HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) Bypass
HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) is a protocol meant to help protect users against man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks by enforcing HTTPS connections. It works by sending a special header to the user’s browser, which instructs the browser to only connect to the website via HTTPS.
However, in certain situations, it is possible for a hacker to bypass HSTS and intercept the user’s data. This is known as an HSTS bypass.
There are several ways to perform an HSTS bypass, including:
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Using a rogue certificate authority (CA) to issue a fake certificate for the targeted website.
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Using a malicious Wi-Fi hotspot to intercept the connection and inject a fake HSTS header.
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Exploiting vulnerabilities in the browser or server software to bypass the HSTS check.
To protect against HSTS bypass attacks, it is important to keep browsers and server software up to date, and to be cautious when connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Additionally, using a web application firewall (WAF) can help detect and block HSTS bypass attempts.