Certified Web Application Security Tester
Target Students
Security professionals, web developers, penetration testers, and IT professionals responsible for securing web applications against cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
Duration : 40 hours (5 days)
Learning Objectives
Master web application security testing techniques and tools.
Identify and exploit common web vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF.
Understand secure coding practices and defensive techniques to mitigate vulnerabilities.
Develop skills in automated and manual web application testing.
Gain experience with real-world testing scenarios and security assessments.
Exam Codes : CWAST-904
Exam Duration : 2 hours
Exam Formats : 100 multiple-choice questions
Exam Options : Online , In-Person
Passing Score : 70%
Course Outline
Foundations of Web Application Security
Module 1 : Introduction to Web Application Security
Overview of Web Application Security
Understanding the Importance of Web Security
Common Threats and Vulnerabilities in Web Applications
Overview of OWASP Top 10 Security Risks
Web Application Architecture
Understanding Web Technologies: HTTP/S, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Components of Web Applications: Servers, Databases, Frontend/Backend
Overview of Web Application Development Lifecycle
Module 2 : Setting Up a Testing Environment
Building a Web Application Testing Lab
Setting Up Virtual Machines, Proxy Tools (e.g., Burp Suite), and Browsers
Introduction to Web Application Security Tools: OWASP ZAP, Nikto, and W3af
Best Practices for Isolating and Securing the Testing Environment
Web Application Vulnerability Identification
Module 3 : Information Gathering and Reconnaissance
Passive Reconnaissance Techniques
OSINT for Web Application Security: WHOIS, DNS Records, and Metadata Analysis
Identifying Web Technologies and Frameworks
Fingerprinting Web Applications and Identifying Attack Surface
Active Reconnaissance Techniques
Mapping Application Architecture: Directory and File Enumeration
Identifying Entry Points: Login Forms, APIs, and Data Input Fields
Automated Scanning Techniques with Nikto and OWASP ZAP
Module 4 : Testing for Common Web Vulnerabilities
SQL Injection (SQLi)
Understanding SQLi: Types and Impact
Manual Testing for SQLi: Exploiting Input Fields and URLs
Automated SQLi Testing with SQLMap
Case Study: SQL Injection in Real-World Applications
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Understanding XSS: Types (Stored, Reflected, DOM-Based)
Identifying and Exploiting XSS Vulnerabilities
Mitigating XSS with Secure Coding Practices
Case Study: XSS Attacks on Popular Websites
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Understanding CSRF: Mechanisms and Impact
Crafting Malicious Requests for CSRF Exploitation
Implementing CSRF Protections in Web Applications
Case Study: CSRF Exploits in Real-World Scenarios
Advanced Web Application Testing Techniques
Module 5 : Authentication and Session Management Testing
Testing Authentication Mechanisms
Brute Force Attacks on Login Forms
Password Management Flaws and Exploits
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Testing
Session Management Security
Session Hijacking and Fixation Techniques
Cookie Security: Secure, HttpOnly, and SameSite Flags
Testing for Session Timeout and Invalid Session Handling
Case Study: Real-World Session Management Vulnerabilities
Module 6 : Insecure Direct Object References and Security Misconfigurations
Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR)
Identifying and Exploiting IDOR Vulnerabilities
Best Practices for Preventing IDOR Exploits
Case Study: IDOR Exploits in Enterprise Applications
Security Misconfiguration
Testing for Common Misconfigurations: Default Credentials, Directory Listings, and Error Messages
Ensuring Secure Configurations of Web Servers and Application Frameworks
Case Study: Exploiting Security Misconfigurations in Popular Web Applications
Web Application Security Best Practices
Module 7 : Secure Code Review and Defensive Coding
Introduction to Secure Coding Practices
Principles of Secure Coding: Input Validation, Output Encoding, and Error Handling
Reviewing Code for Common Vulnerabilities
Implementing Secure Coding Standards in Web Applications
Automated and Manual Code Review Techniques
Using Static Analysis Tools for Security Code Review
Conducting Manual Code Reviews for Security Flaws
Case Study: Secure Code Review in a Web Application Development Project
Module 8 : Reporting and Remediation
Writing Effective Security Reports
Documenting Findings: Executive Summaries, Technical Details, and Recommendations
Creating Remediation Plans: Prioritization and Risk Mitigation
Presenting Findings to Development Teams and Stakeholders
Post-Assessment Activities
Validating Remediation and Retesting
Continuous Monitoring and Security Assessments
Case Study: From Vulnerability Discovery to Remediation in a Web Application
Practical Application and Capstone Project
Module 9 : Hands-On Web Application Security Testing
End-to-End Security Testing Exercis
Participants Conduct a Full Security Assessment on a Simulated Web Application
Identify, Exploit, and Document Vulnerabilities
Peer Review and Instructor Feedback on Testing Techniques
Advanced Web Application Testing Technique
Exploring Cutting-Edge Testing Methods: API Security Testing, Serverless Security Testing
Case Study: Applying Advanced Techniques in a Complex Web Application Environment
Module 10 : Capstone Project and Exam Preparation
Capstone Project
Participants Work on a Comprehensive Capstone Project that Encapsulates All Skills Learned Throughout the Course
Focus on Real-World Application, Reporting, and Analysis
Peer Review and Presentation of Capstone Project
Exam Preparation and Review
Review of Key Concepts and Techniques Covered During the Course
Sample Exam Questions and Group Discussions
Final Q&A Session and Wrap-Up