Exploiting IDOR Vulnerabilities: A Deep Dive into PassKey Removal and Automation

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Introduction

Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) vulnerabilities remain a critical threat in web applications, often bypassing security controls when endpoints are improperly validated. JAI NIRESH J’s recent discovery highlights how even a single unsecured endpoint can disable two-factor authentication (2FA) by manipulating PassKey IDs. This article explores IDOR exploitation techniques, automation strategies, and mitigation practices.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how IDOR vulnerabilities bypass authentication.
  • Learn to enumerate and test endpoints for IDOR flaws.
  • Automate IDOR testing using tools and scripts.

1. Enumerating PassKey IDs for IDOR Exploitation

Command:

curl -X DELETE https://api.example.com/passkeys/{id} -H "Authorization: Bearer [bash]"

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Intercept a legitimate PassKey deletion request using Burp Suite or browser dev tools.
  2. Replace the `{id}` parameter with sequential or predictable values (e.g., 1000, 999).
  3. Resend the request. If the server returns a `200 OK` without ownership checks, the endpoint is vulnerable.

Impact: Attackers can disable 2FA for any user by guessing/brute-forcing PassKey IDs.

2. Automating Endpoint Discovery with Burp Suite

Command:

java -jar burpsuite_pro.jar --project-file=project.burp --config-file=scan_config.json

Steps:

  1. Configure Burp Suite’s Active Scan to spider all application endpoints.
  2. Use Burp Intruder to fuzz ID parameters (e.g., ?id=§1§).
  3. Analyze responses for differences indicating access control failures.
    1. Testing for Broken Access Control (BAC) with OWASP ZAP

Command:

docker run -t owasp/zap2docker-stable zap-baseline.py -t https://example.com -r report.html

Steps:

  1. Run ZAP’s automated scan to identify endpoints lacking role-based checks.
  2. Manually verify flagged endpoints by modifying session cookies or user IDs.

4. Hardening APIs Against IDOR

Code Snippet (Node.js):

function deletePassKey(req, res) {
const passKeyId = req.params.id;
if (req.user.passKeys.includes(passKeyId)) { // Ownership check
db.deletePassKey(passKeyId);
res.status(200).send("Deleted");
} else {
res.status(403).send("Forbidden");
}
}

Key Checks:

  • Validate user ownership of referenced objects.
  • Use UUIDs instead of sequential IDs.

5. Exploiting Internal Endpoints via Path Traversal

Command:

curl -X GET https://example.com/internal/api/v1/users?role=admin

Mitigation:

  • Restrict internal APIs via network ACLs.
  • Implement strict authentication for all routes.

What Undercode Say

Key Takeaways:

  1. Automation is Critical: Manual testing misses obscure endpoints. Tools like Burp Suite and custom scripts (e.g., Python + requests) scale discovery.
  2. Zero Trust for Endpoints: Assume all endpoints are vulnerable until proven otherwise.

Analysis:

JAI’s find underscores a systemic issue: developers often focus on “visible” endpoints while neglecting legacy or internal APIs. The rise of automation in bug bounty hunting (e.g., his “BAC and IDOR AUTOMATION MASTERY” course) reflects the need for scalable testing methodologies. Future attacks will likely leverage AI to map and exploit hidden endpoints, making proactive hardening essential.

Prediction

By 2025, IDOR-related breaches will account for 30% of API security incidents, driven by poor access control in microservices architectures. Organizations must adopt automated testing and mandatory ownership checks to mitigate this risk.

Explore JAI’s IDOR Automation Course: https://lnkd.in/gVSB7sRg

For discounts, contact the author directly via LinkedIn.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Jainireshj Idors – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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