OAT-016 Skewing
Skewing is an automated threat. The OWASP Automated Threat Handbook - Web Applications (pdf, print), an output of the OWASP Automated Threats to Web Applications Project, provides a fuller guide to each threat, detection methods and countermeasures. The threat identification chart helps to correctly identify the automated threat.
Definition
OWASP Automated Threat (OAT) Identity Number
OAT-016
Threat Event Name
Skewing
Summary Defining Characteristics
Repeated link clicks, page requests or form submissions intended to alter some metric.
Indicative Diagram
Description
Automated repeated clicking or requesting or submitting content, a ecting application-based metrics such as counts and measures of frequency and/or rate. The metric or measurement may be visible to users (e.g. betting odds, likes, market/ dynamic pricing, visitor count, poll results, reviews) or hidden (e.g. application usage statistics, business performance indicators). Metrics may affect individuals as well as the application owner, e.g. user reputation, influence others, gain fame, or undermine someone else’s reputation.
For malicious alteration of digital advertisement metrics, see OAT-003 Ad Fraud instead.
Other Names and Examples
Biasing KPIs; Boosting friends, visitors, and likes; Click fraud; Dynamic pricing hacking; Election fraud; Hit count fraud; Market distortion; Metric and statistic skewing; Page impression fraud; Poll fraud; Poll skewing; Poll/voting subversion; Rating/review skewing; SEO; Stock manipulation; Survey skewing
See Also
Cross-References
CAPEC Category / Attack Pattern IDs
- 210 Abuse of Functionality
CWE Base / Class / Variant IDs
- 799 Improper Control of Interaction Frequency
- 837 Improper Enforcement of a Single, Unique Action
WASC Threat IDs
- 21 Insufficient Anti-Automation
- 42 Abuse of Functionality
OWASP Attack Category / Attack IDs
- Abuse of Functionality
Return to OWASP Automated Threats to Web Applications Project.