Developed by Ryan Dahl in 2009, Node Js is a
platform that is based on Chrome's JavaScript runtime environment to build fast
and scalable network applications easily. In addition, it uses an event-based
non-blocking model, which makes it light-weighted, efficient, and perfect for
data-intensive real-time applications that run on distributed devices. The
latest version of Node.js is currently v0.10.36.
Since its launch in 2009, Node Js has grown
significantly due to its various essential applications. Little wonder every Node Js web development company
is always looking to hire Node Js developers to add to their workforce. Unfortunately,
like any other programming language or framework, Node.js is susceptible to all
kinds of web application exposures. While it is true that Node Js is built with
top-notch security features, some third-party applications may require the
addition of more security features to ensure the optimal protection of your web
apps.
Why Do Node.js Projects Have Security
Issues?
Open-source applications derive licensing and
security risks from their open-source elements. Additionally, security
detection tools such as static and dynamic code evaluation cannot effectively
identify open-source exposures. To detect open-source items in Node.js, you
need to evaluate the NPM index files that explain dependencies. However, these
index files do not have reused open-source items. Sometimes the open-source
community reuses open source projects to reduce time to market and accelerate
development. Accordingly, commercial and open source developers can add
snippets, functions, and techniques to it. Additionally, a Node.js development
company incorporates license terms other than the basic Node.js license in its web
development projects.
Top Node.js Vulnerability Risks and
How to Fix Them
If Security issues related to Node.js can expose
you to vulnerabilities like the man in the middle, code injection, and constant
advanced threats then here is a list of Node.js security risks that can cause
these vulnerabilities and the possible solution practices that Node Js development company
can use to handle them:
1. Restrict XSS Attacks by Validating
User Inputs
XSS or cross-site Scripting allows hackers to
inject vulnerable client-side scripts into website pages viewed by different
users. Vulnerable client-side scripts can cause data breaches. In addition, the
hacker can use JavaScript code. The reason for this is not the validation of
user input. Whatever users type in the search box will be returned to them in
the same old form if it is not found in the database. Therefore, if a hacker
enters JS code instead of the product name in the search bar, they can execute a
similar JS code.
Solution
The user input can be validated. Several
techniques could be employed to avoid getting XSS attacks in Node.js. These
methods are used for output encoding, and they include the Jade engine with
built-in encoding frameworks. Also, you can opt for XSSfilters or Validatorjs
for this.
2. Abstain from Data Leaks
Always trust what you get from the front end
and what you pass to it. For example, you can easily send all the information
of a specific item to the frontend and only filter what needs to be displayed
there. However, it is pretty simple for a hacker to find the hidden data sent
from the backend.
Solution
Submit only the information you need. For
example, if you only ask for first and last names, retrieve them from the
database. You may need to do a little more work but it's worth it.
3. Utilize Security Linters
You can scan vulnerability automatically. Besides,
you can catch basic security exposures even while writing the code.
Solution
You can utilize linter plugins like
eslint-plugin-security. It is a form of security linter that notifies you of
the use of unsafe code practices.
4. Implement Access Control on Each Request
This is
usually associated with how properly examined an app has been regarding user
permissions to various URLs. Thereby, if you want to have limited areas on the
app, such as admin dashboard, for instance, and regular users with no
appropriate role can access it by any means, then you have access exposure.
Solution
The best way
to eliminate this susceptibility is by manually testing app modules that need special
user permissions. Middlewares and access control rules are best executed on the
server side as they reduce the chances of manipulating access permissions from
the client-side by JWT (JSON Web Token) authorization tokens or cookies.
The Log
access controlling and API rate restricting must be set up. This is how admins
get alert when essential steps are taken to reduce the attack and repeated
failures.
5. Secure Deserialization
Unsafe Deserialization is a vulnerability that
includes Deserialization and enforcement of faulty objects through remote code implementation
or API calls. This type of attack is known as a Cross-site Request Forgery
(CSRF) attack. This attack forces end-users to take unwanted actions on valid
web applications. CSRF attack objects are changes in application state requests
because the hacker cannot see the reaction of the spoofed request. Attackers
can apply tricks to users through unusual actions using social engineering
methods, such as sending links via email or chat. CSRF can force status change
requests, such as transforming email credentials and then transferring funds.
CSRF can compromise the entire web application for administrator users. Solution
To reduce such hacks or attacks, CSRF must be
prevented. You can do this by using the anti-counterfeiting tokens in Node.
6. Execute HTTP Response Headers
Express is one of the most widely used web
application frameworks for Node.js. However, the downside to the use of Express
is the absence of adequate security features. Therefore, older versions of
Express may present security risks.
Solution
You should use maintained and updated versions
to ensure application security. You can prevent many less common attacks by
adding additional security-related HTTP headers to your application. Common
frameworks like CORS can improve the safety of your API, but consider using
modules like Helmet, which adds more headers to protect your application. For
example, a headset can help protect Express and Node.js apps. This is a set of
middleware functions that run 11 different header-based security systems for
you with a single line of code. Integrate prevention of cross-site scripting
attacks, mid-level attacks, and administration of secure server connections.
7. Establish Logging and Monitoring
Logging and tracking are also associated with
Node.js security. After all, your goal is to secure the mechanisms from the
start, but an ongoing process that requires frequent logging in and monitoring is
necessary.
Solution
Some hackers want to make your app
unavailable, which can be discovered without registration. But some hackers
want to stay unidentified longer. In this case, monitoring logs and metrics
will help you find the wrong problem. However, you cannot get enough data to
determine if you are receiving weird requests from your app, a hacker, or a
third-party API with just basic logging. There are different tools, many of
which are communicating and combined, that offer distinct layers to strengthen
the security of your system, depending on the data. The data is needed to
assess and identify the exposures and potential invasions of your application.
You can run many routines that are implemented based on predefined system
behavior. Logging and monitoring explain everything that happens in an application.
Therefore, the surveillance functions as its voice which will come to you if
something vulnerable is recognized.
8. Execute Strong & Complete
Authentication
Another common vulnerability is an incomplete,
weak, or faulty authentication system. This probably happens because many
developers think they are safe After all, they have it. But as, in reality, unstable or weak authentication is
easy to circumvent.
Solution
A primary solution is to use current
authentication solutions such as OAuth, Firebase Auth, or Okta. However, if you
want to choose Node.js authentication solutions, keep a few things in mind. For
instance, when creating passwords, never use the built-in cryptographic library
Node.js; use Scrypt or Bcrypt instead. Also, be sure to limit failed login
attempts and never tell users if their password or username is incorrect.
In addition, appropriate session management
policies are required. Make sure you are performing 2FA authentication. If done
correctly, it can dramatically increase the security of your application. You
can do these using modules like Speakeasy or node2fa.
9. Regularly Scan Apps Automatically
for Vulnerability
The Node.js
ecosystem includes several libraries and modules to install. Many of them can
generally be used in your projects. However, this presents a security risk. You
can't be entirely sure it's safe when using code written by someone else.
Solution
To resolve
this issue, you should run an automatic vulnerability scan periodically to help
you discover the dependencies that have the same security threats. Additionally,
When you can get opt for NPM scanning for essential monitoring, but consider
using tools like Retire.js, WhiteSource Renovate, OWASP DependencyCheck, OSS
INDEX, Acutinex, and NODEJSSCAN.
10. Make Fluid Build Pipelines for
Security Patches
Poorly configured security vulnerabilities
occur when web servers or applications are unprotected or protected by weak
security standards. Now Due to this vulnerability, different parts of the
application stack (application containers, databases, servers, etc.) become
prone to vulnerable exploits. Additionally, weak build pipelines are an essential
entry point for misconfigured security type attacks, as staging or staging area
credentials are sometimes used to build. This leaves the application exposed as
development or development zone configurations to achieve lax security
standards.
Solution
It is recommended that each environment
(development, staging, and production) remain the same at different levels of
identification and access. Using default package settings and user account
passwords can cause further security threats in most Node Js applications. This
is because hackers can easily attack login forms that have weak credentials.
On the other hand, the default package
settings leave some vulnerabilities for malicious hackers.
Conclusion
With the help of every Best Node Js development company that hire Node Js developers,
we can access various security features offered by modern Node Js security
practices. These are especially helpful in providing us with systems that are
more secure for users. However, we should also note that the complex systems
built by Node Js developers can cause various security threats.
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