From Code to Compromise: A Unified Framework for Application Security Vulnerability Assessment in the Age of AI-Augmented Attacks
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The convergence of traditional application vulnerabilities with AI-augmentedattack techniques represents one of the most significant threat escalationsof the current decade. This paper presents a Unified Application SecurityAssessment Framework (UASAF) that integrates static code analysis, dynamicweb application testing, controlled exploit-chain simulation via Boot2Root(B2R) Capture-the-Flag (CTF) environments, and phishing-vector analysis.Drawing on empirical data collected across three purpose-built B2Rassessment machines---ORACLE (medium), PHANTOM (hard), and ECHO(easy)---real-world static analysis of the SentinelSight network monitoringapplication, and a structured phishing simulation spanning 200 simulatedparticipants, we demonstrate quantifiable patterns in how vulnerabilitiescompound across application layers. Our framework introduces afive-dimensional assessment model encompassing code-level weaknesses,configuration drift, credential exposure, social engineering susceptibility,and AI-amplified threat vectors. Results indicate that 94.3\% of exploitableattack chains involved at least two compounding vulnerability classes, andthat organizations lacking structured assessment methodologies face a$3.7\times$ higher projected risk exposure. The combined multi-tool staticanalysis pipeline detected 75\% more unique findings than any single tool.This research provides practitioners and academics with a reproducible,vendor-neutral methodology supported by structured CTF-based validationthat bridges theoretical vulnerability knowledge and real-world exploitationscenarios.
Author: Eeshan Garg
Institution: Parul University
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7165147573
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