2.1.

Web Application Security

Web application security (also known as Web AppSec) is the idea of building websites to
function as expected, even when they are under attack.
The concept involves a collection of security controls engineered into a Web application to
protect its assets from potentially malicious agents.
Web applications, like all software, inevitably contain defects. Some of these defects
constitute actual vulnerabilities that can be exploited, introducing risks to organizations.
Web application security defends against such defects.
It involves leveraging secure development practices and implementing security measures
throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC), ensuring that design-level flaws and
implementation-level bugs are addressed.

Web Application Security Test

 Application and server configuration. Potential defects are related to
encryption/cryptographic configurations, Web server configurations, etc.
 Input validation and error handling. SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and
other common injection vulnerabilities are the result of poor input and output
handling.
 Authentication and session management. Vulnerabilities potentially resulting in
user impersonation. Credential strength and protection should also be considered.
 Authorization. Testing the ability of the application to protect against vertical and
horizontal privilege escalations.
 Business logic. These are important to most applications that provide business
functionality.
 Client-side logic. With modern, JavaScript-heavy webpages, in addition to webpages
using other types of client-side technologies (e.g., Silverlight, Flash, Java applets),
this type of feature is becoming more prevalent.

2.2. Security Testing:

Security testing is an important aspect of software testing focused on identifying and

addressing security vulnerabilities in a software application.
It aims to ensure that the software is secure from malicious attacks, unauthorized access, and
data breaches.
Security testing involves verifying the software's compliance with security standards,
evaluating the security features and mechanisms, and conducting penetration tests to identify
weaknesses and vulnerabilities that might be exploited by malicious actors.
Security Testing Important:
 Protects sensitive data: Security testing helps ensure that confidential and sensitive
information is protected from unauthorized access, disclosure, or theft.
 Prevents security breaches: By identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the
system, security testing helps prevent security breaches and unauthorized access to
sensitive data.
 Maintains trust: Security testing helps maintain the trust of customers, clients, and
users by demonstrating that the system is secure and their information is protected.
 Meets compliance requirements: Many industries and organizations are subject to
regulations that require specific security measures, and security testing helps ensure
compliance with these regulations.
 Improves system reliability: Security testing can help identify and resolve security
weaknesses that can cause system failures or crashes, improving overall system
reliability.
In short, security testing is crucial for protecting sensitive data, maintaining trust, meeting
compliance requirements, and improving system reliability.

Main Types of Security Testing:

Vulnerability Scanning
Vulnerability scanning involves automated tools to identify security vulnerabilities in a
software application or network. The aim of vulnerability scanning is to identify and report
potential security threats and recommend remediation measures. It provides a security
baseline and focuses on known risks.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is a subset of ethical hacking that involves simulating real-world attacks to
locate vulnerabilities in a software application. The goal of penetration testing is to identify
potential security threats and how to remediate them. Penetration testing can be performed
either manually or with automated tools and may include techniques such as social
engineering, network scanning, and application-layer testing.
Application Security Testing
Application security testing (AST) is the process of evaluating the security of a software
application and identifying potential vulnerabilities. It involves a combination of automated
and manual testing techniques, such as code analysis, penetration testing, and security
scanning. The goal of application security tests is to detect and mitigate security risks to the
software application. AST is important for identifying both external and internal threats.
Web App Security Testing
Web application security testing is a specialized type of AST that focuses on identifying
vulnerabilities in web-based applications. This type of testing typically involves a
combination of manual and automated testing methods, such as SQL injection testing, cross-
site scripting (XSS) testing, and authentication testing.
API Testing
API security testing involves evaluating the security of an application's APIs and the systems
that they interact with. This type of testing typically involves sending various types of
malicious requests to the APIs and analysing their responses to identify potential
vulnerabilities. The goal of API security testing is to ensure that APIs are secure from attacks
and that sensitive data is protected.
This is important because APIs are vulnerable to specific threats, including denial-of-service
(DoS) attacks, API injection, and man-in-the middle (MitM) attacks, where an attacker
intercepts the API communications to steal sensitive information.
Security Auditing
Security auditing is the process of evaluating the security of a software application or
network to identify potential vulnerabilities and to ensure that it is in compliance with
security standards and best practices. This type of testing typically includes manual methods,
such as code review, vulnerability scanning, and penetration tests.
Risk Assessments
A risk assessment involves identifying potential security threats and assessing the possible
impact of these threats on a software application or network. The goal of a risk assessment is
to prioritize the security risks based on their predicted impact and to develop a plan to
mitigate these risks.
Security Posture Assessments
Security posture assessments involve evaluating an organization's overall security posture,
including its policies, procedures, technologies, and processes. Regular assessments can help
to identify potential security risks and recommend ways of improving the overall security
strategy and implementation of the organization.

Types of Security Testing Tools

SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
SAST, also known as static code analysis, is a type of security testing tool that analyses the
source code of a software application without executing it. The goal of SAST is to identify
potential security vulnerabilities early in the software development lifecycle, before the
application is deployed. SAST tools typically use a variety of techniques, including code
review, data flow analysis, and vulnerability scanning, to identify potential security issues.
DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
DAST, also known as dynamic analysis or black box testing, is a type of security testing tool
that evaluates a software application while it is running. The goal of DAST is to identify
potential security vulnerabilities by sending requests to the application and observing its
behavior. DAST tools typically use techniques such as vulnerability scanning, penetration
testing, and data flow analysis to identify security issues.
IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing)
IAST is a type of security testing tool that combines elements of SAST and DAST to provide
real-time analysis of a software application while it is running. IAST tools are designed to
detect security vulnerabilities and to provide immediate feedback to the application so that it
can respond appropriately.
SCA (Software Composition Analysis)
Software composition analysis analyzes the third-party components that are used in a
software application. The goal of SCA is to identify potential security vulnerabilities in the
third-party components and to provide recommendations for remediation. SCA tools typically
use a combination of automated and manual testing methods, and have helped foster a culture
of shifting security to the left (i.e., implementing security earlier in the development
lifecycle).
MAST (Mobile Application Security Testing)
MAST solutions are specifically designed to evaluate the security of mobile applications. The
goal of MAST is to identify potential security vulnerabilities in mobile applications and to
provide recommendations for remediation. MAST tools typically use techniques such as
vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and static and dynamic testing.
RASP (Runtime Application Self-Protection)
RASP is a type of security testing tool that is designed to protect a software application from
security threats by providing real-time analysis of the application's behavior. RASP tools are
designed to detect and respond to security threats in real-time, allowing the application to
defend itself against attacks. RASP tools typically use techniques such as data flow analysis,
vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing.
Security Testing with Hacker One
While application security testing tools powered by automation and AI offer some benefits,
they are not a silver bullet. Automated AST will often miss deeply rooted, elusive
vulnerabilities that bad actors target, have limitations in language support, and often produce
a deluge of false positives that frustrate developers and security professionals alike.
The HackerOne Attack Resistance Platform removes these roadblocks by taking a preemptive
approach to security, designed to outmatch cybercriminals with expertise from a legion of
ethical hackers who work for you:
 HackerOne identifies a complete inventory of your digital assets.
 Ethical hackers provide context to map your assets for comprehensive visibility and
control.
 They pinpoint the most critical flaws in your asset inventory and risk rank them for
prioritized scoping, and continually test those assets from an adversarial point of view
to find the vectors most likely to be leveraged by a cybercriminal.
 You decide the testing scope based on timing, risk, and business priorities.

2.3. Security Incident Response Planning

Security incident response to be effective, it must be fully prepared and ready to implement
long before the security incident in question ever occurs.
A security incident response plan (SIRP) is a formal, official set of documentation that
clearly details the actions that must be taken through every stage of a company’s security
incident response.
At the same time, the SIRP should outline security-response roles and responsibilities
throughout the organization and address how these roles should communicate and interact
within established response protocols.

Steps in a Security Incident Response Planning:

SIRP is a set of directions for response teams to follow, allowing them to identify threats,
respond effectively, and reduce the impact of the security incident overall with speed and
accuracy.
Because there is so much riding on how rapidly a company can deploy their response
strategy, most SIRPs follow an established format consisting of six key stages:
1. Preparation
The first phase of incident response is dedicated to preparing IT, SOC, and other members of
response teams to handle threats as they arise. This will likely be the most important stage of
your SIRP and must consider employee response training, securing the right funding and
approval, and establishing documentation standards. Many companies choose to engage in
mock drills to help everyone involved become familiar with their responsibilities.
2. Identification
Because a breach may originate from many different areas, it is essential that response teams
have access to procedures for identifying and validating potential threats before escalating
them to the status of verified security incident. The identification stage must be capable of
determining when an event occurred, how it was discovered, what areas it may have
impacted, how much of an effect it may be having on current operations, and whether the
point of entry is known.
3. Containment
With the threat fully verified, the next phase is to prevent it from moving further through the
system. Containment is an essential step and should not be skipped over in favor of moving
directly into eradication; simply deleting the malware may ruin your chances to gather
evidence you can use to strengthen your network against similar attacks in the future.
Disconnect and quarantine compromised systems, and if possible, deploy back-up systems to
prevent loss of business operations. Patch all your systems, review remote-access protocols,
and have all administrative accounts change their login credentials.
4. Eradication
Once the threat is contained, and all relevant data has been collected, you can now begin
securely removing any malware from the system. It is essential that all malware be
eliminated; a non-thorough sweep that leaves behind traces of the attack may still allow
unauthorized access to your data and enable the malware to relaunch in the future.
6. Review and Refinement
Mitigating a threat is good; improving your systems to prevent security incidents from
impacting your business is better. After the incident is correctly dealt with, discuss with
response team members and other stakeholders to identify and document what you’ve learned
from the experience. These lessons can then be applied to better prepare your systems for
future incidents, optimizing both prioritization and response.

Roles are involved in Security Incident Response:

Security incident response may include tasks for every level of your organization, such as IT,
risk, HR, and legal, most of the responsibility will fall to your incident response team.
These teams typically consist of the following roles:
Incident response managers
An incident response manager takes the lead in incident response, overseeing actions,
prioritizing threats, and acting as the liaison between the response team and the rest of the
organization. Management support is essential for security incident response plans to be
effective, which is why incident response managers must secure buy-in from C-suite
executives before any plan can be implemented.
Security analysts
Security analysts are the ‘boots on the ground’ during the incident. These analysts should be
trained to identify actual incidents from among potential false positives, determine the time,
location, and details of the incident, and locate and maintain any evidence that may have been
left behind by the intruder.
Threat researchers
Finally, threat researchers attempt to define the severity and extent of the breach. They search
the internet for sensitive information that may have been extracted from company systems.
They also assist in building a database of previous incidents to improve the company’s threat
intelligence.
Each of these positions plays a key role in responding to and recovering from a security
incident. Some businesses choose to outsource some of these responsibilities, but whether
you build your team entirely in-house or contract it out, your incident response team will be
integral to ensuring your organization correctly follows your security incident response plan.

2.4. Microsoft Security Development Life Cycle (SDL)

Microsoft's Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) embeds comprehensive security
requirements, technology specific tooling, and mandatory processes into the development and
operation of all software products.
All development teams at Microsoft must adhere to the SDL processes and requirements,
resulting in more secure software with fewer and less severe vulnerabilities at a reduced
development cost.
  Microsoft SDL consists of seven components including five core phases and two
supporting security activities.
 The five core phases are requirements, design, implementation, verification, and
release.
 Each of these phases contains mandatory checks and approvals to ensure all security
and privacy requirements and best practices are properly addressed.
 The two supporting security activities, training and response, are conducted before
and after the core phases respectively to ensure they're properly implemented, and
software remains secure after deployment.

Training
All Microsoft employees are required to complete general security and privacy awareness
training as well as specific training related to their role. Initial training is provided to new
employees upon hire and annual refresher training is required throughout their employment at
Microsoft.
Developers and engineers must also participate in role specific training to keep them
informed on security basics and recent trends in secure development. All full-time employees,
interns, contingent staff, subcontractors, and third parties are also encouraged and provided
with the opportunity to seek advanced security and privacy training.
Requirements
Every product, service, and feature Microsoft develops starts with clearly defined security
and privacy requirements; they're the foundation of secure applications and inform their
design. Development teams define these requirements based on factors such as the type of
data the product will handle, known threats, best practices, regulations and industry
requirements, and lessons learned from previous incidents. Once defined, the requirements
are clearly documented and tracked.
Software development is a continuous process, meaning that the associated security and
privacy requirements change throughout the product's lifecycle to reflect changes in
functionality and the threat landscape.
Design
Once the security, privacy, and functional requirements have been defined, the design of the
software can begin. As a part of the design process, threat models are created to help identify,
categorize, and rate potential threats according to risk. Threat models must be maintained and
updated throughout the lifecycle of each product as changes are made to the software.

The threat modeling process begins by defining the different components of a product and
how they interact with each other in key functional scenarios, such as authentication. Data
Flow Diagrams (DFDs) are created to visually represent key data flow interactions, data
types, ports, and protocols used. DFDs are used to identify and prioritize threats for
mitigation that are added to the product's security requirements.
Service teams use Microsoft's Threat Modeling Tool to create threat models, which enable the
team to:
 Communicate about the security design of their systems
 Analyze security designs for potential security issues using a proven methodology
  Suggest and manage mitigation for security issues
Before any product is released, all threat models are reviewed for accuracy and completeness,
including mitigation for unacceptable risks.
Implementation
Implementation begins with developers writing code according to the plan they created in the
previous two phases. Microsoft provides developers with a suite of secure development tools
to effectively implement all the security, privacy, and function requirements of the software
they design. These tools include compilers, secure development environments, and built-in
security checks.
Verification
Before any written code can be released, several checks and approvals are required to verify
that the code conforms to SDL, meets design requirements, and is free of coding errors.
Manual reviews are conducted by a reviewer separate from the engineer that developed the
code. Separation of duties is an important control in this step to minimize the risk of code
being written and released that leads to accidental or malicious harm.
Various automated checks are also required and are built into the pipeline to analyze code
during check-in and when builds are compiled. The security checks used at Microsoft fall into
the following categories:
 Static code analysis: Analyzes source code for potential security flaws, including the
presence of credentials in code.
 Binary analysis: Assesses vulnerabilities at the binary code level to confirm code is
production ready.
 Credential and secret scanner: Identify possible instances of credential and secret
exposure in source code and configuration files.
 Encryption scanning: Validates encryption best practices in source code and code
execution.
 Fuzz testing: Use malformed and unexpected data to exercise APIs and parsers to
check for vulnerabilities and validate error handling.
 Configuration validation: Analyzes the configuration of production systems against
security standards and best practices.
 Component Governance (CG): Open-source software detection and checking of
version, vulnerability, and legal obligations.
If the manual reviewer or automated tools find any issues with the code, the submitter will be
notified, and they're required to make the necessary changes before submitting it for review
again.
Additionally, penetration tests are regularly conducted on Microsoft online services by both
internal and external providers. Penetration tests provide another means for discovering
security flaws not detected by other methods. To learn more about penetration testing at
Microsoft.
Release
After passing all required security tests and reviews, builds aren't immediately released to all
customers. Builds are systematically and gradually released to larger and larger groups,
referred to as rings, in what is called a safe deployment process (SDP). The SDP rings can
generally be defined as:
 Ring 0: The development team responsible for the service or feature
 Ring 1: All Microsoft employees
 Ring 2: Users outside of Microsoft who have configured their organization or specific
users to be on the targeted release channel
 Ring 3: Worldwide standard release in sub-phases
Builds remain in each of these rings for an appropriate number of days with high load
periods, except for Ring 3 since the build has been appropriately tested for stability in the
earlier rings.

2.5. OWASP Comprehensive Lightweight Application Security

Process (CLASP)
Introduction to OWASP CLASP:
The OWASP Comprehensive, Lightweight Application Security Process (CLASP) is an
activity-driven, role-based set of processes which look to build security into an existing or
new software development program in a structured, repeatable and, measurable way.
It was once an important framework that provided organizations with immature security
operations a structured view and clear use cases to address common vulnerabilities and
improve application security practices.
The landscape of application security evolved, the need for a more comprehensive and
adaptable framework became apparent.
In response to these changes, the OWASP community developed the OWASP Software
Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM), which has since superseded CLASP. SAMM offers a
more mature, flexible, and holistic approach to software security. It is designed to help
organizations assess, formulate, and implement a strategy for software security that is tailored
to their specific risks, resources, and requirements.
While CLASP focused on specific security activities and roles within the development
process, SAMM provides a broader, maturity-driven model that aligns with modern
development practices and organizational structures. By adopting SAMM, organizations can
ensure continuous improvement in their security posture, making it a more fitting successor
to the foundational principles established by CLASP.
There are 5 CLASP views that provide different perspectives through which security
activities can be understood and implemented:
 Concepts View: Provides an overview of the key security concepts and principles that
underpin the CLASP framework. It serves as an educational resource to help team
members understand the fundamental ideas behind secure software development.
 Role-Based View: Categorizes security activities based on the roles involved in the
software development lifecycle. It provides a mapping of security tasks to specific
roles such as developers, testers, project managers, etc.
 Activity-Based View: Focuses on specific security activities and tasks that need to be
performed throughout the software development process. It organizes these activities
into a structured format, making it easier to integrate them into existing development
workflows.
 Practices View: This view outlines best practices and methodologies for
implementing security within the software development lifecycle. It includes detailed
recommendations for secure coding, testing, and deployment practices to ensure that
security is an integral part of the development process.
 Vulnerability View: This view is centered around identifying and mitigating specific
types of vulnerabilities. It provides guidance on how to address common security
flaws and weaknesses in applications, helping to prioritize remediation efforts based
on risk and impact.
The CLASP Taxonomy
The CLASP taxonomy provides a detailed approach to understanding and mitigating security
risks, ensuring that applications are developed with security in mind from the outset.
Problem Types
The taxonomy begins by identifying the problem types that underlie security-related
vulnerabilities. These problem types are the fundamental issues in software design,
implementation, or configuration that can lead to security breaches. By categorizing
vulnerabilities based on their root causes, the taxonomy helps developers and security
professionals understand the specific nature of the threats they face. This understanding is
crucial for diagnosing issues accurately and developing effective solutions.
Categories
To help diagnostic and resolution processes, the identified problem types are divided into
categories. These categories group similar types of vulnerabilities together, making it easier
to address them systematically. For instance, categories might include input validation errors,
authentication flaws, or configuration issues. By organizing problem types into categories,
the taxonomy enables a more structured approach to vulnerability management, allowing for
more targeted and efficient mitigation strategies.
Exposure Periods
The taxonomy also considers the exposure periods—the phases of the SDLC during which
vulnerabilities can be inadvertently introduced into application source code. These periods
typically include requirements gathering, design, coding, testing, and deployment.
Understanding when vulnerabilities are most likely to be introduced helps teams focus their
security efforts on the most critical stages of development, thereby reducing the likelihood of
security issues making it into the final product.
Consequences
An essential aspect of the taxonomy is understanding the consequences of exploited
vulnerabilities for basic security services such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
By linking vulnerabilities to their potential impact on these core security principles, the
taxonomy helps prioritize which vulnerabilities need immediate attention. This consequence-
driven approach ensures that the most damaging vulnerabilities are addressed first, thereby
enhancing the overall security posture of the application.
Platforms and Programming Languages
The taxonomy also takes into account the platforms and programming languages that may be
affected by a vulnerability. Different platforms and languages have unique security
characteristics and risks, and a vulnerability in one environment may not be relevant in
another. By specifying the affected platforms and languages, the taxonomy provides more
precise guidance for developers and security teams, enabling them to focus their efforts on
relevant security measures.
Resources Required for Attack
Another important component of the taxonomy is considering the resources required to
exploit a vulnerability. This includes the skill level of the threat actor, the tools needed, and
the time and effort required to execute an attack. Understanding the resources required for an
attack helps in assessing the likelihood of a vulnerability being exploited and in designing
appropriate defenses to deter potential threat actors.
Risk Assessment
The taxonomy includes a framework for the risk assessment of exploitable/exploited
vulnerabilities. This involves evaluating the severity and likelihood of vulnerabilities being
exploited, as well as their potential impact on the organization. Risk assessment helps
prioritize vulnerabilities based on their threat level, ensuring that the most significant risks
are addressed first.
Avoidance and Mitigation Periods
Finally, the taxonomy outlines the avoidance and mitigation periods within the Software
Development Life Cycle (SDLC) when preventative measures and countermeasures can be
applied. These periods are important for integrating security into the development process.
By identifying when and how to implement security controls, the taxonomy helps ensure that
vulnerabilities are addressed proactively, reducing the risk of security breaches in the
deployed application.
Roles and Responsibilities in CLASP
There are various roles to integrate security throughout the software development lifecycle.
These roles are structured to ensure that security practices are embedded from the early stages
of development and that every team member is aware of their specific security
responsibilities.
1. Project Manager: Oversees the implementation of CLASP, ensuring that security
requirements are defined and met throughout the project. They facilitate
communication between different roles and ensure that security tasks are properly
scheduled and executed.
2. Security Auditor: Conducts assessments and reviews to ensure that security practices
are being followed. They audit code, configurations, and processes to identify
vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security standards.
3. Developer: Implements secure coding practices and integrates security features into
the software. Developers are responsible for writing code that adheres to security
guidelines and for addressing security issues identified by audits or testing.
4. Architect: Designs the system architecture with security in mind. They ensure that
the overall design incorporates necessary security controls and mitigates potential
threats. Architects play a crucial role in defining the security posture of the
application.
5. Tester: Performs security testing to identify vulnerabilities and validate the
effectiveness of security controls. Testers use various techniques, including
penetration testing and code reviews, to ensure that the application is secure.
6. Operations: Manages the deployment and maintenance of the application, ensuring
that security controls remain effective in the production environment. They handle
incident response and implement operational security measures to protect the
application.
7. End User: While not directly involved in development, end users are educated on
secure usage practices and are encouraged to report any security issues they
encounter.
CLASP Activities
 Security Awareness Training
o Responsible: Project Manager, All Team Members
o Frequency: Annually
o Description: Conduct regular training sessions to ensure that all team members
are aware of security best practices and emerging threats.
 Security Requirements Definition
o Responsible: Requirements Specifier
o Frequency: At the start of each project
 o Description: Define and document security requirements as part of the overall
project requirements.
 Threat Modeling
o Responsible: Architect, Designer
o Frequency: During design phase and updated with major changes
o Description: Identify and evaluate potential threats to the system, and
document the mitigations.
 Secure Design Review
o Responsible: Architect, Designer, Security Auditor
o Frequency: At each major design milestone
o Description: Review the system design to ensure it adheres to security
principles and addresses identified threats.
 Secure Code Review
o Responsible: Implementer, Security Auditor
o Frequency: Before each release or significant code change
o Description: Review code to identify and fix security vulnerabilities.
 Security Testing
o Responsible: Test Analyst
o Frequency: Continuously during development, with focused testing before
each release
o Description: Perform various security tests, including penetration testing and
static analysis, to identify vulnerabilities.
 Incident Response Planning
o Responsible: Operations
o Frequency: Annually and after each incident
o Description: Develop and update incident response plans to ensure quick and
effective handling of security breaches.
 Configuration Management
o Responsible: Operations
o Frequency: Continuously
o Description: Ensure that all systems are securely configured and that
configurations are managed and monitored to prevent unauthorized changes.
  Security Metrics
o Responsible: Project Manager
o Frequency: Continuously
o Description: Collect and analyze security metrics to measure the effectiveness
of security activities and identify areas for improvement.
 Post-Implementation Review
o Responsible: Project Manager, Security Auditor
o Frequency: After each major release
o Description: Review the security posture of the application after deployment
to ensure all security requirements have been met and to identify any new
risks.
Vulnerability Management Using CLASP
The framework outlines a structured approach to cataloging vulnerabilities and understanding
their root causes. This can help in systematically identifying, documenting, and mitigating
security issues within software development.
Cataloging Vulnerabilities
1. Vulnerability Identification: CLASP provides guidelines for identifying vulnerabilities
during different stages of the software development lifecycle. This involves regular
code reviews, security testing, and threat modeling.
2. Documentation: Vulnerabilities are documented in detail, including their nature,
potential impact, and mitigation strategies. This documentation is crucial for tracking
and addressing security issues effectively.
3. Classification: Vulnerabilities are categorized based on their types, such as buffer
overflows, SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), etc. This classification helps in
understanding the common patterns and implementing relevant security controls.
4. Use Cases: Outline how specific vulnerabilities can be exploited and what the
potential consequences are. This helps in educating developers and security teams
about the real-world impact of these issues.
Vulnerability Use Cases
These use cases are specific scenarios and examples that show how vulnerabilities can be
identified, analyzed, and mitigated within the software development lifecycle. Thye help
organizations understand common security issues and provide actionable steps to address
them.
The vulnerability use cases are based on common component architectures such as:
monolithic UNIX, monolithic mainframe and distributed (HTTPS & TCP/IP) architectures so
there might be gaps when used with modern software architecture.
 Input Validation:
 o Use Case: Ensure all user inputs are validated to prevent injection attacks such
as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
o Steps: Implement input validation routines, sanitize inputs, use parameterized
queries, and employ encoding techniques.
 Authentication and Authorization:
o Use Case: Verify that only authorized users have access to specific
functionalities and data.
o Steps: Implement strong authentication mechanisms, enforce role-based access
control (RBAC), and regularly review access permissions.
 Session Management:
o Use Case: Ensure secure handling of user sessions to prevent session hijacking
and fixation.
o Steps: Use secure cookies, implement session timeouts, regenerate session IDs
after login, and employ HTTPS.
 Error Handling and Logging:
o Use Case: Prevent information leakage through error messages and logs.
o Steps: Ensure error messages do not reveal sensitive information, properly
handle exceptions, and implement secure logging practices.
 Data Protection:
o Use Case: Protect sensitive data at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized
access and breaches.
o Steps: Use strong encryption for data storage and transmission, implement
secure key management, and follow data privacy regulations.
 Configuration Management:
o Use Case: Secure application configurations to prevent unauthorized changes
and exposure of sensitive information.
o Steps: Use secure defaults, restrict access to configuration files, and regularly
audit configurations.
 Code Review and Static Analysis:
o Use Case: Identify and fix security vulnerabilities through manual code
reviews and automated static analysis tools.
o Steps: Establish code review processes, use static analysis tools to detect
common vulnerabilities, and remediate identified issues.
 Third-Party Components:
 o Use Case: Ensure that third-party libraries and components do not introduce
security risks.
o Steps: Regularly update third-party components, assess the security of external
libraries, and monitor for known vulnerabilities.
 Deployment and Environment Security:
o Use Case: Secure the deployment environment to prevent unauthorized access
and attacks.
o Steps: Harden servers, use secure deployment practices, and regularly update
and patch the environment.
 Incident Response:
o Use Case: Prepare for and respond to security incidents effectively.
o Steps: Develop an incident response plan, conduct regular drills, and establish
communication protocols for security breaches.
Root Causes
CLASP outlines several root causes for vulnerabilities, helping address the underlying issues
rather than just the symptoms:
 Lack of Security Awareness: Insufficient training and awareness among developers
and other team members about secure coding practices and emerging threats.
 Inadequate Requirements Definition: Failure to include security requirements
during the initial phases of the project, leading to gaps that can be exploited later.
 Design Flaws: Architectural and design-level issues that introduce vulnerabilities.
These might include improper trust boundaries, insecure communication channels, or
flawed authentication mechanisms.
 Implementation Errors: Coding mistakes such as improper input validation, poor
error handling, and inadequate access controls. These are often due to a lack of
adherence to secure coding standards.
 Insufficient Testing: Inadequate security testing that fails to identify vulnerabilities
before the software is deployed. This includes both automated and manual testing
processes.
 Configuration Issues: Misconfigurations in software, hardware, or network settings
that can lead to vulnerabilities. This includes default passwords, unnecessary services
running, and incorrect permissions.
 Third-Party Components: Vulnerabilities introduced through the use of third-party
libraries, frameworks, or services. These components may have their own security
flaws that need to be managed.
  Operational Weaknesses: Weaknesses in the deployment, monitoring, and
maintenance processes. This includes a lack of proper incident response plans and
failure to update systems regularly.
Vulnerability Root Causes & The Seven Pernicious Kingdoms
The OWASP CLASP framework identifies several root causes of vulnerabilities, which can
be mapped to the Seven Pernicious Kingdoms, a classification of software security
vulnerabilities. The Seven Pernicious Kingdoms categorize software errors into broad types,
which helps in understanding and addressing security issues more effectively.
Lack of Security Awareness
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms Mapping:
 Environmental Problems: This includes issues arising from lack of security culture or
awareness in the organization, leading to mismanagement and human errors.
Inadequate Requirements Definition
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms Mapping:
 Input Validation and Representation: Poorly defined security requirements can result
in insufficient input validation, leading to injection flaws and data representation
issues.
Design Flaws
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms Mapping:
 General Logic Errors: Design flaws often manifest as logical errors in the software.
 Environment: Design issues related to the configuration and operational environment.
Implementation Errors
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms Mapping:
 Input Validation and Representation: Implementation errors often involve inadequate
validation of user inputs.
 API Abuse: Improper use or implementation of APIs, leading to security
vulnerabilities.
 Time and State: Concurrency issues and race conditions are common implementation
errors.
Insufficient Testing
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms Mapping:
 Errors: Failure to adequately test for and handle errors can leave vulnerabilities
unaddressed.
 Time and State: Insufficient testing of timing and state-related issues.
Configuration Issues
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms Mapping:
 Configuration: Directly relates to misconfigurations and insecure settings in the
software and its environment.
Third-Party Components
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms Mapping:
 API Abuse: Issues arising from third-party API misuse or insecure integrations.
 Environment: Vulnerabilities introduced by third-party libraries or services.
Operational Weaknesses
Seven Pernicious Kingdoms Mapping:
 Environment: Operational issues such as inadequate monitoring, incident response,
and maintenance.
 Errors: Operational errors, such as mismanagement of logs and error messages.
High-Level OWASP CLASP Implementation Guide
Implementing the OWASP CLASP (Comprehensive, Lightweight Application Security
Process) framework involves integrating security practices throughout the software
development lifecycle.
Step 1: Establish Security Awareness
 Training and Education
o Conduct regular security training sessions for all team members.
o Promote security awareness and best practices within the organization.
o Use real-world examples to illustrate the importance of security.
 Security Culture
o Foster a culture where security is considered everyone’s responsibility.
o Encourage reporting of potential security issues without fear of repercussions.
Step 2: Define Security Requirements
 Security Requirements Specification
o Identify and document security requirements at the beginning of the project.
o Ensure that these requirements are included in the overall project
specifications.
 Misuse Cases
o Develop misuse cases to identify potential threats and how they can be
mitigated.
Step 3: Design for Security
 Threat Modeling
o Conduct threat modeling sessions to identify potential threats and
vulnerabilities.
o Document the findings and mitigation strategies.
 Secure Design Principles
o Apply secure design principles such as least privilege, defense in depth, and
fail-safe defaults.
o Review and validate the design against security requirements.
Step 4: Implement Securely
 Secure Coding Practices
o Adhere to secure coding standards and guidelines.
o Use static analysis tools to identify and fix security issues during development.
 Code Reviews
o Conduct regular code reviews focusing on security aspects.
o Ensure that security-related issues are addressed promptly.
Step 5: Test for Security
 Security Testing
o Perform security testing throughout the development lifecycle.
o Use automated tools for static and dynamic analysis, as well as manual
penetration testing.
 Vulnerability Scanning
o Regularly scan the application for known vulnerabilities.
o Address identified vulnerabilities before deployment.
Step 6: Deploy Securely
 Configuration Management
o Ensure secure configuration of all components, including servers, databases,
and applications.
o Follow best practices for secure deployment and minimize attack surfaces.
 Monitoring and Incident Response
o Implement monitoring to detect and respond to security incidents.
 o Develop and regularly update an incident response plan.
Step 7: Maintain and Improve
 Continuous Improvement
o Regularly review and update security policies and practices.
o Learn from security incidents and adapt the security program accordingly.
 Security Metrics
o Collect and analyse security metrics to measure the effectiveness of security
activities.
o Use the metrics to identify areas for improvement.

2.6. The Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM)

The Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) is an open framework to help
organizations formulate and implement a strategy for software security that is tailored to the
specific risks facing the organization. SAMM helps you: Evaluate an organization's existing
software security practices.