| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| OWASP Top 10 | The most critical web security risks |
| SQL Injection | How to prevent database manipulation |
| XSS | Protecting the user interface |
| CSRF | Defending against identity misuse |
| Race Condition | Multi-threading security in Java |
| Spring Framework Security | Built-in security layers for modern Java apps |
| Penetration Testing Tools | Most-used testing tools and methods |
| SEI CERT & OWASP | Secure coding in compliance with industry standards |
OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) provides a list of the most critical web app vulnerabilities. Every Java developer should be familiar with this list.
Broken Access Control
Cryptographic Failures
Injection (SQL, LDAP, NoSQL)
Insecure Design
Security Misconfiguration
Vulnerable & Outdated Components
Identification & Authentication Failures
Software & Data Integrity Failures
Security Logging & Monitoring Failures
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Learn more:
🔗 Certified Java and Web Application Security Training
This occurs when untrusted input is inserted directly into SQL queries, allowing attackers to access, modify, or delete data.
Vulnerable Code:
java
Statement stmt = conn.createStatement();
ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery("SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '" + input + "'");
Safe Alternative:
java
PreparedStatement stmt = conn.prepareStatement("SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = ?");
stmt.setString(1, input);
✔ Solution:
Use parameterized queries, ORM frameworks, and input validation.
XSS allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages, compromising user sessions.
Stored XSS
Reflected XSS
DOM-based XSS
✔ Prevention:
Output encoding (<, >, ")
Set CSP headers
Input validation on all fields
CSRF tricks authenticated users into submitting unwanted actions.
A logged-in banking user clicks a malicious link that silently transfers funds.
✔ Protection:
Use CSRF tokens
Validate Referer headers
Configure SameSite cookies
In Spring Security:
java
http.csrf().enable();
A race condition occurs when two threads access shared data simultaneously, leading to unexpected behavior.
Example: Reusing the same coupon multiple times within seconds.
✔ Fix:
Use synchronized blocks
ReentrantLock for fine-grained control
AtomicInteger, AtomicBoolean, etc.
Spring Security is a comprehensive and customizable authentication and access-control framework for Java.
| Layer | Description |
|---|---|
| Authentication | User login verification |
| Authorization | Access control for roles |
| Filters | Includes CSRF, CORS, JWT |
| Method Security | Security annotations like @PreAuthorize |
| Session Management | Prevent session fixation |
Learn more:
🔗 Java SE 21 Programming Training
| Tool | Use Case |
|---|---|
| OWASP ZAP | Automated vulnerability scanning |
| Burp Suite | Intercept & modify web requests |
| Nikto | Scan web servers for vulnerabilities |
| Metasploit | Exploit and test vulnerabilities |
| Nmap | Port and service scanner |
✔ Use these tools at different stages: pre-deployment, during development, and post-release.
Developed by the Software Engineering Institute, SEI CERT standards promote:
Type safety
Memory management
Secure exception handling
Resource cleanup
Safe API usage
Beyond identifying risks, OWASP promotes secure coding practices.
Never trust user input
Principle of least privilege
Generic error messages
Enforce HTTPS
Enable detailed logging
Boost your secure coding skills with these official courses:
| Training | Link |
|---|---|
| Certified Java and Web App Security | View Course |
| Java SE 21 Programming I | View Course |
| Java SE 21 Programming II | View Course |