Web Application Security Checklist

Made by Exploit !

A comprehensive security checklist for modern web applications. Ensure your application follows industry best practices and security standards.

Overall Security Progress

Track your progress across all security categories

0 of 18 items completed0%

critical

0/7

high

0/7

medium

0/4

low

0/0

Authentication & Authorization

User identity verification and access control

0% Complete0/4

Data Protection

Encryption and data security measures

0% Complete0/3

Input Validation

Sanitization and validation of user inputs

0% Complete0/3

Network Security

Network-level security configurations

0% Complete0/2

Server Security

Server hardening and configuration

0% Complete0/2

Client-Side Security

Browser and client-side protections

0% Complete0/0

API Security

API endpoint protection and rate limiting

0% Complete0/1

Database Security

Database access control and encryption

0% Complete0/1

Monitoring & Logging

Security monitoring and incident detection

0% Complete0/1

Compliance & Privacy

Regulatory compliance and privacy protection

0% Complete0/1

Authentication & Authorization

User identity verification and access control

4 items

Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Add an extra layer of security beyond passwords

critical

Details

MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised. It should be mandatory for admin accounts and optional for regular users.

Implementation Steps:

Use TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) apps like Google Authenticator
Implement SMS-based verification as a fallback
Consider hardware security keys for high-privilege accounts
Provide backup codes for account recovery

Enforce Strong Password Policies

Implement comprehensive password requirements and validation

high

Details

Strong passwords are the first line of defense against brute force attacks and credential stuffing.

Implementation Steps:

Minimum 12 characters with complexity requirements
Check against common password databases (HaveIBeenPwned)
Implement password history to prevent reuse
Use secure password hashing (bcrypt, Argon2)

Implement Session Management

Secure session handling and timeout policies

critical

Details

Proper session management prevents session hijacking and ensures user sessions are properly terminated.

Implementation Steps:

Use secure, httpOnly, and sameSite cookies
Implement session timeout and renewal
Generate new session IDs after login
Provide secure logout functionality

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Implement granular permission system

high

Details

RBAC ensures users only have access to resources they need for their role, following the principle of least privilege.

Implementation Steps:

Define clear user roles and permissions
Implement middleware for route protection
Regular access reviews and audits
Separate admin and user interfaces

Interactive Security Framework

Explore security principles with interactive examples

Defense in Depth

Multiple layers of security controls

Firewall → WAF → Authentication → Authorization → Encryption

Principle of Least Privilege

Minimum access rights for users and systems

Database user can only SELECT, not DROP tables

Fail Securely

System failures should not compromise security

Authentication failure → Deny access, not grant it

Security Maturity Assessment

Evaluate your organization's security posture

Level 1: Basic

25%

Ad-hoc security measures

Basic firewalls

Antivirus software

Simple backups

Level 2: Managed

50%

Documented security policies

Security policies

Regular updates

Access controls

Level 3: Defined

75%

Standardized security processes

Risk assessments

Security training

Incident response

Level 4: Optimized

100%

Continuous security improvement

Automated monitoring

Threat intelligence

Zero trust

Quick Self-Assessment

Based on your checklist progress, your estimated maturity level is:

Level 0: Basic

(0% complete)