Web Application Security

Web Application Penetration Testing — Automated, Continuous, Evidence-Backed

Nautillo Pro simulates web application penetration testing techniques against your app — SQL injection, XSS, authentication bypass, IDOR, and more — and delivers HTTP proof-of-concept for every confirmed finding. Results in minutes, not weeks.

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What web application penetration testing covers

Nautillo Pro runs goal-driven attack techniques across the OWASP Top 10 and beyond — the same categories a manual web app penetration tester would probe.

SQL Injection

Error-based, union-based, and time-based blind probes across URL parameters, POST form fields, and JSON API endpoints — with baseline latency comparison to confirm blind injection — without modifying production data.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Reflected and stored XSS detection using encoded probes that confirm execution context without persisting payloads in your database.

Authentication Bypass

JWT manipulation, session fixation, token reuse, and OAuth flow probing to surface access control weaknesses before attackers do.

Command & Code Injection

OS command injection probes using output-based detection (unique echo token, id/whoami output, /etc/passwd), error-based (shell error messages), and time-based blind with baseline latency comparison — across GET params, POST forms, and JSON APIs via shell separators (;, |, &, backticks, $()).

Path Traversal & File Access

Directory traversal and LFI probes that verify whether your application enforces file system boundaries.

Business Logic Abuse

Authorization bypass, workflow manipulation, IDOR, and price manipulation tests that target application-specific logic.

How automated web app pentesting works

Four steps from zero to a confirmed, evidence-backed vulnerability report.

1

Add and verify your domain

Add a DNS TXT record to confirm ownership. This is your authorization record — the equivalent of a pentest engagement contract.

2

Configure authentication (optional)

Supply session cookies, bearer tokens, or API keys if your app has protected areas. Credentials are encrypted at rest and purged after the run.

3

Launch the simulation

Nautillo Pro crawls your application, maps attack surfaces, and runs goal-driven attack techniques against every discovered endpoint.

4

Review findings with HTTP proof

Each confirmed vulnerability includes the exact HTTP request, the response that proves impact, CVSS score, and remediation steps.

Why continuous automated testing, not just annual pentests

A traditional web application penetration test is a point-in-time assessment. Your application changes daily — so should your security testing.

89-day blind spot

A quarterly pentest leaves nearly 3 months between assessments. Any vulnerability introduced after the engagement is invisible until the next one.

Regressions happen

Fixed vulnerabilities reappear. A refactor, dependency update, or config change can reintroduce a previously closed finding. Continuous testing catches this.

Deployment is the risk window

Most vulnerabilities are introduced at the code and config level. Testing at deploy time catches them before they reach users — not weeks later.

Manual pentest vs automated simulation

Both have a place. Here's how they differ so you can choose what fits your workflow.

DimensionManual PentestNautillo Pro
Time to first resultDays to weeksMinutes
Cost per assessment€4,000 – €25,000+€0 – €149/mo
FrequencyAnnually or quarterlyEvery deployment
OWASP Top 10 coverageTester-dependentConsistent, every run
Regression detectionNo (point in time)Saved per run — compare manually
Evidence formatPDF reportHTTP PoC + CVSS + PDF
Business logic depthStrong (human judgment)Rule-based patterns
Results availabilityAfter report writingImmediately

For compliance-mandated assessments (PCI DSS, SOC 2) or complex business logic, a qualified human penetration tester remains essential. Use Nautillo Pro to provide continuous coverage between those engagements.

What makes Nautillo Pro different

HTTP proof-of-concept for every finding

Not just a flag — the exact request, the exact response, and reproduction steps. Developers can reproduce and fix without back-and-forth.

Multi-step attack chains

Findings are grouped into attack narratives showing how an attacker would chain individual weaknesses into a full compromise — Recon → Foothold → Escalation → Impact.

Authenticated simulation

Test behind login with session cookies, bearer tokens, or API keys. Credentials are encrypted at rest and purged after each run.

Non-destructive payloads

Every technique is designed to prove a vulnerability exists without modifying data, causing downtime, or triggering side effects on production systems.

PDF export for compliance

Each report exports to a structured PDF suitable for sharing with security reviewers, compliance auditors, and development teams.

Frequently asked questions

Run your first web application penetration test

Nautillo Pro is free to start. Add your target, confirm authorization, and launch a full simulation covering OWASP Top 10 attack paths. Results in minutes.

Pentest vs simulation — full guide