5 Dangerous Web Application Vulnerabilities and How to Find Them
Reading Time: 4 minutesIf you’re creating a web application, you need to make sure it’s secure from cyberattacks. So what flaws should you know about?
Software as a Service (SaaS) applications are a vital element of many organizations. Web-based software has significantly improved the way businesses operate and offer services in different departments such as education, IT, finance, media, and healthcare.
Cybercriminals are always on the look for innovative ways to exploit the weaknesses in web applications. The reason behind their motives may differ, ranging from financial benefit to personal enmity or some political agenda, but they all present a significant risk to your organization. So what vulnerabilities might exist in web apps? How can you spot them?
1. SQL Injections
An SQL injection is a popular attack in which malicious SQL statements or queries are executed on the SQL database server running behind a web application.
By exploiting vulnerabilities in SQL, attackers have the potential to bypass security configurations such as authentication and authorization and get access to the SQL database that keeps sensitive data records of different companies. After gaining this access, the attacker can manipulate the data by adding, modifying, or deleting records.
To keep your DB safe from SQL injection attacks, it is important to implement input validation and use parametrized queries or prepared statements in the application code. This way, the user input is properly sanitized and any potential malicious elements are removed.
2. XSS
Also known as Cross Site Scripting, XSS is a web security weakness that allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a trusted website or application. This happens when a web application does not properly validate user input before using it.
The attacker is able to take control of a victim’s interactions with the software after succeeding in injecting and executing the code.
3. Security Misconfiguration
Security configuration is the implementation of security settings that are faulty or in some way cause errors. As a setting is not properly configured, this leaves security gaps in the application which allow attackers to steal information or launch a cyberattack to achieve their motives such as stopping the app from working and causing enormous (and costly) downtime.
Security misconfiguration may include open ports, use of weak passwords, and sending data unencrypted.
4. Access Control
Access controls play a vital role in keeping applications secure from unauthorized entities who don’t have permission to access critical data. If the access controls are broken, this may allow the data to be compromised.
A broken authentication vulnerability allows attackers to steal passwords, keys, tokens, or other sensitive information of an authorized user to get unauthorized access to data.
To avoid this, you should implement the use of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as well as generating strong passwords and keeping them secure.
5. Cryptographic failure
Cryptographic failure can be responsible for the exposure of sensitive data, giving access to an entity that shouldn’t otherwise be able to view it. This happens due to the bad implementation of an encryption mechanism or simply a lack of encryption.
To avoid cryptographic failures, it is important to categorize the data that a web application handles, stores, and sends. By identifying sensitive data assets, you can make sure they are protected by encryption both when they are not in use and when they are being transmitted.
Invest in a good encryption solution that uses strong and up-to-date algorithms, centralizes encryption and key management, and takes care of the key lifecycle.
How Can You Find Web Vulnerabilities?
There are two main ways you can perform web security testing for applications. We recommend the use of both methods in parallel to bump up your cybersecurity.
Use Web Scanning Tools to Find Vulnerabilities
Vulnerability scanners are tools that automatically identify potential weaknesses in web applications and their underlying infrastructure. These scanners are useful because they have the potential to find a variety of issues, and they can be run at any time, making them a valuable addition to a regular security testing routine during the software development process.
There are various tools available for detecting SQL injection (SQLi) attacks, including open-source options that can be found on GitHub. Some of the widely used tools to look for SQLi are NetSpark, SQLMAP, and Burp Suite.
Besides that, Invicti, Acunetix, Veracode, and Checkmarx are powerful tools that can scan an entire website or application to detect potential security issues such as XSS. Using these, you can easily and quickly find obvious vulnerabilities.
Netsparker is another efficient scanner that offers OWASP Top 10 protection, database security audit, and asset discovery. You can look for security misconfigurations that could pose a threat using Qualys Web Application Scanner.
There are, of course, a number of web scanners that can help you uncover issues in web applications—all you need to do is research different scanners to get an idea which is best suited for you and your company.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is another method you can use to find loopholes in web applications. This test involves a simulated attack on a computer system to evaluate its security.
During a pentest, security experts use the same methods and tools as hackers to identify and demonstrate the potential impact of flaws. Web applications are developed with the intention of eliminating security vulnerabilities; with penetration testing, you can find out the effectiveness of these efforts.
Pentesting helps an organization identify loopholes in applications, assessing the strength of security controls, meeting regulatory requirements such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR, and painting a picture of the current security posture for management to allocate budget where it is required.
Scan Web Applications Regularly to Keep Them Secure
Incorporating security testing as a regular part of an organization’s cybersecurity strategy is a good move. Some time ago, security testing was performed only annually or quarterly and was typically conducted as a standalone penetration test. Many organizations now integrate security testing as a continuous process.
Performing regular security tests and cultivating good preventive measures when designing an application will keep cyberattackers at bay. Following good security practices will pay off in the long term and make sure you’re not worried about security all the time.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/find-web-application-vulnerabilities/
Ref: makeuseof
MediaDownloader.net -> Free Online Video Downloader, Download Any Video From YouTube, VK, Vimeo, Twitter, Twitch, Tumblr, Tiktok, Telegram, TED, Streamable, Soundcloud, Snapchat, Share, Rumble, Reddit, PuhuTV, Pinterest, Periscope, Ok.ru, MxTakatak, Mixcloud, Mashable, LinkedIn, Likee, Kwai, Izlesene, Instagram, Imgur, IMDB, Ifunny, Gaana, Flickr, Febspot, Facebook, ESPN, Douyin, Dailymotion, Buzzfeed, BluTV, Blogger, Bitchute, Bilibili, Bandcamp, Akıllı, 9GAG