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Glib Rulev

OWASP TOP 3 - Injection: A Persistent Threat to Web Applications

Injection vulnerabilities remain a critical concern in today’s software landscape. According to the OWASP Top 10, Injection ranks third among the most significant web application security risks, underscoring its prevalence and potential impact.

Understanding Injection Attacks

Injection attacks occur when untrusted data is sent to an interpreter as part of a command or query, tricking the interpreter into executing unintended commands or accessing unauthorized data.

Common Types of Injection Attacks

  • SQL Injection (SQLi): Manipulating SQL queries to access or modify database information.
    • Example: Inputting ' OR '1'='1 in a login field to bypass authentication.
  • Command Injection: Executing arbitrary commands on the host operating system via a vulnerable application.
    • Example: Appending ; rm -rf / to a system command input to delete files.
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
    • Example: Embedding <script>alert('XSS')</script> in a comment field to execute a script in another user’s browser.
  • NoSQL Injection: Manipulating NoSQL queries to access or modify data.
    • Example: Crafting inputs that alter MongoDB queries to retrieve unauthorized data.
  • LDAP Injection: Altering LDAP statements to modify or retrieve information from the directory service.
    • Example: Injecting *)(uid=*) into a search field to retrieve all user entries.

Mitigation Strategies for Developers

To protect applications from injection attacks, consider implementing the following practices:

  1. Use Parameterized Queries: Employ prepared statements to separate data from code in SQL queries.
  2. Validate and Sanitize Inputs: Ensure all user inputs are checked for type, length, format, and range before processing.
  3. Implement Output Encoding: Encode data before rendering it in the browser to prevent XSS attacks.
  4. Apply the Principle of Least Privilege: Grant only necessary permissions to users and services to minimize potential damage.
  5. Use Security Libraries and Frameworks: Leverage established libraries that offer built-in protection against common vulnerabilities.
  6. Conduct Regular Security Testing: Perform code reviews, penetration testing, and use automated tools to detect vulnerabilities.

🛡️ Let’s prioritize secure coding practices to build resilient applications.