In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, web applications remain prime targets for attackers due to vulnerabilities that often go unnoticed during development. This article explores several critical security flaws commonly found in web applications, their potential impacts, and why addressing them is paramount for user safety. Alert: Please note that the acceptance of these vulnerabilities as "bugs" may depend on the specific policies of the program or platform in question. Some issues might be considered out of scope or low priority based on organizational guidelines.
1. Weak Registration Implementation
One of the foundational aspects of any web application is its user registration process. However, a poorly implemented registration flow can open the door to serious security risks.
Steps to Identify:
Create an account on the platform.
Receive an account verification link via email.
Open your email inbox and copy the verification link.
Paste the link into a browser or notepad and check if it uses HTTP or HTTPS.
Impact:
If the verification link is transmitted over HTTP instead of HTTPS, attackers could intercept it using a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. This could allow them to manipulate data, gain unauthorized access to the application, or even interact maliciously with other users, leading to data theft or further attacks.
2. Weak Password Reset Implementation
Password reset mechanisms are critical for account recovery but are often a weak link in security.
Steps to Identify:
Navigate to the "Forgot Password" page.
Enter your registered email address.
Check your inbox, copy the reset link, and paste it into a browser.
Verify if the link uses HTTP instead of HTTPS.
Impact:
An HTTP-based reset link is vulnerable to interception, allowing attackers to steal the link and potentially reset the user’s password themselves. This compromises account security and exposes sensitive user data.
3. Improper Cache-Control
Caching sensitive pages improperly can expose user data even after logout.
Steps to Identify:
Log in and access a sensitive page (e.g., account settings or profile).
Log out of the application.
Press the browser’s back button and check if the sensitive page is still visible.
Impact:
Without proper cache-control headers (e.g., Cache-Control: no-store, no-cache), sensitive information remains accessible in the browser’s cache. This could allow unauthorized individuals with access to the device to view private data.
4. HTTP by Default
Secure communication is a cornerstone of modern web security, yet some sites still operate without it.
Steps to Identify:
Check if the domain lacks an SSL certificate, has an expired certificate, or does not enforce HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security).
Confirm if the site runs on HTTP instead of HTTPS, especially if it’s dynamic (e.g., processes user input).
Impact:
Operating over HTTP exposes all data transmitted between the user and the server to interception. Attackers can steal credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive information, especially on public networks.
5. Token Reuse in Password Resets
Password reset tokens should be single-use to prevent abuse, but some implementations fail this test.
Steps to Identify:
Go to the "Forgot Password" page.
Enter your email and receive a reset link.
Use the same reset link multiple times to change your password.
Check if the password updates successfully with each attempt.
Impact:
If a reset token remains valid after its first use, an attacker who obtains it (e.g., via phishing or interception) can repeatedly change the user’s password, leading to account takeover and locking out the legitimate user.
6. Broken Link Hijacking
External links on a website, such as social media icons, can become security liabilities if not maintained.
Steps to Identify:
Click on social media icons (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube).
Check if the links lead to "Page Not Found" or "Account Not Found" errors instead of active profiles.
Impact:
Unclaimed or broken links can be hijacked by attackers who register the abandoned accounts or domains. This could lead to phishing campaigns or the spread of malicious content under the guise of the legitimate brand.
7. Clickjacking
Clickjacking involves tricking users into clicking something they didn’t intend to, often by overlaying invisible elements.
Steps to Identify:
Visit a testing tool like clickjacker.io to assess vulnerability.
Note that this is often considered out of scope in many bug bounty programs.
Impact:
Without protections like the X-Frame-Options header, attackers can embed the site in an iframe and overlay malicious content, leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.
8. Account Deletion Without Password Confirmation
Allowing account deletion without re-authentication is a significant oversight.
Steps to Identify:
Log in to your account on the website.
Navigate to the profile or settings section.
Locate and click the "Delete Account" button.
Verify if the account is deleted without requiring a password.
Impact:
An attacker with temporary access to a user’s session (e.g., via a shared or stolen device) could permanently delete the account, causing data loss and disruption for the legitimate user.
9. Missing SPF and DMARC Records
Email security relies heavily on proper configuration of SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance).
Steps to Identify:
Validate the SPF record using a tool like Kitterman SPF Validator.
Check the DMARC record with a tool like MX Toolbox.
Impact:
Without these records, spammers can forge the "From" address in emails, making phishing attempts appear legitimate. This erodes trust and increases the risk of users falling victim to scams.
10. No CSRF Token Verification
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection is essential for securing user actions, but some applications skip this critical step.
Steps to Identify:
Log in to the website and navigate to a page with a form (e.g., profile update or money transfer).
Open the browser’s developer tools (F12) and inspect the form’s HTML.
Check if a CSRF token (e.g., <input type="hidden" name="csrf_token">) is present.
Submit the form, then use a tool like Burp Suite to replay the request without the token and see if it’s still accepted.
Impact:
Without CSRF token verification, attackers can trick users into submitting malicious requests (e.g., via a crafted link or hidden form on another site). This could lead to unauthorized actions like changing account details, transferring funds, or deleting data, all without the user’s knowledge.
11. Open Redirect on Login Page
Open redirects allow attackers to control where users are sent after login, often via unvalidated parameters.
Steps to Identify:
Go to the login page and look for a redirect parameter in the URL (e.g., ?redirect_to=/dashboard).
Modify the parameter to an external URL (e.g., ?redirect_to=http://attacker.com).
Log in and check if the browser redirects to the external site.
Alternatively, use a tool like Burp Suite to test multiple redirect values.
Impact:
An attacker could redirect users to a phishing site mimicking the legitimate one, tricking them into re-entering credentials or downloading malware. This compromises accounts and can damage trust in the application.
Thanks for reading, I will publish Part two soon.
Comments
Post a Comment