Insecure direct object references (Apprentice Level)

In this video, I demonstrate how to solve the Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) lab from PortSwigger Web Security Academy. This lab focuses on a common and critical access control vulnerability where an application exposes internal object references (such as file names or IDs) without proper authorization checks. An IDOR vulnerability occurs when an application uses user-supplied input to directly access objects like files, database records, or resources, without verifying whether the user is authorized to access them. This can allow attackers to manipulate input values and gain access to sensitive data. In this walkthrough, we analyze the application behavior and identify how file names are used as direct object references. By modifying the parameter, we demonstrate how an attacker can access restricted files and retrieve sensitive information. Topics covered in this video: Understanding Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) Identifying exposed object references in web applications Accessing sensitive files by manipulating parameters This vulnerability is a classic example of Broken Access Control, one of the most critical risks listed in the OWASP Top 10. The labs from PortSwigger Web Security Academy provide hands-on practice for learning real-world web application security vulnerabilities and improving penetration testing skills. This video is useful for application security engineers, penetration testers, bug bounty hunters, and anyone preparing for web security certifications or interviews.