Security for Web Developers: Using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS

382 Pages·2015·9.07 MB·English

by  John Paul Mueller

Security
for Web
Developers
USING JAVASCRIPT, HTML, AND CSS
John Paul Mueller
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Security for Web Developers
John Paul Mueller
Boston
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Security for Web Developers
by John Paul Mueller
Copyright © 2016 John Mueller. All rights reserved.
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November 2015: First Edition
Revision History for the First Edition
2015-11-09: First Release
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978-1-491-92864-6
[LSI]
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This book is dedicated to the medical professionals who have helped restore my health—
who have listened to all my woes and found ways to address them. Yes, I did need to
follow the advice, but they were the ones who offered it. Good health is an exceptionally
grand gift.
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Table of Contents
Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
Part I. Developing a Security Plan
1. Defining the Application Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Specifying Web Application Threats 2
Understanding Software Security Assurance (SSA) 7
Considering the OSSAP 7
Defining SSA Requirements 9
Categorizing Data and Resources 10
Performing the Required Analysis 11
Delving into Language-Specific Issues 14
Defining the Key HTML Issues 14
Defining the Key CSS Issues 15
Defining the Key JavaScript Issues 16
Considering Endpoint Defense Essentials 17
Preventing Security Breaches 17
Detecting Security Breaches 18
Remediating Broken Software 19
Dealing with Cloud Storage 20
Using External Code and Resources 22
Defining the Use of Libraries 22
Defining the Use of APIs 24
Defining the Use of Microservices 25
Accessing External Data 27
Allowing Access by Others 28
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2. Embracing User Needs and Expectations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Developing a User View of the Application 31
Considering Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Issues 33
Understanding Web-Based Application Security 34
Considering Native App Issues 35
Using Custom Browsers 36
Verifying Code Compatibility Issues 38
Handling Nearly Continuous Device Updates 41
Devising Password Alternatives 42
Working with Passphrases 43
Using Biometric Solutions 44
Relying on Key Cards 46
Relying on USB Keys 47
Implementing a Token Strategy 48
Focusing on User Expectations 49
Making the Application Easy to Use 49
Making the Application Fast 49
Creating a Reliable Environment 50
Keeping Security in Perspective 50
3. Getting Third-Party Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Discovering Third-Party Security Solutions 54
Considering Cloud Security Solutions 56
Understanding Data Repositories 57
Dealing with File Sharing Issues 59
Considering Cloud Storage 62
Choosing Between Product Types 63
Working with Libraries 64
Accessing APIs 65
Considering Microservices 66
Part II. Applying Successful Coding Practices
4. Developing Successful Interfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Assessing the User Interface 72
Creating a Clear Interface 72
Making Interfaces Flexible 75
Providing User Aids 78
Defining the Accessibility Issues 79
Providing Controlled Choices 82
Choosing a User Interface Solution Level 86
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Implementing Standard HTML Controls 86
Working with CSS Controls 86
Creating Controls Using JavaScript 89
Validating the Input 90
Allowing Specific Input Only 90
Looking for Sneaky Inputs 91
Requesting New Input 92
Using Both Client-Side and Server-Side Validation 92
Expecting the Unexpected 93
5. Building Reliable Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Differentiating Reliability and Security 96
Defining the Roles of Reliability and Security 97
Avoiding Security Holes in Reliable Code 100
Focusing on Application Functionality 101
Developing Team Protocols 102
Creating a Lessons Learned Feedback Loop 105
Considering Issues of Packaged Solutions 107
Dealing with External Libraries 107
Dealing with External APIs 109
Working with Frameworks 111
Calling into Microservices 114
6. Incorporating Libraries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Considering Library Uses 118
Enhancing CSS with Libraries 118
Interacting with HTML Using Libraries 121
Extending JavaScript with Libraries 123
Differentiating Between Internally Stored and Externally Stored Libraries 125
Defining the Security Threats Posed by Libraries 126
Enabling Strict Mode 128
Developing a Content Security Policy (CSP) 131
Incorporating Libraries Safely 132
Researching the Library Fully 133
Defining the Precise Library Uses 134
Keeping Library Size Small and Content Focused 134
Performing the Required Testing 136
Differentiating Between Libraries and Frameworks 136
7. Using APIs with Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Differentiating Between APIs and Libraries 142
Considering the Differences in Popularity 142
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Defining the Differences in Usage 143
Extending JavaScript Using APIs 145
Locating Appropriate APIs 145
Creating a Simple Example 146
Defining the Security Threats Posed by APIs 151
Ruining Your Good Name with MailPoet 151
Developing a Picture of the Snappening 152
Losing Your Device with Find My iPhone 153
Leaking Your Most Important Information with Heartbleed 153
Suffering from Shellshock 154
Accessing APIs Safely from JavaScript 154
Verifying API Security 154
Testing Inputs and Outputs 155
Keeping Data Localized and Secure 156
Coding Defensively 157
8. Considering the Use of Microservices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Defining Microservices 160
Specifying Microservice Characteristics 160
Differentiating Microservices and Libraries 161
Differentiating Microservices and APIs 162
Considering Microservice Politics 162
Making Microservice Calls Using JavaScript 164
Understanding the Role of REST in Communication 165
Transmitting Data Using JSON 166
Creating a Microservice Using Node.js and Seneca 167
Defining the Security Threats Posed by Microservices 169
Lack of Consistency 170
Considering the Role of the Virtual Machine 170
Using JSON for Data Transfers 171
Defining Transport Layer Security 173
Creating Alternate Microservice Paths 174
Part III. Creating Useful and Efficient Testing Strategies
9. Thinking Like a Hacker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Defining a Need for Web Security Scans 178
Building a Testing System 182
Considering the Test System Uses 182
Getting the Required Training 183
Creating the Right Environment 184
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