Identifying “Broken Authentication” is one of the critical tasks in web application penetration testing. Broken Authentication vulnerabilities can allow attackers unauthorized access to accounts, which may lead to impersonation, information theft, and other malicious activities.
Below is a step-by-step guide to help you identify potential Broken Authentication vulnerabilities in web applications:
1. Gather Information:
1.1. Understand the Application:
- Familiarize yourself with the functionality of the web application, focusing on authentication mechanisms.
- Identify all entry points such as login pages, registration forms, password reset features, and multi-factor authentication (if any).
1.2. Tools:
- You can use tools like
Burp SuiteorOWASP ZAPto intercept and analyze web requests.
2. Identify Weak Session Management:
2.1. Session IDs:
- Check if session IDs are easy to guess or predict. Ideally, they should be long and random.
- Intercept a login request using your tool and inspect the session token.
2.2. Session Fixation:
- Before authentication, generate a session and note the session token.
- Authenticate and check if the session token changes. If it remains the same, it might be vulnerable to session fixation attacks.
2.3. Session Timeout:
- Understand how the application handles session timeouts. Idle sessions should expire after a reasonable amount of time.
- Test if sessions remain valid indefinitely, especially after logout.
3. Test Credential Management:
3.1. Username Enumeration:
- When a wrong username or password is input, the error message should be generic, such as “Invalid Credentials.” If the application specifies “Invalid Username” or “Invalid Password,” this can aid attackers in enumeration attacks.
3.2. Account Lockouts:
- Check if the application implements account lockouts after multiple failed login attempts. If not, it could be susceptible to brute-force attacks.
3.3. Password Policies:
- Check if the application enforces strong password policies (e.g., minimum length, complexity requirements).
4. Check for Insecure Password Recovery Mechanisms:
4.1. Knowledge-Based Questions:
- If the application uses security questions for password recovery, ensure that the questions are not easily guessable or searchable.
4.2. Reset Links:
- Ensure that password reset links expire after a short period and are only usable once.
- Check if reset links are sent securely (e.g., over HTTPS) and aren’t easily guessable.
5. Test Multi-Factor Authentication:
5.1. Bypass Mechanisms:
- Attempt to bypass multi-factor authentication using techniques like replaying previously captured tokens.
5.2. Recovery Mechanisms:
- Analyze the mechanism for recovering access when a multi-factor device is lost. Ensure it doesn’t introduce additional vulnerabilities.
6. Test for Weak Storage:
6.1. Data Breach:
- If possible, check the way passwords are stored in the application’s database. They should be hashed and salted, not stored in plaintext.
6.2. Transmission:
- Ensure that credentials are transmitted over secure channels (e.g., HTTPS).
7. Automate with Tools:
- Tools like
OWASP ZAP,Burp Suite, and other web vulnerability scanners can automate some of these checks and might find issues you missed manually.
8. Report Findings:
- For each vulnerability you identify, create a detailed report. This should include a description of the vulnerability, steps to reproduce, potential impact, and recommended mitigation.
Important Considerations:
- Always obtain written permission before conducting penetration tests.
- Only test in controlled environments. Avoid disrupting production systems or real user data.
- Keep up with the latest trends and techniques in web application security to ensure you’re checking for the most recent threats.
This guide provides a basic overview. In real-world scenarios, penetration testers will need to adapt to the specific application and its context.
