Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities
Outdated software components pose high security risks. Learn how to prevent known vulnerabilities and implement virtual patching for protection.
Overview
Learn about the risks of failing to update software components and how to prevent using vulnerable components.
Description
Using outdated or vulnerable software components can introduce heavy security risks to your website. In 2019, 56% of all CMS applications were found to be out of date at the point of infection. Updating software on time is crucial to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited by cybercriminals. However, there are challenges that webmasters and developers face when it comes to updating software, such as time constraints, compatibility issues, and lack of expertise. To address this issue, virtual patching is recommended by Sucuri and OWASP. Virtual patching provides protection to outdated or vulnerable websites by preventing the exploitation of known vulnerabilities in real time using firewall and intrusion detection systems.
How to Prevent ?
To avoid using components with known vulnerabilities, you can follow these steps: 1. Remove all unnecessary dependencies. 2. Maintain an inventory of all components used on the client-side and server-side. 3. Stay updated on vulnerabilities in components by monitoring sources like Common Vulnerabilities and Disclosures (CVE) and National Vulnerability Database (NVD). 4. Obtain components only from official sources. 5. Remove components that are no longer actively maintained. 6. Utilize virtual patching with the help of a Website Application Firewall (WAF).
Example Attack Scenarios:
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attack: An attacker exploits a vulnerability in an outdated JavaScript library used by a website. By injecting malicious code through user input fields, the attacker can execute arbitrary scripts on the victims' browsers, leading to data theft or unauthorized actions.
Remote Code Execution (RCE): A web application using an outdated server-side framework is targeted by an attacker. The attacker exploits a known vulnerability to execute malicious code on the server, gaining unauthorized access and potentially taking control of the entire system.