One of the not-so-secret secrets of penetration testing is that it is often a numbers game. Password spray enough users, and you will find a weak password. Fuzz enough parameters, and a bug will fall out. The secret sauce lies in the tactics attackers use to organize those opportunities for attack. On the Sprocket service delivery team, we embrace the privilege of engaging with our clients through a continuous mindset.

Here are the top five web application-specific attack scenarios we encounter when scanning customer attack surfaces:

  1. Leaked or Reused Secrets
  2. Insecure GraphQL Endpoints
  3. Exposed API Configurations
  4. Administrative Panels
  5. WordPress Vulnerabilities

1. Leaked or Reused Secrets

Modern development processes are complicated. They involve many teams, complex deployment processes, and differing technology stacks. We often find secrets left in the open, from CI/CD pipelines to inadvertent staging servers and API keys in Javascript files. This issue becomes critical when these secrets are reused in production or provide access to sensitive resources.

During one of our recent engagements, our team found a staging server that was inadvertently configured with a set of testing credentials. Initially, these credentials were believed to be of low impact. However, further investigation revealed that the same credentials were also valid in the organization's production environment. This oversight provided us with access to a significant amount of sensitive data.

In this case, the reuse of testing credentials in a live production setting, an often-overlooked security lapse, opened the door to a substantial repository of valuable information. It was a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with credential management and the importance of strict segregation of development and production environments.

2. Insecure GraphQL Endpoints

GraphQL is a query language and runtime for APIs that allow clients to request exactly the data they need. It provides a more flexible and efficient alternative to the traditional REST API, enabling complex queries to be executed in a single request. However, it can be easily misconfigured, leaving attackers the opportunity for unauthorized access to data. During our security evaluations, it's relatively common to encounter tightly secured production web applications with GraphQL endpoints that seem bulletproof. Yet, through detailed attack surface reconnaissance, we often uncover staging servers that replicate the GraphQL schema mappings used in the production environment.

Usually, these staging servers are not as well defended and might have introspection enabled or contain customer data. By exploiting these less secure staging environments, we can reverse-engineer the GraphQL schema, which lays bare the architecture and potential vulnerabilities of the production application's endpoint. This process equips us with a detailed map and a tactical edge, allowing us to extract information from the production application that would have remained hidden without the intelligence gathered from the staging server. This is a poignant reminder of the importance of uniform security measures across all operational environments to prevent accidental data exposure.

3. Exposed API Configurations

Swagger (now known as OpenAPI) and WSDL (Web Services Description Language) specifications serve as invaluable resources for security testing, offering a treasure trove of information for security professionals. These specifications provide a comprehensive programmatic map of how to interact with an API endpoint, detailing available operations, parameters, and expected responses. For a security tester, this is akin to having a detailed building blueprint before planning a physical penetration test.

Armed with this knowledge, a tester can efficiently orchestrate a wide array of targeted attacks, diving straight into the heart of the API's vulnerabilities. With a clear understanding of the API's structure, testers can perform role-based access control (RBAC) testing to ascertain whether the API properly enforces permissions and restricts operations based on user roles. Moreover, having the API endpoints and parameters laid out, testers can conduct extensive fuzzing. This technique involves sending malformed or unexpected data to the API to detect coding errors and security loopholes.

The existence of a publicly accessible Swagger or WSDL specification, mainly if it's meant to be internal or obsolete, can significantly expedite the testing and exploitation process. While these documents are created to streamline development and integration work, they can just as easily be utilized by an attacker or tester to uncover and exploit API weaknesses. Hence, the accidental exposure of a Swagger documentation endpoint can inadvertently facilitate many attacks, serving as a starting point for security breaches if left unchecked and secured.

4. Administrative Panels

Neglected administrative panels are a significant security liability, particularly vulnerable to unauthorized access due to their broad control over systems and data. These forgotten interfaces often miss critical updates and may not be equipped to counteract current threats, making them soft targets for attackers. A breach here can lead to severe consequences, including data leaks, system takeovers, and even full-scale operational disruption.

These risks are compounded when administrative panels become part of Shadow IT, set up outside formal IT oversight, and are abandoned. Without regular security audits or adherence to standard protocols, these panels exist as hidden points of failure within the organization’s network. They can inadvertently provide attackers with unguarded pathways to infiltrate and compromise corporate systems.

It’s crucial for organizations to maintain an updated inventory of all IT assets and to conduct routine security assessments. Regular monitoring and maintenance, coupled with stringent authentication practices, can shield against the exploitation of these overlooked panels. If an administrative panel is no longer required, it should be safely decommissioned to close any potential entry points for cyber threats.

5. WordPress Vulnerabilities

While WordPress Vulnerabilities might not be the most exciting attack method, it occurs frequently enough to warrant its inclusion on the list. WordPress vulnerabilities are prevalent due to its widespread usage, the presence of numerous third-party plugins and themes with varying levels of security, and its open-source nature, which makes it easier to study for potential weaknesses. Inconsistent updates and improper configurations by users also contribute to many vulnerabilities. Attackers know this and take advantage of it.

On our service delivery team, we take a proactive stance by marking each WordPress server for thorough testing, acknowledging its potential as a vector for infiltration. The reality of our findings is often stark: many instances of remote code execution and lateral movement stem from a single overlooked WordPress server. These servers, if not regularly maintained and secured, can inadvertently become the linchpin in a company's cyber defenses, leading to significant breaches and data loss.

In Review

In the fast-paced and constantly evolving world of cyber security, understanding and managing an attack surface is critical. The cases highlighted above demonstrate the variety of ways vulnerabilities can arise, often from overlooked or underestimated sources. The importance of diligent, ongoing security practices cannot be overstressed.

Key takeaways include the need for thorough and continuous monitoring of all IT assets, strict segregation between development and production environments, and uniform security measures across all operational environments. Additionally, understanding the architecture and potential vulnerabilities of APIs, regular updates, and proper configurations for widely used platforms like WordPress and the careful management of administrative panels are essential in mitigating risks.

The Sprocket service delivery team's approach, focusing on continuous discovery and adaptation to changes in our clients' attack surface, underscores the dynamic nature of cybersecurity. It's a reminder that security is not a one-time setup but an ongoing process requiring vigilance and adaptation to new threats.

As organizations increasingly rely on complex digital infrastructures, the role of skilled security teams becomes more crucial. By staying ahead of emerging threats through proactive reconnaissance and testing, teams like ours play a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of digital assets.