In the next decade, we can expect to see plenty of changes in the world of information security. The OWASP Top 10 is a classification of the most common attacks on the web. It has been updated every few years to reflect the changing landscape of web application security risks.
Here are the 10 most common web application security risks for 2022:
1. Injection flaws
Injection flaws are one of the most common types of attacks on the web. They occur when untrusted user input is injected into an application, resulting in the execution of unintended actions or access to sensitive data. This can be done through SQL, NoSQL, LDAP, and other types of injections. Injection flaws can be exploited to gain access to sensitive data, execute unauthorised actions, or even take over the entire application.
2. Broken authentication and session management
Authentication and session management are essential to the security of any web application. Unfortunately, they are also some of the most commonly implemented incorrectly. Broken authentication and session management can lead to a number of vulnerabilities, including session hijacking, brute force attacks, and password leaks.
3. Cross-site scripting (XSS)
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of injection flaws in which malicious scripts are injected into webpages. These scripts can execute when the page is loaded by unsuspecting users, resulting in a number of potential consequences such as session hijacking, information theft, and phishing attacks.
4. Broken access controls
Access control is a security measure that restricts access to system resources based on user permissions. Broken access control vulnerabilities allow unauthorized users to bypass these restrictions and gain access to sensitive data or perform restricted actions.
5. Security misconfiguration
Security misconfiguration is a broad category that includes any mistake made in the configuration of a system that can leave it open to attack. This can be anything from leaving the default username and password in place to failing to properly configure SSL/TLS.
6. Unvalidated and untested inputs
Many web applications take user input and use it without first validating or sanitizing it. This can lead to a number of issues, such as cross-site scripting or SQL injection. Additionally, untested inputs can be a source of vulnerabilities that are not yet known.
7. Insufficient logging and monitoring
Insufficient logging and monitoring can make it difficult to detect and respond to attacks. Without adequate logs, it may be impossible to identify what happened and who was responsible. Additionally, if systems are not properly monitored, potential attacks may go unnoticed.
8. Insufficient security controls
Insufficient security controls can leave systems and data vulnerable to attack. This may include failing to deploy standard security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems. Additionally, it may mean not properly configuring or maintaining these controls.
9. Unknown vulnerabilities
Every year, new vulnerabilities are discovered in both software and hardware. Many of these are unknown at the time of initial release and can be exploited to gain access to systems or data.
10. Social engineering
Social engineering is a type of attack in which the attacker uses deception to trick users into providing sensitive information or performing actions that will compromise security. This can be done over the phone, through email, or in person. Common social engineering attacks include phishing and pretexting.
Comments are closed.