CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Test

Which platform is included for testing web application security by acting as a local proxy?

1. Fiddler

2. Wireshark

3. Burp Suite

4. Metasploit

The correct answer is: Burp Suite

The correct choice is Burp Suite, which is a widely used platform specifically designed for testing web application security. It acts as a local proxy by intercepting and modifying web traffic between a client (such as a web browser) and a web server. This capability allows security professionals and penetration testers to analyze HTTP/S requests and responses in real time, identify vulnerabilities, and conduct various attacks such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting. Burp Suite provides a range of tools, including a scanner for automated vulnerability detection, a repeater for manual testing, and an intruder for performing brute-force attacks. Its integration as a proxy enables testers to manipulate session cookies, headers, and parameters, which is critical for thorough security assessments of web applications. Other tools mentioned serve different purposes. Fiddler is also a web debugging proxy but is less focused on security-specific features compared to Burp Suite. Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer, excellent for network traffic capture and analysis but not tailored for web application security. Metasploit is primarily a penetration testing framework that focuses on exploit development and vulnerability exploitation rather than acting as a proxy for web application testing.