Improper Authentication occurs when a software application fails to properly verify the identity of a user or system attempting to gain access. This weakness enables unauthorised entities to bypass security measures and gain access to sensitive data or system functionalities.
At its core, XSS exploits the trust a user places in a web application. By manipulating input fields, URLs, or other interactive elements, attackers can introduce scripts that execute commands, steal sensitive information, or alter website functionality.
SSRF vulnerabilities occur when an API fetches a remote resource using a user-supplied Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) without adequate validation. This oversight allows attackers to manipulate the request, coercing the server to interact with unintended destinations. These attacks bypass traditional network controls like firewalls and VPNs, making them particularly insidious.
Cryptography, at its core, is the practice of securing communication and data through the use of algorithms and keys. For mobile apps, cryptography plays a crucial role in securing sensitive data, ensuring privacy, and maintaining the integrity of user interactions. However, *insufficient cryptography* occurs when an app fails to implement cryptographic algorithms or methods correctly, resulting in data being exposed or vulnerable to unauthorised access.
The issue of insufficient cryptography is particularly critical in mobile applications because of the increasing amount of sensitive information that these apps handle, such as financial data, personal identification information, passwords, and private conversations. Insufficient cryptography in this context means that sensitive data is not encrypted properly, or that weak or deprecated encryption methods are used, leaving the data open to attackers who can intercept, manipulate, or steal it.
OWASP Top 10: Insecure Authentication (M4) Authentication is the cornerstone of cybersecurity, serving as the digital gatekeeper for systems, applications, and data. Despite its critical importance, insecure authentication remains one of the most prevalent vulnerabilities in today’s digital landscape. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) ranks insecure authentication as a key issue in its …