Misconfigurations Should Not Be Considered Vulnerabilities: The Expensive Misunderstanding Surrounding Security Threats.

In SaaS security discussions, the terms “misconfiguration” and “vulnerability” are frequently used interchangeably, yet they represent distinct concepts. Misunderstanding this difference can lead to significant security risks. This confusion is not merely a matter of semantics; it highlights a broader misunderstanding of the shared responsibility model in SaaS environments, where the division of responsibilities between vendors and customers can often be ambiguous. Vulnerabilities refer to flaws within the SaaS platform’s codebase, which only the vendor can address. In contrast, misconfigurations arise from user-controlled settings, such as access permissions and integration configurations. For instance, a misconfiguration may involve a third-party application having excessive access or an internal site being inadvertently made public.

Most SaaS providers operate under a shared responsibility model, where they secure the infrastructure and ensure uptime, while customers are tasked with configuring the application and managing access. This includes critical aspects like identity management, permissions, and data sharing policies. These responsibilities are foundational to security, yet many organisations mistakenly believe that their security relies solely on vendor trust. According to The State of SaaS Security 2025 Report, 53% of organisations express confidence in their SaaS security based on vendor reliability. However, this assumption can create dangerous blind spots, particularly since customers control the most vulnerable settings. Furthermore, many security incidents stem from overlooked configuration or policy issues rather than advanced attacks. The same report indicates that 41% of incidents were due to permission issues and 29% from misconfigurations. Traditional detection tools often fail to capture these risks, as they are not triggered by user behaviour but are inherent in the system’s setup. Addressing these risks requires direct analysis of configurations and permissions, rather than relying solely on logs or alerts.