PSNA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Year/Sem/Sec:III/VI/C Academic Year: 2023-24(Even)

Regulation :2021 Batch: 2021-25
Subject code&Subject Name: CCS374 Web Application Security
QUESTION BANK

UNIT-I FUNDAMENTALS OF WEB APPLICATION SECURITY

Q.No PART-A

1. What is the significance of recognizing web application security threats?

2. What are the types of SQL Injection.

3. What role does encryption play in web application security?

4. How does Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) work?

5. Name one common web application security

6. Define Web Application Security.

7. What is the primary purpose of input validation in web applications?

8. Why is session management crucial in web applications?

9. What is Transport Layer Security (TLS).

10. Differentiate between Authentication and Authorization.

11. What is Secure Socket Layer (SSL)?

12. What is the importance of security headers in web applications?

13. What is the purpose of a Content Security Policy (CSP)?

14. Define Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).

15. Why is it essential to update software regularly in the context of web application
security?
16. What are the key elements of a strong password policy?

17. Define Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack.

18. Explain the role of a Web Application Firewall (WAF).

19. What is Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS), and why is it relevant to web
application security?

PART-B
1. Discuss the evolution of web application security over the years, highlighting key
milestones and challenges faced by developers.

2. Explain the various authentication mechanisms commonly employed in web

applications, along with their strengths and weaknesses. Compare and contrast
session-based and token-based authentication methods.

3. Describe the components and processes involved in Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and
Transport Layer Security (TLS), elucidating how they ensure secure communication
over the internet.

4. Critically analyze the importance of input validation in web application

security, discussing common techniques and best practices for implementing
robust input validation mechanisms. Provide examples of vulnerabilities that
can be mitigated through effective input validation.

5. Discuss the importance of implementing security headers and Content Security

Policy (CSP) directives in web applications to mitigate various types of attacks,
including XSS and data injection. Provide examples of security headers and their
respective functionalities.

6. Examine the role of Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) in protecting web

applications from various threats, including SQL Injection, DDoS attacks, and
malicious bots. Compare the effectiveness of network-based and host-based WAF
deployments in different scenarios.

7. Critically evaluate the challenges associated with securing web applications in

modern distributed environments, such as microservices architectures and cloud
computing platforms. Discuss strategies for integrating security into the DevOps
pipeline to ensure continuous security testing and deployment.

8. Analyze the impact of common web application security threats such as Cross-Site
Scripting (XSS), SQL Injection, and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) on the
security posture of web applications. Propose mitigation strategies to address these
threats effectively.
 9. Evaluate the significance of session management in web applications, outlining
potential security risks associated with poor session handling practices. Discuss
strategies for implementing secure session management mechanisms, including
session tokens and session expiration policies.

10. Examine the role of encryption in web application security, exploring different
encryption algorithms and their applications in safeguarding sensitive data
transmitted over networks. Discuss the trade-offs between symmetric and
asymmetric encryption schemes.

UNIT-II SECURE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT

Q.No PART-A
1. What is the purpose of security testing in web applications?
2. What is OWASP CLASP.
3. State Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)?
4. What are the primary objectives of OWASP CLASP?
5. How does Microsoft SDL contribute to secure software development?
6. List the key components of Security Incident Response Planning.
7. Why is security testing crucial in the development of web applications?
8. Define Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM).
9. Define Security Incident Response Planning.
10. How does SAMM help organizations in improving their software security?
11. Mention a common technique used in security testing of web applications.
12. Outline the steps involved in Security Incident Response
13. What are some advantages of implementing Microsoft SDL?
14. What are some challenges associated with implementing OWASP CLASP?
15. What role does OWASP CLASP play in ensuring application security?
16. How does SAMM differ from other software security models?
17. Discuss the phases of the Microsoft Security Development
18. What are the key considerations for effective Security Incident Response Planning?
19. Name a widely used tool for security testing in web applications.
20. How does SAMM assess and enhance an organization's security posture?

Q.No PART-B
1. Explain the process of security testing in web applications, highlighting its
importance in ensuring robust security measures.
2. Compare and contrast the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
and OWASP Comprehensive Lightweight Application Security Process
(CLASP) in terms of their approaches, methodologies, and effectiveness in
enhancing web application security.
3. Discuss the significance of Security Incident Response Planning in mitigating and
 managing security breaches in web applications. Provide a detailed framework for
implementing an effective response plan.
4. Outline the key components of a comprehensive Security Incident Response Plan
(SIRP), detailing the steps involved in incident detection, analysis, containment,
eradication, recovery, and post- incident review.
5. Discuss the role of security testing tools in identifying vulnerabilities and ensuring
the integrity of web applications. Provide examples of commonly used tools and
their functionalities.
6. Assess the effectiveness of the Software Assurance Maturity Model
(SAMM) in improving software security across different stages of the
development lifecycle. Discuss its impact on organizational security
practices and its alignment with industry standards and best practices.
7. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the OWASP Comprehensive
Lightweight Application Security Process (CLASP) and its applicability in
diverse software development environments. Provide recommendations for
overcoming potential limitations.
8. Explore the challenges and benefits associated with integrating security
into the software development lifecycle through the Microsoft Security
Development Lifecycle (SDL). Provide strategies for overcoming barriers
to implementation and maximizing its effectiveness.
9. Explain how OWASP CLASP addresses the security concerns of web applications
and enhances the overall security posture of an organization. Illustrate its
implementation process and key considerations for successful adoption.
10. Critically analyze the Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) as a
framework for improving software security practices. Assess its scalability,
flexibility, and adaptability to different organizational contexts, along with its
potential impact on risk management and compliance efforts.

UNIT-III SECURE API DEVELOPMENT

Q.No PART-A
1. What is the purpose of session cookies in API security?
2. What authentication method relies on the exchange of tokens for
access to APIs?
3. How does rate limiting contribute to the availability of APIs?
4. What is the role of encryption in API security?
5. Why is audit logging important in API security?
6. What is the purpose of API keys in securing service-to-service APIs?
7. Which authorization framework is commonly used for securing APIs and
granting access to resources?
8. How does a service mesh contribute to securing microservice APIs?
9. What measure is used for locking down network connections in API security?
10. How are incoming requests secured in API development?
 11. What security mechanism is commonly used to maintain user sessions in API
interactions?
12. How does rate limiting contribute to the protection of APIs from abuse?
13. Why is audit logging considered essential in API security?
14. How are API keys used to authenticate service-to-service API requests?
15. What is OAuth2, and how does it contribute to securing APIs?
16. What are the primary security benefits of using a service mesh in microservice
architectures?
17. What measures can be implemented to secure incoming requests in API development?
18. How can network connections be locked down to enhance API security?
19. What role does encryption play in securing data transmitted between clients and APIs?

Q.No PART-B
1. Discuss the role of session cookies and token-based authentication in securing APIs.
Compare and contrast their implementation, security implications, and suitability
for different use cases in web application development.
2. Explain the concept of API security controls and their importance in addressing
threats to API endpoints. Provide examples of security controls such as rate
limiting, encryption, and audit logging, and discuss how they contribute to
mitigating common API vulnerabilities.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of different authentication mechanisms, including API
keys and OAuth2, in securing service-to-service APIs.
4. Discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for various deployment
scenarios, considering factors such as scalability, manageability, and security
requirements.
5. Explore the challenges and benefits of securing microservice APIs using a
service mesh architecture. Discuss how service mesh technologies facilitate
secure communication, traffic management, and observability in distributed
microservice environments, and assess their impact on overall system reliability
and security posture.
6. Analyze the importance of locking down network connections in API security.
Discuss strategies for implementing network-level security measures such as
firewalls, network segmentation, and access control policies to protect API
endpoints from unauthorized access and malicious attacks.
7. Discuss the significance of securing incoming requests in API development and
explore the various techniques and best practices for achieving this goal. Provide
examples of security mechanisms such as input validation, parameterized queries,
and content filtering, and explain how they help prevent common security threats
such as injection attacks and cross-site scripting (XSS).
8. Critically evaluate the role of session management in API security. Discuss the
challenges associated with session management in distributed environments,
such as stateless APIs and microservices, and propose strategies for
implementing secure session handling mechanisms to protect against session
hijacking and other session-related vulnerabilities.
 9. Compare and contrast token-based authentication with other authentication
mechanisms, such as HTTP basic authentication and API keys. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of each approach in terms of security, scalability, and
ease of implementation, and provide recommendations for selecting the most
appropriate authentication method based on specific use case requirements.
10. Explore the security considerations and best practices for implementing encryption
in API development. Discuss the different types of encryption algorithms and
protocols commonly used to protect data in transit and at rest, and provide
guidelines for selecting and configuring encryption mechanisms to ensure
confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of API communications and data.
11. Assess the role of audit logging in API security and compliance. Discuss the
importance of maintaining detailed audit logs to track API activity, detect security
incidents, and demonstrate regulatory compliance, and provide recommendations
for designing and implementing effective audit logging mechanisms that meet the
requirements of various security standards and regulations.

UNIT-IV VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND PENETRATION TESTING

Q.No PART-A
1. What is the Vulnerability Assessment Lifecycle?
2. Which type of vulnerability scanner specializes in identifying security
weaknesses in database systems?
3. What are the stages involved in the Vulnerability Assessment Lifecycle?
4. Name a type of vulnerability assessment tool used for scanning
vulnerabilities in cloud environments.
5. Which type of vulnerability scanner focuses on identifying security flaws in
individual computer systems?
6. What is the primary purpose of network-based vulnerability scanners?
7. Name a common type of penetration test used to assess the security of
external network infrastructure.
8. What is the primary objective of Mobile Application Testing in penetration testing?
9. In penetration testing, what does SSID or Wireless Testing focus on?
10. What aspect of systems does Web Application Testing penetration tests focus on?
11. Which type of penetration test evaluates the security of internal network
infrastructure?
12. Name a type of vulnerability assessment tool commonly used for scanning
13. Which type of vulnerability scanner focuses on identifying security
weaknesses in individual computer systems?
14. What is the primary purpose of network-based vulnerability scanners?
15. Which type of vulnerability scanner specializes in identifying security
vulnerabilities in database systems?
16. Name a common type of penetration test used to assess the security of
external network infrastructure.
 17. What aspect of systems does Web Application Testing penetration tests focus on?
18. Which type of penetration test evaluates the security of internal network
infrastructure?

Q.No PART-B
1. Discuss the Vulnerability Assessment Lifecycle in detail, outlining each stage's
significance and activities involved. Provide examples of tools and techniques
commonly used in each stage to effectively identify, remediate, and verify
vulnerabilities within an organization's infrastructure.
2. Compare and contrast various types of vulnerability assessment tools, including
cloud-based, host-based, network-based, and database-based scanners. Evaluate
their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for different environments and
scenarios, considering factors such as scalability, accuracy, and ease of use.
3. Explore the importance of penetration testing in identifying and mitigating security
risks within an organization's infrastructure. Discuss the different types of
penetration tests, including External Testing, Web Application Testing, Internal
Penetration Testing, SSID or Wireless Testing, and Mobile Application Testing,
and provide examples of when each type should be employed.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of External Testing as a penetration testing technique for
assessing the security of an organization's external network infrastructure. Discuss
the methodology, tools, and best practices involved in conducting External Testing,
and provide recommendations for addressing common challenges and limitations.
5. Discuss the significance of Web Application Testing in penetration testing and its
role in identifying security vulnerabilities in web applications and their underlying
infrastructure. Explore common attack vectors and techniques used in Web
Application Testing, and provide recommendations for securing web applications
against potential threats.
6. Analyze the challenges and considerations involved in conducting Internal
Penetration Testing to assess the security of an organization's internal network
infrastructure. Discuss the methodology, scope, and limitations of Internal
Penetration Testing, and provide strategies for overcoming common obstacles and
ensuring comprehensive coverage.
7. Discuss the role of audit logging and reporting in vulnerability assessment and
penetration testing. Explore the importance of documenting findings, vulnerabilities,
and remediation efforts, and provide recommendations for effectively
communicating assessment results to stakeholders and decision-makers.
8. Critically assess the overall effectiveness of vulnerability assessment and
penetration testing as security measures in mitigating cybersecurity risks within an
organization. Discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, and provide
recommendations for integrating them into a comprehensive security strategy to
enhance overall cyber resilience
 UNIT-V HACKING TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS

Q.No PART-A
1. What is Social Engineering in the context of hacking?
2. What type of attack is commonly associated with injecting malicious code into
databases?
3. What vulnerability does Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) exploit?
4. What type of attack involves tricking a user into unknowingly performing
actions on a web application?
5. What is the consequence of security misconfiguration in web applications?
6. What security risk arises from broken authentication and session management?
7. What vulnerability is exploited when sensitive data is stored in an insecure manner?
8. What risk is associated with failure to restrict URL access?
9. Name a vulnerability assessment tool commonly used for network scanning.
10. What role does Burp Suite play in the field of cybersecurity?
11. What are the common types of injection attacks, and how do they exploit
vulnerabilities?
12. List the impact of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks on web applications
13. How do broken authentication and session management vulnerabilities compromise
the security of web applications?
14. Write the concept of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks and
their potential consequences.
15. What are the risks associated with security misconfiguration in web applications?
16. Mention the importance of secure cryptographic storage in protecting sensitive data.
17. How does the failure to restrict URL access pose a security risk to web applications?
18. Name a tool used for vulnerability scanning that focuses on web application security.
19. How does Comodo contribute to cybersecurity efforts?

Q.No PART-B
1. Explore the techniques and psychological principles behind Social Engineering
attacks, and discuss their effectiveness in bypassing traditional cybersecurity
defenses. Provide real-world examples of Social Engineering attacks and analyze
their impact on organizations and individuals.
2. Discuss the various types of injection attacks, including SQL injection, LDAP
injection, and XML injection, and explain how they exploit vulnerabilities in web
applications. Evaluate the severity of injection attacks in terms of potential
damage and provide recommendations for mitigating these risks.
3. Analyze the prevalence of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in web
applications and their impact on security. Discuss the different types of XSS
attacks, such as reflected XSS, stored XSS, and DOM-based XSS, and provide
strategies for detecting, preventing, and mitigating XSS vulnerabilities.
4. Evaluate the risks associated with broken authentication and session management
vulnerabilities in web applications. Discuss common causes of these vulnerabilities,
 such as weak passwords, session fixation, and insufficient session expiration
policies, and provide best practices for improving authentication and session
management security.
5. Discuss the concept of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks and their
potential impact on web application security. Explore common CSRF attack
scenarios, such as CSRF with GET requests, CSRF with POST requests, and
CSRF with AJAX requests, and provide recommendations for preventing and
mitigating CSRF vulnerabilities.
6. Explore the risks associated with security misconfigurations in web applications
and their impact on cybersecurity. Discuss common security misconfigurations,
such as default credentials, directory listings, and improper file permissions, and
provide guidelines for identifying and remediating these misconfigurations
effectively.
7. Analyze the importance of secure cryptographic storage in protecting sensitive
data from unauthorized access and disclosure. Discuss common cryptographic
storage techniques, such as hashing, encryption, and salting, and provide best
practices for implementing secure cryptographic storage mechanisms in web
applications.
8. Discuss the risks associated with failure to restrict URL access in web applications
and their potential impact on security. Explore common URL access control
vulnerabilities, such as predictable resource locations, insecure direct object
references (IDOR), and lack of access controls, and provide strategies for mitigating
these risks.
9. Evaluate the effectiveness of vulnerability assessment tools such as OpenVAS,
Nexpose, and Nikto in identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities in web
applications and network infrastructure. Compare and contrast the features,
capabilities, and limitations of these tools, and provide recommendations for
selecting the most appropriate tool for a given scenario.