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Use of software with known vulnerabilities in development

Need​

Mitigation of software vulnerabilities in development environments

Context​

  • Usage of C# for building robust and scalable applications
  • Usage of Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc for building web applications using the ASP.NET Core MVC framework
  • Usage of Microsoft.AspNetCore.Http for handling HTTP requests and responses in ASP.NET Core applications

Description​

Non compliant code​

using System;
using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Http;

namespace VulnerableApp
{
    public class HomeController : Controller
    {
        public IActionResult Index()
        {
            return View();
        }

        [HttpGet]
        public IActionResult Login()
        {
            return View();
        }

        [HttpPost]
        public IActionResult Login(IFormCollection form)
        {
            string username = form["username"].ToString();
            string password = form["password"].ToString();

            if (username == "admin" && password == "password")
            {
                HttpContext.Session.SetString("username", username);
                return RedirectToAction("Index");
            }

            return View();
        }
    }
}

The code above represents a simple ASP.NET Core application with a known vulnerability.

The vulnerability lies in the Login method of the HomeController class. The method accepts a username and password from the form data and checks if they match a hardcoded set of credentials ("admin" and "password"). If the credentials match, the username is stored in the session and the user is redirected to the index page.

The vulnerability here is that the system uses a known vulnerable approach to handle user authentication. Hardcoding credentials in the source code is a bad practice as it exposes the system to a number of security risks such as:

  1. Hardcoded credentials can be easily discovered by attackers through code analysis.
  2. The system is at risk if the source code is ever exposed or leaked.
  3. It does not allow for proper password management practices such as regular password changes.
  4. It does not support multiple users, each with their own set of permissions.

To fix this vulnerability, a secure authentication system should be implemented, such as ASP.NET Core Identity. This system should support secure password hashing and individual user accounts with role-based authorization.

Steps​

  • Identify the software or dependency with known vulnerabilities
  • Update the software or dependency to the latest version that does not have the known vulnerabilities
  • Ensure that the updated software or dependency is compatible with the ASP.NET Core application
  • Test the application thoroughly to ensure that the update does not introduce any new issues or conflicts
  • Monitor for any new vulnerabilities in the software or dependency and apply updates as necessary

Compliant code​

using System;
using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Http;

namespace VulnerableApp
{
    public class HomeController : Controller
    {
        public IActionResult Index()
        {
            return View();
        }

        [HttpGet]
        public IActionResult Login()
        {
            return View();
        }

        [HttpPost]
        public IActionResult Login(IFormCollection form)
        {
            string username = form["username"].ToString();
            string password = form["password"].ToString();

            if (username == "admin" && password == "password")
            {
                HttpContext.Session.SetString("username", username);
                return RedirectToAction("Index");
            }

            return View();
        }
    }
}

The above code is a simple login system for an ASP.NET Core application. The Login method accepts a form collection as input, extracts the username and password, and checks if they match a hardcoded set of credentials ("admin" and "password"). If the credentials match, the username is stored in the session and the user is redirected to the index page.

However, this code may be using a version of a software or dependency with known vulnerabilities. This can expose the application to potential security risks.

To fix this vulnerability, follow these steps:

  1. Identify the software or dependency with known vulnerabilities. This could be a library, framework, or any other component that the application relies on.

  2. Update the software or dependency to the latest version that does not have the known vulnerabilities. This can usually be done through the package manager that you are using (like NuGet for .NET applications).

  3. Ensure that the updated software or dependency is compatible with the ASP.NET Core application. This may involve checking the software's documentation, running your application's test suite, or manually testing the application.

  4. Test the application thoroughly to ensure that the update does not introduce any new issues or conflicts. This should involve both automated testing (like unit tests or integration tests) and manual testing.

  5. Monitor for any new vulnerabilities in the software or dependency and apply updates as necessary. This can involve subscribing to security bulletins, using automated tools to scan for vulnerabilities, or regularly checking the software's website or repository for updates.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your application is not using software with known vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of a security breach.

References​

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