Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

CSRF is a security vulnerability that tricks a web browser into executing an unwanted action in an application to which a user is logged in. This type of attack exploits the trust that a web application has in the user's browser, allowing attackers to send unauthorized commands to the application while leveraging the user’s authenticated session.

CSRF attacks typically involve scenarios where the attacker creates malicious website or email links, buttons, or forms designed to perform actions on behalf of the user without their consent. For example, if a user is logged into their online banking account, an attacker could use CSRF to forge a request to transfer money without the user's knowledge, merely by having them click a deceptive link.

Common Characteristics and Risks:

Prevention Techniques:

Understanding and mitigating CSRF vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining secure web applications, especially those that handle sensitive user data or perform significant actions in response to user requests. Developers must implement robust validation and verification mechanisms to protect against CSRF and ensure the security of their applications.