Companies today rely heavily on websites and web applications to communicate with their employees, partners, and clients across different locations and time zones. However, this increase in digital communication comes with an increased risk of cybercrime. It is crucial for businesses to understand the potential web security vulnerabilities in their IT systems and take proactive measures to safeguard sensitive assets. This post provides an overview of cybercrime, and then explores the top 10 web security vulnerabilities of which you should be aware in detail.
What Are Web Security Vulnerabilities?
Web security vulnerabilities are weaknesses or misconfigurations in a web application that an attacker can exploit to gain unauthorized access or perform unauthorized, malicious actions. These vulnerabilities act like open windows in a house, enabling unauthorized access. Web security vulnerabilities can exist in various parts of a web application, including the server, host, or application software itself. Web applications interact with users across various networks, making them attractive targets for hackers.
When web application vulnerabilities are exploited, businesses are at risk of cybercrime, meaning that potential threats exist to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their data and services. For example, these attacks often intend to steal valuable sensitive information, such as personal data, intellectual property, or financial details, and comprise the data stored in the system as a whole. Cybercrime can result in fraud (like identity theft,) holding businesses to ransom for their data, or undermining trust in a service provider.
To grasp the gravity of web security vulnerabilities, we need to consider three key factors: exploitability, detectability, and potential impact.
Exploitability
Exploitability refers to the level of ease with which an attacker can take advantage of a security vulnerability. At one end of the spectrum, an attack may only require a web browser, making it highly exploitable. At the other end, advanced programming skills and tools are necessary, resulting in low exploitability.
Detectability
Detectability plays a vital role in identifying security threats. The higher the detectability, the easier it is to recognize a vulnerability. Information displayed in the URL, forms, or error messages provides clues that aid in vulnerability identification, offering a high level of detectability. Conversely, low detectability involves delving into the source code, demanding advanced knowledge and expertise. For example, a vulnerable web application that leaks sensitive user data via a poorly implemented authentication mechanism can be easily identified through error messages or anomalies in the URL structure.
Potential Impact
Assessing the potential impact or damage caused by a security vulnerability is key. A highly impactful vulnerability can result in a complete system crash, leading to significant disruptions and potential data breaches. Consider an SQL injection vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate database queries. Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or even the modification of critical information, causing severe consequences. On the other hand, a vulnerability with low impact may not cause any damage at all.
By understanding exploitability, detectability, and potential impact, organizations can effectively evaluate the risks associated with web security vulnerabilities. Armed with this understanding, appropriate measures can be implemented in a timely manner to mitigate these risks.
10 Common Web Security Vulnerabilities
To effectively address web security, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the common vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. You can only fix what you can first identify! These vulnerabilities often stem from flaws in the design, implementation, or configuration of web applications.
#1 Broken Access Control
Broken access control is a critical security vulnerability that occurs when users can access data or resources that they should not have permission to access. This breach in access control can arise due to various factors, including poor permissions management, weak authentication mechanisms, or misconfigured security controls. Let’s look at each in turn.
Poor Permissions Management
Poor permissions management is a common cause of broken access control. When permissions are not properly configured, users may gain access to sensitive data or resources that should be restricted. This can happen when access privileges are inaccurately assigned, leading to unintended exposure of sensitive information. Inconsistencies in permission settings across different parts of an application can also contribute to this vulnerability, allowing unauthorized users to bypass access restrictions.
Weak Authentication Mechanisms
Weak authentication mechanisms play a significant role in broken access control. If authentication mechanisms are not robust, attackers can exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to a system. Weak passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA,) or ineffective session management can all contribute to the vulnerability. For example, if a user chooses a weak password or if password complexity requirements are not enforced, it becomes easier for attackers to guess or crack passwords and gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
Misconfigured Security Controls
Misconfigured security controls is another web security vulnerability that can lead to broken access control. When security controls are not properly configured, attackers may find ways to bypass these measures and gain unauthorized access. This can occur when security configurations are left at default settings, which might not provide adequate protection. Misconfigurations in firewall rules, access control lists, or other security components can also create loopholes that allow unauthorized access.
Mitigating Broken Access Control
Mitigating broken access control requires implementing proper access control mechanisms, strong authentication practices, and vigilant security configurations. Access permissions should be carefully defined and regularly audited to ensure that users can only access the data and resources they are authorized to. Robust authentication mechanisms, such as strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and secure session management, should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, security controls and configurations should be reviewed and updated regularly to address any vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.
#2 Cryptographic Failures
A cryptographic failure refers to a web security vulnerability through which the implementation or usage of cryptographic measures fails to provide the intended level of security, which can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the data that the cryptography was supposed to protect. Cryptographic failures pose a significant security risk when sensitive data is not properly encrypted or when cryptographic keys are mishandled. These vulnerabilities can result in severe consequences, including data breaches and identity theft.
Insecure Storage of Cryptographic Information
One prevalent cryptographic vulnerability is the insecure storage of cryptographic information. This vulnerability arises when sensitive data is stored in an insecure manner, leaving it vulnerable to exploitation. For instance, sensitive data like user credentials, profile information, health details, and credit card information all require protection. However, if this data is improperly stored without adequate encryption or proper hashing techniques, it becomes an attractive target for malicious actors.
Consider a scenario where a web application stores user passwords in plain text or uses weak encryption algorithms. In the event of a security breach, attackers can gain unauthorized access to the application’s database and easily retrieve and exploit the stored passwords. This can have devastating consequences, including unauthorized account access, identity theft, and the compromise of other systems or services where users reuse passwords.
The implications of this web security vulnerability are far reaching. Exploiting this vulnerability allows attackers to steal or modify weakly protected data, leading to identity theft, credit card fraud, and other criminal activities. The primary vulnerable object in this scenario is the application database where the data is stored. Such activities can cause financial losses, damage reputations, and even result in legal consequences.
#3 Injection Flaws
Injection flaws happen when an attacker injects malicious data into a command or query that is then processed by an application. These flaws occur when an application sends untrusted data to an interpreter or a service without properly validating or sanitizing the input first. The malicious data can lead the interpreter or service to execute unintended commands, leading to data loss, corruption, or unauthorized access.
SQL Injection
SQL injection is a widespread security vulnerability that occurs when a hacker injects malicious SQL code into a web application, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data or control over the affected system. This type of attack poses a significant threat, often resulting in the compromise of e-commerce websites and the illegal retrieval of valuable information such as user details, credit card data, and social security numbers.
To safeguard against SQL injection, ensure that your SQL database is appropriately configured. Employ best practices such as using parameterized queries or prepared statements, as they help prevent attackers from manipulating SQL statements. Regularly update your devices with the latest security patches, as software updates often address known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
Other Injection Vulnerabilities
Injection vulnerabilities are not limited to SQL injection. Other forms of injection vulnerabilities, such as LDAP injection or Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) can also pose significant risks. To protect against these types of vulnerabilities, it is crucial to implement input filtering and validation mechanisms. Any untrusted input received by your application should undergo thorough filtering, preferably using a whitelist approach. This ensures that only expected and validated input is accepted, effectively preventing attackers from injecting malicious code or scripts. Relying solely on blacklists can be challenging to configure effectively and may be circumvented by skilled attackers.
To mitigate the risk of injection vulnerabilities, implement robust user authentication tools, Strong authentication mechanisms (such as enforcing complex passwords and utilizing multi-factor authentication) to help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, and restrict access privileges based on the principle of least privilege. The latter ensures that users only have access to the resources they require to perform their tasks, reducing the potential impact of an attack.
#4 Insecure Direct Object References
Insecure direct object references (IDOR) vulnerabilities arise when a web application exposes internal objects, such as files, directories, or database keys, through URLs or form parameters. These vulnerabilities stem from blindly trusting user input, which can lead to unintended exposure of sensitive information. Exposure of the internal objects can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to other objects that were not initially exposed, and potentially compromise the application’s data integrity.
Examples and Implications of IDOR Vulnerabilities
The implications of IDOR vulnerabilities are significant, as attackers can exploit them to access unauthorized internal objects, manipulate data, or compromise the overall security of the application. For example, consider a download module that allows file downloads without proper authorization checks. If this module exposes the file path within the URL, an attacker could modify the URL to access other system files that should be restricted. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the application.
Similarly, insecure direct object references in password reset functions can be exploited by attackers to manipulate privileged accounts. If the password reset functionality exposes user account information within the URL or form parameters, an attacker could tamper with the values to gain unauthorized access to privileged accounts. This can lead to unauthorized actions, data breaches, and potential damage to the overall security of the application.
#5 Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Server-side request forgery (SSRF) is a specific type of attack that exploits a distinct vulnerability. SSRF vulnerabilities occur when a web application fails to properly validate user-provided URLs when accessing remote resources. Attackers can manipulate vulnerable applications to send crafted requests to specific URLs, bypassing access controls like firewalls that would typically block direct connections to the target URL but grant access to the compromised web application.
One case of an SSRF vulnerability is the unauthorized retrieval of sensitive data from an internal database through a vulnerable web application. By carefully exploiting the SSRF vulnerability, an attacker can deceive the application into making requests to internal URLs, ultimately gaining access to confidential information. Proper input validation and robust security measures are essential for web applications to mitigate the risk of SSRF attacks.
One recent example highlighting the impact of SSRF vulnerabilities is the Capital One hack. In this incident, 140,000 Social Security numbers and 80,000 bank account numbers were stolen. The attack exploited an SSRF vulnerability that allowed the attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Remarkably, the incident remained undetected for four months, emphasizing the significance of identifying and addressing SSRF vulnerabilities promptly and effectively.
#6 Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) is an attack in which a malicious entity deceives a user’s browser into performing actions on a trusted website without their knowledge or consent. This type of attack occurs when the user is already authenticated on the targeted site. By forging a request with the user’s session cookie and other authentication information, the attacker can carry out unauthorized actions, potentially compromising the victim’s account.
The implications of a CSRF vulnerability are severe. Attackers can manipulate user profile information, change status updates, or even create new users on behalf of administrators. Certain objects within a web application, such as user profile pages, user account forms, and business transaction pages, are particularly vulnerable to CSRF attacks.
CSRF in E-commerce
To understand the potential impact of a CSRF vulnerability, consider a scenario where a victim is logged into a frequently used e-commerce website. Unbeknownst to them, simply browsing the web without first logging out can enable a cybercriminal to trick the browser into making purchases on a different website they visit, without their consent. By embedding malicious code into that website, the hacker can utilize the victim’s saved payment information and complete a purchase using their account.
#7 Outdated or Vulnerable Web Application Components
The use of outdated or vulnerable components in web applications can pose significant security risks. In recent years, the emergence of supply chain vulnerabilities has magnified these concerns. Threat actors deliberately inject malicious or vulnerable code into widely used libraries and third-party dependencies, creating a potential entry point for attackers. Organizations that lack visibility into their external code and fail to promptly apply necessary security updates expose themselves to significant risks.
Real-world incidents have demonstrated the dire consequences of neglecting to update third-party software. For instance, outdated WordPress plugins that remained unpatched in environments for prolonged periods led to severe security breaches. Attackers exploited these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and compromise entire systems, resulting in data breaches, service disruptions, and reputational damage.
It is essential to recognize that software development goes beyond initial deployment. It requires meticulous documentation, rigorous testing, and effective maintenance plans, particularly when utilizing third-party or open-source components. Proactive steps should be taken to assess web applications for vulnerable and outdated components during the maintenance and deployment stages of development.
#8 Security Misconfigurations
Security misconfigurations are when a component of a system is not set up correctly, leading to potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cyberattackers, exposing organizations to risks of unauthorized access and data breaches, also allowing the attacker to gather critical information about the application for further attacks.
Alarming industry reports indicate that up to 95% of security breaches stem from human error, implementing proper security configurations incorrectly. This highlights the critical role that comprehensive security practices play in preventing incidents. One prevalent cause of security misconfigurations is the failure to regularly update and patch systems, frameworks, and components, leaving them exposed to known vulnerabilities.
Implications of Security Misconfigurations
The implications of security misconfigurations are severe, as they provide attackers with opportunities to identify the underlying technology, access sensitive information, and potentially compromise the entire system. For example, leaving an application server’s admin console with default settings and unchanged passwords creates an easily exploitable entry point for unauthorized access. Similarly, enabling directory listing on the server inadvertently exposes valuable files and directories to potential attackers.
#9 Unvalidated Redirects and Forwards
Unvalidated redirects and forwards (URF) present security vulnerabilities in web applications. These vulnerabilities arise when applications redirect or forward users to URLs supplied by the users themselves. Attackers exploit URF vulnerabilities to redirect users to malicious sites, leading to data theft, malware installation, and other harmful actions. These vulnerabilities occur when developers fail to properly validate user input, enabling attackers to inject malicious code into URLs or query strings.
Examples of URF
Improper configuration of web applications can also contribute to URF vulnerabilities. For example, the use of insecure random number generators in web applications can facilitate the manipulation of URLs or query strings by attackers. They can predict and manipulate these parameters, redirecting users to malicious sites without their knowledge or consent.
To give another example, imagine a website’s redirect.php module accepts a URL as a parameter, which can be manipulated to deceive users with seemingly safe links that actually lead to malicious destinations. Users may unknowingly provide sensitive information or fall victim to malware or phishing attacks. Implementing input validation and strict rules for user-supplied URLs can mitigate URF vulnerabilities, ensuring user safety and protecting against unauthorized redirects.
#10 Software and Data Integrity Failures
Software and data integrity failures refer to vulnerabilities in web security that take place when the integrity of critical data and software updates is not verified before they are added to the delivery pipeline. These failures can result from faulty assumptions, outdated software, insufficient vulnerability scanning, erroneous input validation, missing patches, missing unit tests, or insecure component configurations.
In today’s agile software development landscape, where rapid updates are common, the lack of strict integrity checks poses a serious risk. These failures can have far-reaching impacts, including unauthorized information disclosure, system compromise, and the insertion of malicious code. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by injecting malicious inputs, which can impact various stages of the deployment pipeline.
Insecure Deserialization
Insecure deserialization is a common manifestation of software and data integrity failures. Attackers can tamper with input payloads during deserialization, coercing the application to execute malicious code or alter its logic. Another example is the reliance on unvalidated cookies. Applications often use cookies for security controls, but without proper integrity checking, hackers can modify cookies to supply malicious input, perform injection attacks, or bypass authentication.
What Are the Repercussions of Web Security Vulnerabilities?
Cybercrime can have severe consequences for businesses that become victims. The repercussions may include damage to the company’s reputation, loss of customer trust, financial losses, and potential legal issues. It is crucial to understand the gravity and type of these threats and take proactive steps to mitigate them.
How Can You Protect Your Business Against Web Security Vulnerabilities?
Implementing web security measures is essential to reduce vulnerabilities and defend against potential attacks. Waiting until a breach occurs is not an effective strategy. On average, it takes 287 days to detect and contain a single data breach. Adopting a proactive approach to data protection is crucial to save time, optimize resources, and safeguard valuable company assets.
Begin by conducting a comprehensive web security assessment. This assessment should encompass evaluation of vulnerabilities in your systems, networks, and applications, focusing on areas including data storage, access controls, encryption, and employee awareness. By identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities, you can enhance your overall security posture and protect your business from cybercrimes.
Conclusion
As organizations embrace the accelerating power of web-based communication, it is essential to prioritize the security of the valuable information held therein. By understanding and addressing common web security vulnerabilities, organizations can fortify their defenses and safeguard against online threats.
The path to effective cybersecurity involves taking proactive measures to counter the ten common web security vulnerabilities discussed here. Examples of such proactive cybersecurity measures include regular security updates and patching, robust authentication mechanisms, secure coding practices, thorough input validation, strict configuration management, and comprehensive security testing. Staying informed about emerging threats, promoting security awareness among employees, and maintaining a culture of vigilance are vital for maintaining a strong defense against evolving web security risks. By prioritizing web security, organizations can protect their sensitive data, maintain customer trust, and preserve their reputation in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.
At Gcore, we understand the critical importance of choosing the right cybersecurity tools to protect your digital assets. Gcore’s Web Application Security is a comprehensive, all-in-one solution. It includes a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with a built-in ML mechanism that continuously checks reliability and identifies potential vulnerabilities. Let us take care of your web application security so you can focus on your business goals.
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For customers who understand their own network traffic patterns, rigid DDoS protection can be more of a limitation than a safeguard. That’s why Gcore supports BGP Flowspec: a flexible, standards-based method for defining granular filters that block or rate-limit malicious traffic in real time…before it reaches your infrastructure.In this article, we’ll walk through:What Flowspec is and how it worksThe specific filters and actions Gcore supportsCommon use cases, with example rule definitionsHow to activate and monitor Flowspec in your environmentWhat is the BGP Flowspec?BGP Flowspec (RFC 8955) extends Border Gateway Protocol to distribute traffic filtering rules alongside routing updates. Instead of static ACLs or reactive blackholing, Flowspec enables near-instantaneous propagation of mitigation rules across networks.BGP tells routers how to reach IP prefixes across the internet. With Flowspec, those same BGP announcements can now carry rules, not just routes. Each rule describes a pattern of traffic (e.g., TCP SYN packets >1000 bytes from a specific subnet) and what action to take (drop, rate-limit, mark, or redirect).What are the benefits of the BGP Flowspec?Most traditional DDoS protection services react to threats after they start, whether by blackholing traffic to a target IP, redirecting flows to a scrubbing center, or applying rigid, static filters. These approaches can block legitimate traffic, introduce latency, or be too slow to respond to fast-evolving attacks.Flowspec offers a more flexible alternative.Proactive mitigation: Instead of waiting for attacks, you can define known-bad traffic patterns ahead of time and block them instantly. Flowspec lets experienced operators prevent incidents before they start.Granular filtering: You’re not limited to blocking by IP or port. 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Gcore will receive a notification that you reached the limit.How to activateActivation takes just two steps:Define rules on your edge router using Flowspec NLRI formatAnnounce rules via BGP to Gcore’s intermediate control planeThen, Gcore validates and propagates the filters to border routers. Filters are installed on edge devices and take effect immediately.If attack patterns are unknown, you’ll first need to detect anomalies using your existing monitoring stack, then define the appropriate Flowspec rules.Need help activating Flowspec? Get in touch via our 24/7 support channels and our experts will be glad to assist.Set up GRE and benefit from Flowspec today
Securing AI from the ground up: defense across the lifecycle
As more AI workloads shift to the edge for lower latency and localized processing, the attack surface expands. Defending a data center is old news. Now, you’re securing distributed training pipelines, mobile inference APIs, and storage environments that may operate independently of centralized infrastructure, especially in edge or federated learning contexts. Every stage introduces unique risks. 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These attacks don’t break training, they bend it.A poisoned model may appear functional, but behaves unpredictably, embeds logic triggers, or amplifies harmful bias. The impact is serious later in the AI workflow: compromised outputs, unexpected behavior, or regulatory non-compliance…not due to drift, but due to training-time manipulation.How to protect itValidate datasets with schema checks, label audits, and outlier detection.Version, sign, and hash all training data to verify integrity and trace changes.Apply RBAC and identity-aware proxies (like OPA or SPIFFE) to limit who can alter or inject data.Use adversarial training to improve model robustness against manipulated inputs.Development and testing: guard the logicOnce you’ve got a trained model, the next challenge is protecting the logic itself: what it knows and how it works. The goal here is to make attacks economically unfeasible.Why it mattersModels encode proprietary logic. 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3 ways to safeguard your website against DDoS attacks—and why it matters
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Safeguarding your website against DDoS attacks is essential to preventing the following serious outcomes:Downtime: DDoS attacks can exhaust server resources (CPU, RAM, throughput), taking websites offline and making them unavailable to end users.Loss of business/customers: Frustrated users will leave, and many won’t return after failed checkouts or broken sessions.Financial losses: By obstructing online sales, DDoS attacks can cause businesses to suffer substantial loss of revenue.Reputational damage: Websites or businesses that suffer repeated unmitigated DDoS attacks may cause customers to lose trust in them.Loss of SEO rankings: A website could lose its hard-won SEO ranking if it experiences extended downtime due to DDoS attacks.Disaster recovery costs: DDoS disaster recovery costs can escalate quickly, encompassing hardware replacement, software upgrades, and the need to hire external specialists.Solution #1: Implement dedicated DDoS protection to safeguard your infrastructureAdvanced DDoS protection measures are customized solutions designed to protect your servers and infrastructure against DDoS attacks. DDoS protection helps defend against malicious traffic designed to crash servers and interrupt service.Solutions like Gcore DDoS Protection continuously monitor incoming traffic for suspicious patterns, allowing them to automatically detect and mitigate attacks in real time. If your resources are attacked, the system filters out harmful traffic before it reaches your servers. This means that real users can access your website without interruption, even during an attack.For example, a financial services provider could be targeted by cybercriminals attempting to disrupt services with a large-scale volumetric DDoS attack. With dedicated DDoS protection, the provider can automatically detect and filter out malicious traffic before it impacts users. Customers can continue to log in, check balances, and complete transactions, while the system adapts to the evolving nature of the attack in the background, maintaining uninterrupted service.The protection scales with your business needs, automatically adapting to higher traffic loads or more complex attacks. Up-to-date reports and round-the-clock technical support allow you to keep track of your website status at all times.Solution #2: Enable WAAP to protect your websiteGcore WAAP (web application and API protection) is a comprehensive solution that monitors, detects, and mitigates cyber threats, including DDoS layer 7 attacks. WAAP uses AI-driven algorithms to monitor, detect, and mitigate threats in real time, offering an additional layer of defense against sophisticated attackers. Once set up, the system provides powerful tools to create custom rules and set specific triggers. For example, you can specify the conditions under which certain requests should be blocked, such as sudden spikes in API calls or specific malicious patterns common in DDoS attacks.For instance, an e-commerce platform during a major sale like Black Friday could be targeted by bots attempting to flood the site with fake login or checkout requests. WAAP can differentiate between genuine users and malicious bots by analyzing traffic patterns, rate of requests, and attack behaviors. It blocks malicious requests so that real customers can continue to complete transactions without disruption.Solution #3: Connect to a CDN to strengthen defenses furtherA trustworthy content delivery network (CDN) is another valuable addition to your security stack. A CDN is a globally distributed server network that ensures efficient content delivery. CDNs spread traffic across multiple global edge servers, reducing the load on the origin server. During a DDoS attack, a CDN with DDoS protection can protect servers and end users. It filters traffic at the edge, blocking threats before they ever reach your infrastructure. Caching servers within the CDN network then deliver the requested content to legitimate users, preventing network congestion and denial of service to end users.For instance, a gaming company launching a highly anticipated multiplayer title could face a massive surge in traffic as players around the world attempt to download and access the game simultaneously. This critical moment also makes the platform a prime target for DDoS attacks aimed at disrupting the launch. A CDN with integrated DDoS protection can absorb and filter out malicious traffic at the edge before it reaches the core infrastructure. Legitimate players continue to enjoy fast downloads and seamless gameplay, while the origin servers remain stable and protected from overload or downtime.In addition, Super Transit intelligently routes your traffic via Gcore’s 180+ point-of-presence global network, proactively detecting, mitigating, and filtering DDoS attacks. Even mid-attack, users experience seamless access with no interruptions. They also benefit from an enhanced end-user experience, thanks to shorter routes between users and servers that reduce latency.Taking the next steps to protect your websiteDDoS attacks pose significant threats to websites, but a proactive approach is the best way to keep your site online, secure, and resilient. Regardless of your industry or location, it’s crucial to take action to safeguard your website and maintain its uninterrupted availability.Enabling Gcore DDoS protection is a simple and proven way to boost your digital infrastructure’s resiliency against different types of DDoS attacks. Gcore DDoS protection also integrates with other security solutions, including Gcore WAAP, which protects your website and CDNs. These tools work seamlessly together to provide advanced website protection, offering improved security and performance in one intuitive platform.If you’re ready to try Gcore Edge Security, fill in the form below and one of our security experts will be in touch for a personalized consultation.
From reactive to proactive: how AI is transforming WAF cybersecurity solutions
While digital transformation in recent years has driven great innovation, cyber threats have changed in parallel, evolving to target the very applications businesses rely on to thrive. Traditional web application security measures, foundational as they may be, are no longer effective in combating sophisticated attacks in time. Enter the next generation of WAFs (web application firewalls) powered by artificial intelligence.Next-generation WAFs, often incorporated into WAAP solutions, do much more than respond to threats; instead, they will use AI and ML-powered techniques to predict and neutralize threats in real time. This helps businesses to stay ahead of bad actors by securing applications, keeping valuable data safe, and protecting hard-earned brand reputations against ever-present dangers in an expanding digital world.From static to AI-powered web application firewallsTraditional WAFs were relied on to protect web applications against known threats, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting. They’ve done a great job as the first line of defense, but their reliance on static rules and signature-based detection means they struggle to keep up with today’s fast-evolving cyber threats. To understand in depth why traditional WAFs are no longer sufficient in today’s threat landscape, read our ebook.AI and ML have already revolutionized what a WAF can do. AI/ML-driven WAFs can examine vast streams of traffic data and detect patterns, including new threats, right at the emergence stage. The real-time adaptability that this allows is effective even against zero-day attacks and complex new hacking techniques.How AI-powered WAP proactively stops threatsOne of the most significant advantages of AI/ML-powered WAFs is proactive identification and prevention capabilities. Here's how this works:Traffic pattern analysis: AI systems monitor both incoming and outgoing traffic to set up baselines for normal behavior. This can then allow for the detection of anomalies that could show a zero-day attack or malicious activity.Real-time decision making: Machine learning models keep learning from live traffic and detect suspicious activities on the go sans waiting for any updates in the rule set. This proactive approach ensures that businesses are guarded from emerging threats before they escalate.Heuristic tagging and behavioral insights: Advanced heuristics used by AI-driven systems tag everything from sessionless clients to unusual request frequencies. It helps administrators classify potential bots or automated attacks much faster.Ability to counter zero-day attacks: Traditional WAF solutions can only mitigate attacks that are already in the process of accessing sensitive areas. AI/ML-powered WAFs, on the other hand, can use data to identify and detect patterns indicative of future attacks, stopping attackers in their tracks and preventing future damage.Intelligent policy management: Adaptive WAFs detect suspicious activity and alert users to misconfigured security policies accordingly. They reduce the need for manual configuration while assuring better protection.Integrated defense layers: One of the strongest features of AI/ML-powered systems is the ease with which they integrate other layers of security, including bot protection and DDoS mitigation, into a connected architecture that protects several attack surfaces.User experience and operational impactAI-driven WAFs improve the day-to-day operations of security teams by transforming how they approach threat management. With intuitive dashboards and clearly presented analytics, as offered by Gcore WAAP, these tools empower security professionals to quickly interpret complex data, streamline decision-making, and respond proactively to threats.Instead of manually analyzing vast amounts of traffic data, teams now receive immediate alerts highlighting critical security events, such as abnormal IP behaviors or unusual session activity. Each alert includes actionable recommendations, enabling rapid adjustments to security policies without guesswork or delay.By automating the identification of sophisticated threats such as credential stuffing, scraping, and DDoS attacks, AI-powered solutions significantly reduce manual workloads. Advanced behavioral profiling and heuristic tagging pinpoint genuine threats with high accuracy, allowing security teams to concentrate their efforts where they're most needed.Embracing intelligent security with Gcore’s AI-driven WAAPOur AI-powered WAAP solution provides intelligent, interrelated protection to empower companies to actively outperform even the most sophisticated, ever-changing threats by applying advanced traffic analysis, heuristic tagging, and adaptive learning. With its cross-domain functionality and actionable security insights, this solution stands out as an invaluable tool for both security architects and strategic decision-makers. It combines innovation and practicality to address the needs of modern businesses.Curious to learn more about WAAP? Check out our ebook for cybersecurity best practices, the most common threats to look out for, and how WAAP can safeguard your businesses’ digital assets. Or, get in touch with our team to learn more about Gcore WAAP.Learn why WAAP is essential for modern businesses with a free ebook
How AI helps prevent API attacks
APIs have become an integral part of modern digital infrastructure, and it can be easy to take their security for granted. But, unfortunately, APIs are a popular target for attackers. Hackers can use APIs to access crucial data and services, and breaching APIs allows attackers to bypass traditional security controls.Most companies focus on speed of development and deployment ahead of security when crafting APIs, making them vulnerable to issues like insecure authentication, poor validation, or misconfigured endpoints, which attackers can abuse. Additionally, the interconnected nature of APIs creates multiple endpoints, widening the attack surface and creating additional points of entry that attackers can exploit.As threats evolve and the attack surface grows to include more API endpoints, integrating AI threat detection and mitigation is an absolute must for businesses to take serious, deliberate action against API cyberattacks. Let’s find out why.Staying ahead of zero-day API attacksOf all the cyber attacks that commonly threaten APIs, zero-day attacks, leveraging unknown vulnerabilities, are probably the toughest to defeat. Traditional solutions rely more on the existence of preconfigured rules or signatures along with human interference to detect and block such attacks. This approach often fails against novel threats and can block legitimate traffic, leaving applications vulnerable and making APIs inaccessible to users.APIs must balance between allowing legitimate users access and maintaining security. AI and ML technologies excel at identifying zero-day attacks based on pattern and behavior analysis rather than known signatures. For instance, heuristic algorithms can detect anomalies, such as sudden spikes in unusual traffic or behaviors indicative of malicious intent.Consider the following example: A certain IP address makes an abnormally large number of requests to a rarely accessed endpoint. Even without prior knowledge of the IP or attack vector, an AI/ML-enhanced solution can flag the activity as suspicious and block it proactively. Using minimal indicators, such as frequency patterns or traffic anomalies, AI can stop attackers before they fully exploit vulnerabilities. Additionally, this means that only suspicious IPs are blocked, and legitimate users can continue to access APIs unimpeded.The risks of shadow APIsOne of the biggest risks is shadow APIs, which are endpoints that exist but aren't documented or monitored. These can arise from configuration mistakes, forgotten updates, or even rogue development practices. These unknown APIs are the ideal target for Layer 7 attacks, as they are often left undefended, making them easy targets.AI-powered API discovery tools map both known and unknown API endpoints, enabling the grouping and management of these endpoints so sensitive APIs can be properly secured. This level of visibility is critical to securing systems against API-targeting attacks; without it, businesses are left in the dark.API discovery as a critical security practiceWAAP with AI/ML capabilities excels in API security because it accurately checks and analyzes API traffic. The Gcore API discovery engine offers 97 to 99 percent accuracy, mapping APIs in users’ domains and using data to recommend policies to help secure APIs.How heuristics enhance WAAP AI capabilities to protect APIsWhile AI and ML form the backbone of modern WAAPs, heuristic methods complement them in enhancing detection accuracy. Heuristics allow the system to inspect granular behaviors, such as mouse clicks or scrolling patterns, which distinguish legitimate users from bots.For example, most scraping attacks involve automated scripts that interact with APIs in predictable and repetitive manners. In those cases, WAAP can use request patterns or user action monitoring to identify the script with high accuracy. Heuristics may define bots by checking how users interact with page elements, such as buttons or forms, and flagging those that behave unnaturally.This layered approach ensures that the most sophisticated automated attack attempts are caught in the net and mitigated without affecting legitimate traffic.Protect your APIs with the click of a button using Gcore WAAPAI offers proactive, intelligent solutions that can address the modern complexities of cybersecurity. These technologies empower organizations to secure APIs against even the most sophisticated threats, including zero-day vulnerabilities and undiscovered APIs.Interested in protecting your APIs with WAAP? Download our ebook to discover cybersecurity best practices, the most prevalent threats, and how WAAP can protect your business’s digital infrastructure, including APIs. Or, reach out to our team to learn more about Gcore WAAP.Discover why WAAP is a must-have for API protection
11 simple tips for securing your APIs
A vast 84% of organizations have experienced API security incidents in the past year. APIs (application programming interfaces) are the backbone of modern technology, allowing seamless interaction between diverse software platforms. However, this increased connectivity comes with a downside: a higher risk of security breaches, which can include injection attacks, credential stuffing, and L7 DDoS attacks, as well as the ever-growing threat of AI-based attacks.Fortunately, developers and IT teams can implement DIY API protection. Mitigating vulnerabilities involves using secure coding techniques, conducting thorough testing, and applying strong security protocols and frameworks. Alternatively, you can simply use a WAAP (web application and API protection) solution for specialized, one-click, robust API protection.This article explains 11 practical tips that can help protect your APIs from security threats and hacking attempts, with examples of commands and sample outputs to provide API security.#1 Implement authentication and authorizationUse robust authentication mechanisms to verify user identity and authorization strategies like OAuth 2.0 to manage access to resources. Using OAuth 2.0, you can set up a token-based authentication system where clients request access tokens using credentials. # Requesting an access token curl -X POST https://yourapi.com/oauth/token \ -d "grant_type=client_credentials" \ -d "client_id=your_client_id" \ -d "client_secret=your_client_secret" Sample output: { "access_token": "eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9...", "token_type": "bearer", "expires_in": 3600 } #2 Secure communication with HTTPSEncrypting data in transit using HTTPS can help prevent eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Enabling HTTPS may involve configuring your web server with SSL/TLS certificates, such as Let’s Encrypt with nginx. sudo certbot --nginx -d yourapi.com #3 Validate and sanitize inputValidating and sanitizing all user inputs protects against injection and other attacks. For a Node.js API, use express-validator middleware to validate incoming data. app.post('/api/user', [ body('email').isEmail(), body('password').isLength({ min: 5 }) ], (req, res) => { const errors = validationResult(req); if (!errors.isEmpty()) { return res.status(400).json({ errors: errors.array() }); } // Proceed with user registration }); #4 Use rate limitingLimit the number of requests a client can make within a specified time frame to prevent abuse. The express-rate-limit library implements rate limiting in Express.js. const rateLimit = require('express-rate-limit'); const apiLimiter = rateLimit({ windowMs: 15 * 60 * 1000, // 15 minutes max: 100 }); app.use('/api/', apiLimiter); #5 Undertake regular security auditsRegularly audit your API and its dependencies for vulnerabilities. Runnpm auditin your Node.js project to detect known vulnerabilities in your dependencies. npm audit Sample output: found 0 vulnerabilities in 1050 scanned packages #6 Implement access controlsImplement configurations so that users can only access resources they are authorized to view or edit, typically through roles or permissions. The two more common systems are Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) for a more granular approach.You might also consider applying zero-trust security measures such as the principle of least privilege (PoLP), which gives users the minimal permissions necessary to perform their tasks. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security beyond usernames and passwords.#7 Monitor and log activityMaintain comprehensive logs of API activity with a focus on both performance and security. By treating logging as a critical security measure—not just an operational tool—organizations can gain deeper visibility into potential threats, detect anomalies more effectively, and accelerate incident response.#8 Keep dependencies up-to-dateRegularly update all libraries, frameworks, and other dependencies to mitigate known vulnerabilities. For a Node.js project, updating all dependencies to their latest versions is vital. npm update #9 Secure API keysIf your API uses keys for access, we recommend that you make sure that they are securely stored and managed. Modern systems often utilize dynamic key generation techniques, leveraging algorithms to automatically produce unique and unpredictable keys. This approach enhances security by reducing the risk of brute-force attacks and improving efficiency.#10 Conduct penetration testingRegularly test your API with penetration testing to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. By simulating real-world attack scenarios, your organizations can systematically identify vulnerabilities within various API components. This proactive approach enables the timely mitigation of security risks, reducing the likelihood of discovering such issues through post-incident reports and enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience.#11 Simply implement WAAPIn addition to taking the above steps to secure your APIs, a WAAP (web application and API protection) solution can defend your system against known and unknown threats by consistently monitoring, detecting, and mitigating risks. With advanced algorithms and machine learning, WAAP safeguards your system from attacks like SQL injection, DDoS, and bot traffic, which can compromise the integrity of your APIs.Take your API protection to the next levelThese steps will help protect your APIs against common threats—but security is never one-and-done. Regular reviews and updates are essential to stay ahead of evolving vulnerabilities. To keep on top of the latest trends, we encourage you to read more of our top cybersecurity tips or download our ultimate guide to WAAP.Implementing specialized cybersecurity solutions such as WAAP, which combines web application firewall (WAF), bot management, Layer 7 DDoS protection, and API security, is the best way to protect your assets. Designed to tackle the complex challenges of API threats in the age of AI, Gcore WAAP is an advanced solution that keeps you ahead of security threats.Discover why WAAP is a non-negotiable with our free ebook
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