This blog post examines CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) attacks, a crucial aspect of web security, and the techniques used to defend against them. It explains what CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) is, how attacks occur, and what they can lead to. It also focuses on precautions against such attacks and the available defensive tools and methods. The post offers practical tips for protecting against CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) attacks and highlights the importance of the topic by citing current statistics. Ultimately, readers are presented with a comprehensive guide, including the most effective ways to combat CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) and suggested action plans.

What is CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery)?

CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery)A vulnerability is a web vulnerability that allows a malicious website to perform unauthorized actions on another site while the user is logged into their browser. By sending unauthorized requests as the victim's identity, the attacker can perform actions without the user's knowledge or consent. For example, they can change the victim's password, transfer funds, or change their email address.

CSRF attacks are typically carried out through social engineering. The attacker convinces the victim to click a malicious link or visit a malicious website. This website automatically sends requests to the targeted website the victim is logged into in their browser. The browser automatically sends these requests to the targeted site, which then assumes the request originates from the victim.

Feature	Explanation	Prevention Methods
Definition	Sending requests without user authorization	CSRF tokens, SameSite cookies
Aim	Targets logged-in users	Strengthening verification mechanisms
Results	Data theft, unauthorized transactions	Filtering inputs and outputs
Prevalence	A common vulnerability in web applications	Conducting regular security tests

Various measures can be taken to protect against CSRF attacks. These include: CSRF tokens to use, SameSite cookies and requiring additional verification from the user for important actions. Web developers should implement these measures to protect their applications from CSRF attacks.

CSRF Basics

• CSRF allows unauthorized actions to be performed without the user's knowledge.
• The attacker sends requests using the victim's identity.
• Social engineering is frequently used.
• CSRF tokens and SameSite cookies are important defense mechanisms.
• Web developers must take precautions to protect their applications.
• Vulnerabilities can be detected through regular security testing.

CSRFis a serious threat to web applications, and it's important for developers to take precautions to prevent such attacks. Users can also protect themselves by avoiding clicking on suspicious links and using trusted websites.

Overview of CSRF Attacks

CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) Attacks allow a malicious website to perform actions on another website logged into a user's browser, without the user's knowledge or consent. These attacks are typically carried out by sending unauthorized commands through a site the user trusts. For example, an attacker might target actions like transferring money in a banking app or posting to a social media account.

• Characteristics of CSRF Attacks
• It can be done with a single click.
• Requires the user to be logged in.
• The attacker cannot directly access the user's credentials.
• It often involves social engineering techniques.
• Requests are sent through the victim's browser.
• It exploits session management vulnerabilities of the target web application.

CSRF attacks specifically exploit vulnerabilities in web applications. In these attacks, an attacker sends requests to the website the user is logged in to via a malicious link or script injected into the victim's browser. These requests appear as the user's own requests and are therefore considered legitimate by the web server. This allows the attacker to make unauthorized changes to the user's account or access sensitive data.

Attack Type	Explanation	Prevention Methods
GET-Based CSRF	The attacker sends a request through a connection.	AntiForgeryToken usage, Referer control.
POST-Based CSRF	The attacker sends a request by submitting a form.	AntiForgeryToken usage, CAPTCHA.
JSON Based CSRF	The attacker sends a request with JSON data.	Control of custom headers, CORS policies.
Flash-Based CSRF	The attacker sends the request through the Flash application.	Disabling Flash, security updates.

Various defense mechanisms have been developed to prevent these attacks. One of the most common methods is AntiForgeryToken This method generates a unique token for each form submission, verifying that the request is made by a legitimate user. Another method is SameSite cookies These cookies are only sent with requests within the same site, thus preventing cross-site requests. Also, Referer Checking the header can also help prevent attacks.

CSRF Attacks pose a serious threat to web applications and should be handled with caution by both users and developers. Implementing strong defenses and raising user awareness are critical to mitigating the impact of such attacks. Web developers should consider security principles when designing their applications and conduct regular security testing.

How Are CSRF Attacks Performed?

CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) Intrusion attacks involve a malicious website or application sending requests through an authorized user's browser without the user's knowledge or consent. These attacks occur within a web application the user is logged into (for example, a banking site or social media platform). By injecting malicious code into the user's browser, the attacker can perform actions without the user's knowledge.

CSRF The root cause of this attack is that web applications fail to implement adequate security measures to validate HTTP requests. This allows attackers to forge requests and present them as legitimate user requests. For example, an attacker could force a user to change their password, transfer funds, or update their profile information. These types of attacks can have serious consequences for both individual users and large organizations.

Attack Type	Explanation	Example
URL Based CSRF	The attacker creates a malicious URL and encourages the user to click on it.	<a href="http://example.com/transfer?to=attacker&amount=1000">You&#039;ve Won a Prize!</a>
Form Based CSRF	The attacker tricks the user by creating a form that automatically submits.	<form action=http://example.com/transfer method=POST><input type=hidden name=to value=attacker><input type=hidden name=amount value=1000><input type=submit value=Gönder></form>
JSON Based CSRF	The attack is carried out by using vulnerabilities in API requests.	fetch('http://example.com/api/transfer', { method: 'POST', body: JSON.stringify({ to: 'attacker', amount: 1000 ) )
With Image Tag CSRF	The attacker sends a request using an image tag.	<img src="http://example.com/transfer?to=attacker&amount=1000">

CSRF For attacks to be successful, the user must be logged in to the target website, and the attacker must be able to send a malicious request to the user's browser. This request is typically made through an email, a website, or a forum post. When the user clicks on the request, the browser automatically sends a request to the target website, which is sent along with the user's credentials. Therefore, web applications CSRF Protection against attacks is extremely important.

Attack Scenarios

CSRF Attacks are typically carried out through a variety of scenarios. One of the most common scenarios is a malicious link sent through an email. When the user clicks on this link, a malicious link is created in the background. CSRF A malicious attack is triggered and actions are performed without the user's knowledge. Another scenario is an attack via a malicious image or JavaScript code placed on a trusted website.

Required Tools

CSRF Various tools can be used to perform or test attacks. These tools include Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and various custom scripts. These tools help attackers create fake requests, analyze HTTP traffic, and identify vulnerabilities. Security professionals can also use these tools to test the security of web applications and CSRF can identify gaps.

CSRF Attack Steps

1. Identifying vulnerabilities in the target web application.
2. A malicious request is created on the website the user is logged into.
3. Using social engineering techniques to trigger this request from the user.
4. The user's browser sends the forged request to the target website.
5. The destination website treats the request as a legitimate user request.
6. The attacker performs unauthorized actions through the user's account.

How to Prevent?

CSRF There are various methods to prevent attacks. The most common of these methods include: CSRF tokens, SameSite cookies, and double-send cookies. CSRF tokens prevent attackers from creating fake requests by generating a unique value for each form or request. SameSite cookies ensure that cookies are only sent with requests on the same site, CSRF Double-submit cookies, on the other hand, make it harder for attackers to forge requests by requiring the same value to be sent in both a cookie and a form field.

Additionally, web applications are regularly security tested and security vulnerabilities are addressed. CSRF It is important to prevent attacks. Developers, CSRF Understanding how these attacks work and how to prevent them is critical to developing secure applications. Users also need to avoid suspicious links and ensure that websites are secure.

Precautions That Can Be Taken Against CSRF Attacks

CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) Countermeasures against attacks include a variety of strategies that can be implemented by both developers and users. These measures aim to block malicious requests from attackers and ensure user security. Essentially, these measures focus on verifying the legitimacy of requests and preventing unauthorized access.

For an effective defense strategy, there are measures that need to be taken on both the server and the client side. On the server side, to verify the authenticity of requests. CSRF Using tokens, limiting the scope of cookies with SameSite cookies, and using double-send cookies are important. On the client side, educating users to avoid unknown or insecure connections and properly configuring browser security settings are critical.

Precautions to be taken

• Using CSRF Tokens: Check the validity of requests by generating a unique token for each session.
• SameSite Cookies: By ensuring that cookies are only sent with requests on the same site CSRF reduce the risk.
• Double Submission Cookies: Strengthen validation by ensuring the same value is present in both the cookie and the request body.
• Origin Control (Origin Header): Block unauthorized requests by checking the source of requests.
• User Training: Make users aware of suspicious links and emails.
• Security Headings: Provide additional protection using security headers such as X-Frame-Options and Content-Security-Policy.

In the table below, CSRF You can see a summary of possible countermeasures against attacks and the types of attacks each countermeasure is effective against. This table will help developers and security professionals make informed decisions about which countermeasures to implement.

Precaution	Explanation	Attacks It Is Effective Against
CSRF Tokens	It verifies the validity of the request by generating a unique token for each request.	Basis CSRF attacks
SameSite Cookies	Ensures that cookies are only sent with requests on the same site.	Cross-site request forgery
Double Submission Cookies	Requires the same value to be present in both the cookie and the request body.	Token theft or manipulation
Origin Control	It prevents unauthorized requests by checking the source of requests.	Domain name spoofing

It should not be forgotten that, CSRF A combination of these measures should be used to provide complete protection against attacks. No single measure may be sufficient to protect against all attack vectors. Therefore, it is important to adopt a layered security approach and regularly scan for vulnerabilities. Furthermore, regularly updating security policies and procedures ensures preparedness against new threats.

Effects and Consequences of CSRF

CSRF The effects of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CRF) attacks can have serious consequences for both users and web applications. These attacks allow unauthorized transactions to be performed, jeopardizing users' accounts and sensitive data. Attackers can exploit unintentional actions by users to carry out a variety of malicious activities. This can lead to significant reputational and financial losses not only for individual users but also for companies and organizations.

Understanding the potential impact of CSRF attacks is critical to developing more effective defenses against them. Attacks can range from modifying user account settings to transferring funds and even publishing unauthorized content. These actions not only erode user trust but also undermine the reliability of web applications.

Negative Effects of CSRF

• Account takeover and unauthorized access.
• Manipulation or deletion of user data.
• Financial losses (unauthorized money transfers, purchases).
• Loss of reputation and loss of customer confidence.
• Misuse of web application resources.
• Legal issues and legal responsibilities.

The table below examines the possible consequences of CSRF attacks in different scenarios in more detail:

Attack Scenario	Possible Results	Affected Party
Password Change	Loss of access to the user's account, theft of personal data.	User
Money Transfer from Bank Account	Unauthorized money transfers, financial losses.	User, Bank
Social Media Sharing	Dissemination of unwanted or harmful content, loss of reputation.	User, Social Media Platform
Ordering on an E-commerce Site	Unauthorized product orders, financial losses.	User, E-commerce Site

These results, CSRF This demonstrates the seriousness of these attacks. Therefore, it is crucial for web developers and system administrators to take proactive measures against such attacks and raise user awareness. Implementing strong defenses is essential both to protect user data and to ensure the security of web applications.

It should not be forgotten that, an effective defense strategy This strategy shouldn't be limited to just technical measures; user awareness and education should also be an integral part of this strategy. Simple measures like not clicking on suspicious links, avoiding logging into untrusted websites, and regularly changing passwords can play a significant role in preventing CSRF attacks.

CSRF Defense Tools and Methods

CSRF Developing an effective defense strategy against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CRF) attacks is critical to securing web applications. Because these attacks attempt to perform unauthorized actions without user knowledge or consent, a multifaceted, layered defense approach is necessary. In this section, CSRF Various tools and methods that can be used to prevent and mitigate attacks will be examined.

Web applications CSRF One of the primary defense mechanisms used to protect against these attacks is the synchronized token pattern (STP). In this model, a unique token generated by the server is stored for each user session and sent with each form submission or critical transaction request. The server verifies the request's legitimacy by comparing the token received with the token stored in the session. This prevents fraudulent requests from a different site.

Defense Tools

• Synchronous Token Model (STP): It verifies the authenticity of requests by generating unique tokens for each form.
• Double Submit Cookies: By sending a random value in both the cookie and the request parameter CSRF prevents attacks.
• SameSite Cookies: By ensuring that cookies are only sent with requests from the same site CSRF reduces the risk.
• CSRF Libraries and Frameworks: Developed for various programming languages and frameworks, CSRF offers ready-made solutions that provide protection.
• Request Header Controls (Referer/Origin): It blocks requests from unauthorized sources by checking the source from which the request comes.

In the table below, different CSRF Detailed information is provided regarding the characteristics and comparison of defense methods. This information can help decide which method is more suitable for each scenario.

Defense Method	Explanation	Advantages	Disadvantages
Synchronous Token Model (STP)	Generating unique tokens for each form	High security, widespread use	Server-side overhead, token management
Double-Send Cookies	Same value in cookie and request parameter	Simple implementation, compatible with stateless architectures	Subdomain issues, some browser incompatibilities
SameSite Cookies	Cookies are blocked from off-site requests	Easy integration, browser-level protection	Incompatibility with older browsers may impact cross-origin requirements
Request Header Checks	Checking the Referer and Origin headers	Simple verification, no additional server load	Headlines can be manipulated, reliability is low

CSRF Another important defense method is Double Submit Cookies. In this method, the server generates a random value and sends it to the client as a cookie and places it in a hidden field in the form. When the client submits the form, both the value in the cookie and the value in the form are sent to the server. The server verifies the legitimacy of the request by checking whether these two values match. This method is particularly suitable for stateless applications and requires no additional server-side session management.

SameSite cookies also CSRF It is an effective defense mechanism against attacks. The SameSite feature ensures that cookies are included only in requests coming from the same site. With this feature, cookies coming from a different site CSRF attacks are automatically blocked. However, since the use of SameSite cookies is not supported by all browsers, it is recommended to use them in conjunction with other defense methods.

Tips to Avoid CSRF Attacks

CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) Protecting against these attacks is critical to the security of web applications. These attacks are designed to perform unauthorized operations without users' knowledge or consent. Therefore, developers and system administrators must implement effective defense mechanisms against these types of attacks. The following CSRF Some basic precautions and tips that can be taken against attacks are presented.

CSRF There are various methods to protect against attacks. These methods can generally be implemented on the client or server side. One of the most commonly used methods is Synchronizer Token Pattern (STP) In this method, the server generates a unique token for each user session, which is used for every form submission and critical transaction the user performs. The server verifies the validity of the request by comparing the token in the incoming request with the token in the session.

Also, Double Submit Cookie The method is also an effective defense mechanism. In this method, the server sends a random value via a cookie, and client-side JavaScript code inserts this value into a form field or a custom header. The server verifies that both the value in the cookie and the value in the form or header match. This method is particularly suitable for APIs and AJAX requests.

In the table below, CSRF Some basic defense methods used against attacks and comparison of their features are included.

Defense Method	Explanation	Advantages	Disadvantages
Synchronizing Token Pattern (STP)	A unique token is generated and verified for each session.	High security, widely used.	Requires token management, can be complex.
Double-Send Cookie	Validation of the same value in cookie and form/header.	Simple implementation, suitable for APIs.	Requires JavaScript, depends on cookie security.
SameSite Cookies	Ensures that cookies are only sent with same site requests.	Easy to apply, provides an additional layer of security.	It may not be supported in older browsers and does not provide full protection.
Referer Check	Verification of the source from which the request came.	Simple and fast control facility.	The referer title can be manipulated and its reliability is low.

Below, CSRF There are more concrete and actionable protection tips against attacks:

1. Use Synchronizer Token (STP): Unique for each user session CSRF Generate tokens and validate them on form submissions.
2. Implement the Double-Send Cookie Method: Check that the values in the cookie and form fields match, especially in API and AJAX requests.
3. Use the SameSite Cookie Feature: Create an additional layer of security by ensuring cookies are only sent with same-site requests. Strict or Lax evaluate your options.
4. Set HTTP Headers Correctly: X-Frame-Options Protect against clickjacking attacks with the title.
5. Check Referer Title: To verify the source from which the request came Referer Check the title, but remember that this method alone is not enough.
6. Verify and Clean User Logins: Always validate and sanitize user input. This XSS It also provides protection against other types of attacks such as.
7. Conduct Regular Security Tests: Regularly security test your web application and identify and address vulnerabilities.

In addition to these measures, your users CSRF Raising awareness about potential attacks is crucial. Users should be advised to avoid clicking on links from sources they don't recognize or trust and always opt for secure web applications. It's important to remember that security is achieved through a multi-layered approach, and each measure strengthens the overall security posture.

Current Statistics on CSRF Attacks

CSRF Cross-Site Request Forgery (CRF) attacks continue to pose a persistent threat to web applications. Current statistics highlight the prevalence and potential impact of these attacks. This is particularly true for areas with high user interaction, such as e-commerce sites, banking applications, and social media platforms. CSRF They are attractive targets for attacks. Therefore, it is crucial for developers and security experts to be aware of this type of attack and develop effective defense mechanisms.

Current Statistics

• 2023 yılında web uygulama saldırılarının %15’ini CSRF created.
• For e-commerce sites CSRF saldırılarında %20 artış gözlemlendi.
• In the finance sector CSRF kaynaklı veri ihlalleri %12 arttı.
• In mobile applications CSRF zafiyetleri son bir yılda %18 yükseldi.
• CSRF saldırılarının ortalama maliyeti bir önceki yıla göre %10 arttı.
• The most frequently targeted sectors include finance, retail and healthcare.

The table below shows the different sectors CSRF It summarizes the distribution and impact of attacks. This data provides important information to consider when conducting risk assessments and implementing security measures.

Sector	Attack Rate (%)	Average Cost (TL)	Number of Data Breaches
Finance	25	500,000	15
E-commerce	20	350,000	12
Health	15	250,000	8
Social Media	10	150,000	5

CSRF To mitigate the effects of malware attacks, developers and system administrators must regularly conduct security testing, apply up-to-date security patches, and raise user awareness of such attacks. Synchronizer Tokens And Double Submit Cookies Correct application of defense mechanisms such as, CSRF can significantly reduce the success rate of your attacks.

Reports published by security researchers, CSRF attacks are constantly evolving and new variations are emerging. Therefore, security strategies must be constantly updated and improved. Adopting a proactive approach to identifying and remediating security vulnerabilities, CSRF will minimize the potential impact of attacks.

Importance of CSRF and Action Plan

CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) Attacks pose a serious threat to the security of web applications. These attacks can cause an authorized user to unknowingly perform malicious actions. For example, an attacker could change a user's password, transfer funds, or manipulate sensitive data. Therefore, CSRF It is critical to take a proactive approach against cyberattacks and create an effective action plan.

Risk Level	Possible Effects	Preventive Measures
High	User account compromise, data breaches, financial losses	CSRF tokens, SameSite cookies, two-factor authentication
Middle	Unwanted profile changes, unauthorized content publishing	Referer control, operations requiring user interaction
Low	Minor data manipulations, disruptive actions	Simple verification mechanisms, rate limiting
Uncertain	Effects due to system vulnerabilities, unpredictable results	Continuous security scans, code reviews

Action Plan, your web application CSRF It includes the steps to be taken to increase resilience against attacks. This plan covers various stages such as risk assessment, implementation of security measures, testing processes and continuous monitoring. It should not be forgotten that, CSRFMeasures to be taken against should not be limited to technical solutions only, but should also include user awareness training.

Action Plan

1. Risk assessment: The potential in your web application CSRF Identify vulnerabilities.
2. CSRF Token Application: Unique for all critical forms and API requests CSRF use tokens.
3. SameSite Cookies: Protect your cookies with the SameSite attribute to prevent them from being sent in cross-site requests.
4. Reference Check: Verify the source of incoming requests and block suspicious requests.
5. User Awareness: Educate your users about phishing and other social engineering attacks.
6. Security Tests: Identify vulnerabilities by regularly performing penetration tests and security scans.
7. Continuous Monitoring: Monitoring abnormal activities in your application CSRF detect attacks.

A successful CSRF A defensive strategy requires constant vigilance and updates. Because web technologies and attack methods are constantly changing, you should regularly review and update your security measures. Also, your development team CSRF and other web vulnerabilities is one of the most important steps to take to ensure the security of your application. For a secure web environment, CSRFIt is vital to be aware and prepared against.

The Most Effective Ways to Deal with CSRF

CSRF Cross-Site Request Forgery (CRF) attacks are a serious threat to the security of web applications. These attacks can allow users to perform unauthorized actions without their knowledge or consent. CSRF There are several effective methods to deal with attacks, and the correct implementation of these methods can significantly increase the security of web applications. In this section, CSRF We will examine the most effective methods and strategies that can be taken against attacks.

Method	Explanation	Difficulty of Implementation
Synchronized Token Pattern (STP)	A unique token is generated for each user session and this token is checked on each form submission.	Middle
Double Submit Cookie	Uses the same value in a cookie and a form field; the server verifies that the values match.	Easy
SameSite Cookie Attribute	Ensures that cookies are only sent with same-site requests, so no cookies are sent with cross-site requests.	Easy
Referer Header Control	It blocks requests from unauthorized sources by checking the source from which the request comes.	Middle

CSRF One of the most common and effective methods for protecting against these attacks is using the Synchronized Token Pattern (STP). STP involves generating a unique token for each user session and validating it on each form submission. This token is typically sent in a hidden form field or an HTTP header and is validated server-side. This prevents attackers from sending unauthorized requests without a valid token.

Effective Methods

• Implementing Synchronized Token Pattern (STP)
• Using the Double Submit Cookie method
• Enabling the SameSite Cookie feature
• Checking the source of requests (Referer Header)
• Carefully verify user input and output
• Adding additional layers of security (e.g. CAPTCHA)

Another effective method is the Double Submit Cookie technique. In this technique, the server sets a random value in a cookie and uses the same value in a form field. When the form is submitted, the server checks to see if the values in the cookie and the form field match. If the values don't match, the request is rejected. This method CSRF It is very effective in preventing cookie attacks because attackers cannot read or change the cookie value.

SameSite cookie feature CSRF It is an important defense mechanism against attacks. The SameSite attribute ensures that cookies are sent only with same-site requests. This prevents cookies from being automatically sent in cross-site requests, thus preventing CSRF This feature reduces the likelihood of successful attacks. Enabling this feature is relatively easy in modern web browsers and is an important step to improve the security of web applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

In case of a CSRF attack, what actions can be taken without my user account being compromised?

CSRF attacks typically aim to perform unauthorized actions on a user's behalf while they're logged in, rather than stealing their credentials. For example, they might attempt to change their password, update their email address, transfer funds, or post on forums/social media. The attacker performs actions the user is already authorized to perform without their knowledge.

What conditions must a user meet for CSRF attacks to be successful?

For a CSRF attack to be successful, the user must be logged into the target website, and the attacker must be able to send a request similar to the site the user is logged in. Essentially, the user must be authenticated on the target website, and the attacker must be able to spoof that authentication.

How exactly do CSRF tokens work and why are they such an effective defense mechanism?

CSRF tokens generate a unique and difficult-to-guess value for each user session. This token is generated by the server and sent to the client through a form or link. When the client submits a request to the server, it includes this token. The server compares the incoming request's token with the expected token and rejects the request if there is no match. This makes it difficult for an attacker to impersonate a user with a self-generated request, as they would not have a valid token.

How do SameSite cookies protect against CSRF attacks and what limitations do they have?

SameSite cookies mitigate CSRF attacks by allowing a cookie to be sent only with requests originating from the same site. There are three different values: Strict (the cookie is sent only with requests within the same site), Lax (the cookie is sent with both on-site and secure (HTTPS) off-site requests), and None (the cookie is sent with every request). While 'Strict' provides the strongest protection, it can affect the user experience in some cases. 'None' should be used in conjunction with 'Secure' and offers the weakest protection. Limitations include not being supported by some older browsers, and different SameSite values may need to be selected depending on the application's requirements.

How can developers implement or improve CSRF defenses in existing web applications?

Developers should first implement CSRF tokens and include them in every form and AJAX request. They should also configure SameSite cookies appropriately ('Strict' or 'Lax' is generally recommended). Additionally, additional defense mechanisms such as double-submit cookies can be used. Regular security testing and the use of a web application firewall (WAF) can also protect against CSRF attacks.

What are the immediate steps to take when a CSRF attack is detected?

When a CSRF attack is detected, it's important to first identify the affected users and potentially compromised processes. It's a good practice to notify users and recommend they reset their passwords. Patching system vulnerabilities and closing the attack vector is critical. Furthermore, analyzing logs is essential to analyze the source of the attack and prevent future attacks.

Do defense strategies against CSRF differ for single-page applications (SPA) and traditional multi-page applications (MPA)? If so, why?

Yes, CSRF defense strategies differ for SPAs and MPAs. In MPAs, CSRF tokens are generated server-side and added to forms. Since SPAs typically make API calls, the tokens are added to HTTP headers or double-submit cookies are used. The presence of more client-side JavaScript code in SPAs can increase the attack surface, so caution is necessary. Additionally, CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) configuration is also important for SPAs.

In the context of web application security, how does CSRF relate to other common types of attacks (XSS, SQL Injection, etc.)? How can defensive strategies be integrated?

CSRF serves a different purpose than other common attack types, such as XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) and SQL Injection, but they are often used in conjunction with each other. For example, a CSRF attack can be triggered using an XSS attack. Therefore, it's important to adopt a layered security approach. Different defense mechanisms should be used together, such as sanitizing input data and encoding output data against XSS, using parameterized queries against SQL Injection, and applying CSRF tokens against CSRF. Regularly scanning for vulnerabilities and raising security awareness are also part of an integrated security strategy.

More information: OWASP Top Ten