CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

Which of the following is a characteristic of XSS attacks?

1. They exploit the kernel vulnerabilities

2. They occur only in mobile applications

3. They utilize scripting vulnerabilities in websites

4. They require physical access to the devices

The correct answer is: They utilize scripting vulnerabilities in websites

XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) attacks specifically target web applications by exploiting vulnerabilities related to the execution of scripts. The correct answer highlights this core characteristic, as XSS attacks involve injecting malicious scripts into web pages that are viewed by other users. When users load the affected web page, the malicious scripts execute within their browsers, potentially allowing attackers to steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information, and to manipulate webpage content. The other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of XSS attacks. For example, kernel vulnerabilities pertain more to system-level exploits rather than issues within web applications. Additionally, restricting XSS attacks to mobile applications is misleading, since they can occur in any web environment where scripting is permitted. Lastly, XSS does not require physical access because the malicious scripts are executed remotely when users simply access the compromised web pages without the need for direct interaction with the device. Understanding these aspects illustrates how crucial it is to secure web applications against such scripting vulnerabilities.