Code Review

Code Review from a Penetration Tester's perspective is a systematic examination of source code to identify security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. When performing a code review, penetration testers analyze application code to discover flaws that automated tools might miss. Penetration testers look for common security issues such as: 1. Input validation weaknesses that could lead to injection attacks (SQL, XSS, CSRF) 2. Authentication and authorization flaws 3. Sensitive data exposure through improper encryption 4. Security misconfigurations in the code 5. Hardcoded credentials or API keys 6. Race conditions 7. Logic flaws that bypass security controls The process typically involves: - Manual review of critical security components - Using static application security testing (SAST) tools - Focusing on high-risk areas like authentication mechanisms - Examining data handling and validation routines - Reviewing third-party libraries and dependencies A thorough code review requires understanding of: - The programming language(s) used - Common vulnerability patterns - Security best practices - The application's architecture and business logic Benefits include: - Early detection of vulnerabilities before deployment - Reduced remediation costs compared to post-deployment fixes - Improved overall security posture - Educational opportunities for developers Code reviews complement dynamic testing by finding issues that may not surface during runtime testing. The most effective security assessment combines both approaches. For penetration testers, code review is an essential skill that provides deeper insight into application vulnerabilities and helps deliver more comprehensive security assessments to clients.

Code Review from a Penetration Tester's perspective is a systematic examination of source code to identify security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. When performing a code review, penetr…