Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) tricks authenticated users into performing unwanted actions on web applications where they're logged in.
Understanding CSRF
CSRF attacks exploit the trust that a web application has in a user's browser by forcing authenticated users to submit malicious requests.
How CSRF Works
An attacker creates a malicious link or hidden form that performs an action on a site where the victim is authenticated. When clicked, the browser sends the request with the victim's session cookies.
Protection Methods
- CSRF Tokens - Include unpredictable tokens in forms that must match server-side values.
- SameSite Cookies - Use SameSite cookie attribute to prevent cross-origin requests.
- Origin Verification - Verify Origin and Referer headers for sensitive operations.
Conclusion
CSRF attacks exploit the trust web applications place in authenticated users. By implementing CSRF tokens, SameSite cookies, and origin verification, you can effectively protect your users from these silent attacks.