X-XSS-Protection Header Missing

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Element Code: SE-008

Quick Reference

Issue: X-XSS-Protection header not set

Impact: Older browsers lack built-in XSS filtering

Fix: Add X-XSS-Protection: 1; mode=block

Detection: HTTP header inspection

What Is This Issue?

While modern browsers have deprecated this header in favor of CSP, older browsers still benefit from the built-in XSS filter it enables.

Why This Matters for Your Website

Legacy protection for older browsers. Modern sites should rely on CSP, but this provides backward compatibility.

How to Fix This Issue

  1. Add header: X-XSS-Protection: 1; mode=block
  2. Prioritize CSP: This is supplementary, not primary protection

Tools for Detection

  • Security headers check: Verify X-XSS-Protection

TL;DR (The Simple Version)

Add X-XSS-Protection header for older browser protection. For modern browsers, focus on Content-Security-Policy instead.

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