Following reports that cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities were found this week on travel website Trip Advisor and rideshare site Uber, security experts labelled XSS flaws as the “easiest way for websites to be attacked”.

XSS is a type of computer security vulnerability typically found in website applications. It enables attackers to inject client-side script into Web pages viewed by other users. An XSS vulnerability may be used by attackers to bypass access controls such as the same origin policy.

Malicious hackers

Such vulnerabilities put website users, visitors and administrators at risk of being compromised by malicious hackers, with the potential theft of cookies, personal data, authentication credentials and browser history just the tip of iceberg.

So what can you do to limit the chance of being attacked via an XSS vulnerability? Here, CEO of High-Tech Bridge’s ethical hacking services, shares five security tips for XSS damage limitation.

1. Explain to your web developers that one XSS vulnerability may lead to total compromise of the entire company.

2. Make sure your web developers and server admins respect security best practices. This will already resolve the majority of potential problems.

3. Make sure that your IT team has a clear inventory of your web resources, that there is no abandoned or test web projects that are accessible from the outside.

4. Never rely on your web application firewall (WAF) as the sole security solution aimed to prevent all types of attacks.

5. Regularly conduct web penetration testing by independent companies.

Kolochenko said: “SQL injection vulnerabilities are becoming more and more rare, as well as other high and critical risk vulnerabilities. They are complex to detect and quite often requires a lot of time to exploit. At the same time almost nobody cares about “medium-risk” XSS vulnerabilities leaving their websites vulnerable. Obviously, hackers benefit from such negligence and use XSS vulnerabilities to achieve their goals. If you close your door, don’t forget to close your windows – otherwise the entire security is at risk.”

Duncan Macrae

Duncan MacRae is former editor and now a contributor to TechWeekEurope. He previously edited Computer Business Review's print/digital magazines and CBR Online, as well as Arabian Computer News in the UAE.

Recent Posts

The Sustainability of AI

While AI promises unparalleled efficiency, productivity, and innovation, questions regarding its environmental impact loom large.…

58 mins ago

Trump’s Truth Social Makes Successful Market Debut

Shares in Donald Trump’s social media company rose about 16 percent after first day of…

1 hour ago

Dutch PM Raises Cyber Espionage Case With China’s Xi

Beijing visit sees Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte discuss cyber espionage incident with Chinese President…

2 hours ago

Vodafone Germany Confirms 2,000 Job Losses, Amid European Restructuring

More downsizing at Vodafone after German operation announces 2,000 jobs will be axed, as automation…

18 hours ago

AI Poses ‘Jobs Apocalypse’, Warns Report

IPPR report warns AI could remove almost 8 million jobs in the United Kingdom, with…

19 hours ago

Europe’s Longest Hyperloop Test Track Opens

European Hyperloop Center in the Netherlands seeks to advance futuristic transport technology, despite US setbacks

20 hours ago