Web applications are crucial for modern business, but they also serve as prime targets for cyberattacks. One of the most common and dangerous vulnerabilities in web applications is cross-site scripting (XSS). XSS attacks can lead to data theft, session hijacking, and compromise of sensitive user information. To mitigate these risks, XSS firewall solutions have become an essential part of modern web security. This blog post will show the five most popular XSS firewall solutions and how they improve website protection.

There are three main types of XSS attacks:

• Stored XSS: The malicious script permanently resides on the target server, commonly in the server database, and is delivered to users whenever they try to retrieve data from the server.
• Reflected XSS: A script is reflected from the web server in response to a crafted request and passed to a victim.
• DOM-based XSS:  This vulnerability is not on the server side but on the client side, where the attacker modifies the DOM environment within the browser.

These vulnerabilities can lead to adverse effects such as data loss, identification theft, pilferage of credentials, and unauthorized transactions.

An XSS firewall solution can be described as a specialized application that aims to filter XSS attacks on their most straightforward levels in real time. It inspects incoming traffic, detects scripts, and prevents them from running. XSS firewalls also sit between your web applications and possible attackers and are essentially an added layer of defense.

These solutions operate as follows: The system applies a set of rules, for example, filters input data, purifies the data, and uses machine learning to recognize what an XSS attack looks like. This prevents unauthorized running of scripts, which are usually damaging to the web application and its users, who are protected by XSS firewalls.

When choosing an XSS firewall solution, it’s essential to consider the following criteria to ensure you’re getting the best fit for your organization:

Let’s look into the top 5 XSS firewall solutions that protect your web application,

Modshield SB

Modshield SB is a comprehensive web application firewall WAF developed to provide aggressive protection against cross-site scripting, XSS, and other Web-based web-based threats. In contrast to other WAFs, which are based on simple protection functions, Modshield SB combines enhanced threat detection and protection methods; all the threats can be protected at a very high level. As an entirely operated cloud solution, it provides high levels of scalability and can accommodate businesses of every size, from small start-ups to giant corporations.

Whether you are powering a web application or dealing with an intricate Enterprise web application, Modshield SB offers a complete solution that provides a real-time defense to your web applications. It benefits organizations requiring high levels of security and performance and should fit well into their existing systems and processes.

Key features:

• API Security for XSS Protection: Modshield SB improves API security to identify and mitigate real-time cross-site scripting that can lead to safe web connection.
• Real-Time Detection: With the aid of machine learning algorithms, Modshield SB identifies XSS and SQL injection attacks and other attacks that threaten to compromise the usually sensitive information.
• DDoS and Bot Mitigation with Load Balancer: It protects from DDoS attacks and bot traffic while supporting performance as a load balancer is integrated.
• IP and Geo-Filtering: With Modshield SB, traffic filtering by IP and geographic location is allowed with prohibited sources and affirmative control of vulnerability scanners.
• Multi-Platform Support: Native to Nginx, Apache, and Docker, Modshield SB does not create any issues with integration as a load-balancing solution.

Modshield SB stands out for its:

• Seamless Integration: Integrating various platforms without interfering with normal operations is relatively easy.
• Comprehensive XSS Protection: In real-time and covering APIs, web pages, and interactions.
• Cost-Effectiveness & Scalability: A cloud-based, fully integrated platform with the flexibility to grow with the company.
• Advanced Threat Mitigation: Layered security features with DDoS Prevention, Bot Management, Standard and Advanced IP Blocking, and Load Distribution.
• Constant Updates: Threat intelligence feeds to ensure an organization is protected against the latest threats in the market.

Cloudflare

Cloudflare is one of the biggest WAF providers and specializes in using XSS threats distributed through its network. Cloudflare is cloud-based and, therefore, elastically addressable, besides offering an extra layer of security such as DDoS protection.

Key Features:

• XSS attack detection and prevention in a real-time environment.
• Connecting with CDN from other regions of the world.
• It also comprises rate limiting, bot mitigation, and IP reputation-based blocking.
• Applications of artificial intelligence for threat detection.
• Compatibility with cloud solutions.

Why Cloudflare: Cloudflare has service points across over 200 cities and provides high security and speed. Its cloud-native architecture makes it a perfect option, especially for large enterprises interested in scalability and low-latency XSS protection.

Akamai

Akamai delivers the highest web application protection against XSS and other Web threats. The distributed structure also guarantees optimal achievement and safeguards at all worldwide locations.

Key Features:

• Implementing XSS attack prevention through configuring rules to fit into the applications.
• Web application firewalls come with features that include DDoS protection and bot mitigation.
• Intelligent threat surveillance and operations and automatic software updates.
• Fully integrating with Akamai’s content delivery network for high performance.
• Real-time tracking and the use of superior data analysis.

Why Akamai: Akamai is excellent for large corporations that require a highly effective solution to guard their web applications against XSS and other similar threats when quality performance and availability in various regions are essential.

Imperva

Imperva’s WAF pays special attention to protecting against XSS and SQL injection attacks. The platform employs machine learning to detect and deal with new threats as they emerge; this makes it constantly updated in real time to protect the client’s interest.

Key Features:

• Real-time XSS detection and blocking.
• Automatic threat updates are derived from threat intelligence gathered from various world regions.
• Integration of business with cloud services and link up with the on-premise applications.
• Flexible, measurable security objectives and a soft control.
• Threat Profiling & Risk Reporting in particular.

Why Imperva: Imperva is one of the most recognized names in the world of web application security, and it comes with highly effective machine learning-based systems that can deliver real-time anti-XSS prostitution mechanisms for organizations.

Radware

Radware’s WAF also aims explicitly to mitigate XSS attacks and offers layered protection for web applications. They are instrumental due to the BBD as they can successfully solve the detection and blocking problem of even the most advanced XSS attack.

Key Features:

• A threat detection approach based on behavior for XSS prevention.
• Anti-Web Bot, Anti-DDoS Function on Higher Level.
• Endless security updates are done using machine learning.
• Simple passwords for managing accounts with detailed reports and contemporary designs.
• Physical and Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models.

Why Radware: Radware has a very flexible solution, which is also packed with excellent threat detection, but at the same time, is relatively easy to use compared to the rest and thus makes it perfect for businesses that need a particular XSS and other forms of web threats protection.

• Enhanced Web Security: Real-time trademark XSS firewall solutions prevent the execution of these scripts when sensitive information is involved.
• Reduced Attack Surface: Firewalls could effectively counter XSS and other injections to protect your WEB application from different problems.
• Compliance: XSS firewalls help enforce compliance with standards such as PCI DSS by checking that security features have been applied.
• Improved User Experience: Firewalls also build trust by stopping attacks that may harm user data and boosting user satisfaction.
• Scalability: Most cloud-based XSS firewalls, such as Cloudflare and Akamai, are easy to scale as the business expands.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) remains one of the biggest challenges to web applications today, but with the correct firewall solution, these sites can be safeguarded against such attacks. The five XSS firewall solutions presented in this paper include Modshield SB, Cloudflare, Akamai, Imperva, and Radware, and all of them provide features that can meet the needs of various companies. By choosing and implementing the right solution, organizations can significantly enhance the web security and ensure that your application and users remain safe from XSS and other vulnerabilities.