Web application security is a critical concern for businesses of all sizes. As more companies rely on web applications to manage their operations, store sensitive data and interact with customers, their associated risks continue to grow. The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10 is a widely recognised list of the most common web application security risks. Web application testing is a powerful tool for identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities to keep your business safe, and that’s what this blog is about.
With a new version of the Top 10 just around the corner, we are excited to see what changes are made to the list of the most significant web vulnerabilities. Whilst we wait, let’s get familiar with the 2021 version of the OWASP Top 10, as our team still see many of these vulnerabilities today.
Understanding the OWASP Top 10
The OWASP Top 10 is a well-known web application security resource for developers and security teams. It represents a broad consensus about the most critical current security risks to web applications. The list is updated regularly based on new data and industry trends, ensuring that it remains relevant and valuable for businesses looking to secure their web applications. Here’s the latest edition, published in 2021.
It’s crucial to be aware of the OWASP Top 10 risks to your web applications. These vulnerabilities can lead to severe consequences, such as data breaches, financial losses, reputational damage and legal liabilities. Understanding these risks and taking steps to mitigate them will help your business protect its assets, customers and bottom line. The latest edition of the OWASP Top 10 (2021) includes the following risks:
- A01:2021 – Broken Access Control: This occurs when applications fail to properly enforce user permissions, allowing attackers to access data or functions beyond their intended scope.
- A02:2021 – Cryptographic Failures: This category refers to weak or misused cryptography that puts sensitive data at risk.
- A03:2021 – Injection: Injection flaws happen when user-supplied input is insecurely handled by the application leading to malicious commands being executed. Malicious actors can exploit this to access or manipulate data, commonly through SQL, OS or LDAP injection.
- A04:2021 – Insecure Design: Missing or weak security controls at the design level can leave applications vulnerable, regardless of how well they’re implemented. Without threat modelling, secure design patterns, or proper risk profiling, systems may fail to defend against common attack scenarios.
- A05:2021 – Security Misconfigurations: Insecure default settings, overly informative error messages, and exposed admin interfaces can lead to serious vulnerabilities. These misconfigurations can be exploited in attacks such as unauthorised access, data exposure, or full system compromise.
- A06:2021 – Vulnerable and Outdated Components: Using outdated libraries, frameworks, or platforms with known flaws can expose applications to exploits such as remote code execution, data leakage, or full system takeover. Without visibility into component versions or timely patching, attackers can target well-documented vulnerabilities in unmaintained software.
- A07:2021 – Identification and Authentication Failures: Flaws in authentication and session management mechanisms can allow attackers to compromise credentials, hijack sessions and assume other users’ identities.
- A08:2021 – Software and Data Integrity Failures: Applications that rely on untrusted components, insecure update mechanisms, or poorly secured CI/CD pipelines may allow attackers to introduce malicious code, manipulate software behaviour, or gain unauthorised access through tampered data or dependencies.
- A09:2021 – Security Logging and Monitoring Failures: Lack of sufficient logging and monitoring prevents timely detection and response to attacks, allowing breaches to go unnoticed and increasing impact.
- A10:2021 – Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF): When an application fetches remote resources using user-supplied URLs without proper validation, attackers can force requests to unintended internal or external systems, bypassing firewalls and network controls.
How web application testing addresses OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities
Penetration testing is a proactive approach to identifying and addressing web application vulnerabilities. It involves simulating real-world attacks to uncover weaknesses in an application’s defences and mitigating them before malicious actors can exploit them.
The benefits of web application testing are numerous. First, it provides a comprehensive assessment of the application’s security posture, identifying vulnerabilities that developers may have missed during development or routine security audits. Second, it helps businesses prioritise their security efforts by highlighting the most critical risks and providing actionable recommendations for remediation. Finally, regular web application testing demonstrates a commitment to security and can help businesses comply with industry regulations and standards.
When it comes to web application testing, it’s essential to work with a trusted and qualified provider. The Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (CREST) is a global certification body for the technical security industry, setting standards for ethical security testing and providing assurance to businesses seeking penetration testing services.
Partnering with a CREST-approved penetration testing provider like Sentrium offers several advantages. Our CREST accreditation shows we’ve demonstrated our technical competence and adherence to strict professional and ethical standards. We only employ skilled and experienced testers who are up-to-date with the latest security threats and testing methodologies. And we offer a range of specialist penetration testing services, from web application and mobile app testing to network and infrastructure testing, allowing us to tailor our approach to your specific needs.
In addition to working with a CREST-approved provider and conducting regular penetration testing, here are some of the other best practices your business can adopt to mitigate OWASP’s top 10 risks:
- Implement secure coding practices: Your developers should be trained in secure coding techniques and follow established best practices for secure software development, such as input validation, parameterised queries and proper error handling.
- Provide cyber security training for developers and IT staff: Regular training and awareness can help ensure all your staff involved in developing and maintaining web applications are up to date with the latest security threats and best practices.
- Keep software and systems up to date: Regularly patching and updating all your software and systems, including web servers, can help close known vulnerabilities and reduce your attack surface.
- Conduct regular security audits and risk assessments: Periodic cyber security audits and risk assessments can help identify and address potential vulnerabilities in your web applications and IT infrastructure.
How can Sentrium help?
The OWASP Top 10 represents the most critical web application security risks businesses face today. Understanding these risks and taking proactive steps to mitigate them can help protect your business’s digital assets, customers and reputation. So, if you’re looking to improve your web application security and mitigate OWASP’s top 10 risks, now’s the time to act.
As a CREST-approved pentest provider, our expert security consultants have a deep understanding of the OWASP Top 10 and how to manage the risks it presents. We want to help you improve your cyber security strategy to protect your brand’s reputation, value and property. Request an instant pen testing quote to see how we can help you identify and fix critical web application vulnerabilities.
