Understanding Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

In the realm of web security, Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is a deceptive attack technique that tricks a user into performing an unintended action on a trusted web application. Often referred to as a “one-click attack” or “session riding,” CSRF exploits the trust a web application has in the authenticated user, potentially leading to severe consequences such as unauthorized fund transfers, changed passwords, or data breaches.

This blog will explore CSRF in detail, covering its mechanics, examples, impact, and mitigation techniques, and providing insights into safeguarding web applications from this critical threat.

What is Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)?

CSRF is a type of attack where malicious actors exploit authenticated users to perform actions on their behalf without their consent. The attack typically leverages the user’s session cookies, authentication tokens, or other credentials that the web application automatically sends with requests.

For instance:

1. A user logs into their bank account (www.bank.com) and is authenticated.
2. Without logging out, the user visits a malicious website.
3. The malicious website contains code that sends a request to www.bank.com, such as…