Let’s Explore Common Website Security Vulnerabilities

Website Vulnerabilities: What are They?

A website vulnerability depicts a weakness present in a website or web application code allowing the user to gain a certain degree of control of the site. In most cases, it is the hosting server that comes under a vulnerability attack initiated by an attacker. In most cases, vulnerabilities are exploited by using automated means such as a vulnerability scanner. Once the vulnerabilities have been identified, the cybercriminals exploit these for stealing user data, spreading malicious content or even injecting defacement and spam content on the vulnerable site locations.

Common Website Vulnerabilities

Following is the list of some commonly exploited website vulnerabilities –

1. SQL Injections (SQLi) SQL injection refers to a type of web application security vulnerability where the attacker looks to use the website code for either accessing or corrupting database content. If the attacker is successful, then he can perform actions like- create, read, update, alter, or even delete data that is present in the back-end database. SQL injection is one of the most common types of web application security vulnerabilities.
2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Cross-site scripting takes place when the cybercriminal injects a code mostly at the client-side script like JavaScript into the output of a web application. The main motive of XSS is manipulating client-side scripts of a web application to execute in a manner that the attacker wishes. In the case of XSS vulnerability, the browsers fail to understand whether or not the script is intentionally included to be a part of the website. Some of the large attacks against WordPress have been credited to the XSS vulnerabilities. It is important to note that the XSS is now no more restricted to open-source applications.
3. Command Injection Command injection is a vulnerability where the attackers pass and execute their code onto the server where the website has been hosted. This type of vulnerability is carried out when the user input has been transferred onto the server and then not validated accurately. This allows the attackers to include shell commands using the user information. Command injection vulnerability attackers become critical as they allow the ‘bad actors’ to perform tasks such as-
   
   1. hijacking the complete user website
   2. hijacking the complete hosting server
   3. using the hijacked server within botnet attacks
4. Remote and Local File Intrusions (RFI/LFI)
   

   Remote File Intrusions (RFI):  A remote file inclusion (RFI) attack, includes the functions present in the server-side web application language such as PHP for executing codes present in a remotely stored file. Attackers take advantage of improperly sanitized user inputs for injecting/modifying an included function into the victim website’s PHP code.

   This inclusion attack could be used for initiating the following

   • delivering malicious payloads that might be used for including attacks and phishing pages present in a visitor’s browser
   • including malicious shell files on websites that are present in the public domain
   • taking complete control and authority of a website admin panel/host server
     

     Local File Inclusion (LFI):

     Local file inclusion (LFI) attack takes place when the user input has the ability to modify the complete path for the included files. Attackers take advantage of this for gaining, reading, or writing access to sensitive local files. The attacker might also perform a complete directory traversal attack by changing an included file path for reviewing the back and host-end server end files, thus exploring the sensitive data. A local file inclusion attack has the ability to convert into a remote file inclusion attack in case the attacker is able to successfully include the log files previously fetched by an attacker.

5. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) Cross-Site Request Forgery is a malicious vulnerability attacker where the user is fooled into performing an action that isn’t intended. A third-party website sends a request to a user-authenticated web application. The attacker now gains access using the authenticated browser. Some common targets of this malicious attack include applications like- social media, browser emails, online banking, and web interfaces for network devices.

Concluding Remarks

Remember, your website is your biggest digital asset and it should be your top priority to secure it against the above-shared most common vulnerabilities. Always deploy the best security measures to strengthen your websites. You need to be ready to protect your business by performing security audits regularly.

 If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution in the face of a vulnerability scanner, then  VTMScan is the perfect choice at very cost-effective price. Leverage VTMScan now and secure all your business’s digital assets with a complete, one-stop solution.