Re: OWASP Top Ten - My Case For Updating It

[Pete Herzog <lists () isecom org>]

> > novice companies will use the Top Ten as a testing yard stick. The PCI
> > adoption is a dangerous issue that demonstrates this point. When MasterCard
> > were hacked the first thing the company did was to say they passed the PCI
> > tests. This will be the case with the OWASP Top Ten.
>
> i disagree on this point. I don't think this will ever be the case.
> PCI is a standard that Merchants and Service Providers are "required"
> to follow. This is not the case of the OWASP Top Ten. OWASP does not
> require any website to implement the Top 10, neither can it.  Thus
> OWASP Top 10 can not be used as a scapegoat.

I think you're missing the point of what a scapegoat is.  It's about
throwing accountability out the window.  The point is that it is often
not just, not correct, and preys on emotional rational rather than
intellectual.  If the advantage for Mastercard is to feign innocence at
having done everything it was supposed to especially having complied to
an accepted "standard" and that can be carried to the media with the
proper emotional rational, then those who don't think things through
(many) will assume that applying the OWASP top 10 is garbage because it
doesn't protect anything.  Actually, it doesn't protect anything on its
own but that doesn't mean its garbage.  It just means it's being
misused.  It's a device to bring attention to the failures in web app
sec.  It's not a panacea.  Problem is, the general public wants a pill
which cures (even just functional cures are acceptable).  That's why so
much marketing is about product X being the answer to your security
needs and why product X sells 5 billion copies.  Because it's what
people want and buy.  If product X doesn't work, then that's not Company
X's fault as their product really does fix all problems stated in the
OWASP top 10.  Accountability exits window.

I think the change proposed by Mark is a very necessary thing or else
the abuse will only grow bigger, like it has already for SANS top 20.

-pete.