Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
SSRF vulnerability can allow hackers to manipulate server requests for unauthorized access. Learn prevention methods and common attack scenarios.
Overview
SSRF is one of the OWASP Top Ten risks added based on community survey. It occurs when hackers manipulate servers to make requests controlled by them.
Description
Most web apps today rely on external resources accessed through URLs. SSRF vulnerabilities arise when web applications fail to validate user-supplied URLs, potentially granting unauthorized access to internal services or resources by bypassing access controls.
How to Prevent ?
To prevent SSRF attacks, the defense-in-depth approach is crucial. Implement multiple controls at the application and network layers. Validate and sanitize client-supplied input data to mitigate SSRF risks. Additionally, network segmentation can be beneficial in thwarting such attacks.
Example Attack Scenarios:
Data Exfiltration: In this scenario, an attacker exploits an SSRF vulnerability to send sensitive internal data to an external server controlled by them. This can include sensitive customer data, internal documents, or even credentials.
Internal Network Scanning: In this attack scenario, an attacker leverages SSRF to scan internal network resources or services that should not be accessible from the internet. This information can be later used to plan further attacks or exploit other vulnerabilities within the network.