Attacking and Exploiting Modern Web Applications

Web attacks and exploits pose an ongoing threat to the interconnected world. This comprehensive book explores the latest challenges in web application security, providing you with an in-depth understanding of hackers’ methods and the practical knowledge and skills needed to effectively understand web attacks. The book starts by emphasizing the importance of mindsets and toolsets in conducting successful web attacks. You’ll then explore the methodologies and frameworks used in these attacks, and learn how to configure an environment using interception proxies, automate tasks with Bash and Python, and set up a research lab. As you advance through the book, you’ll discover how to attack the SAML authentication layer; attack front-facing web applications by learning WordPress and SQL injection, and exploit vulnerabilities in IoT devices, such as command injection, by going through three CTFs and learning about the discovery of seven CVEs. Each chapter analyzes confirmed cases of exploitation mapped with MITRE ATT&CK. You’ll also analyze attacks on Electron JavaScript-based applications, such as XSS and RCE, and the security challenges of auditing and exploiting Ethereum smart contracts written in Solidity. Finally, you’ll find out how to disclose vulnerabilities. By the end of this book, you’ll have enhanced your ability to find and exploit web vulnerabilities.

Part 1: Attack Preparation
Chapter 1: Mindset and Methodologies
Chapter 2: Toolset for Web Attacks and Exploitation
Part 2: Evergreen Attacks
Chapter 3: Attacking the Authentication Layer – a SAML Use Case
Chapter 4: Attacking Internet-Facing Web Applications – SQL Injection and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) on WordPress
Chapter 5: Attacking IoT Devices – Command Injection and Path Traversal
Part 3: Novel Attacks
Chapter 6: Attacking Electron JavaScript Applications – from Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) to Remote Command Execution (RCE)
Chapter 7: Attacking Ethereum Smart Contracts – Reentrancy, Weak Sources of Randomness, and Business Logic
Chapter 8: Continuing the Journey of Vulnerability Discovery