What is White box testing?

Understanding White box testing

Software testing taking place from an internal viewpoint where the tester has access to internal structures interfaces and algorithms. White box testing also called clear box or glass box testing is a software testing method where the tester has complete knowledge of the internal structure design and implementation of the item being tested. In security contexts white box testing includes code review static analysis and security testing with full access to source code configurations and internal architecture. White box testing methodologies are defined in standards like ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119 and security testing frameworks. Organizations implement white box security testing through code reviews static analysis security unit testing and architectural analysis. For example a financial application development team might perform comprehensive white box security testing including automated static application security testing SAST of all code manual security code reviews focusing on authentication authorization and financial transaction components security unit tests that verify security controls function correctly and architectural analysis to identify trust boundaries potential attack vectors and control gaps providing a deep assessment of security not possible with black box testing alone. Related terms Code review Static analysis SAST Security testing Security code review Unit testing Source code analysis Glass box testing Security architecture review IAST.