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description: August 2022
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# Secure Coding Principles

## Introduction

As an experienced Java web developer and application architect, with a strong background in application security and framework development, I have meticulously developed this secure coding guideline based on common application problems identified during my program coding review and application security assessment.&#x20;

My aim is to provide developers with a comprehensive set of principles and best practices to enhance the security of their applications. By addressing the vulnerabilities commonly exploited in real-world scenarios, we hope to foster a proactive security culture and minimize the risk of security breaches.

## **Input and Output Handling**

* **Input Validation:**
  * Conduct all data validation on a trusted system (return from the backend server) and untrusted data sources.
  * Validate all untrusted client-provided data before processing, including parameters, URLs, and HTTP header content (e.g., Cookie names and values), and automated postbacks from JavaScript.
  * Validate for expected data types, data range, and data length.
  * Validate all input using a white-list approach.
  * Handle hazardous characters, such as null bytes (%00), new line characters (%0d, %0a, \r, \n), and path alteration characters (../ or ..\\).
  * Address alternate representations like %c0%ae%c0%ae/.
  * Implement a centralized input validation routine.
  * Define and specify the character set (e.g., UTF-8) for all input sources.
  * Encode data to the defined character set before validation.
  * Verify HTTP header values.
  * Validate data from redirects.
* **Output Encoding:**
  * Utilize a standard and centralized outbound encoding to the presentation layer.
  * Sanitize all output of untrusted data for SQL, XML, and LDAP queries.

## **Authentication and Access Control**

* **Authentication and Password Management:**
  * Require authentication for all pages and resources (hiding the URL is not secure).
  * Enforce all authentication controls on a trusted system (backend server).
  * Use a centralized implementation for all authentication controls.
  * Ensure all authentication controls follow the fail-secure principle.
  * Implement password hashing.
* **Access Control:**
  * Implement least privilege access control for all resources.
  * Use role-based access control (RBAC) or attribute-based access control (ABAC) mechanisms.
  * Enforce access control checks on the server-side.
  * Ensure that access control rules are consistently applied across all components.
  * Regularly review and update access control policies.

## **Session and State Management**

* **Session Management:**
  * Ensure secure generation and handling of session IDs.
  * Implement secure session timeout and inactivity timeout policies.
  * Use secure and HTTP-only cookies for storing session tokens.
  * Protect session data from being intercepted using HTTPS.
  * Regenerate session IDs after login and other sensitive operations.
  * Implement proper session invalidation mechanisms.

## **HTTP Header Security**

* **HTTP Header Security:**
  * Implement HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) to enforce secure communication over HTTPS.
  * Use Content Security Policy (CSP) to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) and other code injection attacks.
  * Implement X-Content-Type-Options to prevent MIME type sniffing.
  * Use X-Frame-Options to protect against clickjacking attacks.
  * Implement X-XSS-Protection to enable cross-site scripting (XSS) filters.
  * Use Referrer-Policy to control how much referrer information is sent with requests.
  * Implement Feature-Policy to control which browser features can be used.

## **Cryptographic Practices and Data Protection**

* **Cryptographic Practices:**
  * Use strong, industry-standard cryptographic algorithms.
  * Ensure proper key management practices, including secure generation, distribution, and storage of cryptographic keys.
  * Implement encryption for sensitive data at rest and in transit.
  * Avoid using outdated or insecure cryptographic protocols and algorithms.
  * Regularly review and update cryptographic implementations.
* **Data Protection:**
  * Implement data minimization principles to reduce the amount of sensitive data collected and stored.
  * Use data anonymization and tokenization techniques where applicable.
  * Ensure secure data storage and transmission.
  * Implement proper data retention and disposal policies.
  * Regularly review and update data protection practices.

## **Error Handling and Logging**

* **Error Handling and Logging:**
  * Implement proper error handling to avoid revealing sensitive information.
  * Log security-relevant events, such as failed login attempts and access control violations.
  * Protect logs from unauthorized access and tampering.
  * Ensure that log data is regularly reviewed and analyzed for signs of suspicious activity.
  * Avoid logging sensitive data, such as passwords and credit card numbers.

## **Secure Deployment and Configuration**

* **System Configuration:**
  * Apply secure configurations to all system components, including servers, databases, and network devices.
  * Disable unnecessary services and features.
  * Regularly update and patch system components to address security vulnerabilities.
  * Implement secure configuration management practices.
* **Secure Deployment:**
  * Ensure secure configuration of the deployment environment.
  * Implement continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices with security checks.
  * Use automated tools to scan for security vulnerabilities before deployment.
  * Monitor the deployment environment for signs of unauthorized changes or activities.

## **Specialized Areas**

* **API Security:**
  * Implement proper authentication and authorization for API endpoints.
  * Validate and sanitize all input data passed through APIs.
  * Implement rate limiting and throttling to prevent abuse.
  * Use HTTPS for secure communication between API clients and servers.
* **Mobile Application Security:**
  * Secure local storage of sensitive data on mobile devices.
  * Implement secure communication between mobile applications and backend servers.
  * Use platform-specific security features and best practices.
  * Regularly update and patch mobile applications to address security vulnerabilities.
* **Cloud Security:**
  * Implement secure configuration practices for cloud services and resources.
  * Use identity and access management (IAM) practices to control access to cloud resources.
  * Monitor cloud environments for signs of unauthorized activities.
  * Implement data encryption and secure storage practices for data in the cloud.

## **Third-Party and Dependency Management**

* **Third-Party Library and Dependency Management:**
  * Regularly review and update third-party libraries and dependencies to address security vulnerabilities.
  * Use tools to automatically scan for and manage vulnerabilities in dependencies.
  * Prefer libraries and dependencies that are actively maintained and have a strong security track record.

## **User Education and Awareness**

* **User Education and Awareness:**
  * Educate developers on secure coding practices and emerging security threats.
  * Conduct regular security training and awareness programs for all team members.
  * Foster a security-first culture within the development team.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the&#x20;

[OWASP Secure Coding Practices Quick Reference Guide](https://owasp.org/www-project-secure-coding-practices-quick-reference-guide/assets/docs/OWASP_SCP_Quick_Reference_Guide_v21.pdf)&#x20;

[SAFECode Fundamental Practices for Secure Software Development](https://safecode.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SAFECode_Fundamental_Practices_for_Secure_Software_Development_March_2018.pdf).
