As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so do the threats that permeate it. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) serves as a beacon, illuminating the most critical security risks facing web applications. Now, as we step into 2024, let’s dissect the latest iteration of OWASP’s Top 10 vulnerabilities and discern any shifts or novel additions from the previous year’s list.
1. Broken Access Control
Broken access control is the most common and dangerous security risk web applications face. Almost 94% of web applications have some form of broken access control, and this weakness has allowed many attackers to exploit it. Developers apply access control to web applications which limits users to access only those data and pages that are needed.
However, failure to deploy access control efficiently leads to unauthorized access, leading attackers to perform data modification and information disclosure. Around 34 CWEs related to broken access control have hampered web application security more than any other. A convenient way to mitigate this vulnerability is by building robust access control with role-based authentication and deploying a least-privileged approach.
2. Cryptographic Failure
It was previously known as Sensitive Data Exposure, and this vulnerability refers to a failure in cryptography that leads to sensitive data exposure. Lack of use of cryptography and various encryption for essential data leads to exposure and allows attackers to get hold of them.
Vital data like business secrets, card information, health records, and personal information that are moving or at rest require special protection, especially when they fall under CCPA, GDPR, or PCI-DSS. When these data are stored with poor key management, like outdated keys, or without the latest cryptographic algorithm, then it leads to a vulnerability that exposes the data. The best way to solve it is by encrypting all the data in transit and also the data at rest through encrypted algorithms and protocols.
3. Injection
Injection is the second most occurring vulnerability that affects many web applications, and it leads to service denial, data theft, data loss, and other forms of attacks. According to market research, 94% of web applications in the last year have been affected by some form of injection.
Through this vulnerability, the attackers could inject malicious data, queries, or commands into the interpreter, which compelled it to take undesignated actions like providing data access without authentication. SQL and XSS are the most common and dangerous injection attacks. Using intrusion detection systems, safe API, and server-side input validation helps developers tackle this vulnerability.
4. Insecure Design
It tells you about the vulnerability that often arises due to implementing ineffective control design, which ultimately leads to different vulnerabilities. Insecure design is a broad term that covers a lot of flaws and primarily refers to the security gaps in the design.
This vulnerability guides developers to build a secured application and also decide the level of security before starting the development because it will help prevent poor security control. Implementing robust security practices, utilizing secure design patterns, and integrating security rights in the SDLC stage is a better way to ensure a secure design. Threat modeling for various features is also essential to avoid this vulnerability.
5. Security Misconfiguration
According to research conducted by OWASP, 90% of native cloud applications are plagued by security misconfiguration, even though organizations are focusing more on highly configured software. Security misconfiguration occurs mainly due to inaccurately configuring the security controls, and it puts the whole system at risk.
Security misconfiguration also occurs when the developers go for default settings, enable unnecessary features, provide access to cloud storage, and misconfigure HTTP headers. This vulnerability can occur on any layer of the application stack or cloud infrastructure and cause exposure of vital data. You can mitigate this vulnerability by strengthening the app security, regularly updating the security configuration, and using preconfigured templates.
6. Vulnerable and Outdated Components
Many modern cloud applications utilize open-source components like frameworks and libraries for seamless operation. If any of the components used during development are outdated or have known vulnerabilities, it become vulnerable to attack, compromising the security of the whole system.
Even though this use of components with known vulnerability doesn’t pose a considerable threat like others, it serves as the number one cause for the primary reason of the actual breach. Thus it becomes imperative for developers to maintain a list of component versions being used and continuously scan all the core components for any vulnerability. Removing unused and outdated components also serves as an effective solution.
7. Identification and Authentication Failure
Identification and authentication failure is a widespread vulnerability in web applications, and it poses a severe threat to the resources as well as assets associated with the network. When the web application incorrectly executes any function of user authentication or session management, it allows malicious personnel to compromise keys, passwords, and session tokens.
It also allows attackers to exploit permission and assume the identity of other users either permanently or temporarily. However, this vulnerability can be easily avoided if you implement multi-factor authentication or utilize a firm password policy. Avoiding the use of default credentials is also an excellent way to mitigate this vulnerability.
8. Software and Data Integrity Failure
This vulnerability is a significant threat to modern web application security that OWASP wants every developer to be aware of. When the integrity of critical data, software updates, installed packers, and CI/CD pipelines are not verified, it can lead to software and data integrity failures.
This vulnerability mainly occurs in cloud applications utilizing plugins, modules, or libraries from untrusted sources or CDNs. Auto updates in many applications without integrity checks also lead to a vulnerability where attackers can deploy their own updates across the system. Checking the legitimacy of software and data along with sources through digital signatures can help in curbing the security issue. Your application should only use libraries and modules from trusted repositories.
9. Security Logging and Monitoring Features
This top 10 OWASP vulnerability tells you about the inability of cloud applications to identify and respond to security risks. According to reports from IT Governance, it takes around 200 days on average for attack detection, and this colossal time frame allows attackers to exploit the system.
When monitoring of log activities is not done correctly, dangerous activities are overlooked, and it ultimately leads to this vulnerability. Using automated audit and logging software enabling the system for instant detection will be helpful in solving this risk. Security controls should be implemented to prevent tampering.
10 Server-Side Request Forgery
The server-side request forgery, also known as SSRF, is another severe vulnerability that occurs when cloud applications access data from remote resources without validating the supplied URL.
The attacker has the ability to send a tweaked request to an unexpected destination, even if the application is protected by a firewall or VPN. The best way to mitigate this vulnerability is implementing user-input sanitization and validation and blocking malicious incoming traffic using strict policies.
In navigating the dynamic cybersecurity landscape of 2024, understanding and mitigating these OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities is paramount. By adopting a proactive approach to security, organizations can fortify their digital fortresses and safeguard against emerging threats, ensuring a resilient and secure online ecosystem.