Broken access control is like thinking your house is secure because the door’s locked, but the lock’s broken, and anyone can walk in. Its one of the most common and underestimated vulnerabilities in cyber security. It goes unnoticed so many times, until someone with bad intentions slips through the cracks.
What is Broken Access Control?
Imagine you want to go clubbing, you’re underage and have a fake ID (the ID is obviously fake), you wait in the queue, the bouncer isn’t checking ID’s correctly, he glances at your ID and lets you in. That’s essentially what broken access control is – users gaining unauthorised access to restricted areas because the system hasn’t enforced its security measures correctly.
In cyber space, this happens when a system has failed to enforce the necessary security measures to check who can do what. This can lead to standard users having access to sensitive areas performing actions that should be out of their reach. Like a standard till operator serving in a shop, having access to the finance’s records of the business.
How Does This Affect Me?
Broken access control can open the floodgates to a wave of security disasters. It’s not just about seeing restricted data, it can allow unauthorised access to modify settings, access sensitive files, or even escalate their privileges to take full control of a system.
Attackers often exploit this vulnerability quietly. They start with minor access and slowly work their way up, potentially causing chaos before anyone notices. By the time you realise something is wrong, the damage is done.
Common Causes
This vulnerability usually arises when some of the following occur:
- Missing or Incorrect Permissions: The systems don’t properly verify who’s allowed to perform certain actions.
- Manipulation of URLs or Paths: Attackers modify the URL or file path to access restricted areas. Particularly dangerous if website controls are accessible.
- Privilege Escalation: Users gain higher access right than they should – like a regular employee accidently given access to admin privileges.
Prevention
While broken access is common, there are effective ways to mitigate it:
- Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assign roles to users based on what they need to do, ensuring they can’t access anything more then they need to.
- Follow the Principle of Least Privilege: Users should only have the minimal permissions required to complete their tasks. No one gets more access than they absolutely need.
- Audit and Monitor Access: Perform regular tests of your systems to assess the access controls within your system. Start with security: Design access controls from the start of the building process. Patching security after the system is built can be far more complicated and less effective.
Broken Access Control is a vulnerability that can lead to serious consequences if left unchecked. Its very common and easy for attackers to find these vulnerabilities, especially in systems that don’t enforce strict security measures. The key is to design systems that only allow users the access they need. With the right approach, you can keep those doors firmly locked and prevent unwanted visitors from sneaking in.