Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), also known as "one-click attack" or "session riding," is a dangerous cyber attack that tricks an authenticated user into submitting unintended requests to a web application, often without their knowledge. CSRF attacks primarily target state-changing actions, such as transferring funds, changing passwords, or modifying account details. Although CSRF does not typically aim to steal data, it can lead to devastating outcomes, especially when administrative accounts are compromised.

In this blog, we will dive deep into how CSRF attacks work, examine their methods, and discuss how NVIS AI’s architecture can mitigate these threats, ensuring your organization’s digital security.

What is Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)?

Cross-Site Request Forgery is a web-based attack where a malicious actor tricks a user into executing unauthorized actions on a web application where the user is authenticated. Attackers manipulate a legitimate session between a client (user) and a server by exploiting the trust that the web application has in the user's browser. This leads to unwanted actions being performed, such as transferring funds or changing account settings, without the user's explicit knowledge or consent.

While CSRF attacks may seem sophisticated, their execution often involves simple steps. These attacks are made easier by targeting web applications that fail to implement proper CSRF defenses, such as anti-CSRF tokens or cookie-to-header tokens.

How does cross-site request forgery work?

CSRF attacks rely on tricking users into sending unauthorized requests to a server. To better understand, let’s walk through a typical example of a CSRF attack:

1. Creating a forged request:

• An attacker creates a forged request, such as one that transfers funds from a user's bank account to the attacker’s account.

2. Embedding the request:

• The attacker then embeds this request into a hyperlink or form, often sent via phishing emails or embedded on malicious websites.

3. Victim interacts with the link:

• When the victim, already authenticated to the target web application (e.g., their online bank), clicks on the link or interacts with the webpage, they unknowingly trigger the forged request.

4. Server processes the request:

• The server receives the request, sees that it originates from an authenticated user, and processes the transaction, transferring funds to the attacker without the user's explicit permission.

Although CSRF attacks vary in approach, the commonality lies in exploiting web applications that trust the user’s identity without verifying the authenticity of state-changing requests.

Characteristics of a CSRF attack

• Exploits user identity: CSRF attacks rely on tricking the web application into believing that the unauthorized request originates from a legitimate user.

• Blind attack: The attacker does not receive direct data from the web application; instead, they manipulate requests to achieve their goal.

• Target state-changing actions: CSRF attacks focus on actions that change the state of an application, such as modifying user details, transferring funds, or updating settings.

HTTP verbs and CSRF vulnerabilities

Different HTTP verbs (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) are used for various actions in web applications, but they have varying levels of vulnerability to CSRF attacks.

• GET requests: Typically used for retrieving data, GET requests are less commonly exploited for CSRF because they should not change the state of the server.

• POST requests: Most CSRF attacks focus on POST requests since they are used to change data or trigger actions, such as form submissions.

• PUT and DELETE requests: These are used for more complex state-changing actions, but their vulnerability to CSRF is reduced by mechanisms like the Same-Origin Policy (SOP) and Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS).

Mitigating CSRF attacks: Traditional methods

Organizations can prevent CSRF attacks by implementing several strategies, two of the most common being:

1. Anti-CSRF tokens (synchronizer token pattern):

• This method embeds a unique, randomly generated token in forms sent to the user’s browser. When the user submits a form, the token is returned to the server and validated. If the token is missing or incorrect, the request is rejected.

2. Cookie-to-header token:

• In this approach, a token is issued to the user’s browser as a cookie. The browser then places this token in the header of every request, allowing the server to verify the token before processing the request.

While these methods are effective, they require significant server-side resources and may introduce challenges in certain environments, such as those with multiple open browser windows or software interacting with the server.

How NVIS AI eliminates the threat of CSRF

NVIS AI offers a more advanced and comprehensive approach to securing applications against CSRF attacks. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, NVIS AI eliminates the vulnerabilities that CSRF attackers typically exploit.

1. Zero Trust architecture

• NVIS AI’s Zero Trust framework operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” This model ensures that every request, even from authenticated users, is constantly verified through multiple layers of security. This continuous verification makes it extremely difficult for an attacker to successfully execute a CSRF attack, as each action requires explicit validation from the server.

2. Encrypted peer-to-peer connections

• NVIS AI enables direct, peer-to-peer connections between users and the server, eliminating intermediaries where attackers could potentially inject malicious requests. By using encrypted connections for all communication, NVIS AI ensures that attackers cannot manipulate requests without breaking the encryption, which is virtually impossible without access to the proper keys.

3. End-to-end encryption

• NVIS AI employs end-to-end encryption for every session, ensuring that all data is encrypted at both the user’s device and the server. This encryption protects the communication channel from interception or manipulation, mitigating the risk of attackers injecting forged requests.

4. No public attack surface

• Unlike traditional web applications that expose endpoints to public access, NVIS AI does not have a public attack surface. All interactions between users and the system occur within an isolated, secure environment, making it difficult for attackers to even initiate a CSRF attempt.

Why choose NVIS AI for CSRF protection?

By combining Zero Trust Architecture, encrypted peer-to-peer connections, NVIS AI offers unparalleled protection against CSRF attacks. Traditional anti-CSRF tokens and cookie-to-header mechanisms provide a strong foundation, but they rely heavily on server resources and can be vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. NVIS AI eliminates the risk altogether by implementing a holistic, proactive security approach that safeguards all user sessions from start to finish.

Conclusion

Cross-Site Request Forgery remains a dangerous threat to web applications, especially those that handle sensitive data or allow users to perform critical actions, such as financial transactions. While traditional mitigation techniques, such as anti-CSRF tokens, provide some protection, they come with challenges that can still leave organizations vulnerable.

With NVIS AI, organizations can prevent CSRF attacks with ease by leveraging a Zero Trust framework, end-to-end encryption, and AI-driven threat detection. This comprehensive solution eliminates vulnerabilities and provides robust, future-proof protection against CSRF and other web-based threats.

Are you ready to elevate your network security? Schedule a demo or contact our team of experts today.