OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) is a nonprofit foundation that works to improve software security through open source projects, education, and community.

What is OWASP?

OWASP is a global community focused on improving software security through the development of open source tools, documentation, and educational resources.

OWASP History

Foundation (2001)

  • Founder: Mark Curphey
  • Objective: Improve web application security
  • Focus: Open source projects
  • Community: Global community of volunteers

Growth (2001-2010)

  • Projects: Development of key projects
  • Community: Community expansion
  • Events: Event organization
  • Resources: Educational resource development

Expansion (2010-present)

  • Globalization: Global expansion
  • Projects: New projects and updates
  • Education: Educational programs
  • Certifications: Professional certifications

Main Projects

OWASP Top 10

  • Definition: List of the 10 most critical security risks
  • Version: Regularly updated
  • Application: Web and mobile applications
  • Audience: Developers, architects, managers

OWASP Testing Guide

  • Definition: Complete security testing guide
  • Content: Testing methodologies and techniques
  • Application: Application security testing
  • Audience: Testers, auditors, developers

OWASP Code Review Guide

  • Definition: Secure code review guide
  • Content: Code review techniques
  • Application: Security code review
  • Audience: Developers, code reviewers

OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS)

  • Definition: Security verification standard
  • Content: Security verification criteria
  • Application: Application security verification
  • Audience: Auditors, developers, managers

OWASP Top 10 (2021)

A01: Broken Access Control

  • Description: Broken access controls
  • Impact: Unauthorized access to resources
  • Prevention: Implement adequate access controls
  • Examples: Authentication bypass, privilege escalation

A02: Cryptographic Failures

  • Description: Cryptographic failures
  • Impact: Sensitive data exposure
  • Prevention: Use adequate cryptography
  • Examples: Weak algorithms, weak keys

A03: Injection

  • Description: Code injection
  • Impact: Malicious code execution
  • Prevention: Input validation and sanitization
  • Examples: SQL injection, NoSQL injection

A04: Insecure Design

  • Description: Insecure design
  • Impact: Architectural vulnerabilities
  • Prevention: Secure design from the start
  • Examples: Lack of security controls

A05: Security Misconfiguration

  • Description: Insecure configuration
  • Impact: Sensitive information exposure
  • Prevention: Secure default configuration
  • Examples: Default configurations, error messages

A06: Vulnerable and Outdated Components

  • Description: Vulnerable and outdated components
  • Impact: Exploitation of known vulnerabilities
  • Prevention: Dependency management
  • Examples: Vulnerable libraries, outdated components

A07: Identification and Authentication Failures

  • Description: Identification and authentication failures
  • Impact: Authentication bypass
  • Prevention: Robust authentication
  • Examples: Weak passwords, weak authentication

A08: Software and Data Integrity Failures

  • Description: Software and data integrity failures
  • Impact: Unauthorized modification
  • Prevention: Integrity verification
  • Examples: Digital signatures, checksums

A09: Security Logging and Monitoring Failures

  • Description: Security logging and monitoring failures
  • Impact: Lack of attack visibility
  • Prevention: Adequate logging and monitoring
  • Examples: Insufficient logs, inadequate monitoring

A10: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

  • Description: Server-side request forgery
  • Impact: Access to internal resources
  • Prevention: URL validation
  • Examples: Access to internal services

OWASP Tools

OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)

  • Definition: Attack proxy for security testing
  • Features: Automatic scanning, manual testing
  • Application: Web application security testing
  • License: Open source

OWASP Dependency Check

  • Definition: Dependency verification tool
  • Features: Vulnerability detection in dependencies
  • Application: Dependency management
  • License: Open source

OWASP WebGoat

  • Definition: Vulnerable web application for learning
  • Features: Intentional vulnerabilities
  • Application: Education and training
  • License: Open source

OWASP Juice Shop

  • Definition: Modern vulnerable web application
  • Features: Modern application vulnerabilities
  • Application: Education and training
  • License: Open source

OWASP Methodologies

OWASP SAMM (Software Assurance Maturity Model)

  • Definition: Software assurance maturity model
  • Content: Security practices in lifecycle
  • Application: Security maturity assessment
  • Audience: Managers, architects, developers

OWASP CLASP (Comprehensive Lightweight Application Security Process)

  • Definition: Application security process
  • Content: Secure development process
  • Application: Secure application development
  • Audience: Developers, project managers

OWASP ESAPI (Enterprise Security API)

  • Definition: Enterprise security API
  • Content: Security libraries
  • Application: Secure application development
  • Audience: Developers, architects

Educational Resources

OWASP Education

  • Definition: Security educational resources
  • Content: Courses, tutorials, documentation
  • Application: Security training
  • Audience: Developers, students, professionals

OWASP Conferences

  • Definition: Security conferences
  • Content: Presentations, workshops, networking
  • Application: Education and networking
  • Audience: Security professionals

OWASP Chapters

  • Definition: Local OWASP chapters
  • Content: Local events, meetings
  • Application: Local community
  • Audience: Local professionals

OWASP Certifications

OWASP Certification

  • Definition: OWASP professional certifications
  • Types: Technical and management certifications
  • Application: Knowledge validation
  • Audience: Security professionals

OWASP Training

  • Definition: Training programs
  • Content: Specialized courses
  • Application: Professional training
  • Audience: Developers, auditors, managers

Use Cases

Secure Development

  • Application: Secure application development
  • Tools: OWASP ZAP, Dependency Check
  • Methodologies: SAMM, CLASP
  • Resources: Top 10, Testing Guide

Security Testing

  • Application: Application security testing
  • Tools: OWASP ZAP, WebGoat
  • Methodologies: Testing Guide
  • Resources: Top 10, ASVS

Security Auditing

  • Application: Security audits
  • Tools: OWASP ZAP, Dependency Check
  • Methodologies: ASVS, Testing Guide
  • Resources: Top 10, Code Review Guide

Best Practices

Development

  1. Top 10: Follow OWASP Top 10
  2. Tools: Use OWASP tools
  3. Methodologies: Implement OWASP methodologies
  4. Training: Train the team
  5. Review: Review code regularly

Testing

  1. Automation: Automate security testing
  2. Manual: Perform manual testing
  3. Tools: Use appropriate tools
  4. Methodologies: Follow established methodologies
  5. Documentation: Document results

References

Glossary

  • OWASP: Open Web Application Security Project
  • ZAP: Zed Attack Proxy
  • SAMM: Software Assurance Maturity Model
  • CLASP: Comprehensive Lightweight Application Security Process
  • ESAPI: Enterprise Security API
  • ASVS: Application Security Verification Standard
  • SSRF: Server-Side Request Forgery
  • API: Application Programming Interface
  • CVE: Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures
  • CVSS: Common Vulnerability Scoring System