OWASP API Top 10 Explained: Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) is a critical concern, ranking 7th in both the OWASP API Top 10 Risks and the general Top 10 Risks. This issue is not only crucial for all members of tech teams to understand but is especially relevant for those focused on API Security.
Why is SSRF so significant? SSRF poses a serious threat as it allows attackers to access unauthorized information by manipulating a server to make requests or calls on their behalf. This vulnerability often occurs due to inadequate validation of Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) or URLs. Attackers can exploit this by modifying URIs or URLs to bypass validation, leading to the exposure of sensitive information or granting access to unauthorized areas. When an application fails to validate URIs properly, it not only risks internal data exposure but also poses a threat to external applications it interacts with. The consequences can range from denial-of-service (DoS) attacks to the deployment of ransomware, malware injection, remote code execution, and more.
A real-world example of SSRF's impact is the 2023 attack on Rackspace by a group known as "Play Ransomware." By exploiting an SSRF-based Zero-Day vulnerability in Microsoft, they blocked all email access, resulting in significant financial losses estimated at $10 million and counting for Rackspace.
Regularly auditing and validating your URLs, HTTP redirects, and other elements are vital, along with keeping your AppSec practices up to date. To mitigate the risk of vulnerable and easily manipulated SSRFs, it is crucial to rely on trusted modernized security solutions. Our expertise can help ensure your security posture remains strong, both internally and externally.
In summary, SSRF represents a severe threat to API security and overall system security. It is essential to maintain a robust security posture internally and externally whilst leveraging expert solutions from vendors or professionals in API Security.
This is the 7th blog post in a 10-part series on the OWASP API Security Top 10.
Below are links to the prior posts:
领英推荐
API2: Broken Authentication
API5: BFLA
Good job articulating a foreign and complex concept to non-IT personnel. Fact of the matter is, we should be more educated on cyber security at the individual level. Far too often it is assumed we know best practices and the basic do’s & don’ts. Best way I’ve found to accomplish this is through translation tailored to all necessary audiences. Well done ????
Under Construction
11 个月Always the best insight. I support this.