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BackWhat are OWASP Top 10?
The OWASP Top 10 is a globally recognized awareness document that lists the most critical security risks affecting web applications. It helps developers, security teams, architects, testers, and business leaders understand the weaknesses attackers commonly exploit in modern applications.
The list gives them a clear starting point. It does not replace secure development, threat modeling, code review, penetration testing, or continuous monitoring. Instead, it helps teams prioritize the risks that deserve immediate attention.
OWASP updates the Top 10 to reflect changes in application architecture, attack techniques, software supply chains, and security testing data. The 2025 edition highlights risks that affect access control, configuration, dependencies, cryptography, injection, authentication, integrity, logging, and error handling.
OWASP Top 10
| Rank | Risk | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| A01 | Broken Access Control | Users can access data or actions beyond their permission level |
| A02 | Security Misconfiguration | Weak settings, exposed services, or insecure defaults create risk |
| A03 | Software Supply Chain Failures | Dependencies, build systems, or distribution processes introduce compromise |
| A04 | Cryptographic Failures | Weak or missing encryption exposes sensitive data |
| A05 | Injection | Untrusted input manipulates queries, commands, or application logic |
| A06 | Insecure Design | Security flaws exist in the application’s architecture or workflow |
| A07 | Authentication Failures | Weak login, session, or identity controls expose accounts |
| A08 | Software or Data Integrity Failures | Applications fail to verify code, updates, or trusted data |
| A09 | Security Logging and Alerting Failures | Teams miss attacks because logs or alerts lack value |
| A10 | Mishandling of Exceptional Conditions | Poor error handling or abnormal conditions lead to security failure |
Why OWASP Top 10 matters
Web applications handle customer data, authentication, payments, business processes, files, APIs, and backend workflows. A single weakness can expose sensitive records, enable account takeover, disrupt services, or damage customer trust.
OWASP Top 10 helps organizations:
- Prioritize the most critical web application risks.
- Improve developer security awareness.
- Create secure coding and testing baselines.
- Align development, security, and compliance teams.
- Strengthen application reviews before release.
- Reduce recurring vulnerabilities across products.
How Hexnode helps with OWASP Top 10
Hexnode XDR helps organizations secure the Windows endpoints used to develop, test, administer, and monitor web applications. It collects endpoint telemetry, displays active detections and incidents in a centralized dashboard, and supports response actions such as endpoint isolation where applicable. This helps security teams reduce endpoint-level risk around application development and operations.
Hexnode XDR does not test application code, verify OWASP Top 10 controls, replace secure code review, or act as a web application security testing tool. It supports OWASP Top 10-aligned programs by strengthening endpoint visibility, threat detection, and response around the teams and systems that build and manage web applications.
FAQs
No. OWASP Top 10 is not a regulation or certification standard. However, many organizations use it as a security baseline for audits, vendor reviews, and internal governance.
Teams should review it during planning, development, release preparation, and security training. They should also revisit it whenever OWASP publishes a new edition.