Cyberattacks are a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. Among the many ways attackers target companies, Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) are two common methods that exploit vulnerabilities in web applications. These attacks can lead to unauthorized transactions, stolen customer data, or even regulatory fines, threatening your business's reputation and bottom line.
Understanding the differences between these two threats and taking proactive measures to prevent them is essential to protecting your business, customers, and compliance efforts.
With a Cross-Site Request Forgery attack, a hacker tricks your browser into performing an unwanted action on a trusted website where you’re already logged in. For example, let’s say an employee is logged into your company’s internal payroll system. A malicious link on another website tricks the browser into authorizing a fraudulent payment.
The attack works because the trusted website assumes the action is legitimate, relying on the employee’s active session credentials. The result? Unauthorized actions, such as transferring money or changing account settings, without the employee ever knowing.
Cross-Site Scripting attacks involve hackers injecting malicious code into a trusted website. When someone visits the site, their browser unknowingly runs the harmful code. For instance, a hacker might insert malicious scripts into the comments section of an e-commerce website. When a customer views the page, the script runs, potentially stealing their payment details or redirecting them to a fake login page.
Although both attacks exploit web application vulnerabilities, they target different aspects:
|
Feature |
CSRF |
XSS |
|
Who is tricked? |
The victim’s browser performs unauthorized actions on a trusted site. |
The victim’s browser runs malicious code sent by a compromised website. |
|
What is the target? |
A trusted website where the user is logged in. |
Visitors to a vulnerable website. |
|
Goal of the attack? |
Trick the site into performing unwanted actions (e.g., money transfers). |
Steal data or manipulate the user’s interaction with the site. |
Businesses can implement several best practices to reduce the risk of CSRF and XXS attacks:
Neglecting to secure your web applications against CSRF and XSS attacks can have severe consequences for your business:
Don’t wait until your business is the next headline. Attacks like CSRF and XSS can be prevented with proper measures, but they require vigilance and proactive planning. Investing in cybersecurity solutions now is far more cost-effective than dealing with the fallout of an attack later.
At Locknet, we specialize in helping businesses with cybersecurity solutions that comply with their industry regulations. As a Managed Security Service Provider, vulnerability assessments, employee education, and MFA are just a few of the solutions we offer to protect your business from the latest cyber threats. Contact us to learn more.