This section is all about foundations — the habits and principles that make the difference between “working code” and secure code. Many developers write software that functions perfectly but unintentionally leaves open doors for attackers. Our job here is to learn how to spot those doors, close them, and build code that can stand up to real-world abuse
- Most modern breaches still trace back to basic coding flaws like SQL injection, XSS, and insecure authentication logic
- These are not “advanced hacker tricks” — they’re preventable mistakes in code
- Learning secure coding basics means fewer late-night incidents, fewer patches in production, and more confidence in your work
- The OWASP Top 10 as a practical guide, not just a checklist
- How attackers actually exploit common bugs
- How to patch them correctly and avoid “band-aid” fixes
- Practical coding habits you can apply immediately:
- Validate inputs (never trust the user)
- Use safe defaults (least privilege, secure libraries)
- Fail securely (errors should not leak secrets)
- Keep it simple (complexity breeds mistakes)
Lab 1 – Exploit & Patch OWASP Top 10
Goal - Get familiar with the OWASP Top 10 by exploiting two classic vulnerabilities (SQL Injection + Cross-Site Scripting), then patching them in code
Lab 2 – Input Validation & Sanitization
Goal – Learn how to properly validate and sanitize user input to prevent injection-style attacks
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