Challenges
The assessment highlighted that the application depended on older software components that are publicly known to contain weaknesses. This created a situation where attackers could potentially take advantage of well-documented flaws, increasing the risk that the application could be misused in ways that were already understood in the wider threat landscape.
Even more, some security methods that help control how information is shared between websites and how content is embedded were not as strong as expected. This raised concerns that, under certain conditions, information displayed to users could be influenced or misrepresented by untrusted sources.
Together, these issues meant that the company could not be fully confident that its web application was operating with the level of protection expected in a modern financial services environment.
The potential consequences included:
- Reduced trust in online interactions
- Increased exposure to attempts to disrupt access to the service
Objectives
The client asked for a clear, transparent view of how the tested area looked from a cybercriminal perspective, seeking clarity on real-world exposure and practical advice on prioritizing fixes.
The main questions were:
- How exposed were key entry points or applications to threats?
- Can user access and sessions be trusted?
- Which weaknesses represent the greatest risk and require urgent remediation?
Services Provided
The main service provided by CyberGlobal was a web application security assessment. The assessment focused on understanding how vulnerabilities in access control, application behavior, or data exposure could be exploited.
It examined the extent to which critical areas were vulnerable to external discovery or misuse and how system configurations influenced the protection of sensitive operations.
Execution and Outcomes
CyberGlobal’s security team approached the application in the same way a real attacker would, starting from what was visible and accessible from the internet and exploring how far that access could be pushed.
The team examined how the application relied on underlying software components and how those components behaved when presented with untrusted input. It was confirmed that several were outdated and associated with known weaknesses that attackers actively look for.
At the same time, the assessment focused on checking:
- How the application handled embedded content
- How information was shared between different sites
- How connections to the service could be initiated and maintained
This revealed areas where security was weaker than expected, including the potential for increased strain on the service if connection attempts were abused.
As a result, the organization gained a clear understanding of the most important vulnerabilities in the tested application and where remediation efforts should be focused first.
Solutions
CyberGlobal recommended replacing outdated software components within the web application.
By updating to supported software versions that fix known weaknesses, the company can greatly reduce the risk of attackers using well-known flaws to change how the application looks or functions for users. This strengthens the core of the application and makes it much harder for anyone to exploit or misuse it.
To strengthen security ever more, CyberGlobal recommended tightening controls over how content from other websites is embedded and how user information is handled as people navigate between pages.
These improvements help ensure that only trusted content is shown, and that user activity isn’t shared more broadly than necessary. This creates a safer, more consistent experience, which is essential for building and maintaining trust in financial services.
CyberGlobal also advised changes to how connections to the application are managed.
The goal was to limit opportunities for outsiders to overload the system. By improving how connections are started and kept alive, the company can better protect the app’s availability and make sure real users can access it reliably, even during heavy traffic or attempted disruptions.
Results
By addressing the identified weaknesses, particularly the reliance on outdated software components, the organization can expect:
- A reduced likelihood of unauthorized influence over how information is presented in the application
- A lower risk of misuse based on known flaws
CyberGlobal’s assessment provided the organization with a focused, business-aligned view of its most important web application risks and practical steps to improve resilience.
Other financial services companies in the UK can strengthen their security by reviewing their own web applications in a similar way, spotting and fixing issues before attackers do. Regular web application penetration testing with CyberGlobal also helps these organizations stay compliant with key standards like PCI DSS and ISO 27001.
CyberGlobal stands ready to support such organizations with targeted penetration testing and ongoing security improvement.