Security Code Review: Checklist
Authentication and Authorization:
1. Secure Password Storage:
- Check if passwords are hashed and salted.
- Ensure the use of a strong hashing algorithm (e.g., bcrypt, Argon2).
2. Authentication Bypass:
- Verify that authentication is enforced for all relevant parts of the application.
- Check for any flawed session management.
3. Authorization Issues:
- Review roles and permissions to ensure proper access controls.
- Confirm that sensitive operations require proper authorization.
Data Security:
4. SQL Injection:
- Check for SQL injection vulnerabilities by reviewing database queries.
- Use parameterized queries or prepared statements.
5. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS):
- Validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent XSS attacks.
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers.
6. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF):
- Use anti-CSRF tokens to protect against CSRF attacks.
- Ensure that state-changing requests require proper authorization.
Network Security:
7. Transport Layer Security (TLS):
- Ensure that sensitive data is transmitted over HTTPS.
- Check for secure TLS configurations.
8. Security Headers:
- Implement security headers like Content Security Policy (CSP), Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS),
etc.
Code Quality and Configuration:
9. Code Injection:
- Review code for any injection vulnerabilities (e.g., OS command injection).
- Validate and sanitize user inputs.
10. File Upload Security:
- If applicable, ensure that file uploads are restricted and properly validated.
- Check for executable file uploads.
11. Error Handling:
- Avoid exposing sensitive information in error messages.
- Implement custom error pages and log errors securely.
Logging and Monitoring:
12. Logging Security:
- Ensure that sensitive information is not logged.
- Regularly review logs for signs of security incidents.
13. Security Monitoring:
- Implement security monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious activities.
- Set up alerts for potential security incidents.
Third-Party Libraries and Components:
14. Dependency Scanning:
- Regularly scan and update third-party libraries for security vulnerabilities.
- Use only trusted and up-to-date dependencies.
15. Security Patching:
- Keep all software, including web servers, databases, and frameworks, up to date with security
patches.
Session Management:
16. Session Fixation and Hijacking:
- Implement secure session management practices.
- Use secure, random session identifiers.
- Monitor and protect against session fixation attacks.
Business Logic:
17. Business Logic Vulnerabilities:
- Review the application's business logic for security flaws.
- Verify that critical transactions are protected against tampering.
Compliance:
18. Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with relevant security standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS).
Miscellaneous:
19. Rate Limiting:
- Implement rate limiting to prevent brute-force attacks.
20. Security Training:
- Ensure developers are trained in secure coding practices.
- Conduct periodic security training for the development team.
21. Incident Response Plan:
- Have an incident response plan in place.
- Regularly test and update the plan.
