Road to CEH Masters Week 14: Hacking Web Applications

Summary for Tech-Based Blog: Module 14 – Hacking Web Applications (CEH)

Introduction to Web Applications and Security Concerns

Web applications are software programs that run on web browsers, interfacing users and web servers via web pages. They enable users to request, submit, and retrieve data from databases over the Internet using a user-friendly graphical interface. Built using languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, and often combined with SQL for database access, web applications have become ubiquitous due to their accessibility, OS independence, customizable UI, and device compatibility.

Despite their advantages, web applications face significant security concerns, including vulnerabilities to attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and session hijacking. The increase in Internet usage and online businesses has driven the adoption of web applications, offering secure and easy-to-develop solutions that surpass many computer-based applications in ease of installation, maintenance, and updating.

Web Application Architecture

Web applications operate on a layered architecture comprising:

1. Client or Presentation Layer: Involves user devices and browsers sending requests to the web server and displaying responses.
2. Business Logic Layer: Divided into web-server logic and application logic, handling data flow and legacy application integration.
3. Database Layer: Manages data storage and supply using database servers.

Web Services and Vulnerability Stacks

Web services enable cross-platform communication using standard messaging protocols like SOAP and REST. They comprise service providers, requesters, and registries. Vulnerability stacks highlight the various layers through which web applications can be accessed and exploited, including custom applications, third-party components, databases, web servers, operating systems, networks, and security mechanisms.

Web Application Threats

Attackers target web applications to commit fraud or steal sensitive information. The OWASP Top 10 Application Security Risks of 2021 outlines the primary threats, including:

1. Broken Access Control: Exploiting flaws to gain unauthorized access.
2. Cryptographic Failures: Inadequate protection of sensitive data.
3. Injection Flaws: Sending untrusted data to an interpreter as part of a command or query.
4. Insecure Design: Flaws in security controls during development.
5. Security Misconfiguration: Improper configuration of systems and frameworks.
6. Vulnerable and Outdated Components: Using outdated software modules.
7. Identification and Authentication Failures: Incorrect implementation of identification and authentication.
8. Software and Data Integrity Failures: Poor integrity checks on auto-updated applications.
9. Security Logging and Monitoring Failures: Insufficient log monitoring and storage.
10. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF): Exploiting vulnerabilities in URL handling.

Detailed Threat Analysis

1. Broken Access Control: Attackers exploit access control weaknesses to act as privileged users, enabling them to create, update, or delete records.
2. Cryptography Failures: Poor encryption practices lead to data exposure, which attackers leverage for identity theft and credit card fraud.
3. Injection Flaws: Common in SQL, LDAP, and XPath queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious code and execute unintended commands.
4. Command Injection: Attackers pass malicious code via web applications, targeting system calls, external programs, and databases.
5. SQL Injection Attacks: Using SQL queries to manipulate databases, allowing unauthorized access and data retrieval.

Conclusion

Securing web applications requires robust architecture, secure coding practices, regular updates, and comprehensive threat mitigation strategies. Awareness of common vulnerabilities and adherence to security best practices are essential for protecting web applications from sophisticated attacks.

With my study notes I have create a set of 8 flashcards that can be accessed here: Module 14 – Flash Cards

I have also created this visual Mind map: Module 14 – Mindmap

If you have any questions or any feedback feel free to comment or leave a message on the homepage as that will send directly to me!

Thanks for reading!