> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/web/web-cache-deception/web-cache-deception-with-path-delimiters.md).

# Web Cache Deception with Path Delimiters

Web Cache Deception with Path Delimiters notes for PortSwigger Web Security Academy labs, including exploitation workflow, payload testing, Burp Suite validation, and remediation context.

### Exploiting Path Delimiters for Web Cache Deception

#### Context

**Lab:** Operation path limits for web cache deception / **Objective:** recover the \*\* API key\*\* from user **carlos**. / **Access provided:** possible connection with `wiener:peter`. / **Help:** a list of possible delimiters is provided by the lab.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7d2d25b19759891c924f495db86cec9b8731efcd%2F%7B1E6EFECE-A0F3-4DF6-9D0E-1A6EBE6482B1%7D.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Initial Observation

* On the **My account** page, we see a sign that clearly displays our own API key\*\*.
* In the background, normal access triggers a request:

```bash
GET /my-account HTTP/2
```

In this case, **the answer is not served from the cache** (no visible/interpreted cache behavior).

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-166e3bc6025b41ab76cff764fc9c09a0de8b3b97%2F%7BE95ADD51-26B1-4D3C-A48F-3A6C758D04ED%7D.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Test of Delimiters

* By adding a \*\* semicolon\*\* `;` in the path, the \*\* application still interprets the route\*\* to `my-account`, but this time **with cache behavior**.

Using **Intruder**, we check several delimiters, and we find that **the semicolon works**.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-233c87ff615198c217cbd53a6ad57f98c19360fd%2F%7B8DFE85D2-8813-472D-AD26-0AB0AF4E77B9%7D.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Example of a valid path:

* `/my-account;test.js`

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-71b1b7ef57caa58a9faa5a3c6ea16f2bb9ef223e%2Fimage%20(80).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Exploitation

Purpose: Make sure that the victim visits a trapped URL to make the **/my-account** response \*\* cached\*\* and then reread it with another variant to get the **carlos** data.

From the**Exploit Server**, the victim is redirected to:

```javascript
<script>
    document.location="https://0a5e005c048218fb80a3f0ec00c2000d.web-security-academy.net/my-account/my-account;test.js";
</script>
```

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-40626dbcbbd1ff8d5619a793bc771da69b710f3f%2F%7BF05779E6-A4C1-45E9-BE49-3D311E98BCA0%7D.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Recovery of API Key

* Then we change the URL and access:
* `/my-account;jordan.js`

This answer then contains **the carlos API key**.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7f21b64eb382c6456ce24a4bd1a5ba3f8f561123%2F%7B44422477-9CA3-462E-8C7E-951F71853DB6%7D.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


---

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