Standard techniques have been introduced to exchange binary data. However, these payloads can also cause damage.

MTOM

The Message Transmission Optimization Mechanism (MTOM) transfers executable files (binary data) to the web services. XML binary Optimized Packaging (XOP) is then used for the transmission. The XOP technique is a more efficient mapping of structured data with specific content types.

This mechanism is recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the member organization for the standardization of technologies on the Internet.

Payload - two different sides

The term payload can have two different meanings. On the one hand, payload is the term for the components of malicious software (malware) that is smuggled into a system undetected. The malware is hidden with the help of the payload in an area of a message marked as text.

On the other hand, the term payload also exists in the field of communication technology. This refers to the transport of data in a data packet that does not contain any control or protocol information. Payload data includes, for example, texts, characters and images.

Transport of user data

The transport can vary depending on the protocol. As a rule, payload data is handled as follows for nested protocols. Payloads receive header information from the protocol when the protocol is executed. These are then forwarded to the underlying protocol layer and in turn represent user data. This process is repeated several times. The user data field usually follows the header, but a trailer can also follow a network protocol.

Further technical terms from the field of IT can be found in our 1×1 of IT.