- Threat: Unvalidated input can lead to various attacks including XSS, SQL injection, and command injection.
- Practice: Validate all input using allowlist (preferred) or denylist validation, and sanitize inputs to remove potentially malicious content.
- Threat: Malicious scripts can be executed if user input is included in the output without proper encoding.
- Practice: Encode data before rendering it in the browser, using HTML, URL, JavaScript, and CSS encoding as appropriate.
- Threat: Weak or poorly managed authentication can be exploited.
- Practice: Implement strong password policies, use multi-factor authentication (MFA), and securely store passwords using hashing algorithms like bcrypt.
- Threat: Unauthorized access to resources can lead to data breaches and privilege escalation.
- Practice: Implement role-based access control (RBAC), least privilege principle, and enforce access controls on the server side.
- Threat: Detailed error messages can reveal sensitive information.
- Practice: Avoid displaying detailed error messages to users, log errors securely, and ensure logs do not contain sensitive data.
- Threat: Sensitive data can be exposed if not properly protected.
- Practice: Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit, use secure algorithms and key management practices.
- Threat: Data can be intercepted during transmission.
- Practice: Use HTTPS/TLS to secure communications between clients and servers.
- Threat: SQL injection and unauthorized database access can lead to data breaches.
- Practice: Use parameterized queries, stored procedures, and secure database configurations.
- Threat: Insecure file handling can lead to path traversal and arbitrary file execution.
- Practice: Validate file paths and types, use secure directories for file storage, and avoid executing uploaded files.
- Threat: Poor memory management can lead to vulnerabilities like buffer overflows.
- Practice: Use safe functions that handle memory automatically, avoid using deprecated or unsafe functions.
- Threat: Session hijacking can allow attackers to impersonate users.
- Practice: Use secure session cookies, set appropriate session timeouts, and implement session fixation protection.
- Threat: Weak or incorrect cryptographic practices can lead to data breaches.
- Practice: Use well-established cryptographic algorithms and libraries, manage cryptographic keys securely.
- Threat: Misconfigured applications can be exploited.
- Practice: Use secure default configurations, avoid hardcoding credentials, and regularly review and update configurations.
- Threat: Security flaws can be introduced if security is not considered from the start.
- Practice: Integrate security requirements into the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and perform threat modeling.
- Threat: Lack of a structured approach can lead to insecure software.
- Practice: Follow a secure SDLC, incorporating security activities such as code reviews, security testing, and vulnerability assessments.
- Threat: Vulnerabilities in third-party libraries can affect your application.
- Practice: Regularly update third-party components, monitor for vulnerabilities, and use trusted sources for dependencies.
- Threat: Mobile applications have unique security challenges.
- Practice: Protect sensitive data on devices, use secure communication methods, and follow platform-specific security guidelines.
By adhering to these OWASP secure coding practices, developers can significantly reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities in their applications.