A web application vulnerability is a weakness or flaw in a web application that can be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access, steal sensitive data, or perform other malicious actions. Web application vulnerabilities can occur due to various factors, such as poor coding practices, inadequate security measures, and lack of updates or patches.
There are many different types of web application vulnerabilities, including:
- SQL injection: This type of vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a web application’s database through user input fields, such as login forms or search boxes.
- Cross-site scripting (XSS): XSS vulnerabilities allow an attacker to inject malicious code into a web page that is then executed by the victim’s web browser.
- Cross-site request forgery (CSRF): CSRF vulnerabilities allow an attacker to trick a victim into performing an action on a web application, such as transferring money or changing their password, without their knowledge or consent.
- Unvalidated input: This type of vulnerability occurs when a web application does not properly validate user input, allowing an attacker to submit malicious data that is accepted and processed by the application.