Cross-Site Scripting attacks involve injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These scripts can steal session cookies, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious sites, compromising user data and trust.
Challenges
- User Data Theft: Attackers can steal sensitive information by executing malicious scripts in users’ browsers.
- Session Hijacking: XSS can lead to the hijacking of user sessions, granting attackers unauthorized access to user accounts.
- Reputation Damage: Exploited vulnerabilities can harm an organization’s reputation and erode user trust.
Protection Strategies
- Input Validation and Sanitization: Ensure that all user inputs are properly validated and sanitized to prevent script injection.
- Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement CSP headers to restrict the sources from which scripts can be executed.
- Secure Coding Practices: Educate developers on secure coding techniques to prevent XSS vulnerabilities during the development phase.
