What is Web Application Security? Solutions & Best Practices
Some businesses prefer web applications over traditional mobile apps because they are cost-saving and easily accessible without consuming additional storage space. Most organizations use web apps to streamline smooth conversations and save confidential information.
We will highlight the importance of web application security for businesses and how we can safely use it to ensure a company's privacy.
1What is Web Application Security?
Protective and precautionary measures adapted to secure web applications are termed web application security. Organizations adopt various security solutions and tools to overcome the risks of cyber security and data breaches on websites. Web application security helps diagnose and remove application vulnerabilities for safe app usage on web browsers.
2Web Application Security vs. Mobile App Security
Security of apps is a critical component of the app development phase as it ensures protection against malicious attacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
Managing web security is quite different from mobile app. Mobile apps are downloaded from Play Stores like Google Play Store or the Apple Store, while web apps are free from downloading and are directly hosted on web servers. So, the security mechanism of web applications is similar to that of websites. Web applications involve client-side and server-side, while mobile apps only include client-side. Here are common potential risks that web and mobile apps face:
Web Application Security Risks
- Cross-site Scripting XSS
It is a security vulnerability, especially for web applications where cybercriminals insert a code. It helps attackers to exploit client-side script and run it as they wish. With XSS, hackers steal user sessions and default websites or direct them to malicious websites. - SQL Injection
SQL injection is one of the most common vulnerabilities by which hackers try to get unauthorized access to the database and exploit the stored information. It includes a malicious SQL code that allows hackers to access the back-end data stored in the database so they can easily read, modify, edit, and delete the data. - Cross-site Request Forgery (CSRF)
CSRF is a security threat to web applications that trick users into doing actions unintentionally. Cybercriminals commonly use it to exploit social media, online banking, and email web applications. They submit a request on the web application already authenticated by the user and then use the established browser to misuse the victim's credentials. - Security Misconception
Adequate configuration of security features for the applications, database servers, web, and application servers is necessary to prevent data breaches by hackers. Having a security misconception can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and can cause severe damage to the device.
Mobile Application Security Risks
- Exposure of Private Key
Cybercriminals can easily access hard-coded API keys and certificates added to the code. The reason behind this is the need for more binary security of mobile applications. Hackers can utilize them to break sessions and login credentials. - Misuse of Device
Mobile apps use device data to manage contacts and enable file sharing. Allowing unusual access by mobile applications to device data can increase the risk of data theft. Inappropriate security for sharing data between the app and the server can also maximize the chance of breaches. - Data sharing
Some mobile applications share user's information with other apps. It results in more chances of data access by other mobile apps exploiting user privacy. - Decryption of data
Using cipher with MD5 encryption algorithm by different organizations, especially financial institutes, enables hackers to decrypt confidential information easily.
3Web Application Security Solutions
Web app Firewall
You can elevate your digital security with the sophisticated protection of Web Application Firewalls. Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) offer an intelligent combination of hardware and software to enhance security measures. By carefully analyzing incoming traffic, WAFs proactively protect against potential security threats and ensure a strong defense for your online presence.
The strategic deployment of WAFs is seamlessly aligned with PCI DSS certification requirements, providing a robust defense against data theft and manipulation. Implementation of WAFs requires no changes to your application. Their continuously updated signature pool empowers them to identify and neutralize malicious actors and known attack vectors promptly.
DDoS Protection
DDoS protection solutions are developed to diagnose and filter out harmful traffic that might affect the web app. They offer strong protection against all network layer and application DDoS attacks. You can choose between DNS and BGP-enabled options to secure websites, web applications, and server infrastructure. Use HTTP protocol DOS, SQL wildcard DoS, and account lockout to enhance security against denial of service threats. You need to combine various filtering solutions and resources for high-level DDoS attacks.
Bot Filtering
Bot filtering is a web application security testing solution that works to detect the presence of malicious bots using various techniques to enable enterprises remain protected from automated threats. Its algorithm is efficient enough to analyze patterns and user behavior, differentiating between human and automated interactions. Adding CAPTCHA also helps to ensure human interaction. Bot filtering solutions also contain a database of known bot signatures so they can instantly identify bots and block access.
WAAP
WAAP is the abbreviation for Web Application and API Protection. These are the comprehensive security solutions that not only safeguard web apps but also the APIs from potential threats. It is a combination of various security features that helps them enable the confidentiality and integrity of web applications.
WAAP ensures continuous web traffic monitoring to detect and fight against malicious activities. It enforces strong authentications so only authorized users can access applications with their credentials. With its advanced detection techniques, it prevents XSS and other app vulnerabilities.
API Gateways
API gateways are the centralized points for various operations, especially traffic and request handling. These gateways help enforce security policies for enabling robust authentication methods and control the traffic flow by managing requests and relevant responses to provide optimal device performance and better user experience. API logs also track the usage and potential risks.
Content Security Policy (CSP)
Content security policy is a solution for web apps to prevent cross-site scripting attacks and data injections. This policy enables the developers to define resources allowed to trigger on a specific web page. CSP also controls the style sheets, images, executable scripts, and other important resources to load on web pages. HTTP headers and HTML meta-tags help to define policies for browser behavior. CSP also protects against malicious attacks and injections by approving specific scripts.
Penetration testing and updates
Secure your software components like databases, app frameworks, and servers by updating them with the latest security patches. Regular updates also address the latest vulnerabilities.
Penetration testing is vital to ensure the continuity of web applications and data security. It helps proactively diagnose vulnerabilities in the web application to remove them before they exploit the system.
Adding HTTP security headers
One of the critical solutions to enhance web application security is to incorporate HTTP security headers. Some standard headers include Strict-Transport Security, X-Content-Type-Options, X-Frame options, and X-Content. These headers add a layer of protection by controlling the behavior of browsers with web applications for collaboration.
4What Should You Focus on During WAST?
Web Application Security Testing is a procedure to ensure that web applications are free from malicious content. Focus on these four testing techniques to ensure high security:
- SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
SAST can occur only before the deployment of applications. Before the application even runs, SAST tools carefully read through their code for any SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS), and exploits associated with them are automatically discovered. - DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
DAST tools follow a dynamic approach by simulating real-world attacks at the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) testing stage. DAST uses a method in which requests are sent to the application, responses are analyzed, and potential vulnerabilities are identified. It can find flaws within the application's configuration, not the source code. - Penetration Testing
Ethical hackers perform penetration testing to ensure a secure application by uncovering system vulnerabilities. This technique detects weak points that might otherwise be missed, providing critical information about how exploits work and allowing businesses to prepare themselves. - RASP (Runtime Application Self-Protection)
RASP is a critical factor in maintaining the safety and soundness of your web application. It continuously monitors the runtime environment of a web application to safeguard against threats. You can easily find weaknesses hidden outside the source code, which become visible only at runtime.
5Best Practices for Building Secure Web Applications
Here are some practices to ensure web based application security:
- Ensure secure coding
Developers should keenly focus on the coding strategy and add coding strategies that will help enhance web application security by preventing unauthorized users from accessing the applications.- Use secure data encryption algorithms to secure confidential data. For example, use cryptographic libraries.
- Implement parameterized queries so hackers cannot access data through SQL injections.
- Securely store the credentials of users by avoiding hardcoding passwords and other credentials.
Here are some suggestions to ensure secure coding:
- Patch updates
Cybercriminals usually practice adding software vulnerabilities to disturb the security of web applications and easily access them. They keep discovering new vulnerabilities and utilize them to compromise the security measures of web applications. So, software vendors need to release new patches and updates to overcome new issues. Timely updating the web application with the latest security features helps to reduce threats. - TLS/SSL certification
Web applications must possess the SSL and TLS certifications to secure data sharing between client and server. These protocols enable data encryption, which makes hackers unable to access and read the data unless it is decrypted. So, these certificates securely transfer sensitive data between client and server. - Web Application Firewalls
Developers need to incorporate web application firewalls because they enhance the security of web applications and ensure the app is protected from various cyber-attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting. It continuously checks the traffic and provides safe communication between client and server. - File Uploading
Developers need to implement adequate validations and strict rules if file uploading is enabled on the web application. They also need to confirm that no one can execute the uploaded files as scripts because uploading malicious files can pose serious security issues for the application. - Use Strong Authentications
Every user has private data stored on the web application, whose privacy is the responsibility of the application vendors. They assign unique logins and passwords to users to access their data. Authentication is the process of verifying a user's identity. Web application developers must add strong authentications like two-factor or multi-factor authentications to ensure that an authorized person is accessing the account. These authentications include sending a code to the user's phone or any biometric verification. - Apply input validations
Input validation involves verification of user input to check if it is safe and valid; otherwise accepting wrong or malicious inputs can result in various cyber-attacks. Web application developers must properly implement validations for all user inputs like query strings, cookies, and form fields. Sanitizing the user input will help to identify and prevent malicious codes. - Manage Sessions
Web app developers must handle user sessions as it will help them ensure that only authorized users are accessing the accounts. The two most common issues are session hijacking and session fixation, which exploit user sessions. These vulnerabilities enable unauthorized users to add to the session and access sensitive data to misuse it.
Web application developers need to use strong session IDs to avoid session hijacking. Other necessary measures for ensuring secure sessions include regenerating session IDs, setting time for session expiration, implementing multi-factor authentications, and real-time monitoring of user activities.
6What Are the Ports Most Targeted By Attackers?
Port 80, 443 and 8080
Cybercriminals often target the web protocols running on ports 80, 443, and 8080. Their methods include SQL injections, cross-site scripting, and DDoS attacks. Controlling these risks requires using secure coding practices, filtering traffic with a Web Application Firewall, and encrypting data in transit over HTTPS.
Port 20 and 21
FTP-related ports 20 and 21 are also susceptible to brute-force password attacks and other security attacks. FTP should be replaced with more secure alternatives such as SFTP or FTPS to counter these risks. Besides, robust authentication and encryption should be carried out before data transfer.
Port 22
TCP Port 22, the usual port for SSH, is a common target against credentials or leaked keys. It is recommended that password policies be established and enforced strongly to counter the threats. Rate limiting should be implemented to prevent attacks by brute force. You also need to monitor SSH access logs for any suspicious activity.
Port 23
Port 23, usually used for Telnet, is outdated and a source of security risks like brute-force attacks and illegal access. It is recommended to move toward more secure options such as SSH. If Telnet is mandatory, use encryption like a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure communication.
Port 1433, 1434, and 3306
Ports 1433, 1434, and 80 are commonly used in DDoS attacks. It is necessary to patch and update systems constantly to reduce these risks. You must also incorporate network segmentation and strong authentications and disable unnecessary services within these ports.
7Good to Know
In recent years, the need for businesses to download and install mobile apps has reduced due to the wide adaptation of web applications in industries because they are comparatively secure and easily accessible using a web browser.
Compromising the security of web applications can lead to severe consequences for your business. So, use maximum security features like secure coding, firewalls, input validations, and other measures. You can also test the web applications at different stages. The most common testing techniques are SAST and DAST. SAST is a white box testing that requires source code, while DAST is a black box testing that requires web applications in staging.
FAQs about Web Application Security
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