8 1 Common Security Threats Explained

Common Security Threats Explained

Key Concepts

Understanding common security threats is crucial for protecting web applications. The key concepts include:

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
SQL Injection
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
Session Hijacking
Clickjacking
Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR)

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

XSS occurs when an attacker injects malicious scripts into a web page viewed by other users. This can lead to data theft, session hijacking, and other malicious activities.

<script>alert('XSS Attack!');</script>

Imagine XSS as a prank where someone slips a fake note into a bulletin board, tricking others into revealing sensitive information.

SQL Injection

SQL Injection happens when an attacker inserts malicious SQL queries into input fields to manipulate a database. This can result in data leakage, data loss, or unauthorized access.

SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = 'admin' --' AND password = '';

Think of SQL Injection as a burglar who uses a skeleton key to unlock every door in a house, gaining access to all rooms.

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

CSRF attacks trick users into performing actions they didn't intend to, such as changing their email or making a purchase, by exploiting their authenticated session.

<img src="http://example.com/change-email?new-email=attacker@example.com" />

Imagine CSRF as a con artist who uses a victim's identity to make unauthorized transactions without their knowledge.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

MitM attacks occur when an attacker intercepts and potentially alters the communication between two parties. This can lead to eavesdropping, data modification, or impersonation.

Attacker intercepts:
Client <--> Attacker <--> Server

Think of MitM as a spy who listens in on a conversation through a hidden microphone, possibly altering the message before it reaches the intended recipient.

Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks

DoS attacks overwhelm a server with a flood of requests, making it unavailable to legitimate users. This can result in service disruption and financial loss.

Flood of requests:
GET / HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com
...

Imagine DoS as a traffic jam caused by a coordinated effort to block all roads leading to a destination, preventing anyone from reaching it.

Session Hijacking

Session Hijacking involves stealing a user's session ID to gain unauthorized access to their account. This can lead to data theft and unauthorized actions.

Attacker steals session ID:
Cookie: session_id=abcdef123456

Think of Session Hijacking as stealing someone's house key and using it to enter their home while they are away.

Clickjacking

Clickjacking tricks users into clicking on something different from what they perceive, often by layering malicious content over legitimate buttons or links.

<iframe src="http://example.com/sensitive-action" style="opacity:0;"></iframe>

Imagine Clickjacking as a magician who makes you think you're pressing a button to win a prize, but you're actually donating money to a scam.

Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR)

IDOR occurs when an application exposes a reference to an internal implementation object, allowing attackers to manipulate these references to access unauthorized data.

http://example.com/profile?user_id=123

Think of IDOR as a library where anyone can walk in and take any book off the shelf just by knowing its call number, regardless of whether they are allowed to check it out.