What Is Web Application Security?

Web application security focuses on protecting web applications from unauthorised access, data breaches, and malicious attacks. It involves using various strategies, tools, and best practices to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data within the application. By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and authentication flaws, web application security helps prevent attackers from exploiting weaknesses and keeps user information safe. As web applications become more complex, it is a top priority to safeguard both business assets and customer trust against web application security threats.

Top Web Application Security Issues to Watch Out For:

The following web application security issues and solutions are based on the guidelines set by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a globally recognized organisation dedicated to improving software security. OWASP identifies critical vulnerabilities and provides best practices to help organisations protect their web applications from emerging threats.

SQL Injection Attacks:

SQL, which stands for Structured Query Language, is a programming language used for managing and manipulating databases. SQL injection is a common web security vulnerability that occurs when an attacker inserts malicious SQL code into a query input field, gaining unauthorised access to an application’s database. This type of attack can manipulate, view, or even delete sensitive data, making it one of the most severe web application threats. SQL injections exploit weak input validation, allowing attackers to interfere with a website’s data or bypass authentication controls entirely.

Beyond traditional SQL databases, similar injection attacks can also target NoSQL and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) databases. NoSQL injections manipulate non-relational databases, while LDAP injection attacks exploit directory service databases, commonly used for managing user information in networks. These vulnerabilities highlight the importance of threat detection in web applications for secure coding practices.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a security vulnerability where attackers inject harmful scripts into trusted websites, allowing them to execute detrimental code within users’ browsers. This can lead to stolen user data, session hijacking, and even the installation of malware on user devices. XSS attacks exploit weaknesses in a web application’s input validation, making it possible for an attacker to manipulate what users see and do on the site.

A common example of XSS vulnerabilities is found in online forums or bulletin-board sites, where users can post content visible to others. If these posts aren’t properly sanitised, an attacker could insert harmful scripts that execute when other users view the post.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is an attack that tricks a user’s browser into executing unwanted actions on a different site where they are authenticated. In a typical CSRF attack, a user clicks on a malicious link or visits a compromised web page while logged into a legitimate site. This can lead to unintended transactions, such as changing account settings or initiating fund transfers, posing significant risks to both user data and application integrity.

The implications of CSRF attacks extend beyond immediate data breaches; they can severely undermine user trust in the affected application. When users realise their accounts can be manipulated without their knowledge, their confidence in the security of the service diminishes. Addressing security issues in web applications like CSRF is essential for maintaining user trust and ensuring robust protection against unauthorised actions.

Broken Authentication and Session Management:

Broken authentication and session management occur when applications fail to properly manage user sessions, allowing attackers to gain unauthorised access to accounts. This vulnerability can arise from weak password policies, improper session timeout configurations, or the failure to invalidate session tokens after logout. As a result, attackers can hijack valid user sessions, leading to potential data breaches and exploitation of sensitive information.

These vulnerabilities pose significant cybersecurity threats, as they enable attackers to impersonate legitimate users and perform actions on their behalf. For businesses, the consequences can be severe, leading to data loss, financial damages, and reputational harm. Addressing these issues is crucial to mitigate cybersecurity risks for businesses and ensure that user data remains protected

Security Misconfiguration:

Security misconfiguration occurs when web applications are not properly secured due to default settings, incomplete configurations, or exposed error messages. This vulnerability provides an entry point for attackers to access sensitive data or exploit the system, often due to factors like unused or outdated components, unnecessary features, or improper error handling.

Security misconfigurations are among the most common web application security threats and can affect even highly secured environments. In the evolving future of cybersecurity, addressing security misconfigurations is essential as applications grow in complexity. Implementing standardised security configurations, regular audits, and consistent monitoring can significantly reduce and prevent potential.

Denial of Service (DoS) Attack:

In a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, attackers flood a target server with fake traffic from various sources, aiming to overwhelm its resources and disrupt its normal operation. When the server is unable to manage these incoming requests, it slows down or crashes, making it impossible for legitimate users to access the service. This can severely impact user experience, damage reputation, and result in significant downtime costs.

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack takes this a step further by using a network of compromised devices, or “botnets,” to amplify the scale of the attack, often involving thousands or even millions of devices. Protecting against DoS and DDoS attacks is essential to maintain the stability and accessibility of your web applications.

Remote Code Execution:

Remote Code Execution (RCE) attacks enable attackers to run arbitrary code on a target server, often leading to severe security breaches and even complete system compromise. By exploiting vulnerabilities in libraries or injecting harmful code into user input fields, RCE can provide unauthorised access to sensitive data and system resources.

RCE attacks are closely related to Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, as a successful RCE can initiate DoS, along with other malicious activities like unauthorised cryptocurrency mining and malware deployment. In some cases, RCE gives attackers full control over the affected machine. A well-known example is the Log4j vulnerability discovered in 2021, which exposed applications to widespread security risks, including cryptojacking and other malware. Protecting your systems against RCE is essential to maintain security and prevent costly disruptions.

Broken Access Control:

Broken Access Control is a vulnerability where web applications fail to properly restrict access to specific URLs or resources, allowing unauthorized users to view or interact with restricted areas. For instance, if a web app lacks the proper access controls, attackers might directly navigate to sensitive pages by typing in specific URLs, bypassing normal login or authorization checks.

This issue shares similarities with Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerabilities, though they differ in focus. While IDOR typically gives attackers access to database information, broken access control issues allow unauthorized access to special features or actions within the application itself, potentially exposing critical data and system functions to exploitation. Addressing URL restrictions is essential to prevent this breach and ensure a secure environment for users.

XML External Entities:

XML External Entities (XXE) attacks exploit vulnerabilities in XML processors that are improperly configured to evaluate external entity references within XML files. When these configurations are left unchecked, attackers can use external entities to access sensitive internal files on the server, conduct internal port scans, or even execute denial of service (DoS) attacks.

Moreover, XXE vulnerabilities can lead to remote code execution, enabling attackers to control certain server actions and potentially compromise the entire system. Addressing XXE attacks requires carefully configuring XML parsers to block the evaluation of external entities, safeguarding internal resources and preventing unauthorized access.