OWASP stands for the Open Web Application Security Project. It’s a global group of experts who share the most common and dangerous security problems found in websites and apps. Think of it like a safety manual that tells developers what to watch out for.
OWASP’s most famous list is the Top 10—a list of the ten biggest security risks for web applications.
Let’s understand them with simple real-life examples and see how we can protect our Ruby on Rails application.
The OWASP Top 10
1. Broken Access Control
Problem: Users can access things they shouldn’t.
Example: Imagine you're a regular user but can access admin pages just by typing /admin in the browser.
Rails Tip:
Use gems like Pundit or CanCanCan to control what each user can or cannot do
2. Cryptographic Failures
Problem: Sensitive data is not protected.
Example: User passwords or credit card numbers are stored in plain text.
Rails Tip:
Always encrypt sensitive data. Rails already hashes passwords with has_secure_password.
3. Injection (like SQL Injection)
Problem: Hackers trick the app into running dangerous commands.
Example: A login form lets hackers enter something like ' OR 1=1 -- to break into accounts.
Rails Tip:
Use parameterised queries, which Rails does automatically.
4. Insecure Design
Problem: The app was never designed to be secure.
Example: A payment page with no confirmation step or validation.
Rails Tip:
Think about security from the beginning. Ask: "What could go wrong?" Add validations, checks, and confirmation steps.
5. Security Misconfiguration
Problem: Leaving default passwords, open ports, or debug info on production.
Example: A test page still available online showing system info.
Rails Tip:
Turn off debug mode in production and use tools like Brakeman to scan for issues.
6. Vulnerable and Outdated Components
Problem: Using old or unsafe versions of software.
Example: Your app uses a 5-year-old gem with known bugs.
Rails Tip:
Keep your gems and Rails version up to date. Use bundle outdated to check.
7. Identification and Authentication Failures
Problem: Weak login systems.
Example: No account lock after 10 wrong password tries.
Rails Tip:
Use gems like Devise with settings for lockout, strong passwords, and multi-factor login.
8. Software and Data Integrity Failures
Problem: Letting unknown or unverified updates run.
Example: Your app loads a script from the internet without checking if it’s safe.
Rails Tip:
Avoid remote code unless it's trusted. Use Sub-resource Integrity (SRI) in JavaScript includes.
9. Security Logging and Monitoring Failures
Problem: Not knowing when an attack happens.
Example: A hacker keeps trying passwords and you never know.
Rails Tip:
Log all important actions and monitor them with tools like Lograge, Sentry, or Rollbar.
10. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Problem: App is tricked into fetching unsafe URLs.
Example: A hacker tricks your app into calling internal services like http://localhost/admin.
Rails Tip:
Never let users provide full URLs unless needed, and always validate inputs.
Tips to Secure Your Rails App
- Use HTTPS (SSL) everywhere.
- Run automated security scans with tools like Brakeman.
- Use a Content Security Policy (CSP) to prevent malicious scripts.
- Validate every input from the user.
- Store API keys and passwords in environment variables, not in your code.
Published :