Here are the top 30 cybersecurity mistakes a PHP developer could make when building a website that talks to a database and has front-end form inputs:
1. Failing to sanitize and validate user input
This is one of the most critical mistakes. Always sanitize and validate user input before processing or storing it in the database [1].
2. Using prepared statements incorrectly
Even when using prepared statements, ensure they are implemented correctly to prevent SQL injection [1].
3. Storing passwords in plain text
Never store passwords in plain text. Always hash passwords before storing them in the database [1].
4. Ignoring HTTPS
Always use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit between the client and server [1].
5. Not keeping software up-to-date
Regularly update PHP, frameworks, and dependencies to patch known vulnerabilities [1].
6. Exposing error messages
Avoid revealing detailed error messages that could aid attackers [1].
7. Using outdated frameworks
Stick to modern, actively maintained frameworks to benefit from built-in security features [2].
8. Neglecting third-party library auditing
Regularly audit third-party libraries for vulnerabilities [2].
9. Allowing directory traversal
Ensure proper configuration prevents directory traversal attacks [3].
10. Failing to implement proper access controls
Implement strong access controls to restrict user actions based on roles and permissions [4].
11. Not using input encoding
Always encode output when displaying user-supplied data to prevent XSS attacks [3].
12. Storing sensitive data in session variables
Use secure methods to store sensitive data, avoiding session variables when possible [1].
13. Disabling important PHP extensions
Keep necessary PHP extensions enabled for security features [1].
14. Not implementing proper authentication mechanisms
Use strong, secure authentication methods, including multi-factor authentication when possible [4].
15. Failing to log security-related events
Implement comprehensive logging for security events [4].
16. Not using Content Security Policy (CSP)
Implement CSP to mitigate various web vulnerabilities [2].
17. Ignoring Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) settings
Configure CORS properly to prevent unauthorized access to resources [2].
18. Not implementing rate limiting
Implement rate limiting to prevent brute-force attacks and DDoS attempts [4].
19. Storing sensitive data in logs
Avoid storing sensitive information in logs or error messages [1].
20. Using weak random number generators
Ensure the system uses cryptographically secure random number generation [4].
21. Not implementing input length limits
Set reasonable limits on input lengths to prevent buffer overflow attacks [3].
22. Failing to validate file uploads
Implement thorough validation for uploaded files, including MIME type checks [2].
23. Not using secure cookie flags
Configure cookies securely, using HttpOnly and Secure flags when appropriate [4].
24. Ignoring X-XSS-Protection header
Enable the X-XSS-Protection header to help mitigate reflected XSS attacks [2].
25. Not implementing proper session management
Use secure session management practices, including session timeouts and secure cookie flags [4].
26. Failing to validate database queries
Always validate and sanitize database query parameters [1].
27. Not using secure communication protocols
Use secure communication protocols like TLS 1.2 or higher for all connections [4].
28. Ignoring XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerabilities
Be aware of XXE vulnerabilities in XML parsing and avoid them [2].
29. Not implementing proper input escaping
Always escape user input when inserting it into databases or displaying it [3].
30. Failing to conduct regular security audits
Perform regular security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities [4].
By addressing these common mistakes, PHP developers can significantly improve the security of their websites and protect against various cyber threats. Remember that security is an ongoing process that requires continuous vigilance and improvement.
Citations:
[1] https://wpwebinfotech.com/blog/php-security/
[2] https://www.recordedfuture.com/threat-intelligence-101/vulnerability-management-threat-hunting/front-end-security
[3] https://www.esecurityplanet.com/endpoint/prevent-web-attacks-using-input-sanitization/
[4] https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
[5] https://www.sans.org/top25-software-errors/
[6] https://spectralops.io/blog/top-7-php-security-issues-and-vulnerabilities/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIO0pmMTJ6Y
[8] https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/top-common-frontend-security-attacks/
[9] https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-secure-your-front-end-data-skills-web-development-rn6kf
[10] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/malicious-input
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