What Is XSS (cross-site Scripting) In A CMS?
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability where attackers inject malicious JavaScript into CMS content or input fields that then executes in other users' browsers. In a CMS context, XSS can occur through comment fields, rich text editors, custom fields, or URL parameters. It can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or deface content. Prevention requires output encoding, Content Security Policy (CSP) headers, and sanitizing all user-generated content before rendering.
Key Takeaways
- Attackers inject malicious JavaScript that executes in other users' browsers
- Common vectors: comment fields, rich text editors, URL parameters
- Can steal cookies/sessions, redirect users, or deface content
- Prevented by output encoding, CSP headers, and input sanitization