Skip to main content

Implementation and Coding - The holy grail - Code Analysis

Security Verification is a process through which Code can be analyzed. However, as prerequisite, it needs to be addressed with due consideration of What the application is and the business operation that it supports. The main reason for this is that it would be very difficult to prioritize and address the weaknesses. The threat modeling is an important tool and along with the threat model a security review would be an indispensable tool in identifying the root cause of vulnerabilities – CODE.

Based on the prioritized functions and possible attack vectors – For example Protocol Errors may be a potential area for Input validation problems. Based on the preliminary build, it is possible for a preliminary scan of the code base. This should provide a base input that can again be cleaned up to remove unwanted areas to concentrate the efforts and to move to areas of potential weaknesses. The easiest way to achieve this is to use a Static Code Analyzer, a lot of tools are available both open source and proprietary that can look for common coding errors, design flaws or other areas that we can configure the tool to achieve.

One of the important use of the tool is to find issues with the process. If we find areas of concern specific to a vulnerability we can check it against the process followed. It is immaterial what language is used but provides a major input as to the nature of the code base.

The static analysis tools major input in addition to the coding weaknesses is that it drills down to the area of weaknesses, whether the problem is at the design stage or at the earlier stage. If a vulnerability is found – for example, an update is automatically pushed without verifying the source, this can considered a major weakness that is not in the code but in the specifications , which did not specify that the update needs to be taken from a source that is trusted or from a data source that is signed.

The metrics generated by such tool is also an valuable input as it is useful in tracking the performance over time. Time series analysis provides inputs as to the number of vulnerabilities to lines of code and this ratio is important to understand the maturity of the coding process.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Malware Damage - It is real and you need to be ready ...

  Malware, short for "malicious software," is any software intentionally designed to cause harm to computer systems, networks, or devices. Malware can take many forms, including viruses, trojan horses, worms, ransomware, spyware, and adware, among others. The dangers of malware are numerous, and it is crucial to protect yourself from malware to avoid serious consequences, such as: Data theft: Malware can be designed to steal personal information, such as bank account details, social security numbers, and login credentials. Once this information is stolen, it can be used for identity theft, financial fraud, and other malicious activities. System damage: Some malware can damage your computer system, causing it to crash or malfunction. This can result in lost data, system downtime, and costly repairs. Financial loss: Malware can also be used to extort money from victims. For example, ransomware can lock down a victim's computer and demand payment in exchange for the decrypti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Role Based Firewalls - New products on the anvil

Devices that have varied capabilities are increasing in number. This would lead to the inevitable deluge of devices connecting through Bluetooth, Wifi, Wimax, Fiber and any other medium that is considered good enough for data to be carried over. The present set of tools that we use for securing networks are part of the risk management stance of an organization. The complexity of the varied devices is making it much more difficult and the balance between productivity and the technology advantage is lost if the organization does not use the latest in technologies. We are seeing Contractors and end users who want to use their own devices. They want to connect to "The Networks" and the Infosec practitioner is to provide the needed connectivity to resources at the same time ensuring that the data is protected. The Contractor may work for our competitor, how do we ensure that he has access to systems that he needs access to. This is where the new breed of products would come in...
Post a Comment
Read more

HIPAA - What is that we need to know .... Cyberawareness for a Health Care Organization

  Here is a detailed cyber awareness training for HIPAA candidates: Introduction to HIPAA: Provide an overview of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the importance of protecting patient information. Understanding HIPAA regulations: Explain the different regulations under HIPAA, such as the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule. Identifying and reporting breaches: Teach employees how to identify a potential breach of patient information and the proper procedures for reporting it. Phishing and social engineering: Provide training on how to identify and avoid phishing emails and other social engineering tactics. Passwords and authentication: Teach employees about the importance of strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Mobile device security: Discuss the risks of using mobile devices to access patient information and the measures employees can take to keep the information secure. Remote access security: Explain the risks ...
Post a Comment
Read more