Common Access Control Vulnerabilities
Access control vulnerabilities can expose sensitive data and systems to unauthorized users, leading to significant security breaches. Here are some common types:
- Broken Access Control: This occurs when users can gain access to resources beyond their intended permissions, often due to misconfigurations or design flaws.
- Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR): Attackers manipulate input to access objects (files, database entries) directly, bypassing access controls.
- Missing Function Level Access Control: Failure to implement checks on user roles at the function level can allow unauthorized actions.
- Excessive Privilege: Users may be granted more access rights than necessary, increasing the risk of data exposure or accidental data loss.
- Broken Authentication: Flaws in authentication mechanisms can facilitate access control bypass, allowing attackers to impersonate users.
- Session Fixation: This involves an attacker exploiting a valid session ID, potentially gaining unauthorized access to accounts.
- Improper Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS): Misconfigured CORS can permit unauthorized external access to APIs and resources.
To mitigate these vulnerabilities, organizations should enforce least privilege, regularly review access controls, and conduct security audits.