Common Web Vulnerabilities

Web applications are vulnerable to various security threats and attacks due to their exposure to the internet and the complexity of modern web technologies. Here are some common web vulnerabilities that developers should be aware of:

1. Injection Attacks:

   • SQL Injection (SQLi): Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in input validation to inject malicious SQL code into queries, allowing them to manipulate databases, steal data, or execute arbitrary commands.
   • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, allowing them to steal cookies, session tokens, or sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the user.

2. Broken Authentication:

   • Brute Force Attacks: Attackers attempt to guess user credentials (e.g., usernames, passwords) by repeatedly trying different combinations until they find the correct ones.
   • Session Hijacking: Attackers steal or manipulate session tokens to impersonate authenticated users and gain unauthorized access to their accounts.

3. Sensitive Data Exposure:

   • Insecure Transmission: Transmitting sensitive data (e.g., passwords, payment information) over insecure channels (e.g., HTTP instead of HTTPS) exposes it to interception and eavesdropping by attackers.
   • Insecure Storage: Storing sensitive data (e.g., passwords, credit card numbers) in plain text or using weak encryption makes it vulnerable to theft if the database is compromised.

4. XML External Entity (XXE) Injection:

   • Attackers exploit vulnerable XML parsers to include external entities or files, leading to information disclosure, server-side request forgery (SSRF), or denial of service (DoS) attacks.

5. Broken Access Control:

   • Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR): Attackers manipulate parameters or URLs to access unauthorized resources or perform privileged actions, bypassing access controls.
   • Vertical Privilege Escalation: Attackers escalate their privileges by gaining access to functionalities or data intended for higher-privileged users.

6. Security Misconfigurations:

   • Default Credentials: Leaving default usernames, passwords, or configurations unchanged makes systems vulnerable to unauthorized access.
   • Unnecessary Services: Running unnecessary or outdated services exposes additional attack surfaces and increases the risk of exploitation.

7. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):

   • Attackers trick users into unknowingly submitting malicious requests on authenticated web applications, leading to actions being performed on behalf of the user without their consent.

8. Insecure Deserialization:

   • Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in the deserialization process to execute arbitrary code, perform remote code execution (RCE), or conduct denial of service (DoS) attacks.

9. Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities:

   • Dependency Management: Using outdated or vulnerable third-party libraries, frameworks, or components exposes applications to known security vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit.

10. Insufficient Logging and Monitoring:

    • Lack of Logging: Inadequate logging and monitoring make it difficult to detect and respond to security incidents or unauthorized activities effectively.
    • Failure to Monitor: Failure to monitor and analyze logs and system activities in real-time may delay detection and response to security threats or breaches.

Developers and organizations should implement secure coding practices, perform regular security assessments and audits, and stay informed about emerging threats and best practices to mitigate these vulnerabilities and protect their web applications from exploitation. Additionally, employing security mechanisms such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and web application firewalls (WAFs) can help enhance the security posture of web applications.