A Systematic approach to web application penetration testing using tTCN-3

Abstract

Penetration testing is critical for ensuring web application security. It is often implemented using traditional 3GL web test frameworks (e.g. HttpUnit, HtmlUnit). There is little awareness in the literature that a test specification language like TTCN-3 can be effectively combined with such frameworks. In this paper, we identify the essential aspects of TTCN-3 for penetration testing and how best to use them. These include separating abstract test logic from concrete data extraction logic, as well as support for templates, matching test oracles and parallel test components. The advantages of leveraging TTCN-3 together with 3GL web test frameworks for penetration testing is demonstrated and evaluated using example scenarios. The work was performed with a prototype TTCN-3 tool that extends the TTCN-3 model architecture to support the required integration with 3GL web test frameworks. A concrete proposal for modifying the TTCN-3 standard to support this refinement is described. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.