Javascript features “lightning fast-response”.
–> It is also known for its “Interactive elements.”
–> Javascript allows “Impressive user engagement”.
–> More than 67% of development professionals have relied on JavaScript. And nearly 50% have planned to use it for software development in the near future.
However, experts have raised concerns pertaining to Javascript security vulnerabilities and the resulting low performance that requires an efficient and timely addressal.
JavaScript security issues can lead to account tampering, data theft, fraud and more.
Is JavaScript secure? Not entirely.
The programming language has functions, variables, and even objects having global scope.
This is very much what attackers would need to redefine functions, change variables, override native methods, access cookies, monitor keystrokes, transmit the data, and whatnot completely unauthorized.
When it comes down to security concerns with JavaScript Development, one can even think of keeping a check on a malicious website to interact with other websites or attack a computer system.
Cloud, where the entire information is usually stored nowadays gets ZERO protection from JS.
The list of vulnerabilities in security with JavaScript applications goes on and on.
1. Snoop self-censorship – An uncalled for the occurrence was reported back in 2012 when some researchers had collected data from nearly 5 million users on Facebook across the UK and the US.
These researchers were intending to know more about everything a user had typed and deleted before posting it on the Facebook wall.
The situation beyond doubt has and will raise concerns about the protection of much-needed privacy of its end-users. The most worrisome part about the entire scenario was the use of JS to snoop about people’s private data.
2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) – JavaScript is known to have been used to carry out one of the worst security breaches i.e. Cross-Site scripting. It is a prominent security concern with JavaScript application Development with much harm to the legitimate website through Code Injections.
Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities enable attackers to manipulate websites to return malicious scripts to visitors. This all occurs when attackers deliberately embed malicious JS code that executes in the user’s web browser.
Hackers can then have easy access to sensitive information such as user’s finances. Cross-Site scripting has an inexplicable potential to multiply viruses and malware. Furthermore, it has been found to cause search engine poisoning.
Would periodic scanning for malware address security concern in JavaScript web or Mobile application?
3. Securing client-side JavaScript – Web application threats cannot be found until they reach the webserver. Also, an application layer traffic cannot be detected with a traditional firewall.
4. Understanding your browsing habits – JavaScript can do much more damage than keeping a check on what you typed but didn’t post.
A major JavaScript security concern that has been there for quite a long time is storing the user’s location, preferences, and browser type.
Through the cookies that are stored in your system, it is very much possible for companies to know every single website you have visited.
Can we call it a violation?
Do Not Get Scared with Javascript Vulnerabilities. Just Stay Updated and Get Secured.
Some preventive measures for Building Secure JavaScript Applications
1. Protection against XSS –
Cross-Site Scripting attacks is one of the major OWASP security risks. Using this exploit, attackers can get access to secrets stored in LocalStorage, SessionStorageor even cookies.
OWASP recommends never to store sensitive information in these storages. Once the attackers manage to read them, they can potentially impersonate the attacked user account.
2. How to store passwords? –
Never ever store your password in plain text or without salt. Without salt, your passwords can be reversed using Rainbow tables. Use of Bcrypt or Scrypt to salt your password is recommended.
For Database passwords, a couple of tools you can use are git-crypt, git secret.
Also, you may use VAULT. Vault secures, stores, and tightly controls access to tokens, passwords, certificates, API keys, and other secrets in modern computing. Vault handles leasing, key revocation, key rolling, and auditing.
3. Protection against Cross-Site Request Forgery CSRF –
It is an attack vector which exploits the way HTTP requests are sent from the browser. Unprotected Forms like user updates, URL which calls the action of the form, Password reminders, these could be the CSRF attacks.
For secure apps, one must add synchronizer (CSRF) tokens as a hidden input field in forms. The server rejects the request action if the token fails validation.
Planning to develop a Secure Web or Mobile Application. Let’s talk
What do we do at Wildnet Technologies?
Security in JavaScript framework has always been pivotal for our software development team.
Our development experts have in the past dealt with JSON Hijacking, DNS attacks, Sandbox holes, and many more by anticipating the perfect conditions for them to occur.
Building Secure JavaScript Applications is one of our team’s expertise. Wildnet Technologies is geared to efficiently combat such attacks, Identify & Fix JavaScript Security Issues, Ensure the best user experience in JavaScript applications.
As we are experts in offering first-in-class applications, our emphasis is to build Javascript applications that have embedded security measures in them.
Our development team is known for its unmatched services and strategy that has dealt with JavaScript security issues associated with it in the most intelligent manner.
Are you willing to talk more about our approach for Secure JavaScript Development? Let’s connect.
Yourstory – Top Three Popular JavaScript Frameworks this year 2019
References – wikipedia.com, javascript.com, medium.com, clutch.co
