What is CSRF and how does it affect web frameworks?

What is CSRF and how does it affect web frameworks?

CSRF stands for Cross-Site Request Forgery. It's a type of attack that tricks a user into executing unwanted actions on a web application in which they're authenticated. This can lead to unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of the user.

Can you give me an example of a CSRF attack?

Sure! Imagine you're logged into your bank account. If you visit a malicious website while still logged in, that site could send a request to transfer money from your account without your consent, exploiting your authenticated session.

How can web frameworks protect against CSRF?

Web frameworks can implement CSRF tokens, which are unique, secret values that are included in requests. The server checks these tokens to ensure that the request is legitimate and originated from the authenticated user.

Are there any specific frameworks that handle CSRF well?

Yes, many modern frameworks like Django, Ruby on Rails, and ASP.NET have built-in protections against CSRF attacks, making it easier for developers to secure their applications.