Burp Suite Professional: Complete Guide for Web Application Security Testing
What is Burp Suite Professional?
Burp Suite Professional is an integrated platform designed for security testing of web applications. It's a comprehensive toolkit that helps security professionals, penetration testers, and developers identify and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. All its tools work seamlessly together to support the entire testing process, from initial mapping to finding and exploiting security vulnerabilities.
Why Use Burp Suite Professional?
Burp Suite gives you complete control over your security testing, allowing you to combine advanced manual techniques with cutting-edge automation. This makes your security work faster, more effective, and more thorough.
Key Features
1. Pre-Configured Browser for Instant Testing
One of the most significant improvements in recent versions is the embedded Chromium browser. This browser comes pre-configured to work with Burp Suite right out of the box:
- No manual setup required - no need to configure proxy settings
- No certificate installation - Burp's CA certificate is already configured
- Immediate HTTPS testing - start testing secure websites from the first launch
- Easy access - simply go to Proxy > Intercept and click "Open Browser"
Note: You can still configure external browsers if preferred.
2. Intercepting Proxy
The proxy is the heart of Burp Suite, allowing you to:
- Intercept and modify all requests and responses between your browser and target application
- View HTTPS traffic - even encrypted connections can be inspected
- Record complete history - all requests and responses are logged for review
- Add comments and highlights - mark interesting items for follow-up
- Apply automatic modifications - use match-and-replace rules for custom alterations
- Support WebSockets - HTML5 WebSocket messages are captured in a separate history
3. Advanced Web Application Scanner
Burp's scanner automates vulnerability detection with impressive capabilities:
Coverage:
- Over 100 generic vulnerabilities including SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS)
- Complete coverage of OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities
- Custom not-found response detection to reduce false positives
Scanning Modes:
- Active scanning - tests for vulnerabilities like OS command injection and path traversal
- Passive scanning - identifies issues like information disclosure and insecure SSL usage
- Live scanning - automatically scans requests as you browse
Flexibility:
- Scan entire hosts, specific content sections, or individual URLs
- Multiple test speeds: quick, daily, or comprehensive scans
- Customizable accuracy modes to adjust false positives/negatives
4. Application-Aware Spider
The spider crawls web applications to map out content and functionality:
- Advanced crawling capabilities supporting modern technologies (REST, JSON, AJAX, SOAP)
- Fine-grained scope configuration to control what gets crawled
- Automatic detection of custom not-found responses
5. Burp Intruder
An advanced tool for automating custom attacks:
- Fuzzing for vulnerabilities - test various inputs automatically
- Brute force attacks - enumerate valid identifiers
- Data extraction - pull interesting information from responses
- Exploit vulnerabilities - efficiently exploit discovered weaknesses
- Multiple payload types - built-in generators for various testing scenarios
- Custom positions - place payloads anywhere in requests
6. Repeater Tool
Perfect for manual testing:
- Modify and resend individual requests
- Test variations quickly
- Analyze server responses to different inputs
7. Sequencer Tool
Specialized for testing session token security:
- Analyze the randomness of session tokens
- Identify weak token generation
8. Advanced Detection Technologies
Burp Collaborator: Detects server-side vulnerabilities that are invisible in external application behavior, including issues triggered asynchronously after scanning completes.
Burp Infiltrator: Enables Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) by instrumenting applications to provide real-time feedback when payloads reach dangerous APIs.
Static Code Analysis: Full engine for identifying security vulnerabilities in client-side JavaScript, including DOM-based XSS.
Clear Vulnerability Reporting
Site Map Visualization
- Tree view corresponding to URL structure
- Quick identification of vulnerable areas with icons
- Full details including requests and responses
Detailed Vulnerability Information
- Severity and confidence ratings - prioritize critical issues
- Custom advisories - full descriptions and remediation advice
- Evidence-based reporting - HTTP requests/responses with highlights
- Customizable HTML reports - export formatted reports for different audiences
Making Money with Burp Suite
If you're skilled with Burp Suite, several opportunities exist:
1. Security Testing Services
Offer professional web application security testing services to organizations needing to secure their applications.
2. Bug Bounty Programs
Many organizations pay for vulnerability discovery:
- Use Burp Suite to identify vulnerabilities
- Submit findings through bug bounty programs
- Earn rewards based on severity
- Note: This requires persistence and strong vulnerability identification skills
3. Develop and Sell Tools
Create custom tools or scripts using Burp Suite as a foundation and sell them to other security professionals.
4. Training and Consulting
Teach others how to use Burp Suite effectively through training courses or consulting services.
Extensions and Customization
Burp Suite is highly extensible:
- Write your own plugins for complex, customized tasks
- Use extensions like BurpBounty Pro for automated vulnerability identification
- Integrate with third-party vulnerability scanners
- Create custom payloads and rule sets
Best Practices
- Always obtain proper authorization before testing any application
- Get written consent from application owners
- Follow vulnerability management best practices
- Sign necessary legal agreements (like NDAs) when required
- Be thorough but responsible in your testing approach
Who Should Use Burp Suite Professional?
- Security Professionals - conducting penetration tests
- Web Developers - securing their applications
- Bug Bounty Hunters - finding vulnerabilities for rewards
- QA Teams - ensuring application security before deployment
- Security Researchers - discovering novel vulnerability types
Getting Started
Burp Suite is designed to be intuitive for new users while offering powerful features for experienced testers. The recent improvements, especially the pre-configured browser, make it easier than ever to start testing immediately.
Whether you're just beginning your security testing journey or you're an experienced professional, Burp Suite Professional provides the comprehensive toolkit you need to identify and address web application security vulnerabilities effectively.
Remember: With great power comes great responsibility. Always use Burp Suite ethically and legally, with proper authorization for any testing activities.