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Testing for WS HTTP GET parameters/REST attacks (OWASP-WS-005)
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OWASP Testing Guide v2 Table of Contents
Brief Summary
Many XML applications are invoked by passing them parameters using HTTP GET queries. These are sometimes known as “REST-style" Web Services (REST = Representational State Transfer). These Web Services can be attacked by passing malicious content on the HTTP GET string (e.g., extra long parameters (2048 chars), SQL statements/injection (or OS Injection parameters).
Description of the Issue
Given that Web services REST are in effect HTTP-In -> WS-OUT at attack patterns are very similar to regular HTTP attack vectors, discussed throughout the guide. For example, in the following HTTP request with query string "/viewDetail=detail-10293", the HTTP GET parameter is "detail- 10293".
Black Box Testing and example
Say we had a Web Service which accepts the following HTTP GET query string:
https://www.ws.com/accountinfo?accountnumber=12039475&userId=asi9485jfuhe92
The resultant response would be similar to:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <Account="12039475"> <balance>€100</balance> <body>Bank of Bannana account info</body> </Account>
Testing the data validation on this REST web service is similar to generic application testing:
Try vectors such as:
https://www.ws.com/accountinfo?accountnumber=12039475' exec master..xp_cmdshell 'net user Vxr pass /Add &userId=asi9485jfuhe92
Grey Box Testing and example
Upon the reception of a HTTP request the code should do the following:
Check:
- max length and minimum length
- Validate payload
- If possible implement the following data validation stratigies: "exact match", "known good" and "known bad", in this order.
- Validate parameter names and existence.
References
Withepapers
- The OWASP Fuzz vectors list - http://www.owasp.org/index.php/OWASP_Testing_Guide_Appendix_C:_Fuzz_Vectors
OWASP Testing Guide v2
Here is the OWASP Testing Guide v2 Table of Contents
