Cross Site Scripting (XSS Attack)

At times, certain web coding practices can cause serious security vulnerabilities. These, in turn, can adversely affect both users and the website. A common example of these hacking technique that result in security vulnerabilities is Cross Site Scripting, where a hacker injects malicious content from another user and gathers data from the victim.

How do XSS attacks work? Websites today are chiefly dynamic in nature, with complex web applications that are crafted to meet the requirements and address the needs of numerous users. However, the dynamic nature of these websites is the major reason behind the vulnerabilities that make cross site scripting attacks possible. Websites display web pages that contain text and HTML, which is translated by the user’s browser and generated through the server. Websites with dynamic pages face the challenge of managing the manner by which their output pages are understood by the client. For instance, if some malicious content is injected in the dynamic page, the client or the website will be unaware of the malicious injections.

Hackers collect malicious data through hyperlinks from users. The hyperlinks hold the malicious content, which is housed within websites. When a user visits a website and clicks on the link, the hacker sends the malicious data straight to the web application. After subsequent clicks on the link, another page is created and the malicious content is generated within that page. The user remains absolutely unaware of the fake content and assumes it to be valid data generated from the web site.

Cross Site Scripting attacks have gained increasing momentum in recent years, with several instances of commercial sites coming under attack. These attacks pose great risks to server applications. Attackers can lead users to malicious servers of their choice and extract secured information from users or cause other damages. Hackers can also deface home pages of websites and post adverse comments against sites and spoil the reputations of the site ownersn. Cross Site Scripting can craft requests in disguise of a valid user, and can alter user settings, conduct cookie poisoning, and/or aid in account hijacking.

Hacker4Lease is the leader in the IT security services market, delivering IT security risk assessment services and implementing IT security services management plan solutions. We have extensive knowledge and experience in the many methods of attack and through our managed IT security services, we can develop strategies to manage and eliminate IT security risks.

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