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Glossary Term

Misconfigured CDN

CDN settings expose origins or cache private data without the intended security controls.

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Misconfigured CDN

1-minute read

What it is

A Misconfigured CDN exposes origin servers, caches sensitive data improperly, or fails to enforce security rules intended to protect web applications.

Why it matters

Attackers can bypass protections, retrieve private data from caches, or exploit shared infrastructure to launch large-scale attacks.

How to reduce risk

  • Restrict direct access to origin servers and require CDN authentication
  • Validate caching rules to prevent storing sensitive or private responses
  • Monitor CDN configurations for drift, inherited defaults, or emergency changes

Related Terms: Web Cache Poisoning, Cloud Misconfiguration, Exposed Admin Interface

External Resources:

  • Cloudflare Learning Center – CDN Basics: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/cdn/