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OWASP Top Ten

Updated Jan 30, 2024 ·

Web Security Vulnerabilities​

Web security vulnerabilities pose significant risks to the integrity of web services. Cybersecurity professionals must be vigilant in identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities.

  • OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) maintains a list of the top 10 web security risks
  • The current list was developed in 2013, with a revision expected soon
  • These risks are crucial for maintaining secure web services

OWASP Top 10​

Reference: https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/

  1. Injection Attacks

    • Attackers insert malicious code into a request that is executed by the server
    • Common example: SQL injection targeting databases

  2. Broken Authentication and Session Management

    • Flaws in authentication mechanisms lead to unauthorized access
    • Example: Session hijacking

  3. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

    • Attackers embed scripts in third-party websites that execute in victims’ browsers
    • For more information, please see Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

  4. Insecure Direct Object References

    • Developers expose internal functions without proper security checks
    • Attackers may alter URLs to access unauthorized resources

  5. Security Misconfigurations

    • Incorrect settings in complex systems like web servers, databases, and firewalls
    • Any misconfiguration can compromise the entire system

  6. Sensitive Data Exposure

    • Insecure applications may expose sensitive data, such as customer information
    • Lack of HTTPS encryption increases this risk

  7. Missing Function Level Access Control

    • Developers fail to verify back-end access control for certain application functions
    • Attackers can exploit this by directly sending unauthorized requests

  8. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

    • Attackers exploit the fact that users often have multiple websites open
    • Detailed coverage in upcoming sections

  9. Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities

    • Web applications using insecure components may be compromised by attackers
    • Regular security patching is essential

  10. Unvalidated Redirects and Forwards

  • External links through a trusted site can be exploited to redirect users to malicious sites
  • Developers must ensure only approved redirects are allowed