Web Penetration Testing Methodology
A comprehensive, step-by-step guide to conducting professional web application security assessments.
What You'll Learn
- Professional engagement setup
- OSINT and reconnaissance techniques
- Vulnerability scanning and analysis
- OWASP Top 10 exploitation
- Post-exploitation techniques
- Professional reporting
Methodology Overview
Guide Sections
Pre-Engagement
Scope definition, legal authorization, rules of engagement, NDA templates
Reconnaissance
OSINT, DNS enumeration, subdomain discovery, Google dorking, WHOIS analysis
Scanning
Port scanning, service detection, vulnerability scanning, web crawling
Enumeration
Directory brute-forcing, parameter discovery, API enumeration, tech fingerprinting
Vulnerability Analysis
OWASP Top 10 breakdown, CVE research, manual testing techniques
Exploitation
SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, SSRF, file upload attacks, authentication bypass
Practice Labs & CTF Exercises
Hands-on labs for web vulnerabilities. Filter by category or difficulty, reveal hints, and view solutions.
Post-Exploitation
Session hijacking, privilege escalation, data exfiltration, persistence
Reporting
Executive summary, technical findings, CVSS scoring, remediation guidance
Tools
Essential web pentesting tools, proxies, scanners, and automation frameworks
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer
Always obtain proper written authorization before conducting any penetration testing activities. Unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal. This guide is for educational purposes and authorized security assessments only.
Related Guides & Resources
API Penetration Testing
REST, GraphQL, and SOAP API security testing
OSINT Techniques
Open source intelligence for reconnaissance
Mobile App Testing
iOS and Android security assessment
Web Security Cheatsheet
Quick reference for common attacks
Reporting Templates
Professional pentest report formats
Remediation Guidance
How to fix common vulnerabilities