Top 20 OWASP Interview Questions and Answers
1. What is OWASP?
Answer:
OWASP stands for Open Web Application Security Project. It is a nonprofit organization focused on improving software security through community-led open-source projects, education, and awareness.
2. What is the OWASP Top 10?
Answer:
The OWASP Top 10 is a regularly updated report that highlights the top ten most critical web application security risks. It is widely regarded as the industry standard for web security best practices.
3. Name the latest OWASP Top 10 security risks.
Answer:
As of 2021 (latest major update), the OWASP Top 10 risks include:
- Broken Access Control
- Cryptographic Failures
- Injection
- Insecure Design
- Security Misconfiguration
- Vulnerable and Outdated Components
- Identification and Authentication Failures
- Software and Data Integrity Failures
- Security Logging and Monitoring Failures
- Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
4. What is Broken Access Control?
Answer:
It occurs when users can act outside their intended permissions. This could allow attackers to access restricted files, modify user data, or perform administrative operations.
5. How do you prevent Injection vulnerabilities?
Answer:
- Use parameterized queries
- Validate and sanitize user inputs
- Use ORM libraries
- Apply least privilege principles
6. What are Cryptographic Failures?
Answer:
Cryptographic Failures refer to issues arising from improper implementation of cryptography, such as weak algorithms, poor key management, or not encrypting sensitive data properly.
7. Explain Insecure Design.
Answer:
Insecure Design focuses on the lack of security considerations during the early stages of software development, leading to vulnerabilities that could have been avoided with better planning.
8. What is Security Misconfiguration?
Answer:
It happens when applications, databases, or servers are poorly configured, exposing them to vulnerabilities such as open cloud storage or unnecessary features enabled.
9. How can you prevent Security Misconfiguration?
Answer:
- Regularly review and harden configurations
- Disable unused features
- Use security headers
- Implement automated scanning tools
10. What is Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)?
Answer:
SSRF occurs when an attacker tricks the server into making a request to an unintended location, potentially exposing sensitive information.
11. What are common Injection attacks?
Answer:
- SQL Injection
- Command Injection
- LDAP Injection
- XML Injection
12. What tools help identify OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities?
Answer:
- OWASP ZAP
- Burp Suite
- Nessus
- Nikto
- Acunetix
13. What is Software and Data Integrity Failure?
Answer:
It refers to vulnerabilities caused by insecure CI/CD pipelines, unsigned software updates, or reliance on untrusted components.
14. Why is Security Logging and Monitoring important?
Answer:
It helps detect and respond to attacks faster, minimizing damage. Without proper logging and monitoring, breaches might go unnoticed.
15. What is OWASP ASVS?
Answer:
The OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS) provides a framework of security requirements for designing, developing, and testing modern applications.
16. What is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)?
Answer:
XSS is a vulnerability where attackers inject malicious scripts into content delivered to users. It can lead to session hijacking, defacement, or redirection.
17. How can you prevent Cross-Site Scripting?
Answer:
- Escape user input
- Use Content Security Policy (CSP)
- Sanitize inputs on both client and server sides
18. What is the principle of ‘Least Privilege’?
Answer:
It means users or systems should only have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their functions, reducing the impact of potential breaches.
19. What are Broken Authentication risks?
Answer:
They happen when authentication mechanisms are improperly implemented, allowing attackers to compromise credentials or session tokens.
20. How do you secure APIs against OWASP vulnerabilities?
Answer:
- Use authentication and authorization
- Validate inputs
- Implement rate limiting
- Keep APIs updated and patched
People Also Ask:
1. What is the purpose of OWASP in cybersecurity?
OWASP aims to improve software security through community-driven projects, tools, and educational resources, making applications safer.
2. What should I study for an OWASP interview?
Focus on the OWASP Top 10 risks, security testing methods, secure coding practices, and how to detect and fix vulnerabilities.
3. Is OWASP Top 10 important for developers?
Yes, it’s essential for developers to understand the OWASP Top 10 to build secure applications and minimize risk exposure.
4. What is the OWASP ZAP tool used for?
OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is used for finding security vulnerabilities in web applications during development and testing.
Conclusion: Get Ready to Ace Your OWASP Interview
Mastering these OWASP interview questions will put you ahead of the competition, whether you’re applying for roles like Application Security Engineer, Penetration Tester, or Secure Developer.
Remember to stay updated on the latest OWASP Top 10 reports and be ready to demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and practical security skills.
The cybersecurity industry moves fast—preparation is the key to success!
Good luck with your interview!