Broken Access Control and Remediation

What is Broken Access Control?

Broken Access Control is a security vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to access restricted resources or perform unauthorized actions within a web application. It occurs when access controls are not properly implemented or enforced, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality.

Example of Broken Access Control

Consider a web application that manages user profiles:

• User A should only be able to view and edit their own profile.
• User B, however, is able to access User A's profile by modifying the URL directly.

This lack of proper access controls allows User B to view or modify User A's profile, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Remediation

To mitigate Broken Access Control vulnerabilities, web developers should:

• Implement proper access controls: Ensure that access controls are properly defined and enforced throughout the application.
• Use role-based access control (RBAC): Assign specific roles and permissions to users based on their roles and responsibilities.
• Implement least privilege principle: Only grant users the minimum level of access required to perform their tasks.
• Regularly audit and review access controls: Continuously monitor and review access controls to identify and address any misconfigurations or vulnerabilities.