How to Write Secure Test Cases
Security isn’t just the job of pen testers or compliance auditors anymore. In DevSecOps practices, QA teams play an essential role in ensuring software safety. Writing secure test cases helps uncover vulnerabilities and misconfigurations during early development phases—reducing the risk of breaches and improving application resilience pre-deployment.
What Are Secure Test Cases?
Secure test cases are specific test scenarios created to evaluate whether an application properly addresses critical security requirements. Unlike regular functional test cases that validate feature behavior, secure test cases simulate malicious inputs, unauthorized access attempts, and boundary-breaking scenarios.These tests aim to uncover vulnerabilities early—before they can be exploited in production—making them an essential part of every QA strategy in security-conscious development environments.
- Input validation
- Authentication and authorization
- Session management
- Error handling
- Access control
- Data privacy
These cases not only simulate valid user behaviour but also test how the system reacts to potential misuse or malicious input.
Common Security Areas to Cover in Test Cases
1. Input Validation
Test how the system handles user input by checking for injection attacks like SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and command injections. Validate edge cases, input length boundaries, and encoding schemes to ensure no malformed input can compromise the application.
Example:
- Test Case: Enter
' OR 1=1 --in login fields - Expected Result: Input should be rejected or sanitized
2. Authentication & Authorization
Evaluate login mechanisms, password strength enforcement, and session handling. Also, verify that different roles (admin, user, guest) can only access features appropriate to their permissions, preventing privilege escalation or unauthorized actions.
Example:
- Test Case: Try accessing
/adminwithout authentication - Expected Result: Redirect to the login page or return 403
3. Session Management
Test how sessions are created, maintained, and terminated. Confirm that session cookies include security flags like HttpOnly and Secure and that sessions expire correctly after logout or inactivity to prevent hijacking.Example:
- Test Case: Reuse session token after logout
- Expected Result: Access should be denied
4. Error Handling & Info Leakage
Simulate broken requests or edge-case input that could cause application errors. Make sure error pages and logs don’t expose sensitive stack traces, database structure, or internal file paths that could aid attackers.
Example:
- Test Case: Trigger 500 error
- Expected Result: Show generic error message
5. Access Control
Check that users cannot bypass access rules by manipulating URLs, form data, or APIs. Attempt unauthorized access to protected areas and validate responses to identify broken access control or IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference) risks.
Test IDOR scenarios such as modifying user IDs in URLs to access another user’s data.
6. Data Protection
Test whether sensitive data (passwords, tokens, personal information) is encrypted during transmission (using HTTPS) and storage. Analyze logs, browser responses, and debug outputs to confirm that sensitive data is not accidentally exposed.
Example:
- Try submitting a form with a password and inspect browser console or logs for leakage.
How to Design Secure Test Cases Effectively
- Use Threat Models: Tools like STRIDE or DREAD can help identify attack surfaces.
- Include Negative Tests: Test how the system behaves when things go wrong.
- Automate Security Regression: Use tools like OWASP ZAP or Postman for recurring tests.
- Align with OWASP Top 10: Use known security risks as a checklist for coverage.
- Collaborate with Developers: Share scenarios early so both teams can validate together.
Sample Secure Test Case Format
Test Case IDScenarioInputExpected ResultSecurity RiskTC-SEC-001SQL Injection in login form' OR 1=1 --Reject or sanitize inputSQL InjectionTC-SEC-005Session reuse after logoutOld session IDDeny access or redirectSession HijackingTC-SEC-010Unauthorized API callGET /admin403 Forbidden or redirectionBroken Access ControlTC-SEC-015Error info leakagealert(1)Show generic error pageXSS / Info Disclosure
Case Study: Secure QA Practices in an E-commerce Platform
Background:A B2C client with payment modules and high-traffic sales cycles.
Implementation:
- Added 50+ secure test cases
- Included OWASP checklist in QA review
- Post-release scanning with Burp Suite
Outcome:
- Found 3 IDOR issues pre-launch
- Reduced live security bugs by 75%
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are security test cases different from functional ones?A: Yes. Security tests focus on edge cases and attack simulation, not just feature validation.
Q: How do I start without prior security experience?A: Start with the OWASP Top 10 and work closely with developers or your security team.
Q: Should security cases be part of regression?A: Definitely. Especially for areas like login, access control, and input validation.
Conclusion
Secure test cases are essential for embedding cybersecurity into your development process. They help QA teams detect flaws before attackers do. By applying secure testing principles, using tools wisely, and covering key risk areas, you ensure your software is robust, compliant, and ready for real-world threats.
At Testriq QA Lab LLP, we equip teams to build strong security from the start.