Penetration Testing SaaS Applications: How to Get Started?

You’ve decided to start a penetration test, but you’re not sure what to do next. Here’s how some of the most popular SaaS applications are vulnerable and suggestions on where to get started with your testing efforts.

A penetration testing organization is a company that provides services to organizations who want to test their security. The best way to get started with a penetration testing organization is by contacting them through their website, and asking for information about their services.

Penetration Testing SaaS Applications: How to Get Started?

If you’re in charge of a SaaS application’s security, you should be aware of the possible hazards and how to get started with penetration testing. We’ll go over how penetration testing on SaaS services works and what to look for in a pentest solution. We’ll also go through the five steps of a normal SaaS pentest and provide some advice on which tools to use.

Risks associated with SaaS security include:

There are various possible security hazards with SaaS apps that you should be aware of.

  • One of the most serious risks is that your data is kept in the cloud and might be accessed by unauthorized individuals.
  • Furthermore, many SaaS systems are susceptible to attack due to a lack of protection against SQL injection and other popular attacks.
  • Finally, since SaaS services are often used for corporate reasons, hackers may attack them in order to steal sensitive information or disrupt important systems.

Penetration testing for SaaS:

If you wish to evaluate the security of your SaaS application, start by identifying its security issues. Penetration testing does this in its own unique manner. It entails simulating attacks to determine which ones were successful, showing which threats your application is vulnerable to.

This may be accomplished by using the finest penetration testing tools and methodologies to reveal the software or infrastructure’s flaws.

How does SaaS application penetration testing work?

The procedure for running a pentest varies depending on the sort of application in question, however there are some fundamental guidelines to follow:

  • Analyze source code and check configuration settings for possible vulnerabilities.
  • Scan servers and utilize port scanners to seek for open ports that might enable unwanted access.
  • Using automated tools like Metasploit Pro or Nessus Professional Vulnerability Scanner, try to exploit known weaknesses (Nessus). These programs will go through all conceivable attack vectors, allowing the tester to see whether any are present in the network.
  • To acquire access to user accounts or sensitive data, utilize manual approaches such as social engineering and phishing.

A typical SaaS pentest goes through five stages:

You should begin arranging the pentest after you’ve discovered the probable vulnerabilities in your application. This will include completing the following five steps:

  1. Gather information about the target organization and determine which systems should be evaluated during reconnaissance.
  2. Scanning: map out the network and discover prospective targets using port scans and other technologies.
  3. Exploitation: utilizing automated or human means, seek to attack known vulnerabilities.
  4. Reporting: describe the assessment’s results and include suggestions for resolving any security concerns that are detected;
  5. Work with the organization’s IT staff to put the proposed adjustments in place.

What should it contain?

The following are the components of a typical SaaS penetration testing solution:

  • inspecting for exposed ports and security flaws
  • User accounts and sensitive data are being scanned.
  • Using social engineering or phishing to obtain access to the target systems
  • examining the source code and setup parameters
  • Passwords and authorization methods are being reviewed.
  • detecting possible software and/or infrastructure vulnerabilities
  • presenting the assessment’s results
  • making suggestions for resolving any found security problems
  • collaborating with the organization’s IT staff to put proposed improvements into action

For doing a pentest on a SaaS platform, there are a variety of tools available. The following are four examples:

  1. Astra Pentest is a pentesting tool created primarily for cloud applications, websites, and networks. It may be used to scan for holes, exploit them, and provide reports on the results. Astra Security provides you with any assistance you need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Manual penetration testing and security audits are also performed by them.
  2. BreachLock: BreachLock is another cloud security assessment tool that can be used to find sensitive data in the cloud and evaluate how effectively your systems defend against unauthorised access.
  3. CloudLock: CloudLock is a SaaS application security platform that helps businesses safeguard their data from theft, loss, and unauthorised access.
  4. CipherCloud is a cloud security firm that offers encryption and tokenization services to keep sensitive data safe in the cloud.

What should you look for in a SaaS pentesting service?

When searching for a supplier of SaaS penetration testing services, keep the following criteria in mind:

Experience evaluating cloud-based apps: The provider should have evaluated the security of a variety of SaaS services, including enterprise-level applications.

Technical knowledge: The tester should be able to use both automated tools such as Metasploit and Nessus and manual approaches such as social engineering and phishing.

Technique: The supplier should use a systematic pentesting methodology that is suited to the unique requirements of SaaS applications.

Reporting: The tester should provide detailed reports outlining their findings as well as suggestions for resolving any security flaws found.

Conclusion

The cloud has made it simpler than ever for businesses to install and access apps from anywhere in the globe, but it has also brought with it new security concerns that must be addressed. One method of analyzing these risks and detecting possible weaknesses that hackers may exploit is penetration testing.

Because a pentest might include a variety of tools and methodologies, it’s critical to pick a supplier with the knowledge and skills required to analyze the security of your SaaS apps.

The “independent penetration testing” is a service that allows businesses to do their own penetration tests. This service can be used for both small and large companies. To get started, the company must first contact the provider of the service to determine how many people they need on staff. After this has been determined, the company should contact the provider to sign up for the service.

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Author
vaibhav
Vaibhav is a VPN expert with a passion for online security and privacy. He helps individuals and businesses protect their sensitive information and navigate the complex world of VPNs.