Security of the applications in varying fields is one of the most important goals to achieve for the majority of specialists. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the key practices for ensuring Node.js security. At first, we shall review the top 3 Node.js security risks. Then, a list of the solution practices will be delivered to the readers. In many ways, our goal is to help as much as possible in terms of programming safety. If you need any assistance with the aspect in question, the good idea is to address the specialists at Keennethics. You can read about their Node.js security efforts here: https://keenethics.com/blog/nodejs-security.
Top 3 Node.js Security Risks and Solution Practices
Let’s take a look at some of the most essential problems that can befall any Node.js project.
1) Cross-site exploits for the Node.js sites. In this case, the problem can arise when some malignant party changes the content a user sees and then connects the problematic parts to the servers of the criminals. In this way, the perpetrators can, for instance, try to fish the passwords for some payment systems of the users. Indeed, the problem is present in many other frameworks (not solely Node.js). Nonetheless, its strength is so potent that discounting the issue in any form or manner is often illogical from the standpoint of business longevity.
2) Errors in the code of Node.js and its add-ons. Regrettably, the developers of the framework, while extremely good at programming, are nonetheless human. In this light, errors of some kind become more or less inevitable. Recent analysis has shown that, regrettably, remote code execution is possible in principle within certain combinations of the Node.js platform. Still, one should remember that such problems befall every platform. Heartbleed exploits in OpenSSL are one of the best examples of potential problems.
3) Errors in the JavaScript you or your employees write for the Node.js platforms. Regrettably, we aren’t secure against some human mistakes in the software created for particular firms. In this respect, Node.js can be completely exploitless.
Ultimately, we can offer a set of rather strong solutions in the analyzed case:
1) Try to encrypt all user input using the tools available in the Node.js repositories of various kinds. In this way, you will improve the chances of preventing various cross-site scripting attacks against your platform.
2) Constantly update the Node.js versions and carefully review the forums to immediately detect potential problems with the available software. In the case of some critical components, a full-scale code review of all main elements of some addon, for example, may be a very potent (albeit costly) idea.
3) Use linters and automatic testers to minimize the number of potential problems in the code of your programs.
Conclusion
All in all, modern Node.js, regrettably, features some problems. However, as you may see, they’re far from being unique. Most of the outlined issues befall other platforms too. What’s crucial in this light is the fact that the majority of the problems are, more or less, easy to solve. Consequently, Node.js, in our opinion, is one of the best platforms in terms of security. If you constantly monitor the potential threats to safety, overcoming the majority of the problems should be rather easy. If you need any help in this regard, try the services of KeenEthics, a top company in the field of Node.js security.
