The Complete Guide to OWASP and Web Application Security

In the world of web application security, OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) is one of the most trusted and influential organizations. OWASP, a non-profit foundation, is dedicated to improving software security through community-led open-source projects.

This comprehensive guide will explain key OWASP resources including the OWASP Top 10 list of critical web application vulnerabilities and the OWASP Automated Threats Top 21 focusing on common bot attacks. By leveraging OWASP’s guidelines, recommendations, and tools, organizations can significantly enhance the security of web applications against a landscape of evolving threats.

Table of Contents

Understanding OWASP

OWASP is an international organization focused on improving web application security through education, documentation, tools, and technologies. The non-profit OWASP Foundation supports and manages OWASP projects and infrastructure.

OWASP is best known for publishing and frequently updating the OWASP Top 10 list outlining the most critical risks to web application security based on prevalence and impact. This awareness document helps drive focus towards the top priorities organizations should address.

Beyond the Top 10, OWASP provides a wide range of free and open resources including:

Security testing guides detailing vulnerabilities and remediation
Secure coding guides and training materials
Risk modeling methodology and automated tools
Local chapter events and app security training conferences
Cutting edge research on emerging web app security topics

A core aim of OWASP is to provide a common language around web application security across the community. This allows better communication between security experts, developers, architects, business executives, vendors, and users. OWASP strives to foster a shared understanding of risks and how to effectively address them.

OWASP Top 10 Explained

The OWASP Top 10 represents a consensus among security experts on the most critical threats and vulnerabilities in web application security. It serves as an awareness document for organizations to prioritize areas for improvement. Here’s an explanation of each risk factor in the latest 2021 edition:

A01:2021 Broken Access Control

Access controls restrict unauthorized users from accessing privileged functionality and data. Failures occur when access is improperly configured or not enforced properly, enabling escalation of privileges.

A02:2021 Cryptographic Failures

Weak cryptography implementation frequently leads to sensitive data exposure. Data should be encrypted at rest and in transit and requires special handling when exchanged with browsers.

A03:2021 Injection

Injecting untrusted data as code or commands can trick apps into unauthorized actions. Common injection flaws include SQL, OS, and LDAP. XSS is now also included in this category.

A04:2021 Insecure Design

Insecure design practices lack threat modeling, secure design patterns, and principles. This broad category encompasses many vulnerabilities stemming from poor design.

A05:2021 Security Misconfiguration

Improperly configured security controls, outdated systems, open cloud storage, misconfigured headers, and unpatched bugs can undermine application defenses.

A06:2021 Vulnerable and Outdated Components

Applications often incorporate third-party components with known vulnerabilities, which can lead to compromise if not updated quickly upon disclosure.

A07:2021 Identification and Authentication Failures

Flawed implementation of identity and access functions allows attackers to bypass authentication and assume user identities temporarily or permanently.

A08:2021 Software and Data Integrity Failures

Lack of integrity checks enables attackers to improperly modify application code, plugins, infrastructure, and data. Insecure deserialization also falls in this expanded category.

A09:2021 Security Logging and Monitoring Failures

Inadequate logging and ineffective integration with monitoring tools prevents timely detection and response to attacks.

A10:2021 Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

SSRF tricks apps into sending unauthorized requests to unintended destinations, potentially revealing sensitive data.

OWASP Top 10 Versus Previous Years

The risks enumerated in each edition of the OWASP Top 10 evolve over time along with the threat landscape. Understanding this progression sheds light on which application vulnerabilities are rising or declining in prevalence and importance.

The inaugural OWASP Top 10 was published in 2003 in response to the most common flaws seen at the time. Early versions focused heavily on code injection flaws like SQL injection and XSS which topped the list for years. By 2013, flaws like sensitive data exposure, missing access controls, and security misconfigurations joined the rankings.

The most recent 2021 update makes significant changes:

Cryptographic failures enter at #2 as encryption shortcomings become more widespread
Insecure design debuts as a new category, reflecting greater emphasis on secure architecture
Outdated components rises to #6 due to increased software supply chain concerns
Authentication flaws drop as other issues become higher priority
New #10 category covers Server Side Request Forgery

With additional insights on emerging threats and vulnerabilities, future iterations of the OWASP Top 10 will continue to be an evolving benchmark that spurs stronger web application security.

OWASP Automated Threats Top 21

In addition to its Top 10 awareness guide, OWASP provides practical resources on specific threat categories relevant to the modern web app landscape. The OWASP Automated Threats Top 21 focuses on outlining the most prevalent types of automated bot attacks observed against web applications.

Understanding these threats is the first step towards protecting against them. The OWASP Automated Threats Top 21 identifies 21 categories of automated threats:

OAT-01: Carding

Testing stolen payment card data against web apps to validate and monetize.

OAT-02: Token Cracking

Gaining access to authentication tokens through brute force guessing.

OAT-03: Ad Fraud

Bots falsifying ad views, clicks, and performance metrics for profit.

OAT-04: Fingerprinting

Probing apps to extract info and infer vulnerabilities.

OAT-05: Scalping

Bots buying inventory in bulk before legitimate consumers can purchase.

OAT-06: Expediting

Accelerating progress through application processes faster than normal.

OAT-07: Credential Cracking

Discovering valid credentials via brute forcing and guessing.

OAT-08: Credential Stuffing

Trying known username/password pairs across sites.

OAT-09: CAPTCHA Defeat

Automated solvers tricking CAPTCHA tests.

OAT-10: Card Cracking

Guessing payment card data through validation attempts.

OAT-11: Scraping

Stealing website content via scraping bots.

OAT-12: Cashing Out

Monetizing access to accounts or payment methods.

OAT-13: Sniping

Last-second bids or transactions to beat competitors.

OAT-14: Vulnerability Scanning

Crawling apps to find security flaws.

OAT-15: Denial of Service

Bots overloading resources to cause outages.

OAT-16: Skewing

Manipulating metrics like ad performance.

OAT-17: Spamming

Posting spam content across forums and sites.

OAT-18: Footprinting

Reconnaissance probing to map attack surface.

OAT-19: Account

Creation Bulk account creation for malicious use.

OAT-20: Account Aggregation

Scraping user account data en masse.

OAT-21: Denial of Inventory

Reserving limited inventory without purchase.

Securing Apps Against OWASP Threats

Equipped with knowledge of OWASP’s identified risks, smart steps can be taken to improve defenses. A layered security approach should include:

Web Application Firewalls:

Installing a WAF protects apps by monitoring and filtering inbound traffic for malicious payloads and suspicious patterns. A WAF can block known attack vectors and be tuned to app specifics.

Secure Development Practices:

Adopting secure coding principles, threat modeling, and training developers helps reduce the introduction of vulnerabilities. Input validation and proper encryption use are fundamentals.

Vulnerability Management:

Regularly scanning apps for flaws and rapidly deploying patches closes security gaps before they can be exploited in attacks.

Access Controls:

Enforcing principle of least privilege limits damage from compromised accounts. Multi-factor authentication adds layers of identity verification.

Monitoring and Logging:

Logs of all access and activity equip response teams to detect and investigate attacks early before major consequences occur.

Ongoing Training:

Expanding developer and operations staff knowledge of OWASP guidelines and emerging techniques prevents outdated practices.

Conclusion

For any organization involved in web application security, OWASP represents an invaluable assembly of guidance and insights. OWASP’s Top 10 and Automated Threats Top 21 shine light on the most urgent application vulnerabilities and automated bot threats facing websites and apps today.

By leveraging OWASP’s comprehensive resources to educate developers, assess vulnerabilities, and strengthen defenses, companies can significantly mature their application security posture. Vigilance and adaptation to an ever-evolving threat landscape enabled by OWASP resources will continue to pay dividends in the form of reduced risk and improved resilience.

FAQs

What is the OWASP Top 10?

The OWASP Top 10 is a regularly updated report outlining the 10 most critical categories of security risks to web applications as determined by security experts based on prevalence and impact. It serves as an awareness document to help organizations prioritize areas for improvement to strengthen their application security.

What are the main threats in OWASP Automated Threats Top 21?

The OWASP Automated Threats Top 21 identifies 21 common categories of automated bot threats that target and exploit web applications, including ad fraud, web scraping, account takeover, denial of service, vulnerability scanning, and more. Understanding these threats helps organizations improve defenses.

How can I use OWASP guidelines to improve web application security?

Organizations should leverage OWASP’s Top 10, Automated Threats Top 21, secure coding guides, testing tools, and other resources to educate developers, scan for flaws, strengthen access controls, monitor activity, and implement best practices that mitigate the most prevalent risks to web apps.

What resources does OWASP provide for learning web app security?

OWASP provides a wealth of free documentation, tools, local events, conferences, research, podcasts, code libraries, software methodology, training materials, and more both for learning and implementing improved web application security programs.