Web application scanning (WAS)

Web application scanning (WAS) is an automated security testing process designed to identify vulnerabilities in web applications, including those hosted in cloud environments. For cloud security engineers, WAS provides a crucial tool for proactively detecting and addressing security weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

WAS tools work by simulating various attack scenarios against web applications, testing for common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), broken authentication, and insecure deserialization. These scanners typically crawl through the application, analyzing both the front-end interface and back-end logic to identify potential security flaws. In cloud environments, WAS solutions often integrate with continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, allowing for automated security testing as part of the development process.

The role of WAS in cloud security is particularly important due to the dynamic nature of cloud-based applications and the shared responsibility model of cloud security. WAS helps organizations maintain security in their part of the shared responsibility by continuously assessing the application layer. Many WAS tools now offer cloud-specific features, such as the ability to scan serverless functions or containerized applications. They may also provide integration with cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools to offer a more comprehensive view of an organization's cloud security stance. By regularly employing WAS, cloud security engineers can identify and address vulnerabilities early in the development cycle, significantly reducing the risk of successful attacks on cloud-hosted web applications.