About Me
CompTIA PenTest+
1 Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities
1-1 Common Threat Actors
1-2 Threat Intelligence Sources
1-3 Threat Actors and Motives
1-4 Threat Actor Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)
1-5 Vulnerability Types
1-6 Exploit Types
1-7 Attack Types
1-8 Threat Detection and Monitoring
1-9 Threat Hunting
1-10 Incident Response
2 Architecture and Design
2-1 Security Controls
2-2 Network Architecture
2-3 Cloud and Virtualization
2-4 Web Application Security
2-5 Wireless Security
2-6 Mobile Security
2-7 IoT Security
2-8 Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security
2-9 Physical Security
2-10 Secure Software Development
3 Tools and Code
3-1 Penetration Testing Tools
3-2 Exploitation Tools
3-3 Post-Exploitation Tools
3-4 Reporting Tools
3-5 Scripting and Automation
3-6 Programming Languages
3-7 Code Analysis
3-8 Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Tools
4 Planning and Scoping
4-1 Penetration Testing Methodologies
4-2 Legal and Compliance Considerations
4-3 Scope Definition
4-4 Risk Assessment
4-5 Threat Modeling
4-6 Information Gathering
4-7 Asset Identification
4-8 Data Classification
4-9 Business Impact Analysis
4-10 Penetration Testing Objectives
5 Information Gathering and Vulnerability Identification
5-1 Passive Reconnaissance
5-2 Active Reconnaissance
5-3 Vulnerability Scanning
5-4 Network Mapping
5-5 Service Identification
5-6 Web Application Scanning
5-7 Wireless Network Scanning
5-8 Social Engineering Techniques
5-9 OSINT Techniques
5-10 Vulnerability Databases
6 Attacks and Exploits
6-1 Exploit Development
6-2 Buffer Overflows
6-3 SQL Injection
6-4 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
6-5 Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
6-6 Command Injection
6-7 Privilege Escalation
6-8 Lateral Movement
6-9 Evasion Techniques
6-10 Exploit Delivery Methods
7 Penetration Testing Process
7-1 Pre-Engagement Activities
7-2 Reconnaissance
7-3 Scanning and Enumeration
7-4 Exploitation
7-5 Post-Exploitation
7-6 Reporting
7-7 Remediation
7-8 Retesting
7-9 Documentation and Evidence Collection
7-10 Communication and Coordination
8 Reporting and Communication
8-1 Report Structure
8-2 Executive Summary
8-3 Technical Findings
8-4 Risk Assessment
8-5 Remediation Recommendations
8-6 Legal and Compliance Considerations
8-7 Presentation Skills
8-8 Communication with Stakeholders
8-9 Documentation Standards
8-10 Continuous Improvement
9 Security and Compliance
9-1 Regulatory Requirements
9-2 Industry Standards
9-3 Compliance Audits
9-4 Data Protection
9-5 Privacy Laws
9-6 Incident Response Planning
9-7 Disaster Recovery Planning
9-8 Business Continuity Planning
9-9 Risk Management
9-10 Security Awareness Training
6.5 Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) Explained

6.5 Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) Explained

Key Concepts

1. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is an attack that forces an end user to execute unwanted actions on a web application in which they are currently authenticated. CSRF attacks exploit the trust a website has in the user's browser.

2. Authenticated Session

An authenticated session is a period during which a user is logged into a web application. During this session, the user's browser automatically includes authentication tokens (like cookies) with each request, allowing the server to recognize the user.

3. Unauthorized Requests

Unauthorized requests are actions performed by an attacker that the user did not intend to execute. These requests are made possible by the user's authenticated session, which the attacker leverages to perform actions on behalf of the user.

4. Same-Origin Policy

The Same-Origin Policy is a security measure that restricts how documents or scripts loaded from one origin can interact with resources from another origin. However, CSRF attacks bypass this policy by exploiting the user's authenticated session.

5. CSRF Tokens

CSRF tokens are unique, secret values that are generated by the server and included in forms or headers of requests. These tokens are verified by the server to ensure that the request is legitimate and not forged by an attacker.

Explanation of Concepts

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

CSRF attacks occur when an attacker tricks a user's browser into making a request to a target website where the user is authenticated. The browser automatically includes the user's authentication cookies, allowing the attacker to perform actions as the user.

Authenticated Session

When a user logs into a web application, the server creates an authenticated session. This session is maintained through cookies or tokens stored in the user's browser. Each subsequent request to the server includes these cookies, allowing the server to recognize and authenticate the user.

Unauthorized Requests

An attacker can craft a malicious webpage or email that, when visited or clicked by the user, triggers a request to the target website. Since the user's browser includes the authentication cookies, the request is processed as if it were legitimate, allowing the attacker to perform unauthorized actions.

Same-Origin Policy

The Same-Origin Policy prevents scripts from one origin from accessing data from another origin. However, CSRF attacks exploit the fact that browsers automatically include authentication cookies with requests, regardless of the origin of the request.

CSRF Tokens

To prevent CSRF attacks, web applications use CSRF tokens. These tokens are unique and secret values generated by the server and included in forms or headers of requests. When the server receives a request, it verifies the CSRF token to ensure that the request is legitimate and not forged by an attacker.

Examples and Analogies

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

Consider a bank website where a user is logged in. An attacker sends the user a malicious link that, when clicked, triggers a transfer of funds from the user's account to the attacker's account. The user's browser includes the authentication cookies, allowing the transfer to be processed as a legitimate request.

Authenticated Session

Think of an authenticated session as a hotel key card. When you check into a hotel, you receive a key card that grants you access to your room. Similarly, when you log into a web application, your browser receives a "key" (cookie) that grants you access to your account.

Unauthorized Requests

Imagine a scenario where an attacker leaves a door open in your hotel room. When you walk by, the door opens, and the attacker sneaks in and takes your belongings. Similarly, an attacker can trick your browser into making unauthorized requests to a website where you are authenticated.

Same-Origin Policy

Consider a hotel that only allows guests to access their rooms. However, if an attacker knows your room number and key card, they can access your room. Similarly, the Same-Origin Policy prevents scripts from accessing data from another origin, but CSRF attacks exploit the user's authentication cookies.

CSRF Tokens

Think of CSRF tokens as a unique code that you need to enter to access your hotel room. The hotel checks this code to ensure that you are the legitimate guest. Similarly, web applications use CSRF tokens to verify that requests are legitimate and not forged by an attacker.

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