Preventing Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) in Laravel

Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) is a common web application vulnerability that arises when access control checks are improperly implemented. In this blog, we’ll explore how IDOR vulnerabilities work, show you a coding example in Laravel, and introduce a free Website Security Checker tool to help identify security risks on your site.

What is IDOR?

IDOR vulnerabilities allow attackers to bypass authorization and access resources they shouldn’t. For example, instead of securing sensitive files or user records, developers may inadvertently expose them through predictable URLs or parameters.

Here’s a typical IDOR example:

• A logged-in user can access their order details at:
  https://example.com/order/12345

• Without proper access control, changing the ID to 12346 may allow the user to view another customer’s order.

How to Prevent IDOR in Laravel?

Laravel provides tools and techniques to mitigate such vulnerabilities effectively. Implementing proper access control checks at the controller level is crucial. Below is an example of a secure code.

Laravel Example: Secure Resource Access

php

public function showOrder($id)

{

    $order = Order::findOrFail($id);

    if ($order->user_id !== auth()->id()) {

        abort(403, 'Unauthorized action.');

    }

    return view('orders.show', compact('order'));

}

Key Highlights:

1. findOrFail ensures the order exists; otherwise, it throws a 404 error.

2. The user_id is matched with the currently authenticated user to confirm ownership.

3. Unauthorized access results in a 403 error.

Use Our Free Website Security Checker Tool

Testing your application for vulnerabilities is as important as securing your code. Our tools to test website security free scan your website for misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and risks like IDOR.

Here’s what the tool looks like:

By using this tool, you can automate the process of finding vulnerabilities and ensure your application is secure.

Case Study: Detecting IDOR with a Security Report

We used our Website Security Checker tool to assess a sample Laravel application. The tool flagged an IDOR vulnerability in the order management module. Here’s an example of the vulnerability assessment report generated by our tool: