Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a cyberattack in which a hacker enters malicious code into a web form or web application url. This malicious code, written in a scripting language like JavaScript or PHP, can do anything from vandalizing the website you’re trying to load to stealing your passwords or other login credentials.
XSS takes advantage of an important aspect of the modern web, which is that most websites are built on the fly when pages load, sometimes by executing code in the browser itself. That can make such attacks tricky to prevent
How XSS works
Anyone can set up a website that contains malicious code. In a cross-site scripting attack, an attacker sets things up so their code gets on their victim’s computer when the victim accesses someone else’s website. That’s where the “cross” in the name comes from. XSS attacks manage to pull this off without any need to gain privileged access to the web server to plant code on it surreptitiously. Instead, the attackers take advantage of how modern webpages work.
More Stories
The AI Fix #30: ChatGPT reveals the devastating truth about Santa (Merry Christmas!)
In episode 30 of The AI Fix, AIs are caught lying to avoid being turned off, Appleās AI flubs a...
US and Japan Blame North Korea for $308m Crypto Heist
A joint US-Japan alert attributed North Korean hackers with a May 2024 crypto heist worth $308m from Japan-based company DMM...
Spyware Maker NSO Group Found Liable for Hacking WhatsApp
A judge has found that NSO Group, maker of the Pegasus spyware, has violated the US Computer Fraud and Abuse...
Spyware Maker NSO Group Liable for WhatsApp User Hacks
A US judge has ruled in favor of WhatsApp in a long-running case against commercial spyware-maker NSO Group Read More
Major Biometric Data Farming Operation Uncovered
Researchers at iProov have discovered a dark web group compiling identity documents and biometric data to bypass KYC checks Read...
Ransomware Attack Exposes Data of 5.6 Million Ascension Patients
US healthcare giant Ascension revealed that 5.6 million individuals have had their personal, medical and financial information breached in a...