Web Security Threats and Vulnerabilities

1. Cross-Site Scripting (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. This can lead to the theft of sensitive information such as cookies, session tokens, or other confidential data.

Example: An attacker might inject a script into a comment field on a blog. When other users view the comment, the script executes, potentially redirecting them to a malicious website or capturing their login credentials.

Analogy: Think of XSS as a hidden trap in a public park. When unsuspecting visitors step on it, they are redirected to a dangerous area or have their belongings stolen.

2. SQL Injection

SQL Injection is a code injection technique that attackers use to insert malicious SQL statements into input fields for execution by a backend database. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, data manipulation, or even complete control over the database server.

Example: An attacker might enter a malicious SQL query into a login form. If the application does not properly sanitize the input, the query could bypass authentication and grant the attacker access to the entire database.

Analogy: Imagine a secure vault with a faulty lock. An attacker can manipulate the lock's mechanism to gain entry, bypassing all security measures.

3. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is an attempt to make a website or service unavailable by overwhelming it with traffic from multiple sources. Unlike a traditional DoS attack, which comes from a single source, a DDoS attack originates from many different, coordinated sources, making it difficult to defend against.

Example: An attacker might use a botnet to send a flood of requests to a website's server. This overwhelming traffic can cause the server to crash or become unresponsive, effectively taking the website offline.

Analogy: Consider a busy intersection with a traffic jam. A DDoS attack is like having multiple roads leading to the intersection suddenly flooded with cars, making it impossible for anyone to pass through.