17 Jan What is SQL injection

Web application vulnerabilities are security weaknesses or flaws present in web applications that attackers can exploit to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the application or its data. These vulnerabilities can lead to various types of cyber attacks, such as data breaches, account takeover, injection attacks, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Here are five common web application vulnerabilities:

SQL Injection (SQLi): SQL injection occurs when attackers exploit inadequate input validation mechanisms to inject malicious SQL queries into the application’s database. If successful, attackers can retrieve, modify, or delete sensitive data, execute arbitrary SQL commands, or even take control of the entire database.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These scripts can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. XSS vulnerabilities can be either reflected (non-persistent) or stored (persistent).
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF): CSRF attacks trick authenticated users into unknowingly executing unauthorized actions on a web application. Attackers craft malicious requests and trick victims into executing them by luring them to visit a malicious website or click on a specially crafted link while logged into the target application. CSRF vulnerabilities often occur when applications fail to implement adequate anti-CSRF protections.
Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR): IDOR vulnerabilities occur when an application exposes sensitive resources or functionalities directly through user-controlled inputs, such as URLs or parameters. Attackers exploit this vulnerability to access unauthorized data or perform actions on behalf of other users by manipulating these references.
Security Misconfigurations: Security misconfigurations arise from improper setup or configuration of web servers, frameworks, databases, or other components of a web application. Examples include default passwords, unnecessary services or features enabled, improper file permissions, and lack of security headers. Attackers exploit these misconfigurations to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, or conduct other malicious activities.
Addressing web application vulnerabilities requires a combination of secure coding practices, regular security assessments (such as vulnerability scanning and penetration testing), and implementing robust security controls, such as input validation, output encoding, parameterized queries, and secure session management. Additionally, keeping software components up-to-date with security patches and staying informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities are crucial for maintaining the security of web applications.

Weekly Assignment:

What is SQL injection (SQLi), and how does it pose a threat to web applications? Provide an example scenario of how an attacker could exploit SQL injection to compromise a web application.
Explain the concept of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in web applications. How can attackers leverage XSS vulnerabilities to compromise user accounts or steal sensitive information?
What is Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), and how does it differ from other web application vulnerabilities? Provide an example of a CSRF attack and describe how it works.
Discuss the risks associated with insecure direct object references (IDORs) in web applications. How can attackers exploit IDOR vulnerabilities to access unauthorized data or perform unauthorized actions?
How do security misconfigurations contribute to web application vulnerabilities? Provide examples of common security misconfigurations and their potential impact on the security of web applications.
Assignment Requirments:

Please have APA standard format for paper
Please use at least 5 references and 3 references must be from the ANU library
Citations must be included
Write at least 3 pages on the questions that have been asked.