Below is an excerpt from the case study related to this question: 15 “But the rise of the internet also has a dark side, with the growing risk of private citizens, businesses, and governments falling victim to cybercrime.”

Question

A web server provides services that are implemented as web applications through software applications running on the server. Explain five (5) methods cybercriminals can use to attack web server applicationsThe answer explains the five methods and applies to the case study.

Answer 1

There are several methods that cybercriminals can use to attack web server applications, and these can be applicable to the case study mentioned. Here are five such methods:

1. SQL Injection: Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in web applications to inject malicious SQL statements into the application's database. This can allow them to view, modify, or delete sensitive data, potentially compromising the privacy and security of individuals or organizations. Considering the case study's mention of private citizens, businesses, and governments falling victim to cybercrime, SQL injection attacks can be a significant concern.

2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): This method involves injecting malicious scripts into web applications that will be executed by unsuspecting users on their browsers. The scripts can steal sensitive information, such as login credentials or personal data, from users, and can also be used to distribute malware. This is a serious threat to the security of web server applications mentioned in the case study.

3. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS): In a DDoS attack, cybercriminals overwhelm a web server with an excessive amount of requests, rendering it unreachable for legitimate users. This can lead to significant disruptions in services and can be used as a means for cybercriminals to extort money or cause damage to organizations. Considering the risk of governments falling victim to cybercrime mentioned in the case study, DDoS attacks can be a major concern for web server applications servicing critical government infrastructure.

4. Remote File Inclusion (RFI): This method involves exploiting vulnerable web applications to include and execute malicious files from external servers. Cybercriminals can use this technique to gain unauthorized access to the server, execute arbitrary code, or manipulate the application's functionality. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data or the compromise of the entire server's security. It can be highly relevant to the mention of businesses falling victim to cybercrime in the case study.

5. Session Hijacking: Cybercriminals can intercept and steal session cookies or tokens from web applications to impersonate or takeover a user's session. This allows them to gain unauthorized access to users' accounts, perform fraudulent activities, or exploit sensitive information. Considering the risk to private citizens mentioned in the case study, session hijacking can be a significant concern for web server applications that handle personal user accounts and sensitive data.

These five methods represent a range of attacks cybercriminals can employ against web server applications, all of which can pose serious risks to private citizens, businesses, and governments mentioned in the case study. It is crucial for organizations to implement robust security measures, regularly update their software, and educate users to mitigate these threats.