Websites are vulnerable to attack for several reasons, including faulty coding, misconfigured web servers, application design flaws, and the failure to check forms. Every website contains at least one flaw that can be more effectively exploited by hackers.
These flaws or vulnerabilities make databases that hold valuable information like financial or personal information frequent targets of assaults because they provide thieves direct, open access to those systems.
5 Website Security Vulnerabilities to Prevent in 2023
Here we will discuss the top website security vulnerabilities and how you can avoid them to keep your website safe and secure.
Injection of SQL
SQL injection is a type of attack used to exploit websites and web applications that use an SQL database. It is one of the most common types of attack on web applications, as it allows a malicious user to gain access to sensitive information such as passwords or financial data. With this access, attackers can manipulate the data in the database or even delete it completely.
SQL injection attacks work by sending specially crafted malicious SQL queries to the web application, which then executes them in the underlying database. The attacker is able to manipulate these queries and take advantage of any vulnerabilities present in the web application or database configuration. If successful, an attacker can gain access to sensitive data from the system, change or delete it, or even create new records.
Site-to-Site Scripting
An online security issue for websites is known as cross-site scripting (XSS) can provide an opportunity for malicious actors to interfere with how users interact on a vulnerable web application. XSS allows hackers to bypass the so-called ‘same origin policy’, which restricts separate websites from having any kind of connection or communication between them.
Implication
By utilising this security flaw, a hacker can deface web pages, steal session cookies, inject scripts into applications, and infect victims’ computers with malware.
Broken Session Management and Authentication
Broken authentication can cause a variety of issues, not all of which have the same root cause. It is not advised to roll your authentication code because it can be challenging to get it right.
To steal credentials, guess them, or trick users into disclosing them, these hostile hackers employ a variety of strategies, including:
• Phishing;
• Password-spraying;
• Credential stuffing
Implication
Through the usage of this flaw, an attacker can take over a session, enter the system without authorization, and allow the disclosure and modification of confidential information. Utilising stolen cookies or sessions using XSS, the sessions can be hijacked.
Unsafe Storage of Cryptographic Data
When confidential data is not safeguarded, it can lead to a serious vulnerability known as Insecure Cryptographic Storage. This term encompasses several different types of breaches related to inadequate security measures and has the potential for major repercussions if left unaddressed.
Modern cryptographic algorithms are very hard to break and can take years to do so. The implementation of the algorithms to safeguard your data is the problem, not the methods themselves. The majority of attackers will target your use of cryptography rather than cryptography itself.
Implication
An attacker can use this vulnerability to steal and alter such poorly protected data to commit crimes including identity theft and credit card fraud.
Restricting URL Access is not Done
Many websites render private links and buttons before checking a user’s access privileges. Unfortunately, while these pages are only accessible from the authenticated area of an application, they can still be vulnerable to attackers who accurately guess their URLs in order to gain privileged access to sensitive data or administrative features. Websites must therefore take extra caution when allowing requests for hidden pages, otherwise, the risk is great that attackers could exploit them.
Implication
An attacker can exploit a security vulnerability that allows them to bypass the login process, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive pages with confidential information. With this breach, they may be able to manipulate functions and view data meant for restricted eyes only – putting many applications at risk of exploitation.
Conclusion
By understanding common website security vulnerabilities, you can take steps to avoid them and keep your site safe. regularly updating plugins and software, using strong passwords, and investing in a reliable security solution are all great ways to protect your site.
