Introduction

Web application security is a critical component of the digital landscape today. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) has been at the forefront in identifying the most critical security risks to web applications. In this blog post, we will take a close look at the top five OWASP security risks and how to mitigate them.

1. Injection

Injection flaws such as SQL, OS, and LDAP injection occur when an attacker sends untrusted data to an interpreter that is executed as a command. To prevent these flaws, use a safe API which avoids the use of the interpreter entirely or provides a parameterized interface.

2. Broken Authentication

Application functions related to authentication and session management are often implemented incorrectly, allowing attackers to compromise passwords or keys. To mitigate these risks, use multi-factor authentication and ensure your application’s session timeouts are properly configured.

3. Sensitive Data Exposure

Many web applications do not properly protect sensitive data, such as credit cards and authentication credentials. To prevent data breaches, encrypt all sensitive data at rest and in transit.

4. XML External Entities (XXE)

Older or poorly configured XML processors evaluate external entity references within XML documents. To mitigate XXE attacks, use less complex data formats such as JSON and always patch XML processors and libraries.

5. Broken Access Control

Restrictions on what authenticated users are allowed to do are often not properly enforced. Attackers can exploit these flaws to access unauthorized functionality and/or data. To prevent this, deny by default, enforce segregation of duties, and do not hard code privileges.

Conclusion

Understanding and mitigating the top OWASP security risks is a significant step towards secure coding. By taking proactive measures, organizations can protect their data and maintain the trust of their customers.