Web Application SecurityLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

This course enables the student to think about web application security in a holistic fashion. The student will learn an effective toolset and methodology for finding, exploiting, and fixing common web application vulnerabilities.

Competences
EUR-ACE: Knowledge and understanding 
EUR-ACE: Engineering practice 
EUR-ACE: Multidisciplinary competences

Content

This is a course about applied cyber security. We will consider common web application vulnerabilities through a series of hands-on exercises using real-world examples (mostly).

We will address various topics related to web and web applications, such as the browser security model, input validation, servlet containers, databases and injections.

We will address current trends in cyber security landscape, and their effect on the web.

Qualifications

The course requires a solid understanding of programming and previous experience in web technologies. The student must be comfortable using command line tools.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

2: The student is able to find common web application vulnerabilities. The student can understand the working principles of existing exploit techniques. The student can write a report that covers most findings and mitigation recommendations for most vulnerability types addressed by this course. The student is able to update their knowledge independently by following various news and research outlets.

1: The student is able to find simple web application vulnerabilities. The student can understand the basics of existing exploit techniques. The student can write a report that covers findings and mitigation recommendations for some vulnerability types addressed by this course. The student is able to find information about major news and events.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

4: The student is able to find and mitigate common web application vulnerabilities. The student can modify and create simple exploits to achieve desired goals. The student can write a report that covers findings and mitigation recommendations for most vulnerability types addressed by this course. The student is able to update their knowledge independently by following various news and research outlets.

3: The student is able to find and mitigate common web application vulnerabilities. The student can understand the working principles of existing exploit techniques. The student can write a report that covers most findings and mitigation recommendations for most vulnerability types addressed by this course. The student is able to update their knowledge independently by following various news and research outlets.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5: The student is able to independently find, exploit, and mitigate common web application vulnerabilities. The student can create and modify exploits to achieve the desired goals. The student can write a succinct report that covers all the salient findings and mitigation recommendations for all vulnerability types addressed by this course. The student is able to update their knowledge independently by following various news and research outlets.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

0: The student does not meet the criteria set for grade 1.