Cybersecurity glossary
Clear definitions of 810 security terms — and how they connect on the interactive map.
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Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR)Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) is a vulnerability where an application exposes a reference to an internal implementation object, such as a f…
Instruction Set EmulationInstruction set emulation allows code compiled for one CPU architecture to run on a different architecture. This is often used in malware analysis to…
Interprocedural AnalysisInterprocedural analysis analyzes the behavior of a program across multiple functions or procedures. It's important for detecting vulnerabilities tha…
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JavaScript Framework VulnerabilitiesVulnerabilities in JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js can be exploited to inject malicious JavaScript. Keeping these frameworks up…
JavaScript InjectionJavaScript injection involves inserting malicious JavaScript code into a website or web application. This technique is commonly used in cryptojacking…
JSONP InjectionJSONP injection is a vulnerability that arises when a website uses JSONP (JSON with Padding) to retrieve data from a third-party API. If the API is c…
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Kernel EmulationKernel emulation simulates the core functionality of an operating system kernel. This is beneficial for analyzing rootkits and other low-level malwar…
Kernel ExploitA kernel exploit targets vulnerabilities in the operating system kernel, the core of the OS. Zero-day kernel exploits are particularly dangerous beca…
Kernel ExploitationKernel exploitation involves finding and exploiting vulnerabilities within the operating system's kernel to gain complete control over the system. Su…
Kernel-Mode HoneypotA kernel-mode honeypot operates at the kernel level of the operating system, providing deeper insights into attacker activity. However, it is more co…
Keyword MatchingKeyword matching involves searching for specific words or phrases within data to identify potentially sensitive information. While less precise than…
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Language-Agnostic Vulnerability DetectionBy using intermediate representations like ASTs, vulnerability detection tools can be made more language-agnostic. This allows the same tools to be u…
LDAP InjectionLDAP injection is an attack technique used to exploit web applications that construct LDAP statements from user-supplied input. It allows attackers t…
Least Known PublisherThe Least Known Publisher rule configuration within AppLocker helps to identify and manage applications from less established or unknown software pub…
Local File Inclusion (LFI)LFI is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to include local files on a web server. Attackers exploit this by manipulating input parameters to inc…
Log4jA widely used open-source logging library for Java applications. Vulnerabilities in Log4j, such as Log4Shell, can allow remote code execution and hav…
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Memory CorruptionMemory corruption vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows and use-after-free errors, are frequently exploited in zero-day attacks. Attackers can le…
Memory EmulationMemory emulation simulates the memory space of a system, allowing analysts to observe how programs manipulate data in memory. This is helpful for det…
Memory ProtectionMemory protection techniques, such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP), make it more difficult for attac…
Meta-Data APICloud providers often expose meta-data APIs accessible from within the cloud instances, providing information about the instance itself. SSRF can be…
MISRA StandardsMISRA (Motor Industry Software Reliability Association) standards are a set of coding guidelines for critical systems, particularly in the automotive…
Mutation XSS (mXSS)mXSS exploits the way browsers parse and render HTML, using quirks in the parsing engine to transform seemingly harmless input into executable JavaSc…
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No Coin"No Coin" is a browser extension and filter list designed to block cryptocurrency miners on websites. It helps users prevent their computers from bei…
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Optical Character Recognition (OCR)OCR technology is used in DLP to extract text from images and scanned documents. This enables DLP systems to analyze the content of images and preven…
Output EncodingOutput encoding converts potentially dangerous characters into a safe format when displaying user-supplied data. This prevents injected JavaScript co…
OWASP Top TenA list of the ten most critical web application security risks. It provides developers and security professionals with awareness and guidance on addr…
OWASP ZAPAn open-source web application security scanner. It is a free alternative to Burp Suite and is used to find vulnerabilities in web applications durin…
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Parameter TamperingParameter tampering involves modifying parameters in a web request to manipulate application behavior. Attackers can alter values in the URL or form…
Path RuleA Path Rule in AppLocker allows or denies applications based on their file path. While easy to configure, Path Rules can be less secure than other ru…
Perceptible WatermarkingPerceptible watermarking involves embedding a watermark that is visible or audible to the end-user, although ideally it should be minimally intrusive…
PowerShell Constrained Language ModePowerShell Constrained Language Mode limits the features and functionality of PowerShell scripts that can be executed. This can be used in conjunctio…
Privileged Access Management (PAM)PAM focuses on managing and controlling access to privileged accounts and resources. By limiting who has access to sensitive data and systems, PAM ca…
Privileged Access MismanagementUsers may gain excessive privileges on shadow IT systems, increasing the potential for abuse and data breaches. Proper privileged access management (…
Process EmulationProcess emulation simulates the execution of a process, allowing security analysts to observe its behavior and interactions with other processes. Thi…
Publisher RuleA Publisher Rule in AppLocker allows or denies applications based on their digital signature and publisher information. These rules are useful for al…
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Race ConditionA race condition occurs when the output of a program becomes unexpectedly and critically dependent on the sequence or timing of other events. Exploit…
Refactoring for SecurityAST analysis can help identify code sections that need to be refactored for security reasons. This involves restructuring the code to improve its sec…
Reflected XSSReflected XSS occurs when user-supplied input is immediately outputted in the response without proper sanitization. An attacker can craft a malicious…
Regular Expression (Regex)Regular expressions are patterns used to match specific text strings, making them useful for identifying sensitive data patterns like social security…
Regular Expressions (Regex)Regular expressions are used in DLP to define patterns for identifying sensitive data within files and network traffic. They allow for flexible and a…
Remote Code Execution (RCE)A vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a remote server. RCE vulnerabilities are highly critical and are often targeted…
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)RDP is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft which provides a user with a graphical interface to connect to another computer over a network c…
Remote File Inclusion (RFI)RFI is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to include remote files on a web server. This can lead to arbitrary code execution if the included fil…
Reputation-Based Application ControlReputation-based application control uses threat intelligence feeds and reputation services to assess the trustworthiness of applications. Applicatio…
Request SmugglingHTTP Request Smuggling vulnerabilities can sometimes be chained with SSRF to amplify the impact or bypass certain protections. It involves manipulati…
Response ValidationValidating the response from the requested URL can help detect and prevent SSRF attacks. By inspecting the content or headers of the response, the ap…
Reverse EngineeringReverse engineering is the process of analyzing a software or hardware system to understand its functionality and design, often without access to the…
Reverse ProxyA reverse proxy server sits in front of web servers in the DMZ and retrieves resources on behalf of clients. This protects the origin web servers fro…
Rule CollectionsIn AppLocker, rule collections are groups of rules that apply to specific file types (e.g., executables, scripts, Windows Installer files). Each rule…
Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP)Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) is a security technology that embeds protection directly into an application, allowing it to detect and pr…
Runtime EmulationRuntime emulation refers to emulating the execution of code during runtime, allowing for dynamic analysis and debugging. This is essential for unders…
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Same-Origin Policy (SOP)The SOP is a web browser security mechanism that restricts scripts from one origin from accessing resources from a different origin. While it doesn't…
SandboxAn isolated environment used to safely execute and analyze potentially malicious code. Sandboxes can be used to test suspicious files and identify ra…
Sandbox AttributeThe sandbox attribute on an `` element restricts the capabilities of the content within the iframe. This can be used to limit the impact of injected…
SandboxingSandboxing is a security mechanism that isolates applications or processes in a controlled environment. This prevents them from accessing sensitive s…
SAST (Static Application Security Testing)SAST tools analyze source code, bytecode, or binary code for security vulnerabilities without executing the code. SAST is a crucial part of the SDLC…
Screen ScrapingThe process of capturing visual data from a computer display. Insiders may use screen scraping to extract sensitive information from applications or…
Seccomp (Secure Computing Mode)Seccomp is a Linux kernel feature that restricts the system calls a process can make. In container security, seccomp profiles are used to limit the s…
Secure Coding PracticesSecure coding practices include techniques to minimize vulnerabilities in software. Default deny principles are applied by validating inputs and expl…
Secure Configuration ManagementSecure configuration management involves establishing and maintaining secure configurations for all components of an application and its environment…
Security HeadersSecurity headers are HTTP response headers that can be used to enable various security features in web browsers. These headers can help prevent attac…
Segmentation FaultA segmentation fault is a specific type of error caused by a program attempting to access memory that it is not allowed to access, possibly due to a…
Semantic Code AnalysisSemantic code analysis leverages ASTs to understand the meaning and context of code. It goes beyond syntax to identify logical errors and security we…
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)SSRF is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to make requests to internal resources from a vulnerable server. This can be used to access sensitive…
Session Management SecuritySecure session management is crucial for maintaining the security of user sessions after authentication. This involves generating strong session IDs…
Session Management VulnerabilitiesSession management vulnerabilities occur when an application fails to properly manage user sessions, leading to potential security breaches. Burp Sui…
Setuid/Setgid MisconfigurationSetuid (set user ID) and setgid (set group ID) are file permission flags that allow a program to be executed with the privileges of the file's owner…
SNMP AmplificationSNMP amplification attacks exploit Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) servers to amplify traffic towards a target. Attackers send SNMP queries…
Software Composition Analysis (SCA)SCA tools use ASTs to analyze the dependencies of a software project and identify known vulnerabilities in third-party libraries. This helps ensure t…
Software Restriction Policies (SRP)Software Restriction Policies (SRP) are a Group Policy-based feature that allows administrators to control which software applications can run on a W…
Software VulnerabilitiesUnpatched or outdated software used in shadow IT environments, creating exploitable vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to…
Spam HoneypotA spam honeypot is designed to attract and capture spam emails. It allows administrators to analyze spam trends, identify spammers, and improve spam…
SQL InjectionSQL injection is a code injection technique used to attack data-driven applications, in which malicious SQL statements are inserted into an entry fie…
SQL Injection PreventionSQL injection prevention involves sanitizing user input to prevent attackers from injecting malicious SQL code into database queries. Prepared statem…
Static Analysis Tool ConfigurationProper configuration of static analysis tools is critical to their effectiveness. This includes selecting appropriate rules, setting sensitivity leve…
Static Analysis with Emulation AssistanceStatic analysis techniques can be enhanced by using emulation to resolve indirect calls and understand dynamic code behavior. This hybrid approach im…
Static Application Security Testing (SAST)SAST tools use ASTs to analyze source code without executing it, identifying vulnerabilities early in the development lifecycle. This helps developer…
Static Code AnalysisAnalyzing source code without executing the program to identify potential vulnerabilities and coding flaws. Static analysis can detect issues like bu…
Stored XSSStored XSS, also known as persistent XSS, occurs when malicious JavaScript code is injected into a website's database or other persistent storage. Wh…
Subresource Integrity (SRI)SRI is a security feature that allows browsers to verify that files fetched from a CDN or other third-party source haven't been tampered with. It hel…
Sudo MisconfigurationSudo is a program that allows users to run commands with the privileges of another user, typically the root user. Misconfiguration of sudo rules can…
Synthetic Full Backup SecuritySecuring the process of creating synthetic full backups, which are created from incremental backups. Vulnerabilities in this process can lead to data…
System Call EmulationSystem call emulation intercepts and simulates system calls made by a program. This allows analysts to understand how the program interacts with the…
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Tainted DataTainted data refers to data that originates from an untrusted source, such as user input or external APIs. Static analysis tools track tainted data t…
TEE EmulationTrusted Execution Environment (TEE) emulation simulates the secure environment within a processor. This is critical for testing security-sensitive ap…
Third-Party Library SecurityApplications often rely on third-party libraries and frameworks, which can introduce vulnerabilities if they are not properly managed. Regularly upda…
Time-Based Blind SSRFThis type of SSRF exploits the time it takes for a server to respond to a request. By sending requests to resources that take varying amounts of time…
Token ManipulationToken manipulation involves modifying or replacing access tokens in Windows to gain elevated privileges. This technique can be used to impersonate ot…
Token-Based AuthenticationToken-based authentication can be used to secure access to CDN resources by requiring users to present a valid token before accessing content. This h…
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Unauthorized Application AccessThis refers to employees using applications not approved by the IT department, potentially bypassing security controls and exposing sensitive data. I…
Unikernel SecurityUnikernels are specialized, single-address-space machine images constructed by using library operating systems. They improve security by minimizing t…
Unquoted Service PathsUnquoted service paths are a vulnerability where a Windows service's executable path contains spaces and is not enclosed in quotes. This allows an at…
Unsecured APIsAPIs used by shadow IT applications that lack proper authentication and authorization controls. This allows attackers to access sensitive data or per…
Unsecured File SharingUsing unapproved file-sharing services to share sensitive data, which can expose it to unauthorized access and data breaches. The lack of encryption…
Unvetted Third-Party IntegrationsShadow IT often involves integrating unvetted third-party applications, which may have security vulnerabilities or malicious intent. These integratio…
URL Filtering BypassApplications often implement URL filtering to prevent SSRF, but attackers can use techniques like URL encoding, IP address obfuscation, or DNS rebind…
USB BlockingUSB blocking is a security measure that prevents the use of USB drives and other removable storage devices on company computers. This helps prevent d…
User Account Control (UAC)User Account Control (UAC) is a Windows security feature that prompts users for permission before allowing applications to make changes to the system…
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Virtual Machine Introspection (VMI)Virtual Machine Introspection (VMI) is a technique that allows monitoring and analysis of a virtual machine's internal state from outside the VM. Thi…
VulnerabilityA weakness or flaw in software, hardware, or a system that can be exploited by attackers. Ransomware often exploits vulnerabilities to gain access to…
Vulnerability PatchingWhen patching vulnerabilities, AST representations can help identify the exact code locations that need to be modified. This reduces the risk of intr…
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Watermarking for IoTWatermarking techniques can be used in the Internet of Things (IoT) to authenticate data from sensors and devices, ensuring data integrity and preven…
Weak File PermissionsWeak file permissions allow unauthorized users to read, write, or execute sensitive files, potentially leading to privilege escalation. This can occu…
Web Application Firewall (WAF)A WAF is a specialized firewall that protects web applications from various attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-sit…
Web Application Security AuditA web application security audit examines the security of web applications to identify vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting…
Web Application Security ScannerA web application security scanner is a tool used to automatically identify vulnerabilities in web applications. These scanners can detect issues lik…
Web Security HeadersWeb security headers are HTTP response headers that provide instructions to the browser on how to behave to enhance security. Headers like X-XSS-Prot…
Web Server LogsLogs generated by web servers that record client requests, server responses, and errors. Analyzing web server logs helps identify website vulnerabili…
WebSockets SecurityWebSockets provide real-time communication, and securing them within a CDN is crucial. This includes proper authentication, encryption, and protectio…
WhitelistingWhitelisting is a security mechanism where only specific items are allowed, and everything else is denied. In the context of SSRF, whitelisting invol…
Windows User Account Control (UAC) BypassWindows User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature that requires administrative approval for certain actions. Bypassing UAC allows an attacker…
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XMRigXMRig is a popular open-source cryptocurrency mining software, frequently used to mine Monero (XMR). It is often employed by cryptojackers due to its…