cyber risk management Archives

WordPress db Injection: A Comprehensive Guide for Pen Testers and C-Suite

14 January 2025 by

WordPress, which began as a simple blogging platform in 2003, has evolved into one of the most widely used content management systems (CMS) globally. Currently powering over 40% of websites, WordPress has become synonymous with digital publishing—ranging from small personal blogs to large-scale enterprise solutions. For many C-level executives, WordPress represents an agile, cost-effective solution to rapidly establish and manage an online presence.
However, with extensive adoption comes amplified risk. The same features that make WordPress easy to use—such as its vibrant plugin ecosystem and open-source nature—can also create ripe opportunities for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities. WordPress database injection, often referred to more broadly as SQL injection (SQLi), stands out as a critical concern. Attackers who successfully execute a database injection can gain unauthorised access to sensitive data, manipulate website content, or even pivot to other parts of the organisation’s network.
WordPress relies on a MySQL (or MariaDB) database to store content, user data, plugin settings, and other critical information. An SQL injection attack leverages insecure code or configurations to inject malicious SQL queries into the database, allowing attackers to read, modify, or even delete data, and in some extreme cases, compromise the server itself.

Business Logic Attacks: A Hidden Threat to C-Suite Leaders

26 December 202426 December 2024 by

At their core, business logic attacks exploit **gaps or errors in the workflows or rules governing an organisation’s operations**. These flaws are not due to programming errors but rather the **misuse of legitimate system features** or **misconfigured processes**. Attackers manipulate these weaknesses to achieve their objectives, such as:

– Circumventing security measures
– Accessing unauthorised data
– Fraudulently acquiring goods or services

Offensive Security: Strengthening Cyber Defences Through Active Threat Simulation

24 December 2024 by

Offensive security encompasses a range of practices that simulate cyberattacks in a controlled environment, allowing businesses to identify security risks in their systems and address them before attackers can exploit them. The core components of offensive security include vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, malware analysis, cyber forensics, and reverse engineering.

Cryptographic Failures: Understanding Risks, Implications, and Mitigations for the C-Suite

11 December 202411 December 2024 by

Cryptography is the science of securing information and communications by encoding data so that only authorised parties can access it. Cryptographic mechanisms underpin various corporate processes, from securing customer data and enabling secure transactions to protecting intellectual property and ensuring secure internal communications. As businesses digitise their operations, cryptography becomes a cornerstone of data protection and regulatory compliance.

Cryptographic failures occur when encryption mechanisms fail to secure data as intended. This can happen due to flaws in cryptographic protocols, poor implementation, or the use of obsolete algorithms.

Key Recovery Attacks: Safeguarding Encryption Keys in the Digital Age

5 December 2024 by

Key recovery attacks refer to attempts by malicious actors to retrieve encryption keys used to secure data within an organisation. By obtaining these keys, attackers can decrypt sensitive information, impersonate legitimate users, or perform unauthorised operations, leading to potential data breaches and other cyber risks. These attacks typically target encryption keys stored insecurely, in compromised systems, or within weakly protected environments.