Web applications are protected by a web application firewall (WAF) from a range of application layer vulnerabilities, including cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and cookie poisoning, to name a few. App attacks are the most common source of data breaches since they are the entry point for your sensitive information. You can stop a variety of attacks that try to exfiltrate data by compromising your systems if you have the correct WAF in place.
Types of Web Application Firewalls
Network-Based WAF
Because they are placed locally on premises through a dedicated appliance, as near to the application as feasible, network-based WAFs are generally hardware-based and can minimize latency. Most major network-based WAF solutions provide rule and setting replication over several appliances, allowing for large-scale deployment, setup, and maintenance. The most significant disadvantage of this sort of WAF product is the cost, there is an initial capital outlay as well as continuing operating expenditures for upkeep.
Host-Based WAF
WAFs that are based on the host can be fully incorporated into the application code. Lower costs and more customization choices are two advantages of a host-based WAF deployment. Because they need application libraries and rely on local server resources to function, host-based WAFs can be difficult to administer. As a result, more personnel, such as developers, system analysts, and DevOps/DevSecOps, may be required.
Cloud-hosted WAF
In addition, cloud-hosted WAFs are a low-cost solution that requires minimal setup and administration. Cloud WAFs are easy to set up, need just a DNS or proxy change to divert application traffic. Entrusting third-party providers with web application traffic filtering may be tough, but it enables applications to remain safe across a variety of hosting locations and protects against application layer risks. These third parties also have access to the latest threat information and can help discover and stop new application security threats.
What is the role of a web application firewall (WAF)?
A web application firewall (WAF) secures your online apps by filtering, monitoring, and blocking dangerous HTTP/S traffic, as well as preventing unauthorized data from exiting the app. It accomplishes this by adhering to a set of policies that assist in determining which traffic is malicious and which traffic is not. A WAF, like a proxy server, works as an intermediary to safeguard a client’s identity. However, unlike a proxy server, a reverse proxy protects the web app server from a potentially hostile client.
WAFs can be offered as software, as an appliance, or as a service. Policies can be tailored to your web application’s or group of web apps’ specific requirements. Although many WAFs need you to change rules on a regular basis to handle new vulnerabilities, developments in machine learning have made it possible for certain WAFs to update themselves. As the threat picture becomes more complicated and ambiguous, automation is becoming more important.
As a result of these policies, the web application firewall will continue to monitor web apps as well as GET and POST requests to identify and filter dangerous actions and requests. The crucial point to remember is that WAFs look at the content of all packets, not just the headers, to reject bogus requests, and clever WAF firewalls even challenge requests to force the actor to verify they are human and not a bot.
When the web application firewall discovers flaws in the programme, it immediately fixes them to prevent attackers and malicious actors (bots, attack IP addresses, attack-based inputs, and so on) from exploiting them. As a result, the developers have more time to resolve the application’s vulnerabilities and flaws.
A web application firewall is often set up in one of three security paradigms. These are the models:
Whitelisting model
In this model, the WAF firewall is set up to accept only pre-approve traffic that satisfies particular criteria. This variant is best suit for usage on private internal networks with a small number of users for instance, employees. This is because, when used on public websites and applications, whitelisting can also prevent genuine requests and traffic.
Blacklisting model
It blocks known vulnerabilities, attack signatures and malicious actors from accessing the web application or server using pre-set signatures. It may also guard against DDoS attacks by blacklisting IP addresses that send unusually high numbers of requests. This security paradigm is best suit for web applications on the public internet where legitimate requests may originate from unknown clients. However, this strategy is ineffective against zero-day assaults.
Hybrid model
The WAF firewall is set to use both whitelisting and blacklisting methods, depending on the application’s needs. It works on both private and public networks.
The security model use is solely determine by the context, risk profile, and requirements of the online applications and servers. Apps are at the heart of many enterprises, and they are always developing, therefore no single design will work.
A good firewall should contain a mix of features.
- For particular transactions with well-defined boundaries, the positive security model is use.
- Negative security paradigm that detects hacker intent with no false positives.
- Policy management on a continual basis with continuous learning
Web application firewalls are most successful when they are intelligent and maintained. Using global threat databases and machine learning, intelligent WAFs continuously monitor internet traffic and protect web applications. When correctly managed, WAFs may eliminate false positives and integrate specific business rules that defend against business logic vulnerabilities.
Pen-testing and security audits will be perform as part of manage WAFs to prevent zero-day attacks and maintain web app security. Thanks to controlled WAF, the learnings are correct and relevant. Security professionals will be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond. Thus, application owners may focus on their application’s agility while keeping secure by hiring experts.
Wrap-up
The Fortinet WAF is a specialized security platform that provides the industry’s most powerful application security features. Fortinet is dedicating to developing cutting-edge application security solutions that can thwart even the most sophisticated threats. In the future, expect additional developments on the Advanced WAF platform by clicking here.
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