Group01_OWASP

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Group01_OWASP

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phucnguyenmaihuuuit

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What is A07: Identification And Authentication Failures?

- A07: Identification And Authentication Failures refers to vulnerabilities related to user

identification and authentication processes. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to bypass or
circumvent authentication mechanisms or steal user credentials.

- Some examples of identification and authentication failures include weak passwords or

password policies, lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA), session hijacking attacks, brute
force attacks on login pages or APIs that do not have rate limiting controls in place.

- These types of vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or

systems by attackers who impersonate legitimate users with stolen credentials or exploit
weaknesses in the system’s design.

Why Does It Matter?

Identification and authentication failures are significant because they can lead directly to data
breaches that result in financial losses for businesses as well as reputational damage. Attackers
can use stolen credentials to access sensitive data, steal intellectual property, or launch attacks on
other systems.

Moreover, identification and authentication failures can also lead to regulatory compliance
issues. Many industries have strict regulations around data privacy and security, such as HIPAA
for healthcare or PCI DSS for payment card industry. Failure to comply with these regulations
can result in hefty fines and legal consequences.

Scenario #3: Application session timeouts aren't set correctly. A user uses a public
computer to access an application. Instead of selecting "logout," the user simply closes the
browser tab and walks away. An attacker uses the same browser an hour later, and the user
is still authenticated.

- Application Session Timeouts: Session timeouts are a security mechanism implemented by web
applications to automatically log out users after a period of inactivity. This is crucial to ensure
that if a user leaves their session unattended, it will eventually expire, reducing the risk of
unauthorized access.
- User Behavior: In this scenario, a user accesses an application on a public computer. Instead of
properly logging out by selecting the "logout" option within the application, the user simply
closes the browser tab and walks away. This action leaves the user's session active but
unattended.

- Attacker Access: An hour later, an attacker gains access to the same public computer and opens
the browser. Since the user did not log out properly and the session timeout settings are not
configured correctly, the attacker finds that the user is still authenticated and can access the
application without needing to provide any login credentials.

- Security Implications: This scenario highlights a significant security vulnerability known as

"session fixation." Session fixation occurs when an attacker can hijack a valid session by tricking
the user into using a predetermined session identifier. In this case, the attacker doesn't even need
to trick the user since the session is still active on the public computer.

- Mitigation: To mitigate this issue, it's essential to implement proper session timeout settings
within the application. Session timeouts should be configured to automatically expire after a
reasonable period of inactivity, ensuring that even if a user forgets to log out or closes the
browser, their session will eventually be terminated. Additionally, it's crucial to educate users
about the importance of logging out properly, especially when using public or shared computers.

How Can Prevent A07: Identification And Authentication Failures? (Sc

- Implement Proper Session Timeout: Configure the application to have a reasonable session
timeout period. This timeout should be set to automatically log users out after a period of
inactivity. Common values for session timeouts range from a few minutes to several hours,
depending on the application's security requirements.

- Implement Session Invalidation on Browser Close: Enhance the session management

mechanism to invalidate the session as soon as the user closes the browser tab or window. This
ensures that the session is terminated immediately upon browser closure, regardless of whether
the user explicitly logs out.

- Use Persistent Cookies Wisely: Be cautious when using persistent cookies, which remain on the
user's device even after the browser is closed. Instead, prefer using session cookies that are only
valid for the duration of the user's browsing session. If persistent cookies are necessary for
certain functionalities, ensure that they are encrypted and have a limited expiration time.
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require users to provide additional verification
factors, such as a one-time password (OTP) sent to their registered email or mobile device, when
accessing the application from an unrecognized device or after a certain period of inactivity.
MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized
access to user accounts.

- Educate Users: Provide clear instructions to users on the importance of logging out properly,
especially when using shared or public computers. Encourage users to actively log out from their
accounts instead of simply closing the browser tab or window.

- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests to identify and
address any vulnerabilities in the application's session management and authentication
mechanisms. This ensures that the application remains resilient to emerging threats and security
risks.