XSS Payload Generator

Generate context-aware XSS payloads for security testing. Choose your target context, encoding preferences, and payload category to get customized XSS vectors.

Educational Resources

Enhance your XSS knowledge with our comprehensive guides:

Injection Context

Payload will be inserted into HTML content

Encoding

Custom Settings

For blind XSS testing - click the lightning icon to generate a unique URL

Payload Categories

Basic XSS Payloads (HTML Context)

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Comprehensive XSS Testing Guide

Advanced Testing Methodology
  1. Reconnaissance: Map application functionality and identify all input points
  2. Context Analysis: Determine where your input appears (HTML, JavaScript, CSS, etc.)
  3. Basic Testing: Start with simple payloads to understand filtering behavior
  4. Filter Analysis: Identify what characters/keywords are being filtered
  5. Bypass Development: Use encoding, obfuscation, and alternative syntax
  6. WAF Testing: Identify and bypass Web Application Firewalls
  7. Blind Testing: Test admin panels and areas you can't directly observe
  8. Persistence Testing: Verify stored XSS across user sessions
Advanced Filter Bypass Techniques
  • Character Encoding: HTML entities, URL encoding, Unicode escapes
  • Case Manipulation: Mixed case, alternating case patterns
  • String Concatenation: Break keywords across multiple strings
  • Comment Insertion: HTML/CSS comments to split filtered terms
  • Alternative Protocols: data:, javascript:, vbscript: protocols
  • Event Handler Variations: Less common event handlers (ontoggle, onbegin)
  • DOM Clobbering: Overwrite DOM properties to bypass restrictions
  • Polyglot Payloads: Universal payloads that work in multiple contexts
XSS Classification
  • Reflected XSS: Payload executed immediately from request parameter
  • Stored XSS: Payload persisted and executed for other users
  • DOM-based XSS: Client-side script processes user input unsafely
  • Blind XSS: Payload executed in contexts you can't directly observe
  • Self-XSS: Requires victim to execute payload themselves
  • Universal XSS: Affects browser or extension functionality
Common WAF Solutions
  • Cloudflare: Rate limiting, challenge pages, advanced filtering
  • AWS WAF: Managed rules, custom rules, IP blocking
  • ModSecurity: Open-source, OWASP Core Rule Set
  • Akamai Kona: Machine learning, behavioral analysis
  • Imperva: Advanced threat intelligence, bot protection
  • F5 ASM: Application-layer protection, virtual patching
Professional Tools
  • Burp Suite Pro: Comprehensive web security testing
  • OWASP ZAP: Free security testing proxy
  • XSS Hunter: Collaborative blind XSS platform
  • BeEF: Browser Exploitation Framework
  • Xenotix: Advanced XSS detection and exploitation
  • XSSer: Automated XSS vulnerability scanner
Modern Browser Considerations
  • Content Security Policy (CSP): Modern defense mechanism requiring bypass techniques
  • X-XSS-Protection: Legacy header with potential bypasses
  • Same-Site Cookies: Affects XSS exploitation capabilities
  • Trusted Types: Chrome's DOM XSS prevention API
  • Feature Policy: Controls dangerous browser features
  • Cross-Origin Isolation: Affects payload delivery methods
Framework-Specific Considerations
  • React: JSX escaping, dangerouslySetInnerHTML dangers
  • Angular: Template injection, bypassSecurityTrust methods
  • Vue.js: v-html directive vulnerabilities
  • jQuery: .html() vs .text() method differences
  • Ember.js: SafeString and helper function bypasses
  • Single Page Apps: Client-side routing vulnerabilities

Real-World XSS Examples & Case Studies

High-Impact XSS Cases
  • Twitter (2010): Onmouseover worm that spread automatically
  • Facebook (2011): Self-XSS turned into widespread exploitation
  • Yahoo Mail (2013): Stored XSS in email attachments
  • eBay (2014): Persistent XSS affecting millions of users
  • Apache Struts (2017): Framework vulnerability enabling XSS
Common XSS Locations
  • Search Boxes: Reflected in search results pages
  • Contact Forms: Stored in admin notification emails
  • User Profiles: Bio fields, usernames, profile pictures
  • Comment Systems: Blog comments, forum posts, reviews
  • File Uploads: Filename handling, metadata processing
  • Error Messages: Reflected user input in error pages
Prevention Best Practices
  • Input Validation: Whitelist approach, strict validation
  • Output Encoding: Context-aware encoding (HTML, JS, CSS)
  • Content Security Policy: Restrict script sources and inline code
  • HTTP-Only Cookies: Prevent cookie theft via XSS
  • Template Security: Use secure templating engines
  • Regular Security Testing: Automated and manual testing
Important Disclaimer

These XSS payloads are provided for educational purposes and authorized security testing only. Always ensure you have explicit permission before testing any application. Unauthorized testing is illegal and unethical. Use responsibly and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.