In today's digital economy, payment security is no longer optional—it's a foundational requirement for any business that handles credit card data. As cyber threats evolve, organizations need clear, actionable frameworks to help protect sensitive information.
Two of the most trusted guides in this space are:
- PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) — a mandatory compliance standard for any merchant or service provider handling cardholder data.
- OWASP (Open Worldwide Application Security Project) — a globally recognized authority on web application security.
While PCI DSS defines what you must secure, OWASP helps you understand how attackers exploit weaknesses. Together, they form a powerful blueprint for reducing risk, improving security posture, and protecting payment environments.
In this article, we'll break down how the OWASP Top 10 security risks intersect with PCI DSS requirements, and what your organization can do to stay compliant and secure.
Why OWASP Matters for PCI DSS
PCI DSS is not purely a "checkbox" framework. To remain compliant—and truly secure—organizations must demonstrate that they actively protect against modern threats. That is exactly where OWASP Top 10 comes in.
OWASP Top 10 highlights the most critical vulnerabilities found in real-world applications. When these are mapped to PCI DSS controls, they reinforce secure coding, continuous monitoring, network protections, and strong access governance.
The overlap is natural: PCI DSS aims to safeguard cardholder data, while OWASP aims to safeguard software and applications. Since most cardholder data flows through applications, OWASP best practices help achieve PCI DSS objectives.
OWASP Top 10 Categories and How They Map to PCI DSS
Below is a simplified mapping of the OWASP Top 10 (2021 edition) to relevant PCI DSS requirements (v4.0). While not exhaustive, this will help security teams prioritize remediation and compliance activities.
1. Broken Access Control
When users can access data or functions they shouldn't, cardholder data is at risk.
Related PCI DSS Requirements:
- 7: Restrict access to system components and cardholder data
- 8: Identify and authenticate users
- 10: Log and monitor access
Key Mitigations:
- Enforce RBAC/least privilege
- Prevent IDOR vulnerabilities
- Validate server-side authorization on every request
2. Cryptographic Failures
Formerly "Sensitive Data Exposure," this focuses on weak or missing encryption.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 3: Protect stored cardholder data
- 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open/public networks
Key Mitigations:
- Use strong TLS (1.2+)
- Disable outdated ciphers and protocols
- Properly manage encryption keys
- Avoid storing sensitive authentication data unless absolutely required
3. Injection Attacks
SQL injection, NoSQL injection, OS command injection, etc.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 6.2: Secure coding practices
- 11.3: Penetration testing
- 10.2: Monitoring abnormal activity
Key Mitigations:
- Parameterized queries
- Input validation
- Strict ORM usage
- Limiting database privileges
4. Insecure Design
Architectural mistakes leave systems exploitable even if code is clean.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 6.1: Secure system design
- 6.3: Security testing during development
- 12: Maintain a security policy
Key Mitigations:
- Threat modeling
- Security design patterns
- Validation at every layer
5. Security Misconfiguration
One of the most common causes of PCI DSS audit failures.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 2: Secure configuration of system components
- 5: Protect systems against malware
- 11.5: Change detection mechanisms
Key Mitigations:
- Harden servers and containers
- Turn off unused services
- Enforce configuration baselines
- Automated patching workflows
6. Vulnerable and Outdated Components
Running old libraries, dependencies, or OS versions.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 6.3.1: Patch management
- 6.4: Change control processes
- 11.2: Vulnerability scanning
Key Mitigations:
- SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) tracking
- Automated dependency scanning
- Prioritize CVEs with exploit data
7. Identification & Authentication Failures
Weak authentication leads to account breaches and fraud.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 8: Identify & authenticate access to system components
- 10: Logging and monitoring of authentication events
Key Mitigations:
- MFA for all admin and cardholder data environments
- Strong password policies
- Session management controls
8. Software & Data Integrity Failures
Improper CI/CD workflows, unsigned code, or unverified updates.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 6.4: Secure development processes
- 12.2.1: Risk assessment
Key Mitigations:
- Signed code and deployment artifacts
- Integrity checks for APIs
- Protect against supply-chain attacks
9. Security Logging & Monitoring Failures
Without proper logging, intrusions may go unnoticed for months.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 10: Log and monitor all access to cardholder data
- 11.4: Intrusion detection and prevention
Key Mitigations:
- Centralized SIEM
- Automated alerting
- Log retention compliance
- Monitor privileged activity
10. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Attackers trick the server into sending unauthorized requests.
Relevant PCI DSS Requirements:
- 6.2: Secure software practices
- 1.3: Restrict outbound traffic from CDE
- 11.3: Penetration testing
Key Mitigations:
- Block all but approved outbound traffic
- Validate and sanitize URLs
- Use network segmentation to isolate internal resources
Putting It All Together: A Unified Security Strategy
The strongest PCI DSS programs use the OWASP Top 10 as a tactical guide for engineering teams. Here's how organizations typically integrate both frameworks:
1. Shift-left security
Incorporate OWASP Top 10 checks into your SDLC and CI/CD pipelines.
2. Quarterly testing
Perform vulnerability scans and penetration tests aligned with PCI DSS and OWASP methodologies.
3. Continuous monitoring
Automated alerting, SIEM logging, and change detection systems reduce mean time to detect (MTTD).
4. Developer training
Build awareness of OWASP principles to reduce code-level defects.
5. Security governance
PCI DSS policies should reference OWASP categories as part of secure coding requirements.
Conclusion
PCI DSS tells you what must be secured, while OWASP Top 10 explains how attackers exploit your weaknesses. When combined, they create a highly effective defense strategy that protects cardholder data, strengthens compliance efforts, and reduces your organization's exposure to real-world threats.
Whether you're a merchant, SaaS provider, or fintech startup, aligning your security program to both OWASP Top 10 and PCI DSS is one of the highest-impact ways to build trustworthy, resilient systems.
Need help with PCI DSS compliance or application security? Contact us to learn how DigitalCoding can help secure your payment systems and meet compliance requirements.
