Thick ClientPenetration Testing

Unlock security insights deep within your thick client applications.

Overview

Thick Client Applications, commonly known as Desktop Applications, rely on client-side processing and follow a traditional client-server architecture. These applications are developed using various programming languages like .Net, Java, Golang, ElectronJS, and others. Due to their reliance on client-side processing, the security of these applications is heavily dependent on the client.

Certbar Security offers specialized testing for thick client applications, integrating both DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) and SAST (Static Application Security Testing). Our DAST approach includes injecting traffic analyzers to sniff and exploit protocol weaknesses within the application. SAST involves reverse engineering to uncover hardcoded secrets and embedding malicious code to test the application's response. We tailor our testing methods to meet the specific needs of various thick client environments, ensuring comprehensive security assessments and robust protection against potential threats.

We uncover everything before attackers do

Essential Misuses/Impact of Thick Client Applications

Impact: Exploits can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and system control.

Misuse: Thick client applications on Windows can be vulnerable to DLL hijacking, buffer overflow, and misconfigured IPC mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over the system or access sensitive data.

Penetration Testing Test Cases

Testing for vulnerabilities where malicious DLLs can be injected to execute arbitrary code.

Assessing the security of InterProcess Communication mechanisms.

Evaluating the security of configuration files that may store sensitive information.

Automated + Manual Testing

Discovered a critical SQL injection vulnerability in a healthcare application. Initially identified through automated scanning tools, our team further exploited this weakness using manual testing techniques. By crafting specific payloads, we were able to access unauthorized data and demonstrate the potential impact. This thorough approach ensured that all aspects of the vulnerability were addressed, securing sensitive patient information and maintaining the integrity of the application.

Automated Testing

During a security assessment of a financial application, our team used reverse engineering techniques to retrieve the source code with led to identification of a hardcoded password through automated scan of the application. This discovery enabled us to advise the client on removing hardcoded credentials and implementing more secure authentication methods, thereby preventing potential unauthorized access and data breaches.

Interaction with Operating System Processes

Thick client applications often interact with various OS processes, including file systems, network services, and inter-process communication (IPC). Exploiting these interactions can lead to unauthorized data access, system manipulation, and disruption of critical services.

File Systems

Thick client applications often read and write to local file systems. This interaction can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or to plant malicious files or spyware (like the famous solarwinds incident).

Network Services

These applications may communicate with network services for updates or data exchange. Exploiting this can lead to intercepting or manipulating network traffic, compromising data integrity and privacy.

Inter-Process Communication (IPC)

Thick client applications may use IPC mechanisms to interact with other processes. If insecure, these interactions can be intercepted or manipulated, leading to unauthorized access or control over other processes.

Registry Settings (Windows)

Thick client applications on Windows often interact with the registry for configuration settings. Exploiting these interactions can allow attackers to alter application behavior or gain privileges access.

Our Approach

Our team goes beyond conventional methods, employing advanced techniques such as deep code analysis for potential buffer overflow vulnerabilities, fuzz testing to uncover unexpected behaviors, and probing for insecure API interactions. We simulate extreme scenarios to ensure your application withstands even the most sophisticated attacks.