Web applications are one of the most common attack vectors in today’s digital landscape. From injection flaws to broken authentication, insecure web apps can become easy entry points for cyber attackers. For security professionals and ethical hackers, Burp Suite is a go-to tool for conducting comprehensive web application penetration testing.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to use Burp Suite for basic web application penetration testing, covering its core tools, setup, and typical workflow. Whether you're a beginner or just getting started with web app pentesting, this guide will help you understand how Burp Suite can reveal vulnerabilities hidden in plain sight.

What is Burp Suite?

Burp Suite is a graphical tool for testing web application security. Developed by PortSwigger, it offers a wide range of functionalities, from intercepting HTTP requests to scanning for vulnerabilities. It comes in three versions:

• Community Edition – Free but with limited features.
• Professional Edition – Paid with advanced tools like scanner and intruder enhancements.
• Enterprise Edition – Automated and scalable for enterprise-level testing.

Setting Up Burp Suite

1. Installation

• Download the Community Edition if you're just getting started.
• It's available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

2. Browser Configuration

To intercept HTTP/HTTPS traffic:

• Configure your browser to use a proxy on 127.0.0.1:8080
• Install Burp’s CA certificate in your browser to avoid SSL errors:
  • Visit http://burpsuite in your browser once proxy is set.
  • Download and install the CA certificate.

Tip: You can also use Burp’s built-in Chromium browser to skip manual configuration.

Core Burp Suite Tools for Basic Pentesting

1. Proxy

• Intercept traffic between your browser and the target application.
• Allows you to modify requests and responses on the fly.
• Ideal for manual exploration and analysis of application behavior.

2. Target

• Displays a hierarchical map of all endpoints visited.
• Lets you define scope, so Burp only tests the desired application parts.

3. Repeater

• Manually send and tweak HTTP requests.
• Useful for testing different payloads or parameters repeatedly.

4. Intruder

• Automates sending multiple payloads to a target.
• Great for fuzzing, brute force attacks, or testing input fields with payloads.

5. Scanner (Professional Only)

• Automatically scans for common vulnerabilities like XSS, SQLi, CSRF, etc.
• Offers severity ratings and remediation advice.

Basic Workflow: Using Burp Suite for a Web App Test

Step 1: Define the Scope

Go to the Target > Scope tab and add your application’s domain. This limits testing to only the specified domain, helping avoid legal and ethical issues.

Step 2: Crawl the Application

Using the Proxy or built-in browser, explore the app naturally—login forms, navigation menus, search bars, etc. Burp captures everything and creates a site map.

Step 3: Intercept and Analyze Traffic

With Intercept on, analyze HTTP requests and responses. Look for:

• Cookies and session tokens
• Hidden fields
• Parameter values
• Authentication headers

You can also modify requests directly to test how the server responds.

Step 4: Send to Repeater and Intruder

• Use Repeater to manually test different inputs in a login form or search field.
• Use Intruder for:
  • Brute force login attempts
  • Input fuzzing for XSS or SQLi
  • Testing for hidden parameters

Step 5: Look for Vulnerabilities

Manually inspect application behavior or use Scanner (if using Pro) to automatically flag issues.

Some basic vulnerabilities to test for:

• Reflected XSS: Inject <script>alert(1)</script> and check the response.
• SQL Injection: Try ' OR '1'='1 in input fields.‍
• CSRF: Analyze form actions and check if CSRF tokens are used.
• Insecure cookies: Check if HttpOnly and Secure flags are missing.

Step 6: Analyze and Report

• Check the Issues tab (if using Pro) for auto-identified issues.
• Use Logger and HTTP history to review past requests.
• Export or document your findings manually.

Ethical Considerations

Always make sure:

• You have explicit permission to test the application.
• You stay within the defined scope.
• You respect data privacy and confidentiality.

Unauthorized testing can lead to legal consequences.

Pro Tips for Beginners

• Use Burp Extensions from the BApp Store to enhance functionality.
• Learn the HTTP protocol well—understanding headers, methods, and status codes is key.
• Practice on legal platforms like:
  • PortSwigger Web Security Academy
  • OWASP Juice Shop
  • Hack The Box

Conclusion

Burp Suite is a powerful ally in the hands of web application security testers. From basic HTTP interception to testing for serious vulnerabilities, it provides all the tools needed for effective penetration testing. As you grow more comfortable, you’ll begin to uncover deeper issues—like broken access control or logic flaws—that Burp Suite can help you understand and exploit.

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SecOps Solution is a Full-stack Patch and Vulnerability Management Platform that helps organizations identify, prioritize, and remediate security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in seconds.‍

‍To learn more, get in touch.