A web application based attack is an attempt to access database information or sensitive data through the web. The attacks vary in complexity, but the most common are XSS and SQLI. The popularity of these applications and their use by billions of users makes them highly vulnerable to these types of attacks. The main goal of a Custom Software Development team in Houston is to provide a reliable and secure service for the people who use them. However, the web is vulnerable to these types of attacks because of the various security flaws that can lead to their successful use.
XSS Attack
XSS is a common form of web application based attack. This attack allows an attacker to modify a web page in order to gain information, spread bogus data, hijack the user’s session, and execute malicious scripts in the victim’s browser. XSS can occur when an attacker includes untrusted data in a web page. This can happen through forms that contain HTML or JavaScript fragments. Moreover, when an attacker submits a form that contains a XSS, he sends the user’s session cookie to the attacker.
This is a type of attack that triggers a clickjacking vulnerability in a website. LDAP and SQL injection are both examples of this type of attack. Injection attacks are difficult to stop, but the aim is to overwhelm the targeted web server by sending out too many requests. The result is a site that is completely unavailable to legitimate users.
Weak Authentication
Weak authentication is another common type of web application based attack. This type of attack occurs when a website has a faulty authentication process or a weak security layer. A common web application based attack is called Cross-Site Request Forgery and Session Riding. This attack disrupts user and business operations by tricking a target into executing a forged request. As the user cannot distinguish between a legitimate and a forged request, a weak authentication process is a recipe for a disruptive web application based attack.
Cross-Site Request Forgery Attack
The most common type of web application based attack is the Cross-Site Request Forgery attack. This attack forces the victim to execute an action that they would not normally perform. This can be anything from harmless pranks on the victim’s computer to illicit money transfers. The best way to protect against this type of attack is to implement a comprehensive strategy to protect the targeted web application. Novateus helps to build a defense against the attacks.
Distributed Denial of Service Attack
One of the most common forms of a web application based attack is the distributed denial of service attack. This type of attack works by exploiting a vulnerability in a web application. It can overwhelm a targeted server with requests and render it unavailable to legitimate visitors. This type of attack is difficult to contain, and is particularly dangerous if the victim has many different accounts on the same network. The good news is that there are ways to protect against this type of cyberattack.
Web Application Based Attacks Rely on Vulnerabilities
Web application based attacks rely on vulnerabilities in the authentication system. A common vulnerability that can cause a cyberattack is the lack of security measures. Insecure passwords are vulnerable to dictionary attacks, automated brute force, and other common weaknesses. A single weak password can allow an attacker to log in as the administrator without the user’s knowledge. They can also change data and erase any traces of their activities. These vulnerabilities can make web applications very vulnerable.
In addition to the above vulnerabilities, web applications often incorporate file upload capabilities. A vulnerability exists when the application fails to validate the user prior to uploading a CSV file. In this case, malicious actors can upload any file they wish. In addition, a malicious actor can use a compromised CSV file to upload information. Some applications also fail to sanitize the files prior to being uploaded. This means that the uploaded files contain malware.
Conclusion:
A web application based attack can be triggered by the inclusion of malicious files in a web page’s HTML code. A malicious actor may also use a session ID, which is stored in HTTP cookies. Once an attacker has the shared hash, they can download malicious files. In addition, URLs that point to backend storage can reveal the format of a database. This can allow hackers to steal sensitive information. Aside from the data that the attacker is able to obtain, a web application borne attack can cause massive inconvenience.