OWASP Top Ten - A5. Security Misconfiguration

Introduction

Security misconfiguration happens when a device, application, or database is not securely configured, creating vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. It is one of the most common issues in web application security and occurs when settings are not defined, incorrectly defined, or are left to their default values. The results can range from unauthorized data access to complete system compromise. This lab will explore Security Misconfiguration (A5) from the OWASP Top Ten, providing hands-on experience and insight into identifying and mitigating this vulnerability.

Overview

Objectives

The objectives of this lab include:

Understanding what security misconfiguration is and why it is a critical issue

Learning how to identify security misconfigurations in web applications

Practicing the skills necessary to mitigate and prevent these types of vulnerabilities

Analyzing real-world examples of security breaches caused by security misconfigurations

Encouraging critical thinking about security practices and configurations in software development


 

Courses

Key terms and descriptions

Security Misconfiguration
Incorrect or incomplete settings in a software application, database, or operating system that expose it to potential attacks
Configuration Management Tools
Software tools designed to help administrators manage and control the configurations of systems and applications
Secure Coding Practices
A set of guidelines and best practices aimed at reducing security vulnerabilities within code
Permissions
Authorizations given to users or systems to access certain functions or data
Data Breach
An incident where unauthorized individuals access and potentially steal sensitive, confidential, or protected information