Vulnerability Scanner for Web Applications - Technical & Engineering Guide
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This guide outlines the design and development of a Vulnerability Scanner tailored for web applications. The scanner identifies common security flaws, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and insecure configurations.
1.2 Scope
The tool is intended for web developers, security analysts, and IT professionals to enhance the security posture of web applications.
1.3 Definitions & Acronyms
|
Acronym |
Definition |
|
XSS |
Cross-Site Scripting |
|
SQLi |
SQL Injection |
|
CSRF |
Cross-Site Request Forgery |
|
HTTPS |
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure |
|
API |
Application Programming Interface |
2. System Architecture
The Vulnerability Scanner for Web Applications consists of
the following components:
- **Target Identification Module**: Enumerates and validates the target URLs.
- **Scanner Engine**: Probes for vulnerabilities using predefined test cases.
- **Reporting Module**: Compiles scan results into readable formats like HTML
or JSON.
- **User Interface**: Allows configuration and monitoring of scans.
3. Key Features
3.1 Automated Vulnerability Detection
Identify vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF without manual intervention.
3.2 OWASP Top 10 Compliance
Focus on detecting issues outlined in the OWASP Top 10 security risks for web applications.
3.3 Customizable Scan Settings
Allow users to define custom payloads, headers, and other configurations for targeted scans.
4. Implementation Steps
1. **Setup Environment**: Install Python and required
libraries (e.g., requests, BeautifulSoup).
2. **Target Enumeration**: Implement modules to fetch and validate URLs.
3. **Vulnerability Probing**: Develop test cases for detecting SQLi, XSS, and
other vulnerabilities.
4. **Result Analysis**: Parse responses to determine if a vulnerability exists.
5. **Reporting**: Design a reporting mechanism to present findings effectively.
5. Security Considerations
1. Ensure ethical usage with permission before scanning web
applications.
2. Prevent storage of sensitive data in plain text within logs or reports.
3. Avoid high-intensity scans that may disrupt target services.
6. Testing and Validation
1. Test the scanner on vulnerable web application setups
(e.g., DVWA, OWASP Juice Shop).
2. Compare results with other scanners like Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP.
3. Validate detection accuracy against known vulnerabilities.
7. Tools and Technologies
- **Programming Language**: Python
- **Libraries**: requests, BeautifulSoup, Selenium
- **Testing Tools**: OWASP Juice Shop, DVWA
- **Reporting Formats**: HTML, JSON