Parameter-based access control methods

Parameter-based access control methods are commonly used in applications to determine user access rights or roles. However, relying on user-controllable locations for this information can lead to significant security vulnerabilities. Understanding the risks associated with this approach is crucial for implementing effective access control.

• User-Controllable Locations:

  • Some applications store access rights or role information in locations that users can manipulate, such as:

    • Hidden fields

    • Cookies

    • Preset query string parameters

• Access Control Decisions:

  • The application may make access control decisions based on the values submitted in these locations. For example:

https://insecure-website.com/login/home.jsp?admin=true
https://insecure-website.com/login/home.jsp?role=1

• Security Risks:

  • This method is insecure because users can easily modify the values in the URL or other controllable locations. As a result, they may gain unauthorized access to functionalities, including administrative features.