Misconfigured Access Controls
TLDR: Misconfigured access controls, a critical vulnerability emphasized in the OWASP Top Ten under “Broken Access Control,” allow unauthorized users to perform actions or access data beyond their intended permissions. Issues such as overly permissive rules, missing role validations, and improper privilege escalation handling create serious security risks. Implementing robust access control mechanisms is essential to maintaining application integrity and data confidentiality.
https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
A common issue with misconfigured access controls is failing to enforce the principle of least privilege. For instance, granting excessive permissions to users or roles increases the attack surface. OWASP advises restricting access to the minimum required for users to perform their tasks and reviewing permissions regularly to remove unnecessary access.
https://owasp.org/www-project-cheat-sheets/cheatsheets/Access_Control_Cheat_Sheet.html
Another frequent misconfiguration is neglecting to validate role-based access control (RBAC) policies on the server side. Relying solely on client-side enforcement, such as hiding buttons or links, can be bypassed by attackers crafting direct requests. OWASP recommends enforcing access controls at every layer, especially on the server.
https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
Overly permissive default configurations in APIs or cloud services are another source of vulnerabilities. Allowing public access to sensitive endpoints or data by default exposes systems to unauthorized access. Securing API endpoints with authentication tokens and enabling role-based restrictions mitigates these risks.
https://owasp.org/www-project-api-security/
Privilege escalation due to improper access control checks is another critical flaw. Attackers can exploit this to gain higher privileges by modifying session tokens or bypassing weak checks. OWASP suggests implementing robust session management and validating user privileges for each sensitive action.
https://owasp.org/www-project-cheat-sheets/cheatsheets/Session_Management_Cheat_Sheet.html
Misconfigured access controls often occur in multi-tenant environments where tenant isolation is improperly enforced. For example, allowing one tenant to access another tenant's data compromises confidentiality. OWASP advises implementing strict tenant-based access controls and testing for isolation regularly.
https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
Access control misconfigurations also arise from failing to log and monitor unauthorized access attempts. Without logs, detecting and responding to access violations becomes difficult. OWASP recommends integrating logs with SIEM solutions to monitor and analyze access patterns effectively.
https://owasp.org/www-project-cheat-sheets/cheatsheets/Logging_Cheat_Sheet.html
Another issue is not revoking access after user roles change or accounts are terminated. Dormant accounts with lingering permissions can be exploited by attackers. OWASP emphasizes implementing processes to revoke access promptly when users no longer require it.
https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
Access controls are often misconfigured in applications that rely on insecure direct object references (IDOR). Exposing database keys or IDs directly in requests allows attackers to manipulate them and access unauthorized data. OWASP recommends validating all object references and using indirect identifiers.
https://owasp.org/www-project-cheat-sheets/cheatsheets/IDOR_Prevention_Cheat_Sheet.html
To address these misconfigurations, organizations should conduct regular access control audits, enforce RBAC policies, and leverage automated tools to detect misconfigured access rules. Following the OWASP Top Ten recommendations ensures robust and secure access control mechanisms across applications.