With URL interpretation, attackers alter and fabricate certain URL addresses and use them to gain access to the target’s personal and professional data. This kind of attack is also referred to as URL poisoning. The name 'URL interpretation' comes from the fact that the attacker knows the order in which a web page’s URL information needs to be entered. The attacker then 'interprets' this syntax, using it to figure out how to get into areas they do not have access.
To execute a URL interpretation attack, a hacker may guess URLs they can use to gain administrator privileges to a site or to access the site’s back end to get into a user’s account. Once they get to the page they want, they can manipulate the site itself or gain access to sensitive information about the people who use.
For example, if a hacker attempts to get into the admin section of a site called GetYourKnowledgeOn.com, they may type in the URL for an admin page, and this will bring them to an admin login page. In some cases, the admin username and password may be the default 'admin' and 'admin' or very easy to guess. An attacker may also have already figured out the admin’s password or narrowed it down to a few possibilities. The attacker then tries each one, gains access, and can manipulate, steal, or delete data at will.
To prevent URL interpretation attacks from succeeding, use secure authentication methods for any sensitive areas of your site. This may necessitate multi-factor authentication (MFA) or secure passwords consisting of seemingly random characters.