Cross-site scripting (XSS) is one of the most prevalent and dangerous types of web application security vulnerabilities. It allows attackers to inject malicious code into a website, which can then be executed by unsuspecting users, leading to data theft, website defacement, and other malicious activities. The impact of XSS attacks can be severe, affecting not only individual users but also organizations and businesses that rely on their websites for critical operations.
Over the years, XSS attacks have evolved significantly, as hackers have developed new techniques and strategies to bypass security measures and carry out successful attacks. In this blog, we will explore the evolution of XSS attacks, from the early days of “script kiddies” to the sophisticated techniques used by modern hackers.
What is XSS?
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The malicious scripts can execute arbitrary code in the victim’s browser, which can result in a range of attacks, including theft of sensitive data, session hijacking, or even the spread of malware.
There are three types of XSS attacks:
- Reflected XSS: Reflected XSS attacks involve an attacker sending a crafted link to a victim. When the victim clicks on the link, the malicious code is executed in their browser, which can allow the attacker to steal sensitive information or take control of their account. Reflected XSS attacks are usually executed in real-time, meaning the attack is only successful if the victim clicks on the malicious link.
- Stored XSS: Stored XSS attacks occur when an attacker is able to inject malicious code into a web application’s database or other persistent storage. The malicious code is then executed whenever the victim accesses the affected page or content. Stored XSS attacks can have more significant consequences than reflected XSS attacks, as the attack can continue to persist even after the malicious link is no longer active.
- DOM-based XSS: DOM-based XSS attacks occur when the attacker is able to manipulate the Document Object Model (DOM) of a web page to inject malicious code. Unlike reflected and stored XSS attacks, which rely on server-side vulnerabilities, DOM-based XSS attacks exploit client-side vulnerabilities, making them more difficult to detect and prevent.
The early days of XSS attacks
XSS attacks were first discovered in the late 1990s, and the techniques used by early hackers were relatively simple compared to those used today. These early attacks were often conducted by script kiddies, who lacked the technical skills to create their own exploits and instead relied on pre-existing code.
One common technique used by early hackers was to inject a script tag into a web page’s input fields, such as a search box or comment section. When the user entered data into the field, the script would be executed, allowing the attacker to steal session cookies, login credentials, or other sensitive information.
Another common technique used by early hackers was to exploit vulnerabilities in web applications that allowed them to inject malicious code into a website’s database. When the website displayed the infected data, the attacker’s code would be executed, allowing them to steal information or manipulate the site’s content.
Early XSS attacks were often conducted for fun or to gain notoriety, rather than for financial gain or other malicious purposes. However, as the internet grew in popularity and more sensitive data was stored online, XSS attacks began to have more serious consequences.
Some notable examples of early XSS attacks include the Samy worm and the MySpace worm. The Samy worm was created in 2005 by a hacker named Samy Kamkar and spread through the social networking site MySpace. The worm used an XSS vulnerability to add a friend request to a user’s profile that, when clicked, executed JavaScript that added the user as a friend and replicated the worm.
The MySpace worm, which was also created in 2005, was similar to the Samy worm but used a different technique to spread. The worm exploited a vulnerability in MySpace’s user profiles that allowed the attacker to inject HTML and JavaScript into their own profile, which would then be executed when viewed by other users. The worm spread rapidly through MySpace, eventually infecting over one million profiles.
These early attacks paved the way for more advanced techniques and showed the potential of XSS attacks to cause widespread damage. As a result, website owners began to take notice and take steps to secure their sites against XSS attacks.
Read More 24 search engine tools for pentester
The rise of automated tools
As the internet and web technologies continued to evolve, so did the tools and techniques used by hackers to conduct XSS attacks. One significant development was the emergence of automated tools that made XSS attacks more accessible to less-skilled hackers.
Automated tools, such as XSS scanners and frameworks, allow hackers to scan websites for vulnerabilities and automatically generate attack scripts. These tools often include pre-built payloads that can be used to steal sensitive information or perform other malicious actions.
The availability of automated tools has made it easier for script kiddies to conduct XSS attacks, increasing the frequency and scale of these attacks. However, automated tools are also used by more advanced hackers to speed up the process of identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities.
Notable examples of XSS attacks that utilized automated tools include the “Samy is my hero” attack, which was conducted in 2006 by a hacker using an automated XSS tool to infect thousands of MySpace profiles with a worm that displayed the message “Samy is my hero.”
Another example is the 2014 eBay XSS attack, which allowed attackers to steal login credentials and other sensitive information from eBay users. The attack was conducted using an automated tool that scanned eBay’s website for vulnerabilities and injected malicious code into a login page.
While automated tools have made XSS attacks more accessible, they have also made it easier for website owners to detect and prevent these attacks. Many security scanners and web application firewalls are designed to detect and block automated XSS attacks.
Overall, the rise of automated tools has made XSS attacks more accessible and easier to conduct, but it has also made it easier for website owners to detect and prevent these attacks. As a result, hackers have had to develop more advanced techniques to evade detection and carry out successful attacks.
The evolution of advanced techniques
As website owners have become more aware of XSS attacks and implemented stronger defenses, hackers have had to develop more advanced techniques to carry out successful attacks. Advanced XSS attacks typically involve complex payloads and obfuscation techniques designed to evade detection and bypass security measures.
One advanced technique used by hackers is known as DOM-based XSS. Unlike traditional XSS attacks, which rely on injecting scripts into a web page’s HTML code, DOM-based XSS attacks inject malicious code directly into the Document Object Model (DOM) of a web page. This makes the attack more difficult to detect and defend against, as the malicious code is executed by the victim’s browser rather than the server.
Another advanced technique is known as reflective XSS. Reflective XSS attacks involve injecting malicious code into a web page’s input fields, which is then reflected back to the user in the form of an error message or search result. When the user clicks on the reflected code, it executes in their browser, allowing the attacker to steal sensitive information or perform other malicious actions.
In addition to advanced techniques, hackers also use obfuscation techniques to hide their code from detection. This includes techniques such as encoding, which involves converting the code into a different format that can still be executed by the browser, and using character sets to represent different letters and symbols.
One notable example of an advanced XSS attack is the 2018 British Airways breach, which involved the theft of personal and financial data from over 380,000 customers. The attack was conducted using a sophisticated payload that evaded detection and injected malicious code into the British Airways website’s payment page.
As website owners continue to develop stronger defenses against XSS attacks, hackers will likely continue to develop more advanced techniques to bypass these defenses. This emphasizes the importance of regularly updating and patching website security measures to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Conclusion
XSS attacks have evolved significantly over time, from simple script injection techniques to more advanced and sophisticated methods. In the early period, hackers relied on basic technical skills to exploit vulnerabilities in web applications, while in the mid-period, the emergence of automated tools made these attacks more accessible to less-skilled hackers. In the late period, advanced techniques and obfuscation have become more prevalent, making XSS attacks even more difficult to detect and defend against.
As website owners continue to implement stronger security measures, hackers will undoubtedly continue to develop new and more advanced techniques to bypass these defenses. It is critical for website owners to stay up to date with the latest security technologies and best practices to protect against XSS attacks. It is also essential for users to be vigilant and exercise caution when using the internet, especially when entering personal or sensitive information.