REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL For Web Application Security Assessment
This document serves as a formal Request for Proposal (“RFP”) providing specialized services in Application Security Assessment and Analysis
1.Introduction
Xyz Systems is providing proposal to conduct comprehensive web application penetration testing. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit competitive proposals to ensure the security and integrity of web applications. The Xyz Systems will be responsible for conducting both web application grey box and Blackbox penetration testing methodologies to identify vulnerabilities and recommend remediation measures.
2. Scope of Work
The web application penetration testing should cover, but not be limited to, the following:
· Identification of potential security vulnerabilities in the web application code, including common issues such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).
· Assessment of authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure secure user access and privilege management.
· Evaluation of session management controls to prevent unauthorized access and session hijacking.
· Testing for sensitive data exposure and insecure direct object references.
· Analysis of input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks and data manipulation.
· Examination of error handling and logging mechanisms for potential security gaps.
· Review of security configurations, including server settings and access control lists.
· Identification of Common Vulnerability Exposure list, Common Weakness enumeration and exploits with zero-day vulnerabilities disclosed on the internet.
3.Methodologies
Xyz systems employs a dual approach encompassing both greybox and blackbox testing methodologies to deliver a comprehensive assessment of the targeted web applications.
Greybox Testing, as part of this methodology, permits the testing team to possess restricted knowledge regarding the internal intricacies of the application, thereby simulating an insider threat scenario. In this mode, the testing team is granted partial access to the application’s architecture and source code. This level of access enables them to conduct a meticulous examination, identifying vulnerabilities that might be exploited from within the system. By adopting this approach, the testing process mirrors the potential risks associated with an insider having a certain level of knowledge about the application’s internal workings.
On the other hand, Blackbox Testing represents a method wherein the web application is evaluated without any prior knowledge of the internal infrastructure or access to the source code. This approach emulates the perspective of an external attacker attempting to identify vulnerabilities from an outsider’s viewpoint. The testing team, in this scenario, does not possess any privileged information about the internal workings of the application. This methodology helps assess the system’s resilience to external threats, providing insights into potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious entities without internal knowledge.
By combining both Greybox and Blackbox Testing methodologies, the assessment process becomes more thorough and robust, offering a holistic understanding of the web applications’ security posture from both insider and outsider perspectives.
Test cases encompassing web application penetration testing.
Xyz Systems will examine the client’s web application for the following vulnerabilities:
Application assessment based on OWASP, SANS, CWE, WASC standards. Xyz Systems adheres to a compendium of prevailing standards, manifesting a commitment to the rigorous implementation of established norms and benchmarks within the domain of cybersecurity.
Xyz systems should also be apprised of critical applications deemed of high priority, necessitating a meticulous and sensitive approach in handling. Additionally, any relevant contextual details regarding these applications would enhance the assessment process.
The essential requisites from the client encompass the provision of URLs, login credentials, and, if feasible, a scope meeting for the application. Additionally, any supplementary information pertinent to the assessment process would be valuable.
A01:2021-Broken Access Control rises to the top spot with 94% of applications tested for broken access control, and the 34 CWEs mapped to it had the highest occurrences.
A02:2021-Cryptographic Failures, previously Sensitive Data Exposure, moves to the second position, emphasizing failures related to cryptography leading to data exposure or system compromise.
A03:2021-Injection drops to third place; 94% of applications were tested, and the 33 CWEs in this category have the second most occurrences, including Cross-site Scripting.
A04:2021-Insecure Design, a new category, focuses on design flaws, advocating for threat modeling, secure design patterns, and reference architectures.
A05:2021-Security Misconfiguration climbs from #6, with 90% of applications tested, absorbing the former XXE category.
A06:2021-Vulnerable and Outdated Components, previously Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities, rises from #9, lacking CVE mappings, but default exploit and impact weights are factored in.
A07:2021-Identification and Authentication Failures slides to a lower position, incorporating CWEs related to identification failures.
A08:2021-Software and Data Integrity Failures, new for 2021, focuses on assumptions about software updates, critical data, and CI/CD pipeline integrity.
A09:2021-Security Logging and Monitoring Failures, previously Insufficient Logging & Monitoring, rises from #10, expanded to include various failures impacting visibility and incident alerting.
A10:2021-Server-Side Request Forgery, added from the community survey, represents an important scenario despite a relatively low incidence rate.
Additionally, Xyz Systems covers below list of testcases.
· Tests for default passwords
· Tests for Application DOS vulnerabilities
· Test for directory Traversal
· Test for SQL, XSS and other web application related vulnerabilities g. Check for weak encryption
· Check for SMTP related vulnerabilities such as open mail relay
· Check for strong authentication scheme
· Test for sample and default applications/pages
· Test for information disclosure such as internal IP disclosure
· Look for potential backdoors
· Check for older vulnerable version
· Remote code execution
· Weak SSL Certificate and Ciphers
· Missing patches and versions
4. Deliverables
· Xyz Systems is anticipated to furnish a comprehensive report delineating all identified vulnerabilities within the web application. This report will meticulously outline the severity of each vulnerability and its potential impact on the application’s security.
· Furthermore, the document will provide detailed recommendations for remediation, presenting a prioritized set of steps to effectively address the identified vulnerabilities. The emphasis here is on a thorough analysis that not only highlights the weaknesses but also offers actionable insights to fortify the security framework of the web applications.
· In addition to the detailed vulnerability report, the Xyz Systems is expected to present an executive summary encapsulating key finding. This summary will distil the essence of the report, offering stakeholders a concise overview of critical security aspects.
· It will not only pinpoint vulnerabilities but also provide actionable insights, allowing for informed decision-making to enhance the overall security posture of the web applications.
· Complementing the executive summary, the Xyz Systems will provide technical documentation elucidating the testing methodologies employed, the tools utilized, and a comprehensive breakdown of the testing results.
· This documentation ensures transparency and facilitates a clear understanding of the testing process, contributing to the credibility and usability of the assessment outcomes.
