Introduction
Welcome to the thrilling crossover of Application Security (AppSec) and Incident Response (IR)! In this room, we explored how attackers target applications, how security teams respond, and how the overlap between AppSec and IR creates a superhero combo for defending modern apps.
By the end of this adventure, you'll understand not just how to patch a vulnerability, but how to think like a defender while dancing on the fine line between code and chaos.
Task 1: Introduction to AppSec IR
What We Learned
AppSec IR is the fusion of traditional IR practices with application security.
Modern breaches often start in applications — web apps now account for ~60% of breaches.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the intersection between AppSec & IR
Prepare for application incidents
Respond effectively to incidents
Learn from incidents to prevent future attacks
Key Takeaway: “Failing to prepare for AppSec incidents is like leaving your treasure chest unlocked in a pirate town!” 🏴☠️
No answers required here—just strap in for the ride.
Task 2: AppSec IR Fundamentals
Why AppSec IR Matters
AppSec IR ensures that when vulnerabilities arise, your response is fast, precise, and informed by knowledge of the application itself.
Core Phases Influenced by AppSec:
Preparation – Secure coding & testing
Detection & Identification – Logs, alerts, and bug bounty reports
Containment – Stop attacks before they spread
Eradication – Remove root causes
Recovery – Restore systems & learn lessons
Collaboration
The magic of AppSec IR is teamwork: developers and security responders working together. Example:
AppSec team identifies the vulnerable code and provides a patch
IR team deploys a WAF rule to block attacks temporarily
Tools We Use
SIEM: Aggregates logs & detects anomalies
WAF: Blocks malicious traffic patterns/IPs
RASP: Detects attacks in real-time inside the app
Threat Intelligence: Provides IOCs and TTPs
Scenario: ShopSmart, an online retailer, suffers a SQL injection attack during a seasonal sale. AppSec IR comes to the rescue! 🛒💥
QA:
Which tool analyses logs & aggregates security events?
SIEM✅Which IR phase deploys emergency WAF rules?
Containment✅
Task 3: Preparing for Application Incidents
Preparation is Key 🔑
Secure by Design: Integrate security from day one
Observability: Log authentication attempts, API calls, errors, etc.
Monitoring: Centralized dashboards & alerts (Elastic Stack, Splunk, Sentinel)
IR Playbooks
Playbooks document step-by-step responses for specific threats. Example for SQLi:
Update WAF rules
Block offending IPs
Patch vulnerable code
Monitor logs post-fix
QA:
Approach reducing likelihood of incidents:
Secure by Design✅OWASP category for poor observability:
A09: Security Logging and Monitoring Failures✅Document outlining IR steps:
IR Playbooks✅
Task 4: Responding to an Application Incident
Detection & Identification 🔍
Log anomalies: Spike in database errors
User reports: Feedback from users
Bug bounty: Incentivized vulnerability reporting
Containment 🛑
Disable vulnerable endpoint (feature flag)
Apply WAF rules to block malicious patterns/IPs
Stop the spread: Isolate compromised accounts/systems
QA:
Incentivised third-party vulnerability detection:
Bug Bounty✅Mechanism to disable features instantly:
Feature Flag✅Tool to block malicious traffic:
WAF✅
Task 5: Remediation & Recovery
Eradication 🔧
Patch vulnerabilities (
hotfix)Remove malicious artifacts (malware, web shells)
Preserve forensic evidence
Reset credentials / revoke compromised accounts
Restoration & Validation ✅
Test systems thoroughly
Re-enable fixed endpoints
Monitor for recurrence
Lessons Learned
Conduct a post-mortem
Produce an incident report detailing timeline, root cause, and recommendations
QA:
Developer action to patch vulnerability:
hotfix✅Routes re-enabled during:
Containmentphase ✅Process of learning lessons:
Post-mortem✅Document produced:
Incident Report✅
Task 6: Practical AppSec IR in Action
Steps Completed
Booted AttackBox & Target Machine
Accessed the ShopSmart application front end (
10.10.173.77)Investigated logs:
ssh [email protected] cd /home/appsecir/Documents/Logs grep 'successful login' application-incident-logs.jsonlDetected the IDOR vulnerability in
/users/:id/profileIdentified attacker activity, victim account, and timestamps
Disabled vulnerable endpoint using admin ID
999Monitored logs for suspicious access patterns
Verified that endpoint was secured and restored normal operations
QA / Findings:
Vulnerability Type:
IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)Affected Endpoint:
/users/:id/profileAttacker Activity: Confirmed unauthorized access
Affected User:
Account ID 103 - Email: [email protected]Containment Action: Disabled vulnerable endpoint
Flag: Hidden for self-validation ✅
Task 7: Conclusion
Turning Incidents into Win-Cidents! 🎉
AppSec IR combines security awareness with rapid, effective response
Preparedness, detection, containment, eradication, and recovery are key
Learning from incidents ensures a safer future for applications
Collaboration between developers and IR teams is essential
Final Thoughts: "An incident is not a setback; it’s a lesson wrapped in chaos. Learn, adapt, and respond faster next time!" 🚀
End of Write-Up
