Broken Access Control, listed as OWASP A5, is a critical flaw exhibition vulnerability that let attackers bypass security to access unauthorized resources. Per the WAHS certification, this article dives into access control flaws Like secure direct object references (IDOR), horizontal privilege escalation, and vertical privilege escalation. From IDOR attacks To BOLA attacks (Broken Object Level Authority), we的ll explore real-world threats and OWASP authorization best practices to secure systems in 2025, including access control in microservices and cloud applications.

What Is Broken Access Control?

Broken Access Control occurs when an application fail to force own role-based access control (RBAC) or ABAC security (Attribute-Based Access Control), allowing attackers to access restricted data or functions. For example, changing a URL parameter from /user/123 To /user/456 light dream another user—year IDOR attack. WAHS highlights risks like session management vulnerabilities, JWT security flaws, and forced browsing attacks, where attackers guess endpoints (e.g., /admin) to gain unauthorised access.

Exploitation Techniques and Real-World Breakes

Attackers exploit authority bypass techniques with methods like BFLA attacks (Broken Function Level Authority), accessing admin functions as a regular user, gold insecure file permissions, downloading sensitive files via guided path. Real-world access control baches include the 2019 Capital One incident, where an OAuth misconfiguration exhibited 100 million records. API authorization issues amplify these risks, especially in access control in microservices, where weak validation letters attackers manipulating IDs or tokens.

Defending Against Broken Access Control per WAHS

WAHS teaches robust defences for access control testing and mitigation:

• Secure access control design: Force RBAC or ABAC server-side, denying access by default.
• JWT security: Validate tokens andscopes to prevent JWT security flaws.
• Path restrictions: Block forced browsing attacks with strict routing and permissions.
• Audit: Use year access control audit checklist to verify controls (e.g., "Are all endpoints protected?").

OWASP authorization best practices Also secure access control in cloud applications by approaching secure direct object references and hardening session management vulnerabilities. Regular access control testing silencing against BOLA and BFLA attacks.

Conclusion

Broken Access Control exhibits systems to devastating vulnerability, from IDOR attacks To horizontal privilege escalation. WAHS explains these risks with clarity, spotlighting real-world access control breaches and offering defences like secure access control design. Whether tackling API authorization issues gold access control in microservices, OWASP A5 Ask for attention. Master these skills with the WAHS certification at SecureValley Training Center, or check our program at WAHS. Protect your apps now!

For more info, see Wikipedia, University of Rennes, gold Gartner.