Security misconfiguration ranks as the fifth most common vulnerability on OWASP's list of top ten vulnerabilities, highlighting the risks posed by insecure configurations in various components like web servers, databases, or custom code. As a broad category, it is frequently encountered due to the layered nature of web applications, where configuration errors can occur easily, leading potentially to severe consequences such as full system takeovers and data breaches. Exploitability is often straightforward, exemplified by cases like default admin credentials left unchanged or exposed debugging features, as seen in the well-publicized Patreon incident. To mitigate these risks, regular system audits, consistent configurations across environments, automated processes, and proactive security measures are essential, with tools like Detectify offering automated vulnerability scans. Prevention strategies emphasize updating systems, automating setup procedures, and containing potential damage from breaches to minimize impact.