Report Penetration Test: Examples of Impact Findings (en)
Potential Impact
Each vulnerability found in the system can have a significant impact if exploited by an unauthorized party. Here are some possible impact scenarios for some types of vulnerabilities identified during testing.
SQL Injection
A SQL Injection vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL commands into a vulnerable web application. The impact of exploiting this vulnerability can be very serious, including: * Sensitive Data Acquisition: An attacker could gain access to a database containing personal information, user credentials, or sensitive corporate data. In the worst-case scenario, the entire database could be exfiltrated.
- Data Manipulation: An attacker could change, delete, or add data to the database, which could compromise the integrity of the system or lead to a leak of false information.
- Application Takeover: With full access to the database, an attacker may be able to take over the entire web application and execute malicious code on the server.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to inject malicious script into a website that a user trusts. The potential impacts of an XSS exploit include: * User Credential Theft: An attacker could steal a user's session cookies or credentials, allowing them to hijack a user's session and access an unauthorized account.
- Malware Distribution: An attacker could use XSS to distribute malware to a user's device via a compromised website.
- Deface Website: An attacker could change the appearance of a website and damage an organization's reputation.
Authentication Bypass
An Authentication Bypass vulnerability could allow an attacker to bypass the authentication process and gain unauthorized access to a system or application. Impacts can include: * Unauthorized Access to System: An attacker can gain access to user accounts, including administrator accounts, which can result in high risk of data theft, system configuration changes, or denial of service.
- User Privacy Compromised: Personal information stored on the system becomes vulnerable to theft or misuse.
- Advanced Exploitation: With unauthenticated access, an attacker can launch further attacks such as privilege escalation and malware distribution on the network.
Weak Password Policy
A system with a weak password policy is vulnerable to brute force or dictionary attacks. Impacts include: * Account Takeover: With an easily guessed password, an attacker can take over a user or administrator account.
- Service Compromise: After gaining access, an attacker can disable services, corrupt data, or launch further attacks on the organization's network.
Insecure API
An insecure API can open the way to a variety of attacks, including data leakage and privilege escalation. The potential impacts of these vulnerabilities include: * Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Data: An inadequately protected API could leak personal user data or internal application data.
- Resource Exploitation: An attacker could use the API to exploit server resources, causing unreasonable workloads and resulting in operational losses.
The purpose of this "Impact" section is to provide organizations or stakeholders with an overview of the risks and consequences that may arise if a discovered vulnerability is not successfully remediated.