MISTI Webcast- Beyond OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities

The OWASP Top 10 is a solid starting point, but it omits critical vulnerabilities that remain prevalent and dangerous in modern web applications.

This webinar from Security Compass goes beyond the familiar OWASP list, exploring three impactful vulnerabilities—Race Conditions, HTTP Parameter Pollution (HPP), and Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)—that deserve equal attention in any security assessment strategy.

Why Is the OWASP Top 10 So Widely Used?

The OWASP Top 10 is popular because it’s concise, supported by tools, and often referenced in compliance standards.

Organizations adopt the OWASP Top 10 due to:

  • Simplicity: Only 10 categories make it accessible to development teams.

  • Tool Support: Most SAST/DAST tools report compliance against the Top 10.

  • Regulatory Relevance: Standards like PCI DSS cite the Top 10 as a reference point.

However, this widespread adoption often results in tunnel vision, leading teams to overlook other critical vulnerabilities that can pose equal or greater risk.

Why Look Beyond the OWASP Top 10?

Restricting security efforts to the OWASP Top 10 ignores many real-world vulnerabilities that adversaries actively exploit.

Even the latest OWASP list (e.g., 2017 or 2021) does not include threats like Race Conditions or SSRF. Organizations should treat OWASP as an entry-level checklist, not a complete solution.

What Is a Race Condition?

A race condition is a flaw that occurs when the timing of actions impacts system behavior, often leading to inconsistent or insecure outcomes.

CWE ID Description
362 Concurrent execution of threads leads to unpredictable states

Exploit Example

A bug bounty researcher submitted multiple simultaneous payout requests, exploiting a timing issue. The server processed the transactions before marking the URL as invalid, resulting in multiple unauthorized Bitcoin payments.

How to Test for Race Conditions

  • Identify shared, unsynchronized data

  • Use tools like Race The Web or Burp Suite Intruder

  • Send concurrent requests and observe behavior anomalies

What Is HTTP Parameter Pollution (HPP)?

HPP occurs when multiple parameters with the same name but different values confuse backend logic, often leading to unexpected behavior.

CWE ID Description
235 Conflicting interpretation of input values

Exploit Example

An attacker used a duplicate q= parameters with SQL fragments, crafting a single request that executed a SQL injection by manipulating how the backend parsed the inputs.

How to Test for HPP

  • Append identical parameters with varying values

  • Observe which value the server processes

  • Use Burp Suite to inspect requests across URL, body, and headers

Example Technologies & Behaviors

Platform Behavior with Duplicates
ASP.NET/IIS Includes all parameter values
JSP/Servlets Uses the first occurrence
Python Parses as an array

What Is Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)?

SSRF forces a server to make unauthorized requests, potentially reaching internal systems not accessible externally.

CWE ID Description
918 Server-side requests to internal resources

Exploit Example

A researcher bypassed a filter that accepted image URLs by pointing it to an AWS metadata endpoint disguised as an image. The attacker extracted sensitive data by exploiting the server’s trust in internal addresses.

How to Test for SSRF

  • Change parameters to reference internal IPs (127.0.0.1, 169.254.169.254)

  • Use Burp Collaborator to detect outbound requests

  • Test different ports and protocols to bypass filters

Key Differences Between These Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability Risk Impact Common Vector Test Tools
Race Condition Timing abuse, data corruption Concurrent requests Race The Web, Burp
HTTP Parameter Pollution Misrouted logic, injections Duplicate parameters Burp Suite Intruder
SSRF Internal service exposure URL inputs, open redirects Burp Collaborator

How Security Compass Can Help

Security Compass enables teams to go beyond surface-level compliance with tools, training, and services for secure development.

Solution Area Offering
Threat Modeling SD Elements automates threat analysis and generates requirements
Security Training 28 developer and tester courses, including OWASP Top 10
Vulnerability Assessments Manual + automated testing services via advisory team
DevSecOps Integration Requirements flow directly into the developer’s ALM tools

Final Thought: Make OWASP Your Starting Line, Not Your Finish Line

Effective application security goes beyond checklists—it requires proactive, contextual risk management.

While OWASP Top 10 remains a valuable awareness tool, threats like race conditions, HPP, and SSRF demonstrate that attackers don’t limit themselves to what’s popular. Teams must expand their testing and threat modeling scope to address real-world risks early and effectively.