HTTP Security Headers are special instructions added to the responses sent by web servers to browsers. These headers tell browsers how to behave when handling website content, adding extra layers of protection against certain types of cyber attacks. By using these headers, websites can help prevent issues like cross-site scripting, clickjacking, and content sniffing, making…
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) tokens are security features used to protect websites from unauthorised actions performed by malicious sites or scripts. They work by embedding a secret, unique token within each form or request sent by the user. When the server receives a request, it checks for a valid token, ensuring the action was genuinely…
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) is a security vulnerability where an attacker tricks a server into making requests to unintended locations. This can allow attackers to access internal systems, sensitive data, or services that are not meant to be publicly available. SSRF often happens when a web application fetches a resource from a user-supplied URL without…
XML External Entity (XXE) attacks are a type of security vulnerability that affects applications using XML input. When an application processes XML data without proper safeguards, attackers can exploit features that allow external entities to be loaded. This can lead to sensitive data exposure, denial of service, or even system compromise. XXE attacks often occur…
Secure deserialization is the process of safely converting data that has been stored or transmitted in a structured format back into an object or data structure. If not handled carefully, deserialization can be exploited by attackers to run malicious code, access sensitive information, or compromise a system. By applying security checks and using trusted sources,…
Input validation frameworks are software tools or libraries that help developers check and control the data entered into a system. They ensure that input from users or other systems meets specific rules, such as correct format, length, or required fields. By filtering out invalid or harmful data, these frameworks protect applications from errors and security…
Secure file parsing refers to the process of reading and interpreting data from files in a way that prevents security vulnerabilities. It involves checking that files are in the correct format, handling errors safely, and protecting against malicious content that could harm a system. Secure parsing is important because attackers often try to hide harmful…
Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) is a type of software flaw where a system checks a condition and then, before using the result, the state changes. This can allow attackers to exploit the gap between the check and the use, causing the system to behave unexpectedly or insecurely. TOCTOU issues often arise in file handling, permissions…
Race condition attacks occur when two or more processes or users try to access or change the same data at the same time, causing unexpected results. Attackers exploit these situations by timing their actions to interfere with normal operations, potentially gaining unauthorised access or privileges. These attacks often target systems where actions are not properly…
Integer overflow exploits are a type of software vulnerability where a computer program does not properly handle numbers that are too large or too small for the allocated storage space. When this happens, the value can wrap around to a much smaller or negative number, causing unexpected behaviour. Attackers can use this flaw to bypass…