Simulated attacks, exposing the gaps - fortifying digital defences

Challenge

In today’s evolving digital threat landscape, safeguarding web applications is essential for any business that handles sensitive customer data or delivers services online. Naay Marketing Ltd. recognised this need and engaged Methods to conduct a full penetration test on one of their web applications.

The assessment needed to be completed within a tight timeline, and the application’s performance under load posed a challenge - intensive testing occasionally impacted responsiveness, requiring a sensitive and efficient testing approach. Methods had to ensure accurate results while respecting these performance limitations, all without compromising the depth and quality of the test.

Solution

Our consultants carried out a comprehensive web application penetration test based on the OWASP Web Security Testing Guide (WSTG), using advanced industry-standard tools and methodologies. The assessment included:

• Unauthenticated testing: simulated external threat actor activity, probing for vulnerabilities accessible without login credentials

• Authenticated testing: escalated to a low-privilege account to assess privilege escalation risks and deeper security flaws

• Clear communication: regular progress updates ensured Naay Marketing was informed at every step

• In-depth analysis: detailed examination of vulnerabilities, assessing both code/logic flaws and real-world exploitability

• Thorough reporting: delivered a clear and actionable report outlining critical issues, their potential impact, and tailored remediation steps.

We adapted our testing strategy to account for system limitations, reducing load during critical phases and avoiding disruptions to application availability.

Impact

By the end of the engagement, Naay Marketing Ltd. gained valuable insight into their application’s security posture and clear guidance on how to strengthen it. The key outcomes included:

• Identified and remediated code-level vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors

• Enhanced client trust, demonstrating a commitment to securing customer data and adhering to cyber security best practices

• Clear prioritisation of remediation, allowing the development team to act efficiently on high-severity issues.

Our collaboration helped Naay Marketing Ltd. take a significant step toward a more secure digital presence - reinforcing both their application’s integrity and their reputation for diligence in cyber security.