- Injection Attacks
- Broken Authentication and Access Control
- Data Breaches
- Malware and Ransomware Attacks
- Insider Threats
- Weak Cryptography
- Insecure Data Handling
- Inadequate Third-Party Security
- Cyber Asset Inventory and Data Management
- Non-Compliance with Data Protection Regulations
Explanation: Injection attacks occur when attackers exploit vulnerabilities in an application's input handling mechanisms to inject malicious code or commands. This can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, or even complete system compromise.
Example: SQL Injection is a common type of injection attack where an attacker inserts malicious SQL code into a web application's input fields. This code can manipulate the database and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
- CWE-89: SQL Injection
- CWE-77: Command Injection
- CWE-78: OS Command Injection
- CWE-79: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- CWE-116: Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output
- Use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL Injection.
- Implement input validation and sanitize user inputs to block malicious code injection.
- Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block injection attacks.
Explanation: Weak authentication mechanisms and inadequate access controls can allow unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive data or perform actions beyond their authorized privileges.
Example: Weak passwords, insecure session management, or improper user role assignments can lead to unauthorized users accessing sensitive data or performing administrative actions.
- CWE-287: Improper Authentication
- CWE-285: Improper Authorization
- CWE-798: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
- Enforce strong password policies, including password complexity requirements and regular password updates.
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
- Apply the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only have access to the resources they need.
Explanation: Data breaches involve unauthorized disclosure or theft of sensitive data, compromising its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Breaches can result from various vulnerabilities, such as insecure applications, misconfigured systems, or social engineering attacks.
Example: A cybercriminal exploits a vulnerability in a company's web application, gaining access to a database containing customer personal information, including names, addresses, and credit card details.
- CWE-200: Information Exposure
- CWE-201: Information Exposure Through Sent Data
- CWE-311: Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data
- Regularly patch and update software and systems to address vulnerabilities.
- Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to detect and block unauthorized access attempts.
- Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorized access.
Explanation: Malware, including viruses, worms, and ransomware, can infect systems and compromise data integrity, availability, and confidentiality. Malicious software can be delivered through various attack vectors, such as email attachments, malicious websites, or infected software.
Example: A user unknowingly downloads and opens an email attachment infected with ransomware, which encrypts the user's files and demands a ransom for their release.
- CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code
- CWE-120: Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input
- CWE-506: Embedded Malicious Code
- Implement robust antivirus and antimalware solutions and keep them up to date.
- Regularly educate employees about safe browsing habits and the dangers of opening suspicious attachments or visiting untrusted websites.
- Maintain up-to-date backups of critical data to mitigate the impact of ransomware attacks.
Explanation: Insider threats involve authorized individuals, such as employees or contractors, intentionally or unintentionally misusing or exposing sensitive data. This can include data theft, unauthorized access, or accidental data leakage.
Example: An employee with access to customer data sells that information to a competitor or accidentally sends sensitive files to the wrong recipient.
- CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
- CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
- Implement robust access controls, ensuring that employees only have access to data and systems required for their job functions.
- Monitor and log user activities to detect suspicious behavior or data exfiltration.
- Conduct regular security awareness training to educate employees about security policies and the risks associated with unauthorized data handling.
Explanation: Weak encryption practices, such as using weak algorithms or improper key management, can render data susceptible to unauthorized access, tampering, or decryption.
Example: Storing passwords in a database using a weak encryption algorithm or using default encryption keys that are easily guessable.
- CWE-327: Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
- CWE-326: Inadequate Encryption Strength
- CWE-323: Reusing a Nonce, Key Pair in Encryption
- Use strong and up-to-date encryption algorithms and protocols.
- Implement proper key management practices, including secure storage, rotation, and distribution of encryption keys.
- Regularly review and update encryption mechanisms to align with industry best practices.
Explanation: Improper storage, transmission, or disposal of sensitive data can lead to inadvertent exposure or loss, compromising data confidentiality and integrity.
Example: Storing sensitive customer information in plain text or transmitting it over unsecured networks without encryption.
- CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information
- CWE-315: Cross-Site Scripting
- CWE-359: Exposure of Private Personal Information
- Implement strong access controls and encryption mechanisms to protect data at rest and in transit.
- Regularly assess and update data handling procedures to comply with industry standards and regulations.
- Implement secure data disposal practices, including the secure deletion or destruction of data when it is no longer needed.
Explanation: Insufficient security measures by third-party vendors or integrations can create vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to data.
Example: A company integrates a third-party software component with known security vulnerabilities, allowing attackers to exploit those vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to the company's data.
- CWE-829: Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
- CWE-807: Reliance on Untrusted Inputs in a Security Decision
- Conduct thorough security assessments of third-party vendors before engaging in business partnerships.
- Implement a vendor risk management program to assess and monitor third-party security practices.
- Regularly review and update contracts and agreements to include security requirements and expectations.
Explanation: Incomplete or inaccurate inventory of digital assets and inadequate data management practices can result in difficulties in protecting and securing data effectively.
Example: A company fails to maintain an up-to-date inventory of its hardware, software, and data assets, leading to unknown or unmanaged systems that can be targeted by attackers.
- CWE-200: Information Exposure
- CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
- Conduct regular asset discovery and inventory management to identify and catalog all digital assets.
- Implement a data classification framework to categorize data based on its sensitivity and apply appropriate security controls accordingly.
- Establish data management policies and procedures, including data retention, access controls, and secure disposal practices.
Explanation: Non-compliance with data protection regulations refers to the failure of organizations to meet the requirements outlined by applicable laws, industry standards, and regulatory frameworks regarding the protection, processing, and storage of sensitive data. This can result in legal penalties, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust.
Example: A company collects and stores personal information of its customers but fails to comply with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, such as obtaining proper consent, providing data subject rights, or implementing necessary security measures.
- CWE-259: Use of Hard-coded Password
- CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information
- CWE-359: Exposure of Private Personal Information
- Understand the relevant data protection regulations and standards applicable to your organization's operations and the data you handle.
- Conduct a thorough assessment of your data processing activities to identify inventory any gaps in compliance.
- Develop and implement robust data protection policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
- Regularly review and update data protection practices as regulations evolve and new requirements arise.
- Provide training and awareness programs to employees to ensure they understand their responsibilities and the importance of compliance.
- Conduct periodic audits and assessments to monitor compliance and identify areas for improvement.
- Engage legal counsel or data protection experts to ensure alignment with legal requirements and best practices.
- Maintain proper documentation and records to demonstrate compliance efforts.