Authorization / Improper Enforcement of Behavioral Workflow

Description

Improper Enforcement of Behavioral Workflow is a type of Authorization vulnerability identified in the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) directory. It occurs when a web or API application does not properly enforce certain behaviors that are required for secure operation. This can allow attackers to bypass the authorization process, granting them access to resources or functions that should be restricted. According to the OWASP Testing Guide, “An example of improper enforcement of behavioral workflow is when a user is able to change the value of an authorization field in a request, allowing them to access resources they should not be able to access.”

Risk

Improper Enforcement of Behavioral Workflow can allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources, which can lead to data theft and fraud. Additionally, attackers could use the vulnerability to gain administrative access to the application, which can lead to further compromise of the system. This vulnerability should be assigned a High risk rating.

Solution

The best way to address Improper Enforcement of Behavioral Workflow is to properly enforce the required behaviors in the code. This can include validating user input, using access control mechanisms to restrict access to sensitive resources, and logging all user actions. Additionally, developers should use static code analysis tools to ensure the application is following secure coding practices.