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 …
HTTP Response Splitting is a web application vulnerability that occurs when an attacker is able to manipulate HTTP headers to split the response sent to the client. This manipulation exploits the way headers are processed by web servers and browsers, allowing attackers to inject malicious content into the response stream. The result can be a range of attacks, from cross-site scripting (XSS) to cache poisoning and web cache poisoning, all of which can disrupt business operations, damage brand reputation, and compromise sensitive data.
**JSON Injection** is a form of **injection vulnerability** that occurs when an application improperly handles user input within a JSON object. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is widely used for data exchange between web clients and servers. When applications fail to validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into a JSON object, attackers can inject malicious data, manipulating the application’s behaviour.
JSON Injection primarily targets the integrity of the data being exchanged, potentially altering application logic, bypassing authentication, or even leading to more severe attacks like remote code execution. It is particularly dangerous in systems that use JSON for configuration files, user inputs, or data transfer, which is the case in many modern web applications.
SSRF occurs when an attacker exploits a server-side vulnerability to send crafted requests from a vulnerable web server to unintended locations. These requests can be directed to internal services, cloud metadata APIs, or other network resources that would otherwise be inaccessible to external users. Essentially, SSRF enables attackers to leverage the server’s trust in internal resources and APIs to bypass firewalls, access private services, and gather sensitive data.
HTTP Parameter Pollution, or HPP, is a type of web security vulnerability where an attacker manipulates HTTP request parameters to bypass input validation, inject malicious payloads, or alter the intended behaviour of a web application. By injecting additional parameters or manipulating existing ones, attackers can trick the server into processing unintended actions. This form of attack can lead to a range of exploits, including SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), and even unauthorised access.