Introduction: 

In the world of e-commerce, security is of utmost importance. Every online store collects sensitive information from customers, such as their names, addresses, and credit card details. These data points are like gold for hackers, who can use them for identity theft, credit card fraud, and other malicious activities.

One type of security vulnerability that is particularly dangerous for e-commerce sites is IDORs, or Insecure Direct Object References. In this article, we will explain what IDORs are, how they work, and how you can detect and fix them on your e-commerce site.

What are IDORs?

An IDOR occurs when an attacker is able to access and manipulate a sensitive object or resource on a website that they should not have access to. This object or resource could be anything from a customer's order history to a product that is not yet publicly available.

An attacker can exploit an IDOR vulnerability by changing the ID of an object in a request to access another user's data or resources. For example, an attacker could modify the ID parameter in a URL to view another user's order history.

How do IDORs work?

IDORs work by exploiting the way that websites generate and manage unique identifiers for their objects or resources. These identifiers are usually sequential numbers, such as order numbers or product IDs. Because they are predictable, an attacker can simply guess them or use an automated tool to brute force their way to sensitive data.

In some cases, attackers can also use IDOR vulnerabilities to manipulate the state of a website. For example, an attacker could modify the ID parameter in a URL to add a product to their shopping cart without actually paying for it.

How can you detect IDORs?

Detecting IDORs can be tricky, as they are not always easy to spot with automated tools or manual testing. One effective way to detect IDORs is to perform manual testing with different user accounts and see if it is possible to access other users' data or resources.

You can also use a web application firewall (WAF) to detect and block IDOR attacks. A WAF can detect when an attacker is trying to access an object or resource that they should not have access to and block the request.

How can you fix IDORs?

Fixing IDORs usually involves making changes to the way that your website generates and manages unique identifiers for its objects or resources. Some common approaches include:

Using randomized or non-sequential IDs instead of predictable ones.

Implementing access controls to restrict access to sensitive objects or resources.

Adding rate limiting or CAPTCHA controls to prevent brute force attacks.

It is also important to train your developers and other staff on how to detect and fix IDORs, as well as other security vulnerabilities. Regular security testing and audits can help ensure that your e-commerce site is always secure and protected against IDOR attacks.

Conclusion

IDORs are a serious threat to e-commerce sites, as they can allow attackers to access and manipulate sensitive data and resources. By understanding how IDORs work and how to detect and fix them, you can better protect your online store from these types of attacks. Implementing strong security measures, such as using randomized or non-sequential IDs and access controls, can go a long way towards securing your e-commerce site and keeping your customers' data safe.