Code Review Security Checklist

Security is a necessity, not just a feature. In this article, we'll explore the crucial role of code reviews in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities. We'll delve into how to align with OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) guidelines and effectively integrate these practices into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Additionally, we'll present a practical approach, complete with backend and frontend security checklists, to ensure your code stands up to the highest security standards. If you haven't read, I recommend looking at our Code review guideline article.

Principles of Secure Code review

One of the foundational elements of a robust security posture in software development is the implementation of secure code review practices. Central to this is the understanding and application of the OWASP guidelines.

Understanding the OWASP Guidelines

The OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) provides an extensive set of guidelines and best practices aimed at improving software security. The OWASP Code Review Guide is particularly significant for developers and security professionals. This guide encompasses a broad spectrum of security considerations, focusing on identifying common vulnerabilities and offering strategies for secure coding.

A pivotal resource within the OWASP framework is the OWASP Top 10, a regularly updated list highlighting the most critical security risks to web applications. This list serves as a starting point for developers to understand the most prevalent security threats and how to mitigate them effectively.

Integrating Security into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Security in software development transcends beyond being a mere best practice; it's an integral necessity. It's not just the domain of developers but a collective responsibility shared across all roles involved in the software creation process. This holistic approach ensures that security permeates every aspect of the product's lifecycle.

• Designers: They can help focus on minimizing user errors that could lead to security breaches, ensuring intuitive and safe user interactions. By considering aspects like secure user authentication, data privacy, and access controls in their designs, they lay a foundation that supports robust security measures throughout the application.
• Product Managers: Responsible for defining the product's roadmap, they prioritize security features and requirements, making sure these considerations are embedded from the outset.
• Developers: Their role is critical in implementing secure coding practices, adhering to OWASP guidelines, and actively seeking to mitigate vulnerabilities during code development.
• Quality Assurance (QA): QA teams play a pivotal role in identifying security loopholes during testing phases, ensuring that the software not only functions as intended but also remains resilient against security breaches.
• Operations and Maintenance Teams: Post-deployment, these teams ensure ongoing security through monitoring, updating, and responding to new threats, thus maintaining the software's integrity over time.

By integrating security across these diverse roles in the SDLC, organizations cultivate a security-first culture. This approach not only enhances the security posture of the software applications but also ingrains a sense of shared responsibility towards security, making it a core aspect of the development ethos.

Secure Backend Code Review Checklist

The backend of any application is pivotal in managing data, business logic, and security. A secure backend is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the overall security of the application. This checklist focuses on key areas in backend development where security is paramount.

## Secure Backend Code Review Checklist

**Security Vulnerabilities in Backend Development**
- [ ] Check for Injection Flaws: Prevent SQL, NoSQL, and command injections.
- [ ] Secure Authentication and Session Management: Implement robust mechanisms and secure session handling.
- [ ] Protect Sensitive Data: Use encryption and secure handling for passwords, tokens, and API keys.

**Common Security Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them**
- [ ] Avoid Hardcoded Credentials: Use environment variables or secure vaults instead of embedding credentials in code.
- [ ] Implement Adequate Logging and Monitoring: Set up comprehensive logging for detecting and addressing suspicious activities.
- [ ] Keep Security Settings Updated: Regularly review and update security configurations to current best practices.

**Reviewing Code for Critical Security Flaws**
- [ ] Conduct Code Analysis: Utilize static and dynamic analysis tools for identifying potential flaws.
- [ ] Audit Code Dependencies: Regularly update and review third-party libraries for vulnerabilities.
- [ ] Maintain High Code Quality: Adhere to good coding practices to prevent security issues.

**Secure Database Interaction and Data Management**
- [ ] Ensure Strict Data Validation: Implement input validation to avoid injection attacks.
- [ ] Apply the Principle of Least Privilege: Restrict database access to only essential operations.
- [ ] Encrypt Data: Secure data at rest and in transit with appropriate encryption methods.

**Review Completed**
- [ ] All checklist items verified and addressed.

Following these guidelines helps in creating a more secure backend environment, reducing the risk of security breaches and data compromises.

Secure Frontend Code Review Checklist

Frontend development faces unique security challenges, particularly with client-side processing. This checklist provides a concise guide to identifying and mitigating security risks in frontend code. It focuses on essential aspects like client-side risk mitigation, secure data handling, and robust user input validation. Use this checklist to enhance security in your frontend development process.

## Secure Frontend Code Review Checklist

**Security Considerations in Frontend Development**
- [ ] Implement Content Security Policy (CSP): Protect against cross-site scripting and other code injection attacks.
- [ ] Secure Communication: Use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit.
- [ ] Minimize Exposed Data: Limit sensitive data exposure in client-side applications.

**Identifying and Mitigating Client-Side Risks**
- [ ] Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Protection: Validate and sanitize user input to prevent XSS attacks.
- [ ] Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) Prevention: Implement anti-CSRF tokens in forms.
- [ ] Clickjacking Protection: Use X-Frame-Options to prevent embedding of site content in iframes.

**Ensuring Secure Data Transmission and Storage**
- [ ] Use Secure APIs for Data Transmission: Ensure APIs used for data transfer employ secure protocols.
- [ ] Avoid Storing Sensitive Data in Local Storage: Use secure methods for handling sensitive user data.
- [ ] Implement Proper Session Management: Manage sessions securely to protect user data.

**Handling User Input and Validation**
- [ ] Validate Input on Client and Server Side: Ensure all user input is validated both on the frontend and backend.
- [ ] Sanitize User Input: Prevent injection attacks by sanitizing user inputs.
- [ ] Use Framework-Specific Protection: Employ security features provided by your frontend framework for input validation.

**Review Completed**
- [ ] All checklist items verified and addressed.

Automated vs Manual Code Review

In code reviews, both automated and manual approaches play critical roles. Automated tools can significantly speed up the review process and detect common vulnerabilities, while manual reviews are essential for uncovering more complex issues that automated tools might miss.

List of Tools to Automate Code Review and Security Checks

How About Human Code Reviews in Detecting Complex Vulnerabilities?

While automated tools are efficient for scanning large codebases and identifying standard vulnerabilities, they often lack the nuanced understanding that comes from human expertise. Manual code review is crucial for:

• Understanding Context: Human reviewers can interpret the context and intent behind the code, which is vital for identifying complex security issues.
• Business Logic Errors: Manual review is better suited for detecting flaws in business logic, which automated tools may overlook.
• Code Quality and Maintainability: Human reviewers can provide insights into code readability, maintainability, and adherence to best practices.

Combining both automated tools and manual review processes ensures a comprehensive approach to code review, enhancing the overall security and quality of the software.

Advanced Topics in Secure Code Review

As code review practices evolve, several advanced topics emerge as crucial for maintaining robust security in software development. Understanding these advanced concepts can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your code review process.

Threat Modeling in Code Review

• Concept: Threat modeling involves identifying potential security threats and vulnerabilities in the early stages of development and during the code review process.
• Application: Incorporate threat modeling to anticipate how attackers might compromise your software and use this insight to inform code reviews.
• Benefits: Helps in proactively addressing security issues and strengthens the software against potential attacks.

Dealing with Third-Party Libraries and Dependencies

Third party threats are one of the most common security threats in software development. When using a third party library make your research, is it a library that is being used by many people? When was the last update made to this project? Do they have automated tests?

• Best Practices: Regularly audit and update third-party libraries. Use tools like OWASP Dependency-Check to identify known vulnerabilities.
• Risk Management: Understand the security posture of third-party components and weigh the risks versus benefits.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) in Secure Code Review

• Integration with CI/CD: Automate security checks as part of the CI/CD pipeline to ensure continuous assessment of the code.
• Tools and Techniques: Utilize tools like Jenkins with security plugins or GitLab CI/CD for automated testing and code analysis. We've made a list of JS code coverage tools you can find.
• Continuous Security: Implementing secure code review practices in CI/CD allows for ongoing security verification throughout the development process.

This highlight the need for a proactive approach to a secure code review process, ensuring that security is an integral part of the development process rather than an afterthought.