Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a worldwide not-for-profit organization focused on improving the security of software. Our mission is to make software security visible, so that individuals and organizations are able to make informed decisions about true application security risks. OWASP produces freely-available articles, methodologies, tools, and technologies.
OWASP Application Security
Application security is the use of software, hardware, and procedural methods to protect applications from external threats. Application security combines multiple security controls to create a defense-in-depth strategy.
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a nonprofit foundation that works to improve the security of software. OWASP’s Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS) is a framework for assessing the security of web applications. The ASVS provides a list of security requirements that can be used to measure the security of an application.
Organizations can use the ASVS to assess the security of their own applications, or to choose third-party vendors that have been verified as meeting the ASVS standards. OWASP also provides a list of tools that can be used to help secure applications.
Injection flaws
Injection flaws are a type of security vulnerability that allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a web application. This can allow the attacker to take control of the application or access sensitive data. Injection flaws are most often found in SQL databases, but can also be found in other types of data stores.
In order to exploit an injection flaw, an attacker must first find a vulnerable web page. Once they have found a vulnerable page, they can then inject malicious code into the page. This code will be executed by the web application, and can allow the attacker to take control of the application or access sensitive data.
In order to prevent injection flaws, web developers need to validate all user input. This will ensure that only expected data is processed by the web application. Developers also need to be aware of the types of data that can be injected into a web page, and how to properly escape this data.
Cross-site scripting
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of computer security vulnerability typically found in web applications. XSS enables attackers to inject malicious code into webpages viewed by other users. When a user views the page, the malicious code is executed by the web browser, resulting in the execution of the attacker’s code.
XSS vulnerabilities are often used by attackers to steal sensitive information such as login credentials and cookies. In some cases, XSS can also be used to execute malicious code on the user’s machine, such as downloading viruses or malware.
To protect against XSS vulnerabilities, web developers can use input validation to check user input for malicious code. Additionally, web browsers can be configured to disable or sanitize script code in webpages.
Broken authentication and session management
Broken authentication and session management is a common problem that can occur when developing web applications. It occurs when an attacker is able to gain access to a user’s session ID, usually through cookies or URL parameters. This allows the attacker to impersonate the user and perform actions on their behalf.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to properly implement authentication and session management controls. This includes using strong authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication, and ensuring that session IDs are properly generated and stored. Additionally, it is important to regularly rotate session IDs and limit the number of failed login attempts.
Insufficient logging and monitoring
Logging is the process of generating records of system activity. These records can be used to track events, diagnose problems, and measure performance.
Monitoring is the process of collecting and analyzing logs to identify trends, diagnose problems, and detect anomalies.
Insufficient logging and monitoring can lead to a number of problems, including:
– Security breaches: Without proper logging and monitoring, it can be difficult to detect and investigate security incidents.
– Performance issues: Poorly monitored systems can experience performance issues that go undetected until it is too late.
– Outages: Without monitoring, it can be difficult to identify and resolve system outages in a timely manner.
To avoid these problems, it is important to ensure that your logging and monitoring are adequate for your needs. This may require working with a professional to assess your system and determine the best way to collect and analyze data.
Insecure communications
Insecure communications can happen in a number of ways. For example, if you are using an unsecured Wi-Fi network, anyone within range can potentially intercept your data. This means that any confidential information you are sending or receiving, such as passwords or credit card numbers, could be compromised.
Another way that insecure communications can occur is through the use of unencrypted email. If you are sending sensitive information via email, it is important to make sure that the message is encrypted. Otherwise, it could be read by anyone who has access to the email servers.
Finally, insecure communications can also happen over the phone. If you are having a conversation with someone and they are not using a secure line, then it is possible for someone else to listen in on the conversation. This can be especially problematic if you are discussing confidential information.
If you want to avoid insecure communications, it is important to use a secure method of communication whenever possible. This includes using a secure Wi-Fi network, encrypting your email messages, and using a secure phone line.
Security misconfiguration
Security misconfiguration is a common issue that can leave systems and applications vulnerable to attack. The problem occurs when security settings are either incorrect or not configured properly. This can give attackers access to sensitive data or allow them to take control of systems and devices.
To prevent security misconfiguration, it’s important to follow best practices when configuring security settings. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping systems and software up-to-date. Additionally, regular security audits can help identify any potential misconfigurations so they can be fixed before attackers can exploit them.
Sensitive data discovery
Sensitive data discovery is the process of identifying and classifying sensitive data within an organization. This data can include personal information, financial information, trade secrets, and other types of data that could be used to harm an individual or organization if it were to fall into the wrong hands.
Organizations can use a variety of methods to discover sensitive data, including manual review of files and databases, data mining, and application of data classification algorithms. Once sensitive data has been discovered, it can be protected through a variety of means, such as encryption, access control, and activity monitoring.
Cross-site request forgery
Cross-site request forgery, also known as CSRF or XSRF, is a type of attack that tricks a web browser into sending a request to a website that the attacker controls. The attacker then uses this request to do something malicious, such as stealing data or infecting the user’s computer with malware.
CSRF attacks are usually carried out by tricksing a user into clicking on a malicious link or opening a malicious attachment. The attacker can also use social engineering techniques to convince the user to perform the desired action.
To protect against CSRF attacks, web developers can implement measures such as requiring a user to enter a CAPTCHA code before performing an action, or checking the HTTP Referer header to make sure the request is coming from the same website.
Using components with known vulnerabilities
Components with known vulnerabilities are often used in web applications. While these components may be patched or have workarounds, they can still be exploited. attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to take control of the web application, access sensitive data, or launch denial-of-service attacks.
To protect against these threats, developers need to keep track of the components they are using and ensure that they are up to date. They can do this by monitoring security mailing lists, downloading security advisories, and using tools like the National Vulnerability Database.
When a new vulnerability is discovered, developers need to quickly assess whether their web applications are affected. They can do this by comparing the version of the component in their application to the version that is affected by the vulnerability. If their version is affected, they need to apply the appropriate patch or workaround.
Unvalidated and untested inputs
-OWASP Top 10
-Injection
-Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
-Broken Authentication and Session Management
-Insecure Direct Object References
-Security Misconfiguration
-Sensitive Data Discovery
-Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
-Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities
-Insufficient Attack Protection