Security breaches occur when one or more users find a way to access data and systems they’re not authorized to enter. Most systems include some form of access control, yet it isn’t always effective, leaving data vulnerable to attack. Broken access control vulnerabilities arise when a data system fails to adequately restrict access, posing a significant security threat to sensitive information.
Organizations must be aware of the risks posed by broken access control and take proactive steps to discover and prevent it. Unlike methods that identify vulnerabilities after a breach, a preemptive approach finds and blocks them before they occur, helping you avoid various ramifications, including data theft, compliance violations, and reputational harm. A proactive solution also streamlines the security process, reducing the need for frequent audits and saving valuable resources.
Velotix makes use of existing permission management features to find and fix broken access controls. It discovers a system’s setup, determines how sensitive the data is, and checks user permissions. It then analyzes the information and “connects the dots” to pinpoint where access controls are failing.
Understanding Broken Access Control Vulnerabilities: Risks and Implications
Companies that rely on data security solutions that only identify broken access control vulnerabilities after the fact must constantly play catch-up. They face a greater risk of data breaches, legal challenges, loss of customer trust, and significant financial losses. In some cases, cyber attackers also procure elevated privileges that allow them to carry out additional malicious actions on the breached data.
Examples of broken access controls are:
- Vertical privilege escalation is when a lower-privileged user gains access to data or functions reserved for higher-privileged users. For instance, an unauthorized employee might access a system’s administrative features.
- Unprotected functionality allows unauthorized users to access critical functions, including data management tools.
- Horizontal privilege escalation happens when an unauthorized user accesses another user’s data, personal profile, or confidential documents.
- Insecure direct object references (IDOR) allow attackers to manipulate references used by web applications to bypass authorization and gain direct access to resources like files and databases.
- Missing function-level access controls make it possible for unauthorized users to access features and execute actions such as editing or deleting data, compromising a system’s integrity or confidentiality.
Your organization can prevent these and other access control vulnerabilities, including insecure IDs, by taking a defensive approach that prioritizes routine security audits and robust user authentication protocols.
The Key to Mitigating Access Control Vulnerability
Proactive data security measures should be the foundation of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. Velotix is the only solution to use permission-based access control (PBAC) to prevent privilege escalation, restricting access to areas and resources based on a user’s permissions. It also enables companies to establish processes that preemptively address vulnerabilities, ensuring access control issues are mitigated before they manifest. This forward-looking approach is crucial at a time when digital threats are constantly evolving.
When it comes to broken access control remediation, our AI-driven platform doesn’t just identify vulnerabilities; it also offers comprehensive remedies to prevent them in the future, effectively closing the gap between detection and correction. This take-charge stance is more than a mere security measure—it’s a strategic investment that safeguards your organization’s digital assets while protecting its reputation and fostering sustainable growth. Together with regular updates and patches, keeping abreast of emerging security threats, and educating staff about security best practices, Velotix’s automated solution offers a level of protection unmatched in the data security industry, enabling businesses to significantly reduce the risk of data breaches.
