When you want to display information about your company that will not require future changes, you can opt for a static website instead of a dynamic site such as WordPress. A static website consists of a fixed number of prebuilt files that the web server stores. It displays identical content to all users and can’t change unless the site developer makes changes. Although static web pages have clear advantages in load times and less vulnerability, they are not 100% hackproof – this is where penetration testing for static web pages comes in.
With attackers employing more sophisticated techniques, there is a growing threat to static webs, especially those that store sensitive information. So, if you are planning to deploy static content on your website, the best practice is to conduct regular penetration testing. This way, you can proactively identify and fix all vulnerabilities in your web pages.
Let’s discuss the relationship between penetration testing and static web pages.
What Is Penetration Testing (Pen Testing)?
Penetration testing is a simulated cyber-attack against a static web page or computer system to check for vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. It may involve an authorized breaching of any system, including APIs and frontend/backend servers, to uncover vulnerabilities like sanitized inputs prone to code injection attacks.
Key Areas of Focus in Penetration Testing for Static Web Pages
Now that you know what penetration testing is, let’s look at the key areas you should focus on when you are simulating an attack on your static web pages:
Code Review
A pen test on source code involves a thorough evaluation of an application’s source code to identify any potential security vulnerabilities at the code level that could be exploited by attackers, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other code-level vulnerabilities. The pen tester looks for vulnerabilities that allow attackers to inject HTML codes into the web page. They also ensure proper encoding of user inputs to mitigate the injection of malicious scripts.
File Integrity Checks
During penetration testing on static web pages, you should also verify that files haven’t been tampered with and that all content is authentic. A pen tester can rely on cryptographic hash functions to generate and compare hash values of files and expose any unauthorized changes. They can also determine whether there are modification changes using techniques such as version control comparison.
Server Configuration Review
A pen test on server configuration helps check for misconfigurations that could expose sensitive data. During a pen test, ensure you check for security headers and disable directory listing to prevent attackers from accessing directory contents. You should also verify the authenticity of SSL/TLS configuration to ensure secure data transmission.
External Dependency Analysis
A pen test can also review third-party libraries and plugins for any vulnerability. It can also ensure backup files and version control files are inaccessible from the web. The pen tester can assess the way errors are handled and displayed. With that said, the rule of thumb is to disallow web pages to display detailed error messages that offer attackers valuable information.
Penetration Testing Methodologies for Static Web Pages
Here are the common penetration testing methodologies for static web pages:
Manual Testing
As the name suggests, expert human engineers conduct manual pen testing by manually inspecting the website for vulnerabilities. They first collect data on a web page and launch an attack on specific areas to identify security weaknesses and take preventive steps accordingly.
Automated Scanning
This uses technological tools such as Nessus, backtrack, and Metasploit to automatically find common issues like broken links and outdated software. This technology doesn’t require any expert engineer and can be run by anyone with the least knowledge of the field.
Fuzz Testing
Fuzz testing is an automated testing method that sends random data to the website to uncover unexpected behavior. For instance, you can inject invalid, malformed, or unexpected input into static web pages to expose vulnerabilities and defects. The fuzzing tools inject these inputs and then monitor for exceptions like information leakage.
Importance of Penetration Testing for Static Web Pages
Some of the most common vulnerabilities found in static sites include exposed backup files that can be downloaded by anyone, exposed portals, and panels that any external visitor can access, and vulnerable web servers that haven’t been updated regularly. With these vulnerabilities in mind, here are some of the ways pen tests can benefit your organization:
Protecting Against Attacks
Penetration testing for static web pages ensures the website is secure from common threats. The main goal of this simulated attack is to identify and find security weaknesses before criminals do. Once vulnerabilities are discovered, your team can fix them proactively, thus safeguarding your organization from possible future attacks.
Maintaining User Trust
Reputation is the top currency in a competitive business environment. News about your company’s data leak can destroy the reputation you have built for years. A regular web page pen test can help maintain your users’ trust and confidence in the safety of your website. When you stay ahead of potential threats, you protect user data and reduce the risk of data breaches that can severely damage trust.
Compliance
With rising cases of cyber attacks on businesses, industries across niches are implementing stringent security standards and regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Noncompliance with these regulations can cost you a hefty fine, lead to loss of license, and even worse, jail time. Regular penetration testing for static web pages is an effective way to meet regulatory requirements for data protection. In essence, a pen test demonstrates to stakeholders that your organization takes security.
Contact Trava for Effective Pen Testing Solutions
Static web pages might seem well-secured. However, the evolving threat posture makes these resources vulnerable to various attacks such as defacement, cross-site scripting (XSS), and phishing. Securing your web pages with a pen test helps protect the site’s integrity and demonstrate compliance with industry regulations.
A pen test also maintains trust and reputation while preventing unauthorized changes. Experts recommend conducting regular penetration testing as a proactive approach to identify and fix vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
If you need help with your pen test efforts, Trava can help. We provide tailored compliance and cybersecurity advisory solutions designed to protect your digital assets and help your organization achieve fast compliance with changing regulations. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.