Overview
Users might be able to access data or perform actions they shouldn’t have permission for, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the application. Improper access control occurs when an application fails to enforce permissions correctly, allowing users to access data or perform actions that should be restricted. This vulnerability often arises from misconfigured role-based access controls (RBAC), insecure APIs, or flaws in session management. Attackers may exploit these weaknesses to escalate privileges, access sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions.
Risk factors
Improper access control can arise from these conditions:
- APIs that do not properly check permissions before providing data or access.
- Poorly implemented RBAC models that allow unauthorized users to perform administrative or privileged actions.
- Failure to properly manage sessions, such as allowing users to reuse sessions after privilege changes.
- Not checking whether a user has permission to access specific resources or data.
Consequences
If improper access control is exploited, the following can happen:
- Unauthorized access: Attackers can access sensitive data or functionality meant for specific users or roles.
- Privilege escalation: Attackers can elevate their privileges to perform actions reserved for administrators or other high-privilege users.
- Data theft: Sensitive data, such as personal information, financial details, or intellectual property, can be exposed to unauthorized users.
- Application takeover: Improper access control can allow attackers to gain control over core features or the backend system.
Solutions and best practices
To mitigate the risks associated with improper access control, organizations should implement the following security measures:
- Implement the principle of least privilege: Ensure users have only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks.
- Enforce role-based access control: Implement strong role-based access control, ensuring that users can only access data or features appropriate for their role.
- API security: Secure APIs by verifying that requests are coming from authorized users and that proper permissions are checked before granting access.
- Session management: Implement robust session management, ensuring that sessions expire appropriately, and users are logged out when privileges change.
- Access control testing: Regularly test the application’s access control mechanisms to identify and fix potential vulnerabilities.
- App shielding: App shielding can help secure APIs and ensure that access control mechanisms are more difficult to bypass by attackers.