Definition
Web application hacking involves exploiting vulnerabilities within web applications to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or disrupt services. Attackers leverage common weaknesses like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and broken authentication to compromise these systems. Understanding these techniques is crucial for cybersecurity professionals to effectively defend against attacks and secure sensitive information. For instance, an attacker might use XSS to inject malicious scripts into a website, tricking users into revealing their login credentials. This differs from network hacking, which targets the underlying network infrastructure rather than the applications themselves. Knowledge of web application hacking is essential for certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CySA+.