What are timeout attacks and how do they affect systems?

What are timeout attacks and how do they affect systems?

Timeout attacks are a type of security vulnerability where an attacker exploits the time taken by a system to respond to requests. This can lead to denial of service or unauthorized access.

Can you give me an example of how a timeout attack might be executed?

Sure! An attacker might send a series of requests to a server, deliberately delaying their responses. By measuring the time it takes for the server to respond, they can infer sensitive information.

What measures can be taken to prevent timeout attacks?

To prevent timeout attacks, systems can implement rate limiting, use timeouts for requests, and employ anomaly detection to identify unusual patterns.

Are timeout attacks common in real-world scenarios?

Yes, timeout attacks are relatively common, especially in web applications and APIs where timing can reveal sensitive information.