💳 PCI-DSS v4.0 Compliance Mapping

General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679

This document maps the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities to PCI-DSS requirements, helping organizations demonstrate compliance through secure application development.

Executive Summary

Addressing the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities directly supports PCI-DSS compliance, particularly Requirement 6 (Develop and Maintain Secure Systems and Applications). This mapping shows how fixing each OWASP vulnerability helps meet specific PCI-DSS controls.

Detailed Mapping

01. Broken Access Control

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 6.5.8: Improper access control
• 7.1: Limit access to system components and cardholder data
• 7.2: Assign access based on need to know
• 8.2: Ensure proper user authentication

Implementation:

• Implement role-based access control (RBAC)
• Enforce least privilege principle
• Validate authorization on every request
• Log all access attempts

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02. Cryptographic Failures

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 3.4: Render PAN unreadable anywhere it is stored
• 3.5: Protect cryptographic keys
• 4.1: Use strong cryptography for transmission
• 6.5.3: Insecure cryptographic storage

Implementation:

• Use AES-256 for data at rest
• Use TLS 1.2+ for data in transit
• Secure key management with HSM
• Never store sensitive authentication data

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03. Injection

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 6.5.1: Injection flaws (SQL, OS, LDAP)
• 6.2: Protect systems from known vulnerabilities

Implementation:

• Use parameterized queries
• Input validation with whitelisting
• Implement WAF with injection rules
• Regular vulnerability scanning

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04. Insecure Design

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 6.3: Secure development lifecycle
• 6.4: Change control processes
• 6.5: Address common coding vulnerabilities

Implementation:

• Threat modeling during design
• Security requirements definition
• Peer code reviews
• Security architecture reviews

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05. Security Misconfiguration

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 2.2: Develop configuration standards
• 2.2.1: Implement only one primary function per server
• 2.2.4: Configure security parameters
• 6.5.10: Broken authentication and session management

Implementation:

• Hardening guidelines
• Disable unnecessary services
• Remove default accounts
• Secure configuration management

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06. Vulnerable and Outdated Components

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 6.2: Ensure all components are protected from known vulnerabilities
• 6.3.2: Review software changes prior to release

Implementation:

• Inventory all components
• Monitor for vulnerabilities
• Patch management process
• Dependency scanning in CI/CD

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07. Identification and Authentication Failures

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 6.5.10: Broken authentication
• 8.2: Use strong authentication
• 8.3: Secure all individual access
• 8.6: Use MFA for remote access

Implementation:

• Strong password policies
• Multi-factor authentication
• Secure session management
• Account lockout mechanisms

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08. Software and Data Integrity Failures

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 6.3: Develop software securely
• 6.5.3: Insecure cryptographic storage
• 11.5: Deploy change detection mechanism

Implementation:

• Code signing
• Integrity verification
• Secure CI/CD pipeline
• File integrity monitoring

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09. Security Logging and Monitoring Failures

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 10.1-10.9: Implement logging and monitoring
• 10.2: Log all access to cardholder data
• 10.4: Synchronize clocks
• 10.6: Review logs

Implementation:

• Centralized logging
• Log all security events
• Real-time monitoring
• Automated alerting

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10. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

PCI-DSS Requirements:

• 6.5.1: Injection flaws
• 6.5.4: Insecure communications
• 1.3: Prohibit direct public access

Implementation:

• URL validation and whitelist
• Network segmentation
• Disable unnecessary protocols
• Firewall rules

Coverage Summary

OWASP Top 10	Primary PCI-DSS Req	Secondary Requirements
01. Broken Access Control	6.5.8	7.1, 7.2, 8.2
02. Cryptographic Failures	3.4, 4.1	3.5, 6.5.3
03. Injection	6.5.1	6.2
04. Insecure Design	6.3	6.4, 6.5
05. Security Misconfiguration	2.2	6.5.10
06. Vulnerable Components	6.2	6.3.2
07. Auth Failures	6.5.10, 8.2	8.3, 8.6
08. Data Integrity Failures	6.3, 6.5.3	11.5
09. Logging Failures	10.1-10.9	10.2, 10.4, 10.6
10. SSRF	6.5.1, 6.5.4	1.3

Implementation Priority

Critical (Do First)

1. Cryptographic Failures (#02) - Core PCI requirement
2. Injection (#03) - Common attack vector
3. Auth Failures (#07) - Access security

High

1. Broken Access Control (#01)
2. Vulnerable Components (#06)
3. Logging Failures (#09)

Medium

1. Security Misconfiguration (#05)
2. Data Integrity Failures (#08)
3. Insecure Design (#04)
4. SSRF (#10)

Audit Preparation

Documentation Checklist

• ☐ Secure coding standards
• ☐ Security requirements documentation
• ☐ Code review procedures
• ☐ Vulnerability scanning reports
• ☐ Penetration testing results
• ☐ Remediation tracking
• ☐ Training records

Testing Evidence

• ☐ Authentication test results
• ☐ Authorization test results
• ☐ Injection vulnerability scans
• ☐ Encryption verification
• ☐ Configuration reviews
• ☐ Log review samples

PCI-DSS Requirements Organization

Requirement Groups

Group	Requirements	Focus Area
Group 1	Requirements 1-4	Network Security & Encryption
Group 2	Requirements 5-8	Vulnerability Management & Access Control
Group 3	Requirements 9-12	Operations & Policies

Common Implementation Mistakes

• Weak Cryptography: Using outdated algorithms or insufficient key sizes
• Missing Input Validation: Not validating all user inputs across all entry points
• Default Credentials: Leaving default usernames/passwords unchanged
• Poor Logging: Not logging access to cardholder data
• Unpatched Systems: Running outdated components with known vulnerabilities
• No Access Control: Not implementing least privilege principle

Timeline to Compliance

Month 1-2: Assessment

• Conduct security assessment
• Identify gaps against PCI-DSS
• Prioritize remediation efforts
• Create implementation plan

Month 3-6: Remediation

• Implement critical controls
• Deploy security technologies
• Develop policies and procedures
• Train personnel

Month 7-9: Testing

• Conduct penetration testing
• Run vulnerability scans
• Verify control effectiveness
• Address findings

Month 10-12: Audit

• Prepare for assessor audit
• Compile evidence of compliance
• Conduct internal audit
• Achieve certification

References

• PCI DSS v4.0 Official
• OWASP Top 10
• PCI Software Security Framework