When building web applications, developers usually focus on features, performance, and user experience. But one subtle mistake that slips through far too often is access control at the object level.
An Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) occurs when a web app exposes internal identifiers (like user_id=123) without properly checking if the logged‑in user is authorized to access that resource. The result? Anyone who tweaks the parameter (e.g., user_id=124) can suddenly view or modify another user’s data.
Why does this happen?
- Developers assume “hidden” IDs are safe.
- Authorization checks are applied at login, but not consistently at every request.
- Testing often focuses on functionality, not misuse of parameters.
The impact can be serious: data leaks, privilege escalation, and even payouts in bug bounty programs.
To make this clearer, here’s a live demo video that shows IDOR in action — first in a lab environment, then in a real bug bounty case:
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If you’re a developer, this is a reminder:
- Never trust client‑side identifiers.
- Always enforce authorization checks server‑side.
- Test your endpoints as if you were an attacker.
Security isn’t just about encryption or firewalls — it’s about the small details in everyday code.
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