IDOR (Insecure Direct Object References) Vulnerability and Prevention Methods

Security vulnerabilities pose a great threat in today’s digital world. Insecure Direct Object References, one of these vulnerabilities, is a type of vulnerability that is frequently encountered in web applications and can lead to serious consequences. It can cause unauthorised users to access sensitive data or hijack other users’ accounts. Therefore, understanding and preventing IDOR vulnerability is very important to protect data integrity and develop secure web applications.

In this article, we will examine what the IDOR vulnerability is, how it arises, and how it can be exploited in applications. We will also discuss effective protection methods against this vulnerability, which is on the OWASP Top 10 list. We will discuss how IDOR vulnerabilities can be detected during penetration tests and best practices for implementing secure access controls. This information will help developers and security professionals build more secure web applications.

What is IDOR Vulnerability?

IDOR Vulnerability Description

Insecure Direct Object References is a common vulnerability in web applications. This vulnerability allows users to access objects directly without authorisation. It usually causes unauthorised access to sensitive data such as database records, files and profiles. Insecure Direct Object References, which is on the OWASP Top 10 list, was ranked 4th in 2013 and was evaluated in the Broken Access Control category in 2017.

Working Principle of IDOR Vulnerability

Insecure Direct Object References vulnerability occurs due to insufficient authorisation and authentication controls. Attackers can access, modify or delete other users’ data by request modification. For example, they can access other customers’ orders by changing the user ID on an e-commerce site. This vulnerability is especially seen in systems where changes can be made on queries sent by the user.

Effects of IDOR Vulnerability

The consequences of Insecure Direct Object References vulnerability can be quite serious. Attackers can access all information through the accounts they hijack and log in to more authorised accounts. This can lead to identity theft, data leaks and financial losses. In addition, when IDOR vulnerability is combined with other vulnerabilities, it can cause vulnerability chaining and jeopardise the integrity of the system.

IDOR Vulnerability Examples

IDOR in E-commerce Sites

Insecure Direct Object References vulnerability is frequently seen in e-commerce sites. For example, while placing an order, a user can access another customer’s address information by changing the user ID in the URL. This can happen when user-A (ID:14) replaces the user_id parameter in the order with the ID of user-B (ID:18).

IDOR in Banking Applications

Insecure Direct Object References vulnerability in banking applications can lead to serious consequences. For example, in the URL ‘https://testbank.com/dashboard/user?id=1234’, the attacker can gain unauthorised access by replacing his ID (1234) with the victim’s ID (1235). This can lead to the disclosure of the user’s financial information.

IDOR on Social Media Platforms

On social media platforms, the Insecure Direct Object References vulnerability can provide access to users’ private messages or private posts. PortSwigger’s Insecure Direct Object References example demonstrated that other users’ private conversations can be accessed by changing the ID value in chat transcripts. Such vulnerabilities can compromise user privacy.

IDOR Vulnerability Protection Methods

There are various methods that developers should apply to prevent Insecure Direct Object References vulnerabilities. These methods increase the security of applications and protect user data. You can visit our site to learn how to protect yourself from security vulnerabilities and improve yourself in the field of cyber security.

Implement Strong Access Controls

Tightening access controls is a key step in preventing Insecure Direct Object References vulnerabilities. Developers should only allow users to access their own data and resources for which they are authorised. This can be achieved by implementing strict access control checks on each functionality.

Encrypting Object References

It is important to use hashing during data exchange. User token information must be protected by strong encryption techniques. Also, complex numbers can be assigned to objects to make it harder for attackers.

Validating User Entries

All user inputs and parameters must be properly validated. This includes checking all referenced objects. Developers should avoid displaying custom object references and should only create tokens to match the user.

Conclusion

Insecure Direct Object References vulnerability is an important problem that threatens the security of web applications. This vulnerability leads to unauthorised access, jeopardising the security of user data and compromising the integrity of systems. It is of great importance for developers and security experts to be vigilant about this issue, implement strong access controls and correctly validate user inputs.

As a result, a continuous effort is required to protect against Insecure Direct Object References vulnerability. Adopting secure coding practices, conducting regular security tests and being alert to new attack methods play a key role in increasing the security of applications. These measures help protect user data and are effective in preventing cyber attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions About IDOR