Web applications are frequently targeted by attackers looking to exploit application security loopholes. Understanding and mitigating these vulnerabilities is crucial for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the integrity of online platforms.
Table of Contents
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
CSRF attacks force an authenticated user to execute unwanted actions on a web application. Attackers use social engineering tactics (e.g., email links) to trick users into unknowingly executing malicious requests.
Business Impact: High. Attackers can force users to perform actions like fund transfers or email address changes. If an administrative account is targeted, the entire application could be compromised.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Implement CSRF tokens unique per user session or request. Use the SameSite attribute in cookies. Implement re-authentication for sensitive operations.
Transmission of User Credentials in Plain Text
User credentials should always be encrypted during transmission. If credentials are sent in clear text, attackers can intercept and gain unauthorized access.
Business Impact: High. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain access and compromise the application.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies: Use HTTPS (TLS/SSL) to encrypt data in transit. Hash passwords using secure hashing algorithms (SHA-2, SHA-3) with salt. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Missing X-Frame-Options Header
If the X-Frame-Options header is missing, attackers can embed the application within an iframe and conduct clickjacking attacks.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can trick users into revealing credentials by overlaying malicious forms.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Enable X-Frame-Options in HTTP headers: DENY (blocks framing entirely), SAMEORIGIN (only allows framing from the same origin), ALLOW-FROM uri (restricts framing to a specific domain).
Unencrypted ViewState
The VIEWSTATE parameter in ASP.NET applications should be encrypted to prevent attackers from modifying application data.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can alter application-critical data leading to security breaches.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Encrypt VIEWSTATE using Triple DES (3DES) or AES encryption. Enable ViewStateMAC to prevent tampering.
Absence of Brute Force Prevention Mechanism
Lack of automated brute force prevention allows attackers to use scripts to guess credentials.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can gain unauthorized access or flood the database with junk data.
Ease of Exploitation: Hard.
Mitigation Strategies: Implement CAPTCHA for authentication forms. Limit login attempts and introduce exponential delays. Use account lockout mechanisms.
Unrestricted File Upload
If file uploads are not restricted properly, attackers can upload malicious scripts and execute them on the server.
Business Impact: Medium. Arbitrary code execution can lead to complete system compromise.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies: Restrict file types to only necessary formats. Validate file content and size. Store uploads in a non-executable directory.
Verbose Internal Server Errors
Error messages revealing server stack traces or database details can help attackers understand the application structure.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can use disclosed information to plan further exploits.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies: Use generic error messages for users. Implement custom error pages to mask internal details.
AutoComplete Enabled for Login Fields
Enabling AutoComplete in login fields allows stored credentials to be accessed by unauthorized users.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers with access to a user’s device can retrieve stored credentials.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Disable AutoComplete for sensitive input fields: .
Information Disclosure via Response Headers
Web servers often expose version details in response headers, which can help attackers find vulnerabilities.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can research version-specific exploits.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Configure ServerTokens and ServerSignature settings to hide version details.
SQL Injection
SQL injection occurs when user inputs are improperly sanitized, allowing attackers to manipulate SQL queries.
Business Impact: High. Attackers can bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, or modify the database.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies: Use prepared statements and parameterized queries. Validate and sanitize user input. Restrict database user privileges.
Error-Based SQL Injection
Error-based SQL Injection occurs when a web application displays database errors in response to improper user input. This can allow attackers to manipulate SQL queries and retrieve sensitive database information.
Business Impact: High. Attackers can fully compromise the application and server. Information leakage can lead to data breaches.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Use parameterized queries and stored procedures. Implement proper input validation and sanitization. Suppress database error messages in production environments.
Code Disclosure
Unauthorized access to source code on a web server can expose sensitive information, including database credentials and security mechanisms.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can analyze the code to find vulnerabilities. Possible unauthorized access to databases and admin panels.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Restrict access to source code directories. Avoid storing backup files in publicly accessible locations. Implement proper file permissions and access controls.
TCP Open Port Vulnerability
Open network ports can expose a system to external attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data breaches.
Business Impact: Low to High. Depending on the exposed ports and services. Attackers may exploit weak services or outdated software.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Close unnecessary ports. Use secure alternatives (e.g., replace FTP with SFTP). Regularly update and patch network services.
Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
XSS attacks occur when user input is improperly sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in a victim’s browser.
Business Impact: High. Can lead to session hijacking, phishing, and data theft.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies: Use proper input validation and escaping. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP). Sanitize user input before rendering it on the webpage.
Microsoft IIS Tilde Directory Enumeration
Older versions of Microsoft IIS allow enumeration of short file and directory names, exposing sensitive information.
Business Impact: High. Attackers can discover hidden files and exploit security weaknesses.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies: Block requests containing the tilde (~) character. Implement URL rewriting to obscure sensitive paths.
Application Error Messages
Exposing detailed error messages can reveal sensitive information about an application’s backend.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can use this information to craft targeted exploits.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Implement custom error pages. Suppress detailed error messages in production. Log errors securely without exposing them to users.
WebDAV Enabled
Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) can allow unauthorized users to modify website content if not properly secured.
Business Impact: Low. If misconfigured, attackers can upload malicious files.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Disable WebDAV if not needed. Restrict write permissions to authorized users only.
Weak SSL Ciphers
The use of weak SSL/TLS ciphers can expose encrypted communications to attacks.
Business Impact: High. Attackers can intercept and manipulate data.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Disable weak ciphers (e.g., DES, 3DES). Prefer stronger ciphers such as AES-256.
Certificate Signature Algorithm and Value
Weak hash algorithms (e.g., SHA-1) used in SSL/TLS certificates can compromise encryption integrity.
Business Impact: Medium. Weak certificates may allow attackers to forge digital identities.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Use SHA-256 or stronger algorithms. Ensure RSA certificates have a minimum key length of 2048 bits.
Cookies Not Marked as Secure and HTTPOnly
Cookies without the Secure and HttpOnly flags are vulnerable to interception and client-side script access.
Business Impact: Low. Attackers can steal session cookies and gain unauthorized access.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies: Set Secure and HttpOnly flags for all sensitive cookies. Implement SameSite attribute to prevent cross-site request forgery.
Insecure HTTP Methods Enabled
Description:
Certain HTTP methods (OPTIONS, PUT, DELETE, CONNECT, TRACE) are enabled on this web server. These methods can expose sensitive information or be exploited for malicious activities.
- OPTIONS: Lists supported methods, helping attackers gather intelligence.
- PUT: Allows file uploads, potentially leading to remote code execution.
- DELETE: Removes resources, which could lead to data loss.
- CONNECT: May allow the server to act as a proxy, enabling abuse.
- TRACE: Echoes back requests and can be used for Cross-Site Tracing (XST) attacks.
Business Impact: Low. These methods may expose sensitive information that helps attackers prepare advanced attacks.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Disable OPTIONS, PUT, DELETE, CONNECT, TRACE methods on the web server.
Vulnerable jQuery Implemented
Description:
The application is using an outdated jQuery version vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). Attackers can inject malicious scripts through location.hash, potentially compromising user sessions.
Business Impact: Low. The outdated jQuery framework can expose data via JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) without proper security measures.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Update jQuery to the latest secure version.
- Refer to: jQuery Security Advisory.
Session Hijacking
Description:
Session hijacking allows an attacker to take over a user session by stealing the .ASPXAUTH cookie. Once copied to another device, the attacker can gain unauthorized access without authentication.
Business Impact: Medium. A compromised session grants full access to the application for the attacker.
Ease of Exploitation: Intermediate.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Use both
ASP.NET_SessionIdand authentication cookies, linking them to the user identity. - Implement session ID validation to detect reuse.
- Destroy all active sessions and force re-authentication if a duplicate session is detected.
- Refer to:
Internal Path Disclosure
Description:
Improper error handling exposes internal application paths when invalid inputs trigger exceptions. Attackers can use this information to discover file structures and target vulnerabilities.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can gather sensitive information about the server and application, aiding in further attacks.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Configure error redirection to display user-friendly messages instead of technical errors.
- Implement centralized error handling to mask internal paths.
Poor Session Management / Weak Session Management
Description:
The application fails to fully terminate user sessions after logout. If a user clicks the back button after logging out, the previous session remains accessible.
Business Impact: Medium. Attackers can access session data without authentication, potentially leading to data exposure.
Ease of Exploitation: Easy.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Ensure session termination upon logout.
- Implement cache control headers to prevent storing authenticated pages.
- Redirect users to the login page after logout to enforce session destruction.
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