authentication support, multi-threading, multiple injection points, and support for proxy, among others.

  1. W3af 

W3af is one of the most popular security testing tools available as open-source. It is particularly reliable for testing applications developed using the Python framework.

W3af allows software testers to find more than 200 security vulnerabilities in web applications. These include, but are not limited to, blind SQL injection, cross-site scripting, buffer overflow, and DAV configuration issues.

Authentication support, an intuitive GUI interface, and the lack of a learning curve are some of the features that make W3af one of the top tools. A significant number of security testing services rely on this platform.

  1. SQLMap

SQLMap automates your web application testing process. Using it, testers can automate the process of detecting and utilizing SQL injection vulnerabilities.

Databases of websites and apps usually face such vulnerabilities. It comes with a useful array of features, including a powerful testing engine that can effortlessly analyze SQL injection risks.

One of the noteworthy advantages of SQL Map is its compatibility with a diverse set of databases. It supports MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL, among others.

  1. SonarQube 

SonarQube not just allows you to expose all the vulnerabilities but also analyzes the quality of the source code. Its interoperability makes SonarQube incredibly popular among testers. Although SonarQube is written in Java, it can operate in 20 different coding languages.

Besides, you can easily integrate SonarQube with other testing tools like Jenkins. For savvy users, access via command-line is also available. The main features of the tool include cross-site scripting, DoS attack prevention, and HTTP response splitting analysis.

  1. Wfuzz 

Wfuzz, the last on our list of free security testing tools, is primarily used for brute-forcing web apps.  Written in Python, Wfuzz features a spectrum of deep, analytical features that empower QA professionals. Some of its most popular capabilities include authentication support, baseline request, and brute force HTTP methods.

Also Read : Everything to Know about Smoke Testing vs Sanity Testing vs Regression Testing

Wrapping up

No matter what kind of web solution you manage, security needs to be your No. 1 priority. With malware and ransomware attacks happening everywhere from the energy industry to tech companies, the need for security testing tools will only intensify.

Your web app is particularly vulnerable if it offers banking and financial services. That is why you need to contact a software testing company and get your solution analyzed. Regular testing and analysis help you protect against all kinds of security risks.

FAQs

  1. How can I test my web application manually?

Seeking professional help is the most effective way of testing your web app. Since software testing is a sophisticated process, only experienced professionals can assure the right testing and bug fixing. We offer a comprehensive range of eCommerce testing services.

2. How do I find bugs in my web application?

Bugs and errors can be hidden anywhere in your web app. You cannot detect a bug without the appropriate testing. Choose the right software testing company approach to detect bugs and fix them promptly.

3. Why is test automation important?

Test automation, or automated software testing, increases the depth and scope of tests and significantly improves quality. It helps you avoid lengthy and repetitive manual testing methods. Test automation saves substantial amounts of time and effort.