Advanced Web Application Penetration Testing (AWAPT) Training

• 1. Introduction to Web Penetration Testing
  • Fundamentals of web application penetration testing.
  • Importance of securing modern web applications.
  • Testing Methodologies: Explore Black Box, White Box, and Grey Box testing approaches
• 2. Understanding HTTP and Web Technologies
  • HTTP communication and protocols.
  • HTTP request/response headers and their significance.
  • Practical demo: Analyzing HTTP communication with Wireshark and Netcat.
  • Deep dive into HTTP methods, verbs, and status codes.
  • HTTP verb tampering with Nmap and Metasploit.
  • HTTP/HTTPS comparison and TLS/SSL handshake.
• 3. Deep Dive into Web Penetration Labs and Advanced Traffic Interception
  • Understanding of the web penetration lab setup and the functionalities of the Kali Linux Operating System.
  • Setting up and configuring Burp Suite for HTTP/HTTPS traffic interception.
  • Understanding target scope and creating project files.
  • Burp Suite tools: Dashboard, Proxy, Intruder, Repeater, Scanner, Collaborator, and Extender.
  • Configuring SSL/TLS certificates for secure interception.
  • Advanced traffic manipulation and injection using Burp.
• 4. Information Gathering and Reconnaissance
  • Passive and active reconnaissance techniques.
  • Extracting application endpoints, technologies, and server configurations.
  • Tools for vulnerability scanning: Nmap, Nikto etc.
  • Techniques to identify hidden endpoints and sensitive data.
  • Exploiting version disclosure vulnerabilities.
• 5. Fuzzing, Brute Force, and Dictionary Attacks
  • Parameter fuzzing techniques to discover hidden vulnerabilities.
  • Directory brute-forcing using Gobuster and FFUF.
  • Password brute-forcing with Hydra and dictionary attacks.
  • Cracking hashed passwords using tools like John the Ripper and Hashcat.
  • Authentication bypass using advanced SQL injection techniques.
• 6. HTTP Cache Exploitation
  • Understanding private vs. public cache mechanisms.
  • Exploiting HTTP response cache headers.
  • HTTP parameter pollution and smuggling attacks.
  • HTTP cache deception techniques and demonstrations.
• 7. HTTP Session Management
  • HTTP basic authentication and session cookies.
  • Understanding cookie attributes: Secure, HttpOnly, and SameSite.
  • Exploiting session fixation and session hijacking vulnerabilities.
  • Advanced MITM (Man-in-the-Middle) attack scenarios.
  • Session management best practices for security.
• 8. Same-Origin Policy (SOP): The Core of Web Security
  • Fundamentals of SOP and cross-domain requests.
  • Understand the working of URL and Browser.
  • Browser handling of JavaScript, frames, windows, and sites.
  • Limitations of SOP and common bypass techniques (jsonp) 
  • CORS misconfigurations and CSRF attack exploitation.
  • Advanced CORS attack scenarios and mitigation techniques.
• 9. File Upload Vulnerabilities
  • Understanding malicious file upload vulnerabilities.
  • Exploiting file upload functions to bypass restrictions.
  • Local File Inclusion (LFI) and Remote File Inclusion (RFI) attacks.
  • Practical demos: Web shells using Netcat, Python, and PHP.
  • Remote Code Execution (RCE) via LFI/RFI exploitation.
  • Null-byte extension bypass techniques.
  • Mitigation.
• 10. SQL Injection Exploitation
  • Understanding SQL queries and three-tier architecture.
  • In-band, blind, time based and second-order SQL injection techniques.
  • Exploiting SQL injection to extract sensitive data.
  • Advanced SQLMap usage for database exploitation using sqlmap.
  • Real-world SQL injection scenarios and mitigation techniques.
• 11. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  • Types of XSS: Stored, Reflected, and DOM-based attacks.
  • Session hijacking and cookie theft using XSS.
  • Exploiting XSS vulnerabilities with BeEF framework.
  • XSS bypass techniques for modern web defenses.
  • Effective mitigation strategies against XSS.
• 12. Indirect Object Reference (IDOR)
  • Privilege escalation in web applications.
  • Understanding horizontal and vertical privilege escalation.
  • Exploiting IDOR in files, APIs, and databases.
  • Advanced IDOR attack techniques and Mitigation.
• 13. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
  • Identifying SSRF vulnerabilities in web applications.
  • Exploiting blind SSRF vulnerabilities for data exfiltration.
  • Escalating SSRF to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
  • Mitigation techniques for SSRF vulnerabilities.
• 14. Path and Directory Traversal
  • Discovering and exploiting path traversal vulnerabilities.
  • Advanced techniques for bypassing path restrictions and filters.
  • Real-world directory traversal attack scenarios.
• 15. Command Injection
  • Identifying and exploiting basic command injection vulnerabilities.
  • Discovering blind and asynchronous blind command injection attacks.
  • Using Burp Collaborator for advanced exploitation.
  • Real-world command injection and mitigation.
• 16. XML Injection and XXE Attacks
  • Understanding XML structure and DTDs (Document Type Definitions).
  • Exploiting XXE vulnerabilities and triggering OOB resource interactions.
  • XML injection scenarios and mitigation techniques.
• 17. Bonus: Web Penetration Testing Report
  • Understanding OWASP Top 10 framework.
  • Scoring vulnerabilities using CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System).
  • Crafting professional penetration testing reports.
  • Proof of Concept (PoC) creation and documentation.
  • Presenting findings to stakeholders effectively.

• Bonus Content
  • Interview Preparation and Guidance
  • Vulnerable webserver Lab for practise
  • Cheat sheet for various attacks like SQL Injection, XSS Injection, XML etc
  • Custom built list/ repos of openly available resources
• System Requirements
  • 1. Hardware:
    • CPU: Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 (Quad-core or better)
    • RAM: 8 GB (minimum), 16 GB (recommended)
    • Storage: 50 GB SSD (minimum), 250 GB (recommended)
  • 2. Software:
    • Host OS: Kali Linux (recommended), Windows 10/11, or Ubuntu
    • VM software: VMware Workstation or VirtualBox
    • Essential tools: Burp Suite, Kali Linux.

This course is ideal for:

• Penetration Testers 
• Security Analysts 
• Developers
• IT Professionals
• Security Consultants/Cybersecurity Professionals
• Bug Bounty Hunters
• Students

• Basic understanding of web technologies (HTTP, HTML, JavaScript, etc.).
• Basic understanding of Linux and Windows.
• Basic understanding of Database and Networking.
• Knowledge of programming languages like Python, Java, or PHP is beneficial. (optional)

Upon successful completion of the training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles of web application security and the importance of securing web technologies.
• Be proficient in using Kali Linux and its powerful tools for penetration testing
• Gain hands-on experience with vulnerable applications to simulate real-world web security attacks.
• Automate the penetration testing workflow using tools like Burp Suite, and Nikto for vulnerability scanning.
• Master HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and understand their role in vulnerability exploitation.
• Read & Analyze Headers, Requests, and Responses: Learn to analyze web traffic and headers to uncover hidden vulnerabilities and sensitive data.
• Understand the principles of web cache and attacks
• Learn how to manipulate cookies for session hijacking and unauthorized access.
• Learn to identify and exploit insecure file upload mechanisms that allow attackers to upload malicious files (e.g., web shells).
• Understand how to exploit Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities to perform unauthorized actions.
• Mostly focused over serious vulnerabilities such as SQL Injection, Cross-site scripting, XML External Entity (XXE) attacks, Remote command Execution, Identifying load balancers, Remote code Execution, and more.
• Learn how to secure web applications by following industry standards such as the OWASP Top 10 and implementing best practices.
• Master the techniques for preventing SQL injection, XSS, and other injection attacks by using input validation and output encoding.
• Implement robust session handling and authentication techniques, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and secure cookie management.