Web Application Security

Introduction to web Application Security

• In this lecture, students will be introduced to the basic concepts and
terminology of web application security. They will learn about the
different types of attacks that can be launched against web
applications, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and
cross-site request forgery (CSRF). They will also learn about the
importance of web application security and the potential
consequences of insecure web applications.
Overview
• Web application security is the practice of protecting web
applications from various types of attacks.
• Web applications are vulnerable to attacks such as SQL injection,
cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF)
• Web application security is important because insecure web
applications can lead to financial, legal, and reputational risks
Key Terminologies
• Web application: A software application that runs on a web server
and is accessed via a web browser
• Attack: An attempt to exploit a vulnerability in a web application to
gain unauthorized access or perform unauthorized actions
• Vulnerability: A weakness in a web application that can be exploited
by an attacker
• Threat: A potential attack on a web application
• Risk: The likelihood of a threat exploiting a vulnerability in a web
application
Types of Web Application Attacks
• Injection attacks: Injection attacks occur when an attacker injects
malicious code into a web application in order to gain unauthorized
access or perform unauthorized actions. Examples of injection attacks
include SQL injection, in which an attacker injects malicious SQL code
into a web application's database, and command injection, in which
an attacker injects malicious system commands into a web
application. Injection attacks can result in the theft or alteration of
sensitive data, as well as the disruption of business operations.
Types of Web Application Attacks
• Cross-site scripting (XSS): XSS attacks occur when an attacker injects
malicious code into a web application in order to execute that code in
the browser of an unsuspecting user. This can allow the attacker to
steal sensitive information, such as login credentials, or perform
unauthorized actions on the user's behalf.
• Cross-site request forgery (CSRF): CSRF attacks occur when an
attacker tricks a user into performing an action in a web application
without their knowledge or consent. For example, an attacker might
trick a user into clicking a link that causes the web application to
perform a sensitive action, such as transferring funds.
Types of Web Application Attacks
• Broken authentication and session management: These attacks occur when an
attacker takes advantage of weaknesses in a web application's authentication
and session management mechanisms to gain unauthorized access. For
example, an attacker might use a brute force attack to guess a user's password,
or take advantage of a session ID that is sent in plaintext. These types of attacks
can allow an attacker to gain access to sensitive information or perform
unauthorized actions.
• File Inclusion: is a type of web application attack that allows an attacker to
upload malicious files to a web server by exploiting a vulnerability in a web
application. This vulnerability can be found in file upload forms, or in the code
that handles file uploads, and if it is not properly protected, an attacker can use
it to upload malicious files, such as scripts, that can be executed on the server.
Types of Web Application Attacks
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: is a type of attack that
attempts to make a web application unavailable by overwhelming it
with a huge number of requests. The goal of a DDoS attack is to make
the web application unavailable, which can cause significant damage to
a business and its reputation.
• Social Engineering: is a type of attack that uses human psychology to
trick users into revealing sensitive information or performing actions
that they wouldn't normally do. Social engineering attacks can take
many forms, including phishing, vishing, and smishing, and can be used
to steal login credentials, financial information, and other sensitive
data.
Importance of Web Application Security
• The importance of web application security cannot be overstated, as web
applications play a critical role in many organizations' operations, and are
often used to store, process, and transmit sensitive information. When web
applications are not properly secured, they can provide a gateway for
attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, disrupt
business operations, and damage an organization's reputation.
• One of the main reasons web application security is important is because of
the financial risks associated with insecure web applications. Organizations
can suffer significant financial losses as a result of data breaches and other
security incidents, including the cost of investigating and resolving the
incident, as well as any legal fees, regulatory fines, and damage to the
organization's reputation.
Importance of Web Application Security
• In addition to financial risks, web application security is also
important from a legal perspective. Many countries have laws and
regulations that require organizations to protect personal data and
sensitive information, and organizations can be held liable for failing
to properly secure web applications. For example, the General Data
Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU requires organizations to
take appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the
security of personal data.
Importance of Web Application Security
• Finally, web application security is important from a reputational
perspective. Organizations that suffer a security incident involving
web applications can experience significant damage to their
reputation. Customers, partners, and investors may lose trust in the
organization and be less likely to do business with them. This can be
catastrophic for an organization, as reputation is one of the most
valuable assets an organization can have.