URL Format Bypass

👉 Overview

👀 What ?

URL Format Bypass is a technique used to mask the real destination of a URL. It is commonly used in phishing attacks, where an attacker tries to trick a user into clicking on a malicious link by disguising it as a legitimate one. The fundamental concept is to manipulate how a URL is displayed in a web browser or email client to deceive a user into thinking they are navigating to a trusted site when they are not.

🧐 Why ?

Understanding URL Format Bypass is crucial because it is a common tactic used in cyber attacks. It helps attackers to deceive users into revealing sensitive information, installing malware, or unwittingly granting access to their systems. Cybersecurity professionals and general users alike should be aware of this technique to protect themselves and their organizations from falling prey to such deceptive attacks.

⛏️ How ?

URL Format Bypass exploits the way browsers parse URLs. An attacker can include misleading elements in a URL to make it appear like a trusted website. For example, 'http://www.trustedsite.com@evil.com' will direct the browser to 'evil.com,' but a quick look may make a user think they are going to 'trustedsite.com.' It's important to always scrutinize URLs before clicking, especially in unsolicited emails or messages. Also, keep browser and security software up-to-date to defend against known vulnerabilities.

⏳ When ?

URL Format Bypass technique has been in use since the early days of the internet, but it has become more prevalent with the rise of sophisticated phishing attacks.

⚙️ Technical Explanations

In a URL Format Bypass attack, an attacker manipulates the structure of a URL to trick a user into thinking they are visiting a trusted site. The attacker can use various techniques like embedding the username and password field in the URL, using IP address instead of hostname, or including special characters that can mislead the user. The exploitation of this technique relies on user deception rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities. Therefore, the best defense is user awareness and education.