SECURITY VULNERABILITIES IN WEB APPLICATIONS

Web applications have become the foundation of most online services, but their increasing use has also introduced a wide range of security risks. Access control is one of the most critical mechanisms that ensures only authorized users perform permitted actions. However, many web applications continue to suffer from vulnerabilities that allow attackers to bypass restrictions and gain unauthorized access. This paper reviews common access control weaknesses, their underlying causes, and practical approaches for prevention and detection. The major vulnerabilities discussed include Broken Access Control, Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR), and Privilege Escalation. Attackers exploit these flaws to access sensitive information or perform malicious operations, leading to data leakage, system compromise, and impersonation. Developers must implement robust rolebased access policies, avoid relying solely on client-side validation, and frequently test applications using automated tools. Regular code reviews, runtime monitoring, and consistent policy enforcement can significantly reduce risks and enhance the overall security of web applications.