5 Most Common Vulnerabilities in Web Applications

Cybercrimes have been on the rise in recent years. Cybercriminals usually embed malware into legitimate applications, and they target poorly secured networks. Web applications are a major target because they are delivered over the internet through a browser interface.

Not so many people pay attention to security vulnerabilities that web applications are exposed to; therefore, attackers use this niche. Web application vulnerability is any weakness that a hacker can use to compromise an online application. To protect your network and application against security threats, you need to be aware of the CVE lists your network, system, and applications are exposed to.

Common vulnerabilities and exposures commonly referred to as CVEs are a list of publicly displayed computer flaws. Attempts have been made to raise awareness of these security vulnerabilities that your web applications can face.

The following are the most common vulnerabilities in web applications

1. SQL Injection

SQL Injection is one of the most common attacks that web applications are exposed to. Structured Query Language injections are one of the ways that web applications use to manage communications. The SQL injection technique is primarily used on data-driven applications that target servers that hold critical data. There are two main types of SQL Injection, Error Based SQL Injection, and Blind SQL injection.

An error-based technique is where an attacker inserts malicious queries in input fields and generates a SQL syntax error. In blind SQL, the attacker tries to get information by asking the database for a true or false query and identifying the results based on the output. The attackers use this platform to spoof identity, tamper with existing data, and modify or even delete data. In severe cases, attackers destroy the data and become database server administrators.

2. Cross-Site Scripting

Cross-site scripting is ordinarily referred to as XSS. In cross-site scripting, the attacker injects malicious scripts into web applications and runs the code within a user’s browser. The attacker can only access the data when the user visits a compromised web application. They then attach their malicious codes on top of legitimate websites, and their malware is executed whenever the site is loaded; therefore, it is challenging for the users to identify the attack.

3. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

CSRF is also known as a one-click attack. CSRF is a malicious exploit where an attacker forces the users to perform unintended actions on the web application. CSRF is mainly executed on social engineering platforms. The unauthorized commands are submitted by a user that the web application trusts. The victim only has to click a URL containing a maliciously crafted request, which is sent to a targeted web application. A malicious website can transmit such commands through specially crafted image tags, hidden forms, and XMLHttp Requests.

4. Session Fixation

Session fixation attack permits an attacker to hijack a valid user session. In this attack, the attacker steals the ID of the victim’s session after the user logs in to a particular session and then forces the victim to use that particular session for their purpose. Examples of session fixation techniques include cross-site scripting exploits and reusing HTTP requests. Most web applications use cookie-based user sessions, and there are the easiest to compromise.

5. Local File Inclusion (LFI)

An attacker tricks a web application into running or receiving web files on a server. File inclusion is a feature offered by most web application frameworks that are primarily useful for bundling shared code into separate files for subsequent use by the application’s primary modules. If the file inclusion relies on HTTP request components, the application may be open to LFI attacks. A Local File Inclusion attack can lead to information disclosure, remote code execution, or cross-site scripting.

Conclusion

Web applications play a vital role in our everyday life and make our work easier. However, with the increased use of web applications, attackers have established various ways to access and use the data for malicious activities. Therefore, it is paramount for everyone to know the most common vulnerabilities and exposures web applications are exposed to.