What are Cookies? and How Attackers Take Privilege of Cookies

Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on your computer or device. They help websites remember things about you, such as:

Login details: So you don’t have to log in every time.Preferences: Like language settings or dark mode.Shopping cart contents: So items stay in your cart even if you leave the page.

They make your web experience smoother by storing this information locally, allowing websites to retrieve it when you visit the website again

Session Cookies: Temporary and deleted when you close the browser. Used to manage things like logins or shopping carts during a session.Persistent Cookies: Stay on your device until they expire or are deleted. They remember things like login details for future visits.Third-party Cookies: Set by a domain other than the one you are visiting. These are commonly used for advertising and tracking your activity across multiple websites.

Attackers can take advantage of cookies in a few different ways:

1. Cookie Theft (Session Hijacking):

Attackers steal your cookies, especially your session cookies, which are used to keep you logged in to websites. If they get access to your session cookie, they can pretend to be you without needing your username or password.

Example: Imagine you’re logged into your bank account. If an attacker steals your session cookie, they can use it to access your bank account without needing your login details!

How they steal cookies:

Through phishing attacks: Where they trick you into clicking malicious links.By exploiting weaknesses: Like unsecured public Wi-Fi or poor website security.

2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):

Attackers inject malicious scripts into trusted websites. If your browser runs the script, it can steal your cookies and send them to the attacker.

Example: You visit a site, and a hidden script steals your cookie and sends it to the attacker, allowing them to hijack your session.

3. Session Fixation:

Here, the attacker tricks the user into logging into a website using a session ID that the attacker has already determined. Once the user logs in, the attacker can use that same session ID to access the user’s account.

Example: The attacker sends you a special link that includes a pre-set session ID. You log in to the site, and now the attacker can use the same session ID to impersonate you.

— — — — — — — — — — — →

So here comes the end if you’re interested in cybersecurity and bug bounty follow me. I will more such amazing articles Thank You