Utilizing Dynamic Analysis for Web Application Penetration Testing

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a new modular tool, called PtWebDA, for dynamic analysis of web applications as one of the techniques used in penetration testing. Compared to other available tools and their limitations, our solution enables efficient rate limiting while also allowing testing of HTTP headers, cookie attributes, and content security policy directives. To verify its effectiveness in supporting manual web application penetration testing, we performed experimental testing in a controlled environment. The results of testing the presented tool PtWebDA are discussed in detail and highlight the key contributions of our solution.