Rui Ventura, Daniel Jose Franco and Omar Khasro Akram, Institute Polytechnic of Beja, Portugal

This research study is built upon cybersecurity audits and investigates the optimization of an Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10 algorithm for Web Applications (WA) security audits using Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) processes. The study places particular emphasis on enhancing the VAPT process by optimizing the OWASP algorithm. To achieve this, the research utilizes desk documents to gain knowledge of WA cybersecurity audits and their associated tools. It also delves into archives to explore VAPT processes and identify techniques, methods, and tools for VAPT automation. Furthermore, the research proposes a prototype optimization that streamlines the two steps of VAPT using the OWASP Top 10 algorithm through an experimental procedure. The results are obtained within a virtual environment, which employs black box testing methods as the primary means of data acquisition and analysis. In this experimental setting, the OWASP algorithm demonstrates an impressive level of precision, achieving a precision rate exceeding 90%. It effectively covers all researched vulnerabilities, thus justifying its optimization. This research contributes significantly to the enhancement of the OWASP algorithm and benefits the offensive security community. It plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance processes for professionals and analysts in the security and software development fields.

Security Audit, Web Applications, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, Innovative OWASP Algorithm.