Websites face numerous attacks daily. A website vulnerability refers to a weakness or misconfiguration in the website or web application code that enables attackers to control the site and, potentially, its hosting server. Most vulnerabilities are exploited using automated methods, such as botnets. Cybercriminals develop specialized tools that scan the internet for specific platforms like WordPress or Joomla, searching for well-known and publicly disclosed vulnerabilities. Once these vulnerabilities are identified, attackers exploit them to steal data, distribute malicious content, or inject defacement and spam into the compromised site.
Common Website Vulnerabilities
Attackers frequently exploit six common types of website vulnerabilities. While this list is not as comprehensive as the OWASP Top 10, it highlights some of the most well-known vulnerabilities found in websites today. Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial for website owners to enhance security and protect sensitive data from potential threats.
SQL Injection Vulnerabilities
SQL injection vulnerabilities arise when user input is passed directly to a website’s database without proper validation. Attackers take advantage of these weaknesses by injecting malicious code, or payloads, into the database, granting them unauthorized access to the website in various ways, including:
- Injecting malicious or spam content into the site
- Stealing sensitive customer information
- Bypassing authentication to gain complete control of the website
Due to its flexibility, SQL injection remains one of the most commonly exploited website vulnerabilities. It often targets open-source content management systems (CMS) like Joomla!, WordPress, and Drupal. SQL injection attacks have been linked to significant breaches, such as the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and a central Grand Theft Auto video game forum, exposing user credentials.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerabilities
Cross-site scripting (XSS) occurs when attackers inject malicious scripts through unsanitized user input or other fields on a website, executing code on the site. Unlike other attacks that target the website or server, XSS specifically targets the website’s visitors. In most cases, attackers inject JavaScript into the site, which executes in the visitor’s browser. Since browsers cannot distinguish between legitimate and malicious scripts, this can lead to harmful actions such as:
- Session hijacking
- Distribution of spam content to unsuspecting visitors
- Theft of session data
Some of the most significant attacks on WordPress have been due to cross-site scripting vulnerabilities (XSS). However, XSS isn’t confined to open-source applications. For instance, an XSS vulnerability in Steam’s system could expose login credentials to attackers.
Command Injection Vulnerabilities
Command injection vulnerabilities enable attackers to remotely execute code on a website’s hosting server. This typically happens when user input, such as header information, is passed to the server without proper validation, allowing attackers to inject shell commands and user data. These attacks are hazardous because they can enable cybercriminals to:
- Take over the entire website
- Gain complete control of the hosting server
- Exploit the compromised server for botnet attacks
One of the most severe and widespread command injection vulnerabilities was the Shellshock vulnerability, which impacted most Linux distributions.
File Inclusion (LFI/RFI) Vulnerabilities
Remote File Inclusion (RFI) attacks exploit functions in server-side web application languages like PHP to execute code from files stored remotely. Attackers host malicious files and exploit improperly validated user input to inject or modify the included function within the victim site’s PHP code. This inclusion can be used to:
- Deliver malicious payloads that inject attack code and phishing pages into visitors’ browsers
- Include malicious shell files on publicly accessible websites
- Gain control of a website’s admin panel or hosting server
Local File Inclusion (LFI), similar to RFI, occurs when user input can modify the whole or absolute path to included files. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access, read, or write sensitive local files, such as configuration files containing database credentials. LFI attacks can also lead to directory traversal, where attackers modify file paths to access backend and server files, exposing sensitive data. If an attacker can include log files previously seeded with malicious code through public interaction, an LFI attack could escalate into an RFI attack.
These vulnerabilities are commonly exploited to execute attacks, including DDoS and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. They have also been used to steal sensitive financial information, as evidenced by the inclusion attack that targeted Starbucks, which compromised customer credit card data.
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) Vulnerabilities
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks are less common but can be highly damaging. CSRF attacks manipulate site users or administrators into unknowingly performing malicious actions on behalf of the attacker. As a result, attackers could potentially:
- Change order values and product prices
- Transfer funds between accounts
- Change user passwords to hijack accounts
These attacks are especially troublesome for ecommerce and banking sites, where attackers can access sensitive financial information. For example, a CSRF attack was used to take complete control of a Brazilian bank’s DNS settings for over five hours.
Security Misconfiguration Vulnerabilities
Security issues occur when security controls and configurations at any website layer—such as the application, web server, network services, platform, framework, or database—are misconfigured. These issues can include:
- Using outdated components (e.g., unused pages, features, or unpatched software)
- Leaving unnecessary admin ports open
- Enabling outbound connections to internet services, directory services, etc.
Common security misconfigurations include broken authentication, improper access control, misconfigured cloud storage permissions, weak encryption settings, and neglecting to turn off unnecessary services or features.
Impact of Website Vulnerabilities
Website vulnerabilities significantly threaten ecommerce businesses, affecting their reputation and financial performance. When exploited, these vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, compromising the integrity of the entire website. Personal data gathered through a user’s browser can also be used to execute malicious scripts, intensifying the cybersecurity risks. Website security is essential, not optional. Failing to address vulnerabilities can result in significant financial losses, legal consequences, and long-term damage to customer trust, making proactive security measures essential for business continuity and growth.
Rise in Data Breaches
In 2023, the global landscape saw a significant rise in cyberattacks and data breaches, with 694 reported breaches and over 612.4 million compromised records worldwide. One of the most notable incidents, the MOVEit violation in May 2023, impacted an estimated 17.5 million individuals by exploiting vulnerabilities in Progress MOVEit software. Affected organizations included well-known institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and the University of Utah.
These breaches highlight the urgent need for robust security measures, particularly in sectors like education and healthcare, which remain prime targets for cybercriminals. As data protection regulations tighten, businesses must prioritize proactive security strategies to safeguard sensitive data and mitigate the risk of costly breaches. Failure to do so can result in legal repercussions, reputational damage, and financial losses.
Identifying and Fixing Website Vulnerabilities
Simple steps can be taken to manage and prevent vulnerabilities, ensuring that hackers cannot gain unauthorized access to your website and sensitive information. You can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation by conducting regular security audits, keeping software and plugins up to date, and implementing strong authentication methods. Employing firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems can further safeguard your site. Educating staff about cybersecurity best practices and monitoring suspicious activity are crucial steps in maintaining a secure online environment.
Keep All Applications Updated
The first crucial step in securing your website is ensuring that all applications and their associated plugins are up-to-date. Vendors regularly release critical security patches, and it is essential to apply these updates promptly. Cybercriminals often monitor open-source application news and use update notices as a guide to identify vulnerabilities. Subscribing to automatic updates and email notifications for critical patches will help you stay one step ahead of attackers.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Web application firewalls (WAFs) serve as the first line of defense against those attempting to exploit vulnerabilities on your website. WAFs filter out malicious traffic before accessing your site, blocking bots, known spam or attack IP addresses, automated scanners, and attack-based user input.
Use a Malware and Website Vulnerability Scanner
Your last line of defense is using a reputable automated malware scanner. It is advisable to choose one that can automatically detect vulnerabilities and remove known malware. You can try our free external website scanner to search for malicious code, ensuring your site remains up-to-date and secure.
More advanced developers may prefer manually reviewing their code and implementing PHP filters to sanitize user input. This includes restricting image uploads to only .jpg or .gif files and allowing form submissions to accept only expected input. However, combining automated and manual security checks provides a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.
Web Application Security is Critical
Understanding the types of vulnerabilities hackers may exploit is a crucial first step in securing your website. These vulnerabilities can have severe consequences, not only for your website and server but also for your customers’ data.
Explore how Site Lock’s website security plans can protect your site and patch vulnerabilities. If your site has already been compromised, learn how we can help restore and secure hacked websites.