{"id":28403,"date":"2022-06-26T14:03:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-26T14:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/?p=28403"},"modified":"2025-05-08T21:35:06","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T21:35:06","slug":"what-is-url-manipulation-or-url-rewriting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/what-is-url-manipulation-or-url-rewriting\/","title":{"rendered":"What is URL Manipulation or URL Rewriting?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are millions of web pages on the internet, each with a unique Uniform Resource Locator or URL that hackers can modify to attempt<\/span> cyberattacks<\/span><\/a>. Learn <\/span>what URL rewriting is<\/b> and the best practices to stop it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a URL? How is it Structured?<\/b><\/h2>\n

URL, also called a web address, tells us the specific location of online sources like webpages, videos, social media posts, Word Docs, Spreadsheets, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

URL example: <\/span>https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A URL can\u2019t be more than 2,083 characters long and has five parts as explained below.<\/span><\/p>\n

First Part<\/b><\/h3>\n

The first part is called the protocol and indicates the network of the language used. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocols Secure) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are the most used protocols.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Part<\/b><\/h3>\n

The next part is an ID and password, which are typically removed to avoid cyberattacks as they can be publicly visible and transferred.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Third Part<\/b><\/h3>\n

The third part of a URL consists of a server name that lets users read information shared on specific servers. This is in synchronization with a domain name or IP address linked with the server.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fourth Part<\/b><\/h3>\n

The fourth part is a port number linked to a service and indicates the type of resources requested. Port 80 is the default port number.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fifth Part<\/b><\/h3>\n

Lastly, the fifth path allows users to access resources associated with the domain or IP directly.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does URL Rewriting Work?<\/b><\/h2>\n

So, <\/span>what is URL rewriting<\/b>? In <\/span>URL rewriting<\/b>, a URL is modified for different purposes. It can help websites get a higher SEO ranking, but hackers can use this trick to redirect users to fraudulent websites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amazon used the <\/span>URL rewriting<\/b> technique to create meaningful and relevant URLs that helped them get 300% more top results positions. The idea behind benevolent <\/span>URL manipulation<\/b> is to create simpler URLs so that users don\u2019t have to remember, manually enter, or copy-paste covert character strings.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, threat actors use <\/span>URL manipulation <\/b>to access webpages on servers they usually can\u2019t access. They use the trial and error method to test websites for vulnerabilities they can exploit to enter a system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cybercriminals typically use <\/span>URL manipulation<\/b> to examine directories and file extensions, read sensitive information, and access privilege-protected sections of a website, including hidden files and source scripts. If successful, attackers can gain total control of a website.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do Hackers Manipulate URLs?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Professional hackers use<\/span> URL rewriting in Java<\/b> and other languages to corrupt websites, redirect users, and steal confidential data. The website can also infect your devices with <\/span>malware<\/span><\/a> or ask you to submit sensitive details related to banking, medical history, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Malicious actors can also use<\/span> URL rewriting<\/b> tactics to commit directory traversal attacks by altering the three structure paths of a targeted URL. This propels the server to access unauthorized elements of a website.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Stop URL Rewriting Attacks?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Businesses must understand how to prevent URL manipulation by taking care of the following.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n