OWASP Top 10 overview in Cybersecurity - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

📋 Factual

intermediate

What is the primary purpose of the OWASP Top 10?

Choose the best description of the main goal of the OWASP Top 10 list.

A To provide a detailed guide on how to build web applications from scratch.

B To rank the top ten programming languages used in cybersecurity.

C To list the ten most common and critical web application security risks to help developers and organizations improve security.

D To list the top ten companies that provide cybersecurity services.

💡 Hint

Think about what a security risk list aims to do for developers and organizations.

The OWASP Top 10 is a list that highlights the most critical security risks for web applications. It helps developers and organizations focus on fixing the most important vulnerabilities.

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Which of the following is NOT part of the OWASP Top 10 2021 list?

Select the option that is not included in the OWASP Top 10 security risks for 2021.

A Phishing Attacks

B Injection

C Broken Access Control

D Cryptographic Failures

💡 Hint

Consider which option is more about social engineering than a technical web application vulnerability.

Phishing attacks are social engineering attacks and are not listed in the OWASP Top 10, which focuses on technical web application security risks.

🔍 Analysis

advanced

What is the main risk caused by 'Broken Access Control' in web applications?

Analyze the impact of Broken Access Control and select the best description of its risk.

A Attackers can inject malicious code into the database causing data loss.

B Attackers can access data or functions they should not be allowed to, leading to unauthorized actions.

C Attackers can intercept data in transit between client and server.

D Attackers can cause the application to crash by sending malformed requests.

💡 Hint

Think about what 'access control' means in terms of permissions and user rights.

Broken Access Control means users can do things they are not supposed to, like viewing or changing data without permission.

❓ Comparison

advanced

How does 'Injection' differ from 'Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)' in the OWASP Top 10?

Compare Injection and Cross-Site Scripting and select the option that best explains their difference.

A Injection attacks target backend databases by inserting malicious commands, while XSS attacks inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users.

B Injection attacks only affect mobile apps, while XSS only affects desktop browsers.

C Injection attacks are caused by weak passwords, while XSS is caused by outdated software.

D Injection attacks encrypt data, while XSS attacks delete data.

💡 Hint

Consider where the malicious code is executed in each attack type.

Injection attacks send harmful commands to the backend database or system, while XSS injects scripts that run in the user's browser.

❓ Reasoning

expert

Why is 'Security Misconfiguration' considered a critical risk in the OWASP Top 10?

Reason why incorrect or incomplete security settings can lead to serious vulnerabilities in web applications.

A Because it prevents users from logging in to the application.

B Because it causes the application to run slower and use more memory.

C Because it encrypts all data making it inaccessible to users.

D Because it can leave default passwords, unnecessary features, or open cloud storage exposed, allowing attackers easy access.

💡 Hint

Think about what happens if security settings are left at default or not properly set.

Security Misconfiguration means the app or server is not set up securely, which can expose sensitive data or allow attackers to take control easily.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the OWASP Top 10 list?

easy

A. To highlight the most common web security risks

B. To provide a list of programming languages

C. To rank the fastest web browsers

D. To list popular web development frameworks

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the OWASP Top 10 focus

   The OWASP Top 10 is a list created to identify the most frequent and critical security risks in web applications.

2. Step 2: Compare options with OWASP purpose

   Only To highlight the most common web security risks correctly states that it highlights common web security risks, while others are unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   To highlight the most common web security risks -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   OWASP Top 10 = Common web security risks [OK]

Hint: OWASP Top 10 = top web security risks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing OWASP with programming tools
• Thinking it ranks browsers or frameworks
• Assuming it lists coding languages

2. Which of the following is a correct example of an OWASP Top 10 risk category?

easy

A. User Interface Design

B. Cloud Storage Optimization

C. Data Backup Scheduling

D. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify OWASP risk categories

   OWASP Top 10 includes risks like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Injection flaws, and Broken Authentication.

2. Step 2: Match options to known OWASP risks

   Only Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) matches a known OWASP risk category; others relate to unrelated IT topics.

3. Final Answer:

   Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   XSS is an OWASP risk category [OK]

Hint: Look for known security risk names like XSS [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing unrelated IT terms
• Confusing design or backup topics with security risks
• Not recognizing common OWASP terms

3. Consider this simplified list of OWASP Top 10 risks: Injection, Broken Authentication, Sensitive Data Exposure, XML External Entities (XXE). Which risk is NOT included in this list?

medium

A. Broken Authentication

B. Injection

C. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

D. Sensitive Data Exposure

Solution

1. Step 1: Review the given list of risks

   The list includes Injection, Broken Authentication, Sensitive Data Exposure, and XXE.

2. Step 2: Identify which option is missing

   Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a common OWASP risk but is not in the provided list.

3. Final Answer:

   Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   XSS missing from list = Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) [OK]

Hint: Check which known risk is absent from the list [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming all common risks are listed
• Confusing similar risk names
• Overlooking the missing item

4. A developer wrote this statement: "SQL Injection is not part of the OWASP Top 10." What is wrong with this statement?

medium

A. SQL Injection is a type of UI design issue

B. SQL Injection is a core OWASP Top 10 risk

C. SQL Injection only affects mobile apps

D. SQL Injection is unrelated to security

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand SQL Injection's role in OWASP

   SQL Injection is a classic example of Injection flaws, which is a top OWASP risk.

2. Step 2: Evaluate the incorrect statement

   The statement denies SQL Injection's inclusion, which is false because it is a core risk.

3. Final Answer:

   SQL Injection is a core OWASP Top 10 risk -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   SQL Injection = OWASP risk [OK]

Hint: Injection risks always include SQL Injection [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking SQL Injection is unrelated to security
• Confusing it with UI or mobile issues
• Ignoring OWASP's Injection category

5. A company wants to reduce risks from Broken Authentication and Sensitive Data Exposure. Which two actions best address these OWASP Top 10 risks?

hard

A. Implement strong password policies and encrypt sensitive data

B. Use flashy UI designs and increase server speed

C. Disable all user logins and remove data backups

D. Ignore authentication and focus on marketing

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the risks

   Broken Authentication means weak login controls; Sensitive Data Exposure means data is not protected well.

2. Step 2: Match actions to risks

   Strong password policies improve authentication security; encrypting data protects sensitive information.

3. Final Answer:

   Implement strong password policies and encrypt sensitive data -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Strong passwords + encryption = reduce these risks [OK]

Hint: Match risk with security controls like passwords and encryption [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing unrelated actions like UI design
• Thinking disabling logins is practical
• Ignoring encryption for data protection