Web Application Vulnerability Mitigation Report
1. Introduction
This report assesses the vulnerabilities found in the web application and provides mitigation strategies to enhance
its security. The identified weaknesses could expose the system to cyber threats such as data breaches,
unauthorized access, and service disruptions. The proposed recommendations aim to secure the application,
ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.
2. Identified Vulnerabilities and Mitigation Measures
2.1 Outdated Software Components
• Issue: The server runs outdated versions of PHP (5.6.40) and nginx (1.19.0), which may contain known
security vulnerabilities.
• Mitigation: Upgrade to the latest stable versions of PHP (8.x) and nginx, applying security patches
regularly. Implement an automated update system for critical software components.
2.2 Information Disclosure
• Issue: The X-Powered-By header exposes the PHP version, potentially aiding attackers in exploiting
known vulnerabilities.
• Mitigation: Disable X-Powered-By by setting expose_php=Off in the PHP configuration file.
Remove unnecessary HTTP headers that disclose server information.
2.3 Character Encoding Mismatch
• Issue: The HTTP response header specifies charset=UTF-8, while the HTML meta tag
sets charset=iso-8859-2, which may cause text rendering issues.
• Mitigation: Standardize all encoding to UTF-8 in both HTTP headers and HTML meta tags
to prevent inconsistencies and potential security risks.
2.4 Use of Adobe Flash
• Issue: The application relies on outdated Adobe Flash components, which have been deprecated due to
severe security flaws.
• Mitigation: Remove all Flash-based elements and replace them with secure, modern technologies such as
HTML5 and JavaScript frameworks.
2.5 Lack of HTTPS Encryption
• Issue: The website does not enforce HTTPS, making data transmission vulnerable to interception and
man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
• Mitigation: Install an SSL/TLS certificate and configure the web server to enforce HTTPS with HTTP
Strict Transport Security (HSTS).
2.6 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Risks
• Issue: The application includes JavaScript execution without clear input validation, making it vulnerable
to XSS attacks.
• Mitigation: Implement a Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict JavaScript execution, validate user
input, and escape all output to prevent malicious script injection.
2.7 Weak Authentication Mechanisms
• Issue: The application lacks strong authentication mechanisms, increasing the risk of credential theft.
• Mitigation: Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), require strong passwords, and use secure
hashing algorithms like bcrypt or Argon2 for password storage.
3. Recommendations
To strengthen web application security, the following best practices should be implemented:
1. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
2. Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter and block malicious traffic.
3. Implement secure coding practices and provide security training for developers.
4. Enable real-time monitoring and logging to detect and respond to threats quickly.
5. Regularly update third-party dependencies and plugins to eliminate known security risks.
4. Conclusion
By addressing these vulnerabilities and implementing the recommended security measures, the web application
can significantly reduce its risk exposure. Continuous security assessments, software updates, and adherence to
best practices will ensure long-term protection against evolving cyber threats.
