Injection & Cross-Site Scripting
Dive into common attack vectors like SQL injection and XSS, learning both offensive and defensive strategies.
Injection & Cross-Site Scripting is a free Ethical Hacking Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Ethical Hacking Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
1
Welcome to Injection & Cross-Site Scripting
Injection attacks and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) are among the most common vulnerabilities in web applications.
2
What is an Injection Attack?
Injection attacks occur when untrusted input is sent to an interpreter as part of a command or query.
3
Types of Injection Attacks
- SQL Injection - Exploits a database by injecting malicious SQL queries.
- Command Injection - Executes arbitrary commands on the host system.
- LDAP Injection - Manipulates LDAP queries to bypass authentication.
4
SQL Injection Example
An attacker can modify SQL queries to bypass authentication.
SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = 'admin' --' AND password = 'password';5
What is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)?
XSS allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users.
6
Types of XSS
- Stored XSS - The malicious script is permanently stored on the target server.
- Reflected XSS - The script is reflected off a web server and executed in a user’s browser.
- DOM-based XSS - The script is executed in the user’s browser by modifying the page’s DOM.
7
Preventing Injection & XSS
- Use parameterized queries.
- Implement proper input validation.
- Escape special characters in user input.
- Use Content Security Policy (CSP) to prevent XSS.
8
9
Tools for Detecting Injection & XSS
Burp Suite- Web vulnerability scanner.SQLmap- Automated SQL injection tool.OWASP ZAP- Web application security scanner.
10
Summary
Injection and XSS attacks are critical web security risks. Secure coding practices help prevent these threats.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Injection & Cross-Site Scripting” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Injection & Cross-Site Scripting” is free to read here on the web, and the Ethical Hacking Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Ethical Hacking Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Injection & Cross-Site Scripting”?
Dive into common attack vectors like SQL injection and XSS, learning both offensive and defensive strategies. You practise Ethical Hacking Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Ethical Hacking Academy?
No prior experience is required. Ethical Hacking Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Injection & Cross-Site Scripting” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Ethical Hacking Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Ethical Hacking Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- OWASP Top Ten
- Injection & Cross-Site Scripting
- Secure Coding Practices