Exploiting and Securing Vulnerabilities in Java Applications from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Setup and Introduction to Cross Site Scripting Attacks

In this module, you will be able to use Git and GitHub to pull needed source code. You will be able to run WebGoat in a Docker container and explain reasons for doing so. You'll be able to describe cross-site scripting attacks and explain how these attacks happen and how to guard against them. You'll be able to differentiate between a DOM-based, Reflected, and Stored cross-site scripting attacks. You will be able to practice protecting against various kinds of cross-site scripting attacks.

Injection Attacks

In this module, you will be able to exploit a SQL injection vulnerability and form plans to mitigate injection vulnerabilities in your web application. You will be able to discuss various approaches to finding and fixing XML, Entity and SQL attack vulnerabilities. You'll be able to describe and protect against a "man-in-the-middle" attack and describe the the thought process to find SQL injection vulnerabilities by "putting on the attacker's hat". You will be able to demonstrate how to properly modify queries to get them into prepared statements and analyze code while using an XML viewer and text editor to find vulnerabilities. You'll also be able to navigate a large code base to find critical segments of code and patch vulnerabilities.

Authentication and Authorization

In this module, you will be able to evaluate authentication flaws of various kinds to identify potential problems and create strategies and controls to provide secure authentication. You'll be able to create and/or implement controls to mitigate authentication bypass and draw lessons from notable instances where others failed to authenticate users. You will be able to properly implement authentication methods like JSON Web Tokens (JWT). You will be able to find vulnerabilities in a large code base and provide a solution for demonstrating and exploiting JSON Web Tokens (JWT).

Dangers of Vulnerable Components and Final Project

In this module, you will be able to use the OWASP Dependency Checker while analyzing code and verify that you have vulnerable components in the code. You will be able to examine code to find and patch vulnerable components. You will be able to apply what you learned from previous module activities to finalize your final project.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches essential and highly relevant skills in web security for a variety of learners in technology fields

Focuses on a practical approach to securing web applications by exploiting vulnerabilities and implementing secure coding practices

The course is multi-modal with a combination of videos, readings, discussions, and hands-on labs

Provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of web security vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies

Builds a foundational understanding of web security for beginners and strengthens it for intermediate learners

Requires learners to have a basic understanding of web development and programming

Reviews summary

Java vulnerabilities course

Learners say the Exploiting and Securing Vulnerabilities in Java Applications course is worth pursuing. The course is well-structured, informative, and practical. Students highly recommend it for Java developers.

Applicable to real-world scenarios

"As a Software Engineer, we should aware of the security concern during application development. So that we can avoid any unexpected situation in the future."

"This course guided me to know about security concerns at the application level."

"Highly recommended for Java developer."

Easy-to-follow format

"Good course, following a consistent structure so that it easy to compare and contrast the broad 7 sub-types of exploits discussed here, and their fixes!"

"Exploiting and Securing Vulnerabilities in Java Applications is by far the best course in this series. There are practical examples, live coding, and well organized."

Hands-on learning opportunities

"Exploiting and Securing Vulnerabilities in Java Applications is by far the best course in this series. There are practical examples, live coding, and well organized."

"Well organized course. I have learned a lot of new things from this course."

"Muy buen curso, en la cual practiqué diversos tipos de ataques de cross-site scripting (XSS), mitigue las vulnerabilidades de inyecciones en la WEB y lo más interesante, es que pude examinar el código#Java para encontrar y parchear componentes vulnerables."

Difficulties obtaining certification

"I finish the course but didn't get any certification"

Lack of timely feedback

"Peer assignments are copy pasted and don't always work correctly. Github repository is outdated and no response from instructors."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Exploiting and Securing Vulnerabilities in Java Applications with these activities:

Course Notes Review

Show steps

Reinforce class material and improve retention by reviewing notes and assignments.

Show steps

Review lecture notes.
Complete practice questions and assignments.
Summarize key concepts in your own words.

WebGoat Penetration Testing Tutorial

Show steps

Gain practical penetration testing experience by following a guided tutorial on WebGoat.

Browse courses on Penetration Testing

Show steps

Install WebGoat and set up a testing environment.
Work through the WebGoat modules, exploiting vulnerabilities.
Apply mitigation techniques and learn from real-world examples.

Connect with Application Security Professionals

Show steps

Expand knowledge and gain insights by connecting with experienced application security professionals.

Browse courses on Mentoring

Show steps

Attend industry events and conferences.
Reach out to professionals on LinkedIn.
Join online communities and forums.

Eight other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 11 activities

Complete a Vulnerabilities Quiz

Show steps

Test your knowledge of basic vulnerabilities by taking a quick quiz.

Browse courses on Vulnerabilities

Show steps

Navigate to the OWASP website
Locate the 'OWASP Top Ten' resources
Take the 'Vulnerability Quiz'

Learn SQL Injection via Guided Tutorial

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of SQL injection attacks by following a guided tutorial.

Browse courses on SQL Injection

Show steps

Find an online tutorial on SQL injection
Follow the steps in the tutorial
Test your understanding by completing the exercises

Cross-Site Scripting Practice

Show steps

Reinforce understanding of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities by performing hands-on exercises.

Browse courses on Cross-Site Scripting

Show steps

Set up a vulnerable web application environment.
Identify and exploit cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
Implement mitigation strategies to prevent XSS attacks.

Create a XSS Cheat Sheet

Show steps

Enhance your knowledge of XSS by creating a comprehensive cheat sheet.

Browse courses on Cross-Site Scripting

Show steps

Gather information on different types of XSS attacks
Compile your findings into a well-organized cheat sheet
Share your cheat sheet with others

SQL Injection Practice

Show steps

Enhance understanding of SQL injection vulnerabilities by engaging in practical exercises.

Browse courses on SQL Injection

Show steps

Set up a vulnerable database environment.
Craft SQL injection payloads.
Extract sensitive data using SQL injection techniques.
Implement defense mechanisms to prevent SQL injection attacks.

Component Vulnerability Analysis

Show steps

Strengthen understanding of the risks associated with vulnerable components by analyzing a codebase.

Show steps

Use OWASP Dependency Checker to scan code for vulnerabilities.
Prioritize vulnerabilities based on severity and impact.
Research and implement mitigation strategies.

Cross-Site Scripting Attack Report

Show steps

Improve understanding of cross-site scripting attacks by writing a comprehensive report.

Browse courses on Cross-Site Scripting

Show steps

Research different types of cross-site scripting attacks.
Analyze case studies of real-world XSS attacks.
Develop a detailed report on XSS prevention techniques.

Authentication Bypass Demonstration

Show steps

Deepen understanding of authentication bypass vulnerabilities by creating a proof-of-concept demonstration.

Browse courses on Authentication

Show steps

Research common authentication bypass techniques.
Identify vulnerabilities in a target application.
Develop a demonstration to exploit the vulnerability.
Write a detailed report on the findings and mitigation strategies.

Career center

Learners who complete Exploiting and Securing Vulnerabilities in Java Applications will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts design and implement systems to protect an organization's computer networks and data from unauthorized access or attack. They monitor activity to identify and respond to potential threats. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Information Security Analysts. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help protect organizations from data breaches and other security incidents.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Engineer

Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems to protect organizations from unauthorized access or attack. They work with other IT professionals to identify and mitigate security risks. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Security Engineers. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help build secure systems that are less likely to be exploited by attackers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Software Developer

Software Developers design, build, and maintain computer software. They work with users to understand their needs and translate those needs into technical solutions. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Software Developers. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help build secure software that is less likely to be exploited by attackers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts monitor and analyze an organization's computer networks and systems for security threats. They work with other IT professionals to investigate and respond to security incidents. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Cybersecurity Analysts. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help organizations improve their security posture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems to protect an organization's computer networks from unauthorized access or attack. They work with other IT professionals to identify and mitigate security risks. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Network Security Engineers. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help build secure networks that are less likely to be exploited by attackers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Security Consultant

Security Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their security posture. They work with organizations to identify and mitigate security risks. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Security Consultants. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help organizations improve their security posture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers simulate attacks on an organization's computer networks and systems to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. They provide a report of their findings to the organization, along with recommendations for how to fix the vulnerabilities. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Penetration Testers. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help organizations improve their security posture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security solutions to protect organizations from unauthorized access or attack. They work with other IT professionals to develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Security Architects. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help organizations build secure systems that are less likely to be exploited by attackers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are responsible for an organization's overall security strategy. They work with other executives to develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for CISOs. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help organizations build secure systems that are less likely to be exploited by attackers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Security Manager

Security Managers oversee an organization's security program. They work with other IT professionals to develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Security Managers. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help organizations build secure systems that are less likely to be exploited by attackers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Manager

Security Researcher

Security Researchers identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer software and systems. They work with vendors to develop patches and fixes for these vulnerabilities. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which is a key skill for Security Researchers. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help improve the security of software and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Researcher

Computer Forensic Analyst

Computer Forensic Analysts investigate computer systems to gather evidence of crimes. They work with law enforcement and other investigators to analyze data and provide expert testimony. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which may be helpful for Computer Forensic Analysts. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help law enforcement and other investigators gather evidence of crimes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Forensic Analyst

Ethical Hacker

Ethical Hackers use their technical skills to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. They work with organizations to assess their security posture and identify areas for improvement. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which may be helpful for Ethical Hackers. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help organizations improve their security posture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethical Hacker

Incident Responder

Incident Responders investigate and respond to security incidents. They work with other IT professionals to contain and mitigate the impact of security breaches. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which may be helpful for Incident Responders. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help organizations respond to security incidents more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Malware Analyst

Malware Analysts analyze malicious software to identify its purpose and behavior. They work with law enforcement and other investigators to track down the creators of malware and disrupt their operations. This course provides a strong foundation in exploiting and securing vulnerabilities in Java applications, which may be helpful for Malware Analysts. By learning to identify and fix vulnerabilities, students can help law enforcement and other investigators track down the creators of malware and disrupt their operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst