Web and server scanning and audits involve assessing the security and performance of websites and servers to identify vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and potential risks. Here’s an overview of the process:
Web Application Scanning and Audit:
Automated Vulnerability Scanning: Using specialized tools to scan web applications for common security vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and file inclusion.
Manual Security Testing: Conducting manual security testing to identify complex vulnerabilities and security flaws that automated tools may miss.
Authentication Testing: Testing authentication mechanisms, session management, and access controls to ensure they are implemented securely.
Data Validation and Input Sanitization: Reviewing input validation and data sanitization processes to prevent injection attacks and data manipulation vulnerabilities.
Configuration Review: Reviewing web server configurations, file permissions, error handling, and security headers to ensure they are configured correctly.
SSL/TLS Configuration Audit: Assessing SSL/TLS configurations to ensure they meet industry standards and best practices for encryption and security.
Web Application Firewall (WAF) Review: Reviewing WAF configurations and rules to ensure they effectively protect against common web attacks.
Server Scanning and Audit:
Operating System Security: Assessing the security posture of the underlying operating system (e.g., Linux, Windows) for vulnerabilities, patch levels, and misconfigurations.
Network Services Assessment: Scanning network services (e.g., SSH, FTP, DNS) for open ports, vulnerabilities, and potential security risks.
Patch Management Review: Reviewing patch management processes to ensure critical security patches are applied promptly and consistently.
User Account Management: Reviewing user account policies, privileges, and access controls to prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
Logging and Monitoring: Assessing logging and monitoring configurations to detect and respond to security incidents effectively.
Hardening Guidelines Compliance: Ensuring servers are hardened according to industry standards and best practices, such as the CIS Benchmarks or NIST guidelines.
Backup and Disaster Recovery: Reviewing backup and disaster recovery processes to ensure data integrity, availability, and resilience in case of system failures or attacks.
Reporting and Remediation:
Vulnerability Assessment Report: Providing a comprehensive report detailing identified vulnerabilities, their severity levels, and recommended remediation steps.
Prioritization of Risks: Prioritizing vulnerabilities based on severity, potential impact, and exploitability to focus remediation efforts effectively.
Remediation Plan: Developing a remediation plan outlining actionable steps to address identified vulnerabilities and mitigate security risks.
Continuous Monitoring and Maintenance: Implementing ongoing monitoring and maintenance processes to ensure the security posture of web applications and servers remains robust over time.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements:
Compliance Assessment: Evaluating web applications and servers against relevant compliance standards and regulations, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, or industry-specific requirements.
Documentation and Reporting: Providing documentation and reports to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
