CyberAware

What is Cross Site Scripting & How it is done?

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a website. The injected code can then run in the web browser of an unsuspecting user who visits the affected website, compromising their security and privacy.
XSS attacks can occur when a web application allows user-supplied data, such as form input, to be displayed on the website without proper validation or sanitization. The attacker can inject malicious code into the website, which can then be executed by other users who visit the website.
There are two types of XSS attacks: stored and reflected. Stored XSS attacks involve the injection of malicious code into a website that is then stored and served to every user who visits the affected page. Reflected XSS attacks involve the injection of malicious code into a website that is immediately executed in the browser of the victim who visits the affected page.
XSS attacks can have a range of impacts, including stealing sensitive information such as login credentials and other personal information, altering the behavior of a website, and spreading malware to other users.
To prevent XSS attacks, it is important to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data before it is displayed on a website. This can be achieved through techniques such as input validation, encoding user-supplied data, and using a Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the types of scripts that can be executed on a website. Additionally, it is important to keep web applications and frameworks up to date with the latest security patches to address known vulnerabilities.

Process :-

The process of a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack can be broken down into the following steps:

Discovery of a vulnerability: The attacker identifies a web application that is vulnerable to XSS and allows user-supplied data to be displayed on the website without proper validation or sanitization.
Injection of malicious code: The attacker crafts and injects malicious code into the website, either by exploiting a vulnerability in the web application or by tricking a user into submitting malicious data.
Execution of malicious code: When an unsuspecting user visits the affected website, the malicious code is executed in their web browser, compromising their security and privacy.
Data theft or compromise: The attacker can use the XSS vulnerability to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data. The attacker can also alter the behavior of the website or spread malware to other users.
Post-attack activities: The attacker can use the stolen information for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or financial fraud, or use the compromised website to launch further attacks.

It is important to note that XSS attacks can be difficult to detect, as the malicious code is often hidden and executed in the background. To prevent XSS attacks, organizations and individuals should implement security measures, such as input validation, encoding user-supplied data, and using a Content Security Policy (CSP), to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data before it is displayed on a website.

Awareness on Cross Site Scripting for Post-production

• Input validation
• Data encoding
• Disaster recovery plan
• Employee education
• Strong passwords
• Network security