IaC involves writing code to define, provision, and manage infrastructure components, such as servers, databases, networks, and load balancers. These configuration files serve as blueprints, allowing teams to replicate environments reliably.
Software and data integrity failures refer to vulnerabilities that arise when untrusted or unverified components are introduced into software systems. These failures occur when attackers manipulate software or data to exploit weak points, potentially leading to unauthorised control, data breaches, or malicious activities within applications.
Modern software development depends on a complex ecosystem of third-party components. Frameworks, libraries, and plugins streamline coding tasks, enabling developers to focus on building application-specific features. However, when these components become outdated or contain vulnerabilities, they pose a serious risk to application security, potentially leading to data breaches, service interruptions, or legal liabilities.
Vulnerable and Outdated Components is one of the categories in the OWASP Top 10, a widely recognised standard for the most critical security risks to web applications. Specifically, it relates to the category “A06:2021 – Vulnerable and Outdated Components,” which highlights the risks posed by outdated libraries, frameworks, and software components.
Insecure deserialisation refers to a scenario where an application deserialises data without validating its integrity or origin. This process, if compromised, can allow attackers to inject code, manipulate data, or trigger unintended operations within an application. For example, if an attacker injects crafted data into the deserialisation process, they could potentially gain control over the application server, extract sensitive information, or cause service disruptions.