JavaScript coding errors and Web developers who are inexperienced at working with emerging programming techniques represent serious threats to the security of many Internet sites and the people who visit them, according to malware researchers.
Speaking at the ongoing ShmooCon hacker convention on March 24, Billy Hoffman, lead research engineer at Atlanta-based software maker SPI Dynamics, detailed what he views as an epidemic problem in today's online world. SPI markets penetration testing tools used by businesses to ferret out security issues from their online sites and applications.
The proposed threat is centered on the prevalence of JavaScript errors and insecure use of so-called Web services programming languages such as AJAX -- which combines asynchronous JavaScript with XML -- in many popular Web sites and applications.
In addition to opening holes in Web applications, Hoffman illustrated how JavaScript and AJAX-based tools can be used by hackers to find new vulnerabilities online, and build XSS (cross-site scripting) attacks that can move from one online domain to another, which he cited as a relatively cutting-edge malware development.
"In the last two years, we've seen JavaScript go from stealing cookies to doing key-logging, screen-scraping and all sorts of phishing attacks," Hoffman said. "JavaScript used to be something that was more annoying than anything, but now it's being used in port scanning, to create self-propagating malware, and to steal browser histories."
The researcher, who said that JavaScript vulnerabilities are present in sites maintained by everyone from well-known online retailers to large financial services companies, demonstrated a proof-of-concept exploit based on a JavaScript flaw on CNN.com, and how it could be used to manipulate content on the news site's pages.
The issue was reported in security forums several months ago, and sent to CNN by researchers, but it still hasn't been fixed, Hoffman said.
Malicious-code writers are using the same techniques to create cross-site scripting threats -- malware attacks that inject code into end-users' browsers via holes in legitimate sites -- to mislead consumers into handing over their passwords and giving hackers access to their personal information, according to the researcher.
PayPal and MySpace.com are among the major Web properties that have been targeted by major JavaScript-based XSS attacks in recent months.
One of the reasons why JavaScript attacks are becoming more popular is because the technology has grown increasingly powerful, especially as browser makers including Microsoft have added greater support for applications built on the language.
In the case of AJAX-bred Web tools -- which communicate information between backend servers and online applications without direct interaction from an end user -- malware authors have found a powerful technology for spreading their work and making off with valuable end-user data, without as much danger of being caught.
Hoffman said that although major Web sites are spending lots of time and effort to drum out these types of vulnerabilities, he said that the size of online companies' operations and the improper use of JavaScript are making life harder on even the largest of players.
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts
This white paper provides guidance on how to develop a strategic approach to managing and monitoring logs, a key function required for compliance with many regulatory mandates and a critical defense against security threats.
Download now! »
Learn about the processes and technologies that support security information management (SIM) operations, as well as the business case for SIM. The series examines different options for implementing SIM and gives you evaluation criteria for selecting the best option for your organization.
Download now! »
Learn the strategies, actions, and capabilities that Best-in-Class organizations employ and technologies they choose to obtain superior performance against various security performance metrics. This report provides guidelines for identifying which security solutions to consume as a MSS and defines best practices for choosing and managing MSSPs.
Download now! »
Recommend This
