What is forceful browsing?

Forceful Browsing or Directory Traversal is an attack in which an attacker attempts to access resources that are not referenced by the attacked web application, but are still accessible from outside. This is done by manipulating URLs by having the attacker try out different variations of the URLs used by the application and delivered to the client.

How does Forceful Browsing work?

The attack can be carried out by typing URL paths directly into the browser address bar or by sending specially crafted HTTP requests. By exploiting vulnerabilities in request processing, the attacker can access files or directories that are not normally intended for public use, such as configuration files, databases, or internal system resources.

Forceful browsing can pose serious security risks to a web application because it can expose sensitive information and put sensitive system resources at risk. To protect against such attacks, it is important to implement careful URL validation and access control to ensure that only authorized users can access specific resources. In addition, security patches and updates should be applied regularly to close potential vulnerabilities and minimize the attack surface. By taking proactive security measures, companies can effectively protect their web applications from forceful browsing attacks and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of their data.