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Business information leak - Analytics

Need​

Protection of sensitive business information from unauthorized access

Context​

  • Usage of TypeScript for type-checking and compiling JavaScript code
  • Usage of Express for building web applications and APIs

Description​

Non compliant code​

import express from 'express';

const app = express();

app.get('/analytics', (req, res) => {
  const apiKey = req.query.apiKey;
  const analyticsData = {
    // Business insights from mobile app usage analytics
    // ...
  };

  res.json(analyticsData);
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server is running on port 3000');
});

The vulnerability in this code is that it exposes sensitive business insights from mobile app usage analytics through a Swagger URL. The analytics data is obtained by making a GET request to the '/analytics' endpoint. However, the API key required to access this data is passed as a query parameter in the URL, which makes it visible and easily accessible to anyone who knows the URL.

This means that if an attacker obtains the Swagger URL along with the API key, they can easily access and obtain the business information about the analytics of the mobile application. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, potentially exposing valuable business insights and compromising the confidentiality of the analytics data.

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to establish proper access controls and restrict the visibility of the Swagger URL and the API key. The information should only be accessible to authorized individuals or systems. Additionally, it is important to follow secure coding practices and avoid exposing sensitive information in URLs or query parameters.

Steps​

  • Remove the Swagger URL exposed along with the APIKey
  • Implement authentication and authorization mechanisms to restrict access to the analytics data
  • Only allow authorized users to access the analytics data
  • Store the APIKey securely and do not expose it in the URL
  • Consider encrypting the analytics data to further protect sensitive information
  • Regularly review and update access controls to ensure only authorized users have access to the analytics data

Compliant code​

import express from 'express';

const app = express();

// Implement authentication and authorization mechanisms
app.use((req, res, next) => {
  // Your authentication and authorization logic here
  // Only allow authorized users to access the analytics data
  // Store the APIKey securely and do not expose it in the URL
  // Regularly review and update access controls to ensure only authorized users have access to the analytics data
  next();
});

app.get('/analytics', (req, res) => {
  const analyticsData = {
    // Business insights from mobile app usage analytics
    // ...
  };

  // Consider encrypting the analytics data to further protect sensitive information

  res.json(analyticsData);
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server is running on port 3000');
});

The fixed code addresses the vulnerability by implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms to control access to the analytics data.

First, the code imports the Express framework and creates an instance of the application.

Next, a middleware function is added using the app.use method. This function is executed for every incoming request and is responsible for implementing the authentication and authorization logic. It ensures that only authorized users can access the analytics data.

The specific authentication and authorization logic is not provided in the code snippet, as it may vary depending on the application's requirements. However, it is recommended to securely store the APIKey and not expose it in the URL. Additionally, access controls should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that only authorized users have access to the analytics data.

The code then defines a route handler for the '/analytics' endpoint using the app.get method. This handler retrieves the analytics data and sends it as a JSON response.

To further protect sensitive information, it is suggested to consider encrypting the analytics data before sending it as a response.

Finally, the application listens on port 3000 and logs a message to indicate that the server is running.

References​

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