An XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) attempt occurs when an attacker injects malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in web applications that do not properly sanitize user inputs. If successful, the attacker can execute scripts in the context of another user's session, potentially leading to data theft, session hijacking, or other malicious activities. In this case, indicators of attempted XSS attacks were found in the API logs.
An attacker may attempt to inject a malicious script via a form field in a web application that doesn't properly sanitize the input. If successful, the script could be executed in another user's browser, potentially stealing cookies, session tokens, or personal information. This could lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of the user's session. If the attempt is logged, it provides an opportunity to detect and mitigate the attack, ensuring the security of the users involved.