Burp Suite Testing

Skillsystem1331Verified

This skill should be used when the user asks to "intercept HTTP traffic", "modify web requests", "use Burp Suite for testing", "perform web vulnerability scanning", "test with Burp Repeater", "analyze HTTP history", or "configure proxy for web testing". It provides comprehensive guidance for using Burp Suite's core features for web application security testing.

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CONTENT

Burp Suite Web Application Testing

Purpose

Execute comprehensive web application security testing using Burp Suite's integrated toolset, including HTTP traffic interception and modification, request analysis and replay, automated vulnerability scanning, and manual testing workflows. This skill enables systematic discovery and exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through proxy-based testing methodology.

Inputs / Prerequisites

Required Tools

  • Burp Suite Community or Professional Edition installed
  • Burp's embedded browser or configured external browser
  • Target web application URL
  • Valid credentials for authenticated testing (if applicable)
  • Environment Setup

  • Burp Suite launched with temporary or named project
  • Proxy listener active on 127.0.0.1:8080 (default)
  • Browser configured to use Burp proxy (or use Burp's browser)
  • CA certificate installed for HTTPS interception
  • Editions Comparison

    FeatureCommunityProfessional
    Proxy✓✓
    Repeater✓✓
    IntruderLimitedFull
    Scanner✗✓
    Extensions✓✓

    Outputs / Deliverables

    Primary Outputs

  • Intercepted and modified HTTP requests/responses
  • Vulnerability scan reports with remediation advice
  • HTTP history and site map documentation
  • Proof-of-concept exploits for identified vulnerabilities
  • Core Workflow

    Phase 1: Intercepting HTTP Traffic

    Launch Burp's Browser

    Navigate to integrated browser for seamless proxy integration:

    1
    Open Burp Suite and create/open project
    2
    Go to Proxy > Intercept tab
    3
    Click Open Browser to launch preconfigured browser
    4
    Position windows to view both Burp and browser simultaneously
    Configure Interception

    Control which requests are captured:

    Proxy > Intercept > Intercept is on/off toggle
    
    When ON: Requests pause for review/modification
    When OFF: Requests pass through, logged to history
    Intercept and Forward Requests

    Process intercepted traffic:

    1
    Set intercept toggle to Intercept on
    2
    Navigate to target URL in browser
    3
    Observe request held in Proxy > Intercept tab
    4
    Review request contents (headers, parameters, body)
    5
    Click Forward to send request to server
    6
    Continue forwarding subsequent requests until page loads
    View HTTP History

    Access complete traffic log:

    1
    Go to Proxy > HTTP history tab
    2
    Click any entry to view full request/response
    3
    Sort by clicking column headers (# for chronological order)
    4
    Use filters to focus on relevant traffic

    Phase 2: Modifying Requests

    Intercept and Modify

    Change request parameters before forwarding:

    1
    Enable interception: Intercept on
    2
    Trigger target request in browser
    3
    Locate parameter to modify in intercepted request
    4
    Edit value directly in request editor
    5
    Click Forward to send modified request
    Common Modification Targets
    TargetExamplePurpose
    Price parametersprice=1Test business logic
    User IDsuserId=adminTest access control
    Quantity valuesqty=-1Test input validation
    Hidden fieldsisAdmin=trueTest privilege escalation
    Example: Price Manipulation
    httpcode
    POST /cart HTTP/1.1
    Host: target.com
    Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
    
    productId=1&quantity=1&price=100
    
    # Modify to:
    productId=1&quantity=1&price=1

    Result: Item added to cart at modified price.

    Phase 3: Setting Target Scope

    Define Scope

    Focus testing on specific target:

    1
    Go to Target > Site map
    2
    Right-click target host in left panel
    3
    Select Add to scope
    4
    When prompted, click Yes to exclude out-of-scope traffic
    Filter by Scope

    Remove noise from HTTP history:

    1
    Click display filter above HTTP history
    2
    Select Show only in-scope items
    3
    History now shows only target site traffic
    Scope Benefits
  • Reduces clutter from third-party requests
  • Prevents accidental testing of out-of-scope sites
  • Improves scanning efficiency
  • Creates cleaner reports
  • Phase 4: Using Burp Repeater

    Send Request to Repeater

    Prepare request for manual testing:

    1
    Identify interesting request in HTTP history
    2
    Right-click request and select Send to Repeater
    3
    Go to Repeater tab to access request
    Modify and Resend

    Test different inputs efficiently:

    1. View request in Repeater tab
    2. Modify parameter values
    3. Click Send to submit request
    4. Review response in right panel
    5. Use navigation arrows to review request history
    Repeater Testing Workflow
    Original Request:
    GET /product?productId=1 HTTP/1.1
    
    Test 1: productId=2    → Valid product response
    Test 2: productId=999  → Not Found response  
    Test 3: productId='    → Error/exception response
    Test 4: productId=1 OR 1=1 → SQL injection test
    Analyze Responses

    Look for indicators of vulnerabilities:

  • Error messages revealing stack traces
  • Framework/version information disclosure
  • Different response lengths indicating logic flaws
  • Timing differences suggesting blind injection
  • Unexpected data in responses
  • Phase 5: Running Automated Scans

    Launch New Scan

    Initiate vulnerability scanning (Professional only):

    1
    Go to Dashboard tab
    2
    Click New scan
    3
    Enter target URL in URLs to scan field
    4
    Configure scan settings
    Scan Configuration Options
    ModeDescriptionDuration
    LightweightHigh-level overview~15 minutes
    FastQuick vulnerability check~30 minutes
    BalancedStandard comprehensive scan~1-2 hours
    DeepThorough testingSeveral hours
    Monitor Scan Progress

    Track scanning activity:

    1
    View task status in Dashboard
    2
    Watch Target > Site map update in real-time
    3
    Check Issues tab for discovered vulnerabilities
    Review Identified Issues

    Analyze scan findings:

    1
    Select scan task in Dashboard
    2
    Go to Issues tab
    3
    Click issue to view:

    - Advisory: Description and remediation

    - Request: Triggering HTTP request

    - Response: Server response showing vulnerability

    Phase 6: Intruder Attacks

    Configure Intruder

    Set up automated attack:

    1
    Send request to Intruder (right-click > Send to Intruder)
    2
    Go to Intruder tab
    3
    Define payload positions using § markers
    4
    Select attack type
    Attack Types
    TypeDescriptionUse Case
    SniperSingle position, iterate payloadsFuzzing one parameter
    Battering ramSame payload all positionsCredential testing
    PitchforkParallel payload iterationUsername:password pairs
    Cluster bombAll payload combinationsFull brute force
    Configure Payloads
    Positions Tab:
    POST /login HTTP/1.1
    ...
    username=§admin§&password=§password§
    
    Payloads Tab:
    Set 1: admin, user, test, guest
    Set 2: password, 123456, admin, letmein
    Analyze Results

    Review attack output:

  • Sort by response length to find anomalies
  • Filter by status code for successful attempts
  • Use grep to search for specific strings
  • Export results for documentation
  • Quick Reference

    Keyboard Shortcuts

    ActionWindows/LinuxmacOS
    Forward requestCtrl+FCmd+F
    Drop requestCtrl+DCmd+D
    Send to RepeaterCtrl+RCmd+R
    Send to IntruderCtrl+ICmd+I
    Toggle interceptCtrl+TCmd+T

    Common Testing Payloads

    # SQL Injection
    ' OR '1'='1
    ' OR '1'='1'--
    1 UNION SELECT NULL--
    
    # XSS
    <script>alert(1)</script>
    "><img src=x onerror=alert(1)>
    javascript:alert(1)
    
    # Path Traversal
    ../../../etc/passwd
    ..\..\..\..\windows\win.ini
    
    # Command Injection
    ; ls -la
    | cat /etc/passwd
    `whoami`

    Request Modification Tips

  • Right-click for context menu options
  • Use decoder for encoding/decoding
  • Compare requests using Comparer tool
  • Save interesting requests to project
  • Constraints and Guardrails

    Operational Boundaries

  • Test only authorized applications
  • Configure scope to prevent accidental out-of-scope testing
  • Rate-limit scans to avoid denial of service
  • Document all findings and actions
  • Technical Limitations

  • Community Edition lacks automated scanner
  • Some sites may block proxy traffic
  • HSTS/certificate pinning may require additional configuration
  • Heavy scanning may trigger WAF blocks
  • Best Practices

  • Always set target scope before extensive testing
  • Use Burp's browser for reliable interception
  • Save project regularly to preserve work
  • Review scan results manually for false positives
  • Examples

    Example 1: Business Logic Testing

    Scenario: E-commerce price manipulation

    1
    Add item to cart normally, intercept request
    2
    Identify price=9999 parameter in POST body
    3
    Modify to price=1
    4
    Forward request
    5
    Complete checkout at manipulated price

    Finding: Server trusts client-provided price values.

    Example 2: Authentication Bypass

    Scenario: Testing login form

    1
    Submit valid credentials, capture request in Repeater
    2
    Send to Repeater for testing
    3
    Try: username=admin' OR '1'='1'--
    4
    Observe successful login response

    Finding: SQL injection in authentication.

    Example 3: Information Disclosure

    Scenario: Error-based information gathering

    1
    Navigate to product page, observe productId parameter
    2
    Send request to Repeater
    3
    Change productId=1 to productId=test
    4
    Observe verbose error revealing framework version

    Finding: Apache Struts 2.5.12 disclosed in stack trace.

    Troubleshooting

    Browser Not Connecting Through Proxy

  • Verify proxy listener is active (Proxy > Options)
  • Check browser proxy settings point to 127.0.0.1:8080
  • Ensure no firewall blocking local connections
  • Use Burp's embedded browser for reliable setup
  • HTTPS Interception Failing

  • Install Burp CA certificate in browser/system
  • Navigate to http://burp to download certificate
  • Add certificate to trusted roots
  • Restart browser after installation
  • Slow Performance

  • Limit scope to reduce processing
  • Disable unnecessary extensions
  • Increase Java heap size in startup options
  • Close unused Burp tabs and features
  • Requests Not Being Intercepted

  • Verify "Intercept on" is enabled
  • Check intercept rules aren't filtering target
  • Ensure browser is using Burp proxy
  • Verify target isn't using unsupported protocol
  • How to Use & Getting Started

    Protected

    # Step 1: Initialize skill agent setup

    npx skills add Burp Suite Testing --install-production

    python -m pip install -r requirements.txt

    codex plugin install Burp Suite Testing@latest

    export API_KEY=secret_token_key_here

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