Cross-Site Search Attack (XS-Search)
Cross-Site Search Attack (XS-Search) is a type of cyber attack that targets search functionality on websites. This attack involves an attacker manipulating the search feature to execute malicious code on the victim’s system.
Here’s how it works: the attacker embeds a malicious script in a search query input on a website that allows users to search for content across multiple sites. When a user enters a search term that triggers the malicious input, the script executes on the user’s system, allowing the attacker to steal sensitive data or take control of the victim’s device.
XS-Search attacks can be very dangerous because they exploit a feature used by many popular websites. They can be prevented by ensuring that search functionality is properly sanitized to prevent the execution of malicious code. Additionally, users can protect themselves by being cautious when entering search terms on unfamiliar websites, and by installing antivirus software on their systems.