Do you ever use C functions in your application (If any) such as gets(), scanf(), strcpy(), strcat() which do not perform bounds checking and making them vulnerable to buffer overflow? 2 points
Bounds checking consists of any method which detects whether or not a variable is within some bounds before it is used. A buffer overflow (or buffer overrun) occurs when the volume of data exceeds the storage capacity of the memory buffer. As a result, the program attempting to write the data to the buffer overwrites adjacent memory locations. C is a programming language which does not support bounds checking, therefore making it some susceptible to buffer overflow attacks.
Do you ever used libraries, and containers that can check bounds optionally in C/C++’s Standard Template Library (STL) to avoid DoS? 2 points
Using libraries and containers that check bounds in C/C++ STL is important regarding bug detection (finding and fixing bugs early in the development process), code maintainability (makes the code more robust and easier to maintain), security (prevents buffer overflow, memory corruptions and DoS attacks). In terms of security, not only does it prevent against buffer overflow and DoS, but it also mitigates arbitrary code execution and enhances input validation, making an application more secure and preventing attackers from compromising its integrity and confidentiality.
Do you use tools which check the stack of the process remaining un-altered after a function returns? 2 points
Using tool which check if the stack of the process remains un-altered after a function return is an additional layer of security which helps in preventing buffer overflow attacks, maintains stack integrity and detects exploitation attempts.
Do you use tools which divide the stack of the process? 2 points
Tools which divide the stack of the process are important as they enhance security by preventing and detecting buffer overflow attacks, by protecting against arbitrary code execution and stack smashing. Through this, the integrity of the code is maintained and another layer of security is added to software applications.
Do you use tools which protect the pointer protection in the buffer of the process? 2 points
Not using tools to protect pointer integrity within process buffers can lead to significant risks, including increased vulnerability to buffer overflow attacks, increased likelihood of unauthorized code execution, potential data corruption, system instability or crashes, compromised user trust, legal and regulatory non-compliance, and substantial resource allocation for incident resolution. These tools are essential for mitigating pointer-related security threats and maintaining the robustness and security of software applications.
Do you use tools which protect the executable space protection in the buffer of the process? 3 points
In programming it is crucial to use tools which protect the executable space in the buffer of a process because through this you can prevent code injection, mitigate buffer overflow attacks, enhance software security and maintain data integrity. Overall, this is a layer of security that is highly important in case a developer wants to have a software as highly secure as possible.
Do you use tools which use Address space layout randomization in the address space of a process? 2 points
Address space layout randomization (ASLR) is a computer security technique involved in preventing exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. In order to prevent an attacker from reliably jumping to, for example, a particular exploited function in memory, ASLR randomly arranges the address space positions of key data areas of a process, including the base of the executable and the positions of the stack, heap and libraries.
Do you use tools which use Deep packet inspection (DPI) or packet scanning? 2 points
Deep packet inspection (DPI) is an advanced network traffic management and examination method. It can be used to detect and intercept viruses, worms and other forms of malicious spyware, as well as a content policy enforcement to stop data leaks and to streamline and/or modify the network traffic flow. Moreover, DPI can also be used to prevent peer-to-peer abuse by throttling data transfers.
Do you take the precaution action to prevent the Integer Overflow which result in Buffer Overflow and bypass the IDS rules, while you develop the C/C++ or Java Programming? 2 points
Preventing Integer Overflow is crucial in order to prevent security vulnerabilities such as Buffer Overflow, data manipulation, data breaches, or system crashes. Not only does Integer Overflow cause security vulnerabilities, but it also decreases the quality and reliability of the program, such as making the program have unexpected behavior and/or incorrect results.
Do you include the sensitive information within the bytecode of JVM (if your developer use Java programming)? 2 points
It is not recommended to include within the bytecode of JVM sensitive information, as the bytecode can be decompiled or reverse-engineered. This enhanced a plethora of security risks, including information leakage and data breaches.
Do you prevent the usage of Get-Http Request from the client side to ask for username and password in the web server side? 3 points
Preventing the usage of a client-side Get-HTTP request to request usernames and passwords on the web server side is vital because it exposes sensitive credentials to potential interception or unauthorized access. When credentials are transmitted via an HTTP GET request, they are visible in the URL and can be logged in various places, like browser history or server logs. This poses a significant security risk, as attackers may intercept or access these credentials, leading to unauthorized account access and potential data breaches. To ensure security, sensitive data like usernames and passwords should be transmitted over secure, encrypted channels, such as HTTPS, and not included in the URL of a GET request.
Do you use the machine.config file for the .NET framework (if any) to ensure that protected resources are mapped to HTTPForbiddenHandler and unused HTTPModules are removed? 2 points
Using the machine.config file in the .NET framework to map protected resources to HTTPForbiddenHandler and remove unused HTTPModules is crucial for security and performance optimization. By mapping protected resources to HTTPForbiddenHandler, access to sensitive or restricted areas can be explicitly denied, bolstering security. Simultaneously, removing unused HTTPModules ensures that the web application remains lean and efficient by reducing unnecessary overhead, leading to improved performance. These configurations in machine.config help maintain a secure and optimized environment for .NET applications, contributing to a more robust and responsive web system.
Do you use the machine.config file for the .NET framework (if any) to ensure that tracing is disabled <trace enable = “false”/> and debug compiles are turned off? 2points
Disabling tracing and turning off debug compiles in the machine.config file for the .NET framework is crucial for security, performance, compliance, and application stability. It prevents sensitive data exposure, enhances efficiency, ensures regulatory compliance, and minimizes the risk of application errors in production environments.
Do you use the machine.config file for the .NET framework (if any) to verify session state settings and validate that ASP.NET (if any) errors are not reverted back to the client? 2 points
Verifying session state configurations and preventing ASP.NET errors from being sent to clients in the machine.config file for the .NET framework is fundamental for enhancing security and preserving data privacy. This validation of session state settings guarantees proper handling of user data, thwarting unauthorized access. Furthermore, the prevention of ASP.NET errors from reaching clients is pivotal for shielding the application's inner workings and reducing the risk of disclosing vulnerabilities or potentially confidential information, thereby fortifying the web environment's security.
Do you restrict code security policy settings to ensure that code downloaded from the internet or intranet has no permission to execute? 3 points
Code security policy settings should be restricted to ensure that code downloaded from the internet or intranet has no permission to execute because of the inherent risks associated with untrusted code sources. Allowing downloaded code to execute without appropriate restrictions opens the door to various security threats, such as malicious code execution, code injection, or the introduction of malware into the system. By restricting code execution permissions, organizations can implement a robust defense mechanism to safeguard against unauthorized or unverified code running on their systems, protecting data integrity, privacy, and overall security. This approach reduces the risk of vulnerabilities and unauthorized access that can result from executing untrusted code, making it a critical measure in maintaining a secure computing environment.
Do you prohibit the string query which contain escaped characters such as: Carriage Returns /r and Line Feed /n? 3 points
String queries containing escaped characters like Carriage Returns (\r) and Line Feeds (\n) should generally be prohibited for security and integrity reasons. These special characters are often used for malicious purposes, such as code injection or data manipulation, in SQL injection attacks, cross-site scripting (XSS), or other web application vulnerabilities. Allowing these characters in string queries can create a security loophole that attackers may exploit to compromise data or gain unauthorized access to a system. Therefore, by prohibiting these escaped characters, organizations can reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities and maintain data integrity.
Additionally, permitting such characters can lead to unintended or unpredictable behavior in applications, causing data corruption or misinterpretation. These escaped characters can disrupt the normal flow of text and potentially lead to errors in data processing and display. By disallowing their use in string queries, organizations can maintain consistent and predictable data handling, reducing the likelihood of application errors and ensuring a more secure and reliable system.
Do you configure and double check the un-marshalling XML process? 2 points
The un-marshalling process of XML data should be configured and double-checked to ensure the integrity and security of the data being processed. Configuring this process involves setting the right parameters and options to correctly interpret the XML structure, while double-checking is essential to catch any potential errors, inconsistencies, or malicious content within the XML. Errors in configuration or unhandled exceptions during un-marshalling can lead to data corruption, system vulnerabilities, or security breaches, making it crucial to carefully validate and sanitize incoming XML data to prevent issues like injection attacks or data manipulation. By configuring and double-checking the un-marshalling process, organizations can safeguard their systems from potential threats and ensure the reliable handling of XML data.
Do you prevent the storage of cryptographic codes in source code? 3 points
Storing cryptographic codes within the source code of a software application should be strictly avoided due to the significant security risks it poses. Embedding these keys directly in the source code increases the potential for unauthorized access, making it easier for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to sensitive data. This practice blurs the separation between keys and code, which hinders proper key management, rotation, and security measures. Furthermore, it can lead to inflexibility, making updates to keys a cumbersome and error-prone process, and it complicates auditing and tracking of key usage.
Maintaining the security of cryptographic systems requires a clear separation between cryptographic keys and the source code. This practice enhances security, facilitates key management and rotation, and ensures compliance with data protection regulations and security standards. Secure key management solutions and best practices for encryption, coupled with proper access controls, should be employed to protect cryptographic keys and uphold the integrity of the software application.
