XML bomb
An XML bomb is a small but dangerous message that is composed and sent with the intent of overwhelming the program that parses XML files. When the XML parser tries to process an XML bomb, the data feeds on itself and grows exponentially. This can shut down a Web site or ISP (Internet service provider) and is one of many methods used by hackers to carry out denial-of-service attacks.
XML, a formal recommendation from the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), is similar to the language of today's Web pages, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). An XML file can be displayed like an HTML file or processed as data by a program. An XML bomb takes advantage of the latter of these features to cause a "data explosion," hence the expression "bomb."
This was last updated in July 2006
Dig Deeper
-
Software consultant Nari Kannan describes how agile practices and work can be scaled appropriately for success in large organizations. Using lean thinking, reduction of waste, and appropriately organizing work and people, agile can be successfully adapted, regardless of the size of the organization.
-
Undiscovered software glitches in complex systems are common, and one of the primary drivers is the loss of mainframe knowledge of a retiring workforce. Software glitches are lurking in many large systems, particularly mainframe systems, and the COBOL programmers that understand the code best are retiring, according to Jeff Papows, author of the new book, "Glitch - The hidden impact of faulty software." Papows describes how faulty software caused a huge charge to debit card holder's account and why such mistakes are on the rise in this interview. Papows notes the three most pressing drivers for software glitches: loss of intellectual knowledge, market consolidation and the ubiquity of technology
-
Karen Johnson explains the situations in which SQL skills are important for a software tester as well as times when the expertise is not required.
-
People who read this also read...
-
Resources from around the Web