Out-of-Bounds Read occurs when a program reads data past the allocated boundary of a buffer. This behaviour typically arises from improper validation of input data or incorrect indexing in memory operations. By exploiting this weakness, attackers can gain unauthorised access to sensitive information, potentially leading to security violations.
Path traversal, also known as directory traversal, is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to access files and directories stored outside the intended directory. By exploiting improper validation of user-supplied input, attackers can manipulate file paths to access sensitive system files, configuration files, or any other data stored on the server.
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.
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 However, when these components become outdated or contain vulnerabilities, they pose a serious risk to application security, potentially leading to data breaches, service interruptions, or legal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Vulnerable and Outdated Components is one of the categories in the OWASP Top 10, a widely recognised standard for the most critical security risks to web applications. Specifically, it relates to the category “A06:2021 – Vulnerable and Outdated Components,” which highlights the risks posed by outdated libraries, frameworks, and software components.