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With the rapid digitalization of many industries, it's no longer a question of if your systems will come under attack, but when. To understand and prepare for this inevitable challenge, let us delve into the Open Web Application Security Project’s (OWASP) top 10 risks, and explore ways to mitigate them. OWASP is a non-profit organization with a worldwide community focused on improving software security, with the OWASP top 10 risks serving as the guideline for organizations aiming to effectively secure their software applications.
The OWASP top 10 risks encompass the most significant, widespread threats to web application security. By understanding and addressing these risks, organizations can effectively reduce their vulnerability and mitigate potential damage. This guide will offer a detailed overview of these risks along with strategies to mitigate them.
The current version of the OWASP top 10 risks, last updated in 2017, includes the following vulnerabilities:
Let's look at each of these risks in detail, and explore ways to mitigate them.
Injection flaws occur when an application sends untrusted data to an interpreter as part of a command or query. The attacker can use this to trick the interpreter into executing unintended commands or accessing data. To mitigate injection risks, validate, filter and sanitize user input, and use parameterized queries or prepared statements.
Application functions related to authentication and session management are often implemented incorrectly, allowing attackers to compromise passwords, keys, or session tokens. Adopt multi-factor authentication and limit the number of failed login attempts to mitigate this risk.
Many web applications improperly protect sensitive data such as financial information, leading to identity theft and fraud. Encrypt all sensitive data at rest and in transit, and limit exposure of sensitive data wherever possible.
Older or poorly configured XML processors evaluate external entity references within XML documents, exposing internal files. To prevent XXE attacks, use less complex data formats such as JSON, and patch or upgrade all XML libraries.
Insufficiently protected endpoints allow attackers to exploit these flaws to access unauthorized functionality or data. Developers can prevent broken access control by enforcing the principle of least privilege.
This can happen when an attacker accesses default accounts, unused pages, or unpatched flaws in the system. Regularly conduct security misconfiguration checks to mitigate this.
XSS vulnerabilities allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. To mitigate XSS vulnerabilities, implement a content security policy and sanitize user input.
Insecure deserialization often leads to remote code execution. Monitoring deserialization, coupled with enforcing integrity checks and strict type constraints, can help prevent attacks.
Components with known vulnerabilities can undermine application defenses and enable various attacks. Regularly update and patch all components to avoid this risk.
Insufficient logging and monitoring, coupled with missing or ineffective Incident response, allows attackers to maintain persistence. Ensure you have comprehensive log reviews and Incident response plans in place.
In conclusion, understanding and mitigating the OWASP top 10 risks is crucial for every organization. While this guide delivers comprehensive insight into each of the OWASP top 10 risks, it is an evolving list that reflects the shifts in cybersecurity. Be it Injection, Broken Authentication, or Insufficient logging and monitoring, these vulnerabilities can expose your applications to potential threats. Learning to defend against the OWASP top 10 risks will significantly reduce these threats and equip you to handle new ones that might emerge.
SubRosa is a cybersecurity solutions provider specializing in cyber assessments and risk and compliance.
