Chapter 5. URL: The Web Hacker's Sword

 

The light-saber is a Jedi's weapon—not as clumsy or random as a blaster.

 
 --Obi-Wan Kenobi, "Star Wars: Episode IV"

Introduction

In the grab bag of countless hacking techniques, Web hacking is by far the most elegant (if we dare use such praise). The simplicity and elegance of using a common browser to mount the most devastating attacks is pure brilliance, and they are events to behold. Sometimes difficult to fathom, Web hacking techniques can be trivial yet have devastating consequences. Did you know that a perfectly placed “%%” can blow a gaping hole in the security of your online e-commerce application?

Carrying out a Web hack is like performing microsurgery through a small opening. The operation ...

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