Source
Code Review
Find security issues before code reaches production. Source code review identifies weaknesses that may not be visible through testing alone - insecure patterns, weak access controls, unsafe data handling, hardcoded secrets, poor input validation and business logic issues. RTCS reviews code with a focus on practical findings, clear evidence and remediation advice developers can act on.
- Web, API and mobile application code review
- Cloud application and serverless code review
- Authentication and authorisation logic review
- Input validation, file upload and injection-path review
- Dependency, package and supply-chain risk review
- Hardcoded credential, API key and secret discovery
- Data handling, encryption and privacy review
- Logging, error handling and trust boundary review
- Business logic review with risk-rated remediation
The issues that don't show up from the outside.
Source code review is a security assessment of application code, configuration and supporting components. The goal is to identify weaknesses in how the application is built, not just how it behaves from the outside - application logic, authentication, authorisation, data handling, API code, dependency use, secrets, error handling, logging and security controls.
The patterns we keep finding in real code.
Broken access control logic
Insecure direct object references
Hardcoded credentials or API keys
Weak authentication flows
Poor role and permission checks
Unsafe handling of user input
Insecure file upload logic
Sensitive data written to logs
Weak encryption or poor key handling
Outdated or vulnerable dependencies
Debug code left in place
Error messages exposing internals
Reviewer-led. Scanner-assisted. Always validated.
Automated tools help identify known patterns, but manual review is needed to understand business logic, access control decisions and application-specific risk. RTCS reviews code manually to identify issues scanners miss.
Code review that improves the development process, not just the code.
Source code review can also identify where secure development practices need improvement. We review the conditions that produce the code, not only the code itself.
Dependencies & Secrets
Dependency Risk
Vulnerable packages, outdated frameworks, transitive dependencies, excessive dependency permissions, abandoned libraries and known-bad versions across NPM, PyPI, Maven, NuGet, Composer, Cargo and others.
Secret Discovery
Hardcoded credentials, API keys and tokens, connection strings, private keys, signing keys and insecure configuration files in source, history and CI/CD pipelines.
Code Review vs Pentest
Penetration Testing
Assesses a running application from the outside. Finds exploitable behaviour and proves business impact. See Penetration Testing.
Source Code Review
Assesses the code itself. Finds design issues, hidden access-control logic, dependency risk and secrets that black-box testing can't reach. Strongest used together.
Scope to Retest
A practical, staged engagement that produces validated findings and clear developer guidance.
Confirm the application, repositories, branches, languages, frameworks, environments and review objectives.
Assess code, configuration, dependencies and security-sensitive logic.
Confirm findings, remove false positives and assess practical business impact.
Provide clear findings with evidence, affected code areas, severity ratings and remediation guidance.
Where included, review fixes and confirm whether identified issues have been resolved.
Who It's For & What You Receive
Who This Service Is For
- Build web applications, APIs or mobile apps
- Need secure code assurance before release
- Need to review high-risk code changes
- Handle customer, financial, health or sensitive data
- Need independent application security assurance
- Want to improve secure development practices
- Need to support audit, customer or compliance needs
- Want practical guidance for developers
Typical Deliverables
- Source code review report
- Risk-rated findings
- Affected files or code areas
- Technical evidence
- Business impact explanation
- Remediation guidance
- Secure coding recommendations
- Dependency and secret findings
- Prioritised action plan
- Retest results where included
- Developer debrief session
Where code review connects to the rest of the program.
Penetration Testing →
Black-box validation of how the deployed application behaves under attack.
Mobile Application Penetration Testing →
Mobile app and backend testing alongside white-box code review of the same codebases.
Security Architecture & Design →
Threat modelling and design review that complements code-level findings.
AI Security & Consulting →
LLM application testing, prompt injection and RAG security for AI features in your code.
Vulnerability Management →
Operational program to track and close findings from code review and pentests.
Secure Cloud & Data Engineering →
Secure pipeline and platform design review for the code's runtime environment.
Attack Surface Management →
External visibility of the public endpoints and infrastructure the code exposes.
Governance, Risk & Compliance →
Evidence of independent code review for audits, customer assurance and tender requirements.
Security issues are easier to fix before they reach production. Talk to us about source code review, secure code assessment, API code review, dependency review or remediation support.
Common Questions
What is source code review?
Source code review is a security review of application code to identify weaknesses in how the software is designed and implemented.
Is source code review the same as penetration testing?
No. Penetration testing assesses a running application from the outside. Source code review assesses the code itself. Both can be used together for stronger assurance.
Do you use automated tools?
Automated tools may be used to support the review, but RTCS focuses on validated findings, manual analysis and practical remediation advice.
What languages can you review?
RTCS can review common web, API, cloud and mobile application code. The exact scope is confirmed before the engagement based on the application and technology stack.
Do you review dependencies?
Yes. RTCS can review dependency risk, vulnerable packages, outdated libraries and insecure use of third-party components.
Can you look for hardcoded secrets?
Yes. RTCS can review code and configuration for hardcoded credentials, API keys, tokens, private keys and connection strings.
Do you provide developer guidance?
Yes. Findings include remediation advice that developers can use to fix the issue and reduce repeat findings.
Can you retest fixes?
Yes. Retesting can be included to confirm whether identified issues have been resolved.
Available across Australia.
RTCS provides source code review for Australian organisations building web, API, cloud, mobile and AI-enabled systems. See cyber security services across Australia for location-specific service context.
Not sure what you need?
Use the enquiry form or email [email protected] with a brief summary. Include your organisation, the service area if known, and any timing requirements.