11 Most Common Security Vulnerabilities & Tips To Manage Them [2024]

You have antivirus software installed on all devices in your network, you track access control, you implement MFA, and you regularly back up your data. So, are you confident that your system is 100% secure?

To err is human, but lately, we’ve become more dependent on codes and applications, which leaves less room for error, right? Enter hackers. 

After research, we’ve found 11 common security vulnerabilities examples that cyber attackers usually use to penetrate systems. To make things easier, you’ll also find ways on how each web vulnerability can be mitigated. 

TL;DR Common security vulnerabilities include insider threats, SQL injection, exposed sensitive data, manipulated parameters in redirects, etc. Security vulnerabilities can be managed using tools such as vulnerability scanners, penetration testing, monitoring systems and automated GRC software.  Identifying different types of vulnerabilities includes different approaches depending on the criticality and its impact.

What is a security vulnerability?

A security vulnerability is a flaw or weakness in a system, application, or network that can be exploited by attackers. These vulnerabilities can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data and resources. They often arise from coding errors, misconfigurations, or outdated software.

What are some common security vulnerabilities and how to manage them?

1. Source code vulnerabilities

Flaws in the source code can be caused by writing poor code, lacking input fields validation, using open source scripts, or by skipping penetration testing. 

Using open source codes to build applications is quite common but it can lead to major vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting, command injection or non-secure cryptographic storage. 

How do we ensure safe coding practices?

Source code vulnerabilities can be managed using tools like Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Software Composition Analysis (SCA), and Code Obfuscation. You should also conduct manual reviews of malicious codes because machines can sometimes fail, too.

2. Broken access control

Broken access control is one of the most common vulnerabilities that give unauthorized access to unknown entities to use, modify or even remove data from your systems. According to OWASP, it is the #1 web application security risk. 

Common types of access control vulnerabilities include:

• Granting access to anybody without checking role or user privilege.
• Manipulation of URL, changing internal state or bypassing checks.
• Security Issues in API access like missing controls: POST, PUT, DELETE requests
• Manipulation of JWT tokens, hidden fields, or cookies
• Allowing API access from unauthorized origins. 

How to prevent broken access control?

Acess control can be prevented by using methods like Principle of Least Privilege where an user is given access to very limited resources to fulfill job duties. For web applications, access must be denied by default with exception of public resources. 

Apart from using measures to prevent access control, you can also work this backwards by conducting regular access control reviews and auditing user logs. Furthermore, also assess how much access privilege is given to third parties through user access reviews. 

The most efficient way to monitor access control would be by using automation. Manual methods of monitoring cannot be relied on completely. 

3. Insider threats

At least 74% of organizations showcase concerns about insider threats. 

America’s Cyber Defence Agency, CISA defines insider threats as

Insider threats can manifest with the behaviors of espionage, terrorism, sabotage, or corruption. It can involve modifications of data, or injecting malware into your company’s systems to cause operational disruptions and rig your network. 

How can insider threats be controlled?

There’s no foolproof plan for preventing insider threats. However, they can be controlled to some extent by constantly monitoring your systems, networks, devices, and all other assets. You should also limit employee privileges, have strict access controls, and monitor for risky behaviors. 

The above methods combined with regular security training can help mitigate insider threats to avoid any business discontinuity. To learn more mitigation techniques read: Insider Threats in Cybersecurity. 

4. Weak encryption methods

Weak encryption methods can either be in the form of inappropriate encryption types or using outdated encryption. Some common types of weak encryption include:

• DES (Data Encryption Standard) family
• 3DES Mode: des3-cbc-raw
• RC4 (Rivest Cipher 4): Exportable variations
• MD5
• RC4

Using fragile encryption can expose sensitive information, cause spoofing attacks, broken authentication, etc. Vulnerability management tools are usually helpful in identifying such problems. 

How to test for weak encryption methods?

OWASP has designed a whole documentation to test for weak encryptions with a security checklist, source code review and tools you can use to evaluate further. 

ISO 27001’s Annex A.10.1 also provides cryptography controls to secure your ISMS (Information security management system). Annex A.10.2 provides guidelines on how to manage such controls. You can download the full ISO 27001 control list to learn what each control entails:

5. SQL injection 

SQL injections have the potential to practically destroy your company’s database. Hackers usually do it by leveraging input fields to inject malicious SQL queries that runs through your database. 

Injections are common when there is no command given if the user has entered invalid data. When the input is based on “=”, it is always a valid input and uses default passwords and hence, hackers can easily access sensitive information using commands like “1=1”. 

Is it possible to detect and prevent SQL attacks?

Yes, SQL attacks can be detected and prevented. Manual methods include checking for validation by giving input of special characters like ‘OR’ or ‘AND’. Tools like vulnerability scanners also simulate such attacks and identify flaws in the code.

To prevent SQL injection, developers must predefine parameters for input like character length, string type, and user credentials and authentication. There should be validation of user access before anybody gets access to the information in the database. 

6. Exposed sensitive data

Sensitive data exposure can happen due to misconfigurations, insufficient security controls, or unencrypted data transmission. It can also be caused by SQL injections and weak encryption methods. These commonly occur using man-in-the-middle attacks or could even be a public Wi-Fi attack. 

Hackers have the ability to downgrade the connection from a secure HTTPS protocol to an insecure HTTP one. This can be easily achieved if your network is available on the public Wi-Fi. They can steal your cookies of user login data and gain access to private information you have on your browser.

How can you protect sensitive information?

According to OWASP, sensitive information must be well classified with strict access control ensuring only trusted personnel, like top executives, have access to critical data. It shouldn’t be stored if it’s not required anymore and even if stored, must be encrypted with strong methods like Triple DES, Blowfish, Twofish, or RSA. 

In cloud environments, correctly configure storage buckets—use private, encrypted buckets for sensitive data to avoid exposure.

Network administrators must use secure protocols like TLS with PFS ciphers and secure parameters for data in motion. Furthermore, all settings must be independently verified and validated.

7. Manipulated parameters in redirects

Redirects are pretty common in websites but if done without precaution it can cause severe damage. Hackers can make use of PHP redirects and manipulate parameters like GET to forward a user to a malicious website that could erase information and inject malware. 

How do we prevent unwanted redirects?

Site maintenance teams and developers must be warned before any redirects are made to the website. There should be a rule of thumb that it shouldn’t be done unless absolutely necessary. 

The forwarded destinations should be pre-fixed in a static list and must limit user-defined parameters. Geeks for geeks suggests using ‘whitelist’ for both server side and client side requests for user-defined parameters. 

8. Unpatched third-party plugins

Every product/tool/software uses multiple vendors and third-parties for integrations and other functionalities. Such tools use plugins to complete specific tasks. When the software is up and running, these plugins need to be patched or modified to fix bugs and vulnerabilities. 

According to PortSwigger, millions of WordPress websites are vulnerable to unpatched plugins. Through these, hackers can practically take full control of your website by manipulating the code.

How to manage patch vulnerabilities? 

The best way to manage your security patches is to stay updated on things. Subscribe to the latest versions of the tools you use to protect your business from vulnerabilities. 

There are many open-source and free codes available on sites like WordPress. However, you should avoid using them without vetting and modifying them to your requirements. 

9. Confused deputy problem

Amazon Web Services defines it as:

There are two types of confused deputies:

1. Cross-account confused deputy: If an application in Account A can act with the permissions of Account B and a malicious user tricks it into making requests using Account B’s permissions, it leads to unintended access or actions.
2. Cross-service confused deputy: This happens when a service or application incorrectly assumes it has permissions or authority across different services or systems due to inadequate access control or misconfiguration. 

What approaches can be taken to avoid a confused deputy?

Approaches like Role-based access control (RBAC), the least privilege principle, access control lists (ACLs) can help avoid confused deputy problems to some extent. However, without constant monitoring and period audits, unusual activities cannot be detected. 

10. Lack of constant monitoring

The lack of continuous monitoring is a key cybersecurity vulnerability as it allows you constant vigilance over your controls and risks. The absence of it can let high-impact risks go undetected which could lead to potential breaches and penetration. 

How do you enable constant monitoring of your security infrastructure?

Continuous monitoring entails several elements like data classification to safeguard the most sensitive information, automated analysis of controls, reporting and evidence collection. 

Monitoring of web security vulnerabilities also falls under the purview of governance and ultimately, GRC (Governance, risk and compliance) as a whole. It’s a proactive approach to towards vulnerabilities, rather than reactive. Hence, the best way is  to use a GRC tool  itself. 

11. Server-side request forgery (SSRF)

In a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attack, an attacker tricks a server into making requests to unintended locations. It manipulates the server to visit and interact with places it shouldn’t, like private addresses inside your system.

For example, the attacker could send the messenger to peek at sensitive information, like database server settings or secret keys (such as AWS metadata). This type of attack can make the server unknowingly being used to bypass security and gain access to sensitive internal resources.

How to contain SSRF vulnerabilities?

Here are some suggestions on defending your security infrastructure against SSRF vulnerabilities:

• Treat all data coming from the client server as untrustworthy.
• Use penetration testing tools and simulate SSRF attacks to find flaws and fix them.
• Use a input validation strategy as early as possible.
• Avoid redirections unless absolutely necessary. 

How do you identify security vulnerabilities in real-time?

Identifying vulnerabilities in real-time is achieved through a combination of automated tools and human expertise. Here are some examples of tools that can help you do so:

1. Vulnerability scanners: There are automated vulnerability scanning tools available that continuously monitor your systems to track weaknesses. These tools provide you with insights to identify, fix, and mitigate potential breaches along with remediation workflows. 

2. Intrusion detection and prevention systems: IDS/IPS tools help identify and block potential cyber-attacks. They do so by reviewing security policies, assessing data from networks, and detecting common malware patterns. 

3. Security information and event management: SIEM solutions aggregate and analyze log data to detect unusual patterns. They focus mainly on incident and threat detection and provide actionable intelligence related to security breaches, enabling IT teams to respond quickly to and contain threats before they escalate.

4. Penetration testing: Pen-testing tools simulate real-world attacks to uncover vulnerabilities and help organizations identify potential weaknesses in their security defenses before malicious actors exploit them.

Manage cybersecurity vulnerabilities with Sprinto

Managing security vulnerabilities without constant monitoring of all systems and responding to incidents in real-time is near to impossible. Unfortunately, manual approaches are rife with errors and deplete bandwidth. 

Sprinto, a GRC automation tool, plugs in to your current architecture with its 200+ integrations and keeps a check on all the security controls according to industry standards. The platform provides a control dashboard while tracking all third parties involved with your system. 

Cherry on the cake: Sprinto has a whole dashboard to manage security vulnerabilities. You can add predefined and custom workflow checks to ensure that your controls are bulletproof. Even if there are any anomalies, you can rely on the incident dashboard to take care of it with minimum human involvement. 

Frequently asked questions

1. How to manage security vulnerabilities?

Managing security vulnerabilities involves a systematic approach to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks. This process typically includes regular vulnerability scans, prioritizing and patching identified issues, implementing security controls, keeping systems up to date, and conducting periodic security assessments. It’s an ongoing process that requires vigilance and adaptation to evolving threats.

2. What are the types of security vulnerabilities?

Some common types of security vulnerabilities include:

• SQL injection flaw
• Cross-site scripting (XSS)
• Broken/weak authentication mechanisms
• Insecure direct object references
• Weak passwords
• Security misconfigurations
• Cross-site requests
• Unpatched software