Application penetration testing for businesses
Application penetration testing.
Before attackers put it to the test.
Penetration testing for Web apps, SaaS platforms and APIs. We identify vulnerabilities, validate the real risk and turn findings into clear remediation guidance for your development team.
- Web & SaaS
- API Security
- Manual testing
- Clear findings report
Retest according to the agreed scope.
Why a scan isn't enough
A scan is a starting point. Understanding the application makes the difference.
Automated tools catch some issues efficiently, and we use them too. But vulnerabilities that depend on business context and the permission model need a tester who understands the system.
Access control between users and tenants
Can one user reach another user's or customer's data or actions? That depends on your business model, not a generic signature.
Authentication and session management
Password reset, two-factor authentication, session lifetime and behavior after a permission or password change.
Business logic
Skipping steps in a flow, invalid states, manipulating prices or subscription limits.
Object- and function-level API authorization
Endpoints that return data by ID, or admin actions reachable by a regular user.
Further reading: vulnerability assessment vs. penetration testing →
Manual testing increases the chance of finding significant vulnerabilities, but no test can guarantee that every existing vulnerability is found.
When it's time
The moments that call for an application penetration test
Ahead of a release
You want to know where security stands before the feature reaches customers.
An enterprise customer asks
A customer or procurement process requests a penetration test report as part of a security review.
Sensitive data in the system
The system holds customer data, documents or financial information, and exposure is costly.
A significant change
A new permission model, new APIs or an architecture migration.
What we test
Test coverage, by system type
The details below apply to a test within the agreed scope. No scanning of unapproved systems and no dangerous exploitation tools.
- Access control between users and roles, including access to another account's data
- Authentication flows, password reset and session management
- Input validation and injection attempts in the application's context
- Business logic: pricing, action permissions, invalid process states
- File uploads and handling of user-supplied files
- Configuration, security headers and unnecessary information exposure
Coverage is set by the scope agreed in advance. No dangerous exploitation and no scanning of systems not approved in writing.
What you get
Not just a list of vulnerabilities. An action plan for your team.
The report is written so your developers can fix issues, and so management understands the business risk.
Demo report — illustrative data only
Application penetration test report — example.test
A fictional sample system. No real customer findings, real identifiers or exploit code.
Executive summary
The test was performed within the agreed scope, against a test environment and within a coordinated time window, after written authorization. The most significant finding lets a signed-in user reach another user's data by changing an identifier in a request. The fix is concentrated in the server-side authorization layer.
- Findings
- 4
- High
- 1
- Scope
- Web + API
Findings table (illustrative)
APP-01 · Access control bypass between users
Authorization
APP-02 · Unnecessary fields exposed in an API response
API / Data exposure
APP-03 · Missing session renewal after password change
Session
APP-04 · Missing security headers in application responses
Configuration
- An executive summary in business language
- Severity rating and business impact for every finding
- Evidence and documentation from the authorized test environment
- Reproduction in an authorized testing context, with no ready-to-use exploit code
- Prioritized remediation guidance for the development team
- A review call to clarify findings
- Retest according to the agreed scope
How it works
A structured process, no surprises
Every test starts with written authorization, approved environments, a coordinated time window and a contact who can stop testing immediately.
Discovery and scoping
We learn the system, its user types, its APIs and the business goal of the test, and define a precise scope.
Authorization and coordination
Written authorization from the authorized party, approved environments, a coordinated time window and a stop/escalation contact.
Manual testing, supported by tools
The work is led by a human tester; tools support discovery and coverage, not as a substitute for understanding the application.
Validation and documentation
Every finding is validated to reduce noise, and documented with evidence and reproduction steps from the authorized test environment.
Report and prioritization
Executive summary, severity and business impact, prioritized remediation guidance and a review call with your team.
Retest per agreement
Retesting of fixed findings, within the scope and timing agreed in advance.
Proper coordination significantly reduces the risk of disrupting system availability, but zero impact can't be guaranteed. That's why a time window, environment and stop contact are defined in advance.
Why HPI Cyber
What defines this service
Focused on applications, not everything
Our focus is Web, SaaS and APIs. That's what we do, so the test goes deep into the permission model and the logic.
A report you can work with
Clear writing, prioritization and remediation guidance aimed at your developers, not just a list of tools.
Human analysis
A human tester leads the test and validates findings to reduce false positives.
Scoping and communication
We define exactly what's tested and when, and keep you updated along the way. No promises we can't keep.
We use OWASP as an accepted methodological framework for application testing. This is not a certification or endorsement by any external organization.
FAQ
What to know before you start
How much does an application penetration test cost?
How long does a test take?
Do you test in production or staging?
What's the difference between an automated scanner and a penetration test?
What access do you need from us?
Are APIs included in the test?
What happens after we fix the findings?
Our enterprise customer is asking for a pentest report. Will this report work?
What are the limitations of a penetration test?
Next step
Let's understand what needs testing in your application
Send a few basic details and we'll get back to you to define a precise test scope. No automated pricing and no commitment.
- We'll ask about the user types and permissions in the system
- We'll check whether there are APIs and available documentation
- We'll agree on a test environment and time window together
- We'll send a proposal tailored to the defined scope