Web Application Security (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

Assignments have weekly deadlines.

We go through OWASP TOP10 2021 list one topic a time and we do assignments based on those topics.

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.

Materials

Materials in the e-learning environment and the book: Real-World Bug Hunting: A Field Guide to Web Hacking

Teaching methods

- lectures
- independent study
- distance learning
- webinars
- exercises
- learning tasks
- book

Exam schedules

No exam, assessment is based on assignments.

Completion alternatives

The admission procedures are described in the degree rule and the study guide. The teacher of the course will give you more information on possible specific course practices.

Student workload

One credit (1 Cr) corresponds to an average of 27 hours of work.

- lectures 15 h
- demos 5 h
- reading assignments 15 h
- independent study 40 h
- assignment solving 50 h
- assignment reporting 10 h
Total 135 h

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.

Qualifications

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

Further information

No exam, assessment is based on assignments.