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Application & OT Security · Foundational

White-Box Testing

Testing with full knowledge of the target, including source code, architecture and credentials; called known-environment testing by CompTIA.

Definition

White-box testing gives testers complete information such as network diagrams, source code and administrative access so they can find the maximum number of flaws efficiently. It is thorough and well suited to code reviews and pre-release application testing. It is less realistic as a simulation of an outside attacker.

Example

A tester reviews an application's source code alongside running authenticated scans against a staging copy.

Exam tip

Choose white box when the question emphasizes thoroughness and efficiency rather than realism.

Don't confuse it with

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