Are you all excited about building and using your web applications? Wait until you know about the various application vulnerabilities. In 2019, data breaches cost companies around $3.92 million. All of them could have been avoided with a holistic audit and the right mindset. In addition, it would have ensured that companies address web application security vulnerabilities.
Before getting into the list, let us explain web application vulnerabilities.
What is meant by Web Application Vulnerabilities?
A weakness or flaw in a web-based application system is called a web application vulnerability. They have been around for a long time due to various reasons like:
Due to the above-mentioned reasons, cybercriminals can exploit the data and put the application’s security at stake. As web applications communicate with numerous users from numerous various networks, malicious attacks can happen. Therefore, hackers leverage this level of accessibility to extract data.
What are Some Common Web Application Vulnerabilities?
Every year, cyber attackers come up with out-of-the-box web application security threats to get hold of confidential information and access a database. Let us see some common web application vulnerabilities:
● SQL Injection Attacks
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is used for managing and directing data on applications that hackers have developed with ways for slipping their own SQL commands into the database. The commands have the power to manipulate, steal, or delete data, and they low hackers’ access to the root system.
It is a programming language used for communicating with databases. Many servers that store confidential data or services and websites leverage SQL for managing the information in their databases. A hacker launches SQL injection attacks on these servers with malicious code so that the server discloses data that it usually wouldn’t.
In case the server stores confidential customer information from web applications like credentials, credit card numbers, or any other personal information, which is the target for attackers, the attacks become more problematic.
● Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
In an SQL injection attack, a hacker targets vulnerable applications for their store data, like sensitive financial information or credentials, whereas in cross-site scripting attacks, they directly target the application’s users. Though the XSS attack, like SQL injection, requires insertion of malicious code into applications, the only difference is that when a visitor views an attacked website, the malicious code becomes operational on their browser.
Introducing a corrupt code into an input field that would run automatically upon visiting an infected page is one of the most common cross-site scripting methods. These attacks hold the power of deteriorating the reputation of a business severely. so, you must take appropriate measures against them.
● Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) Policy
Each application leverages URLs to establish connections between the user’s server and its central server. Same Origin Policy is one such common protection. The server only responds to a URL that has the same protocol, path schema, and top-level domain name. That means you can access http://orgaizationname.com/page1 and http://organization name.com/page2, due to a few similarities. They are:
Even though it is secure, the operation of the Same Origin Policy is limited when it works with applications that demand a way into resources that link to third- parties or some domains.
With the help of the CORS policy, browsers make a set or allow trusted HTTP headers to access the shared resources. An ideal example can be the need of an app to extract data from two databases present on different web servers. While adding more servers, making a specific allowed list is too much work. It is because both servers share the app. So, the organization makes a CORS policy that allows the browsers to connect to two servers.
Having said that, when the CORS policy is not well defined, it also provides hackers access when they request it.
● Undefined SSL Certificates for Subdomains
An extension of your primary website domain is called a subdomain. Primarily site owners use them for managing extensive sections that demand their own content hierarchy, such as support platforms, online stores, or blogs.
If you don’t encrypt the sub-domains with an SSL certificate, hackers can intercept and tamper with the data transmitting between the server and client. Your best bet against this type of attack is installing a Comodo wildcard SSL. It will help in securing an unlimited number of subdomains.
● Broken Authentication
A term given to vulnerabilities where session management tokens and authentications are not implemented adequately is called broken authentication. The improper execution facilitates hackers to claim the identity of a legitimate user, use their sensitive data and potentially misuse the designated ID privileges.
● Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR)
An attacker can get database access that belongs to others by manipulating the URL that belongs to other users. A simple example can be the reference to a database object exposed in the URL.
The susceptibility comes into play when someone can change the structure of the URL for getting hold of sensitive data without extra authorization.
These are some of the web application vulnerabilities that will be common in 2023.
Wrapping up
Developers can build applications on the vulnerabilities mentioned above and learn from the existing mistakes of other organizations to create more safe applications.
Businesses should use numerous security protocols and measures to keep a check on security threats all the time. Besides basic authentication systems such as secure credentials, employing multi-factor authentication and SSL certificates are important too.