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XSS

 

XSS

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that occurs when attackers inject malicious scripts into otherwise benign and trusted websites. This malicious code is then executed by victims' browsers, allowing the attacker to steal sensitive information, manipulate website content, or perform actions on behalf of the user without their consent. XSS exploits the trust that a user has for a particular website, as the browser cannot distinguish between legitimate and malicious scripts. 


There are 3 main types of XSS:

Stored XSS:   

  • Description: The injected script is permanently stored on the target server and served to users whenever they access a particular page. 

  • Example: Attacker injects a script into a comment on a blog, and every user who views that comment executes the malicious script. 

 

Reflected XSS: 

  • Description: The injected script is embedded in a URL and only appears when the victim clicks on a manipulated link. 

  • Example: Attacker sends a phishing email with a link containing the malicious script, and if the victim clicks on the link, the script executes in their browser. 

 

DOM-based XSS: 

  • Description: The attack occurs on the client side, with the malicious script manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM) of a web page. 

  • Example: Attacker injects a script that modifies the content of a webpage after it has loaded, potentially stealing sensitive information. 


 

How to defend against

Security measures to protect against malware, including cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, should encompass a comprehensive approach. Here's a list of essential security measures with explanations: 

 

Firewalls: 

  • Explanation: Firewalls act as a barrier between a secure internal network and untrusted external networks, monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic. 

  • Example: A network firewall can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data by blocking malicious traffic. 

 

Antivirus Software: 

  • Explanation: Antivirus programs detect, prevent, and remove malicious software, including viruses, trojans, and worms. 

  • Example: McAfee, Norton, and Kaspersky are popular antivirus software solutions. 

 

Regular Software Updates: 

  • Explanation: Keeping operating systems, applications, and plugins up-to-date patches known vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of exploitation. 

  • Example: Regularly updating systems with the latest security patches from Microsoft, Apple, or other software providers. 

 

Secure Coding Practices: 

  • Explanation: Developers should follow secure coding practices to minimize vulnerabilities in web applications, reducing the risk of exploitation. 

  • Example: Input validation, proper error handling, and using secure coding languages like Java or Python. 

 

Content Security Policy (CSP): 

  • Explanation: CSP helps prevent XSS attacks by defining and enforcing a set of rules that dictate the types of content that a browser should execute. 

  • Example: A web application can set a CSP header to restrict the execution of scripts from external domains. 

 


Some real attacks involving XSS are:

·         MySpace Worm (2005) - Description: Samy Kamkar created a worm that utilized an XSS vulnerability on MySpace to spread and gain millions of friends, adding a script to users' profiles without their knowledge. 
·         Gmail (2007) - Description: An XSS vulnerability in Gmail allowed attackers to steal user session cookies, potentially leading to unauthorized access to email accounts. 
·         Sony PlayStation Network (2011) - Description: Sony's PlayStation Network suffered a major breach due to an XSS vulnerability, exposing personal information and disrupting services for millions of users. 

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