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Use of software with known vulnerabilities in environments

Need​

Regular software updates and patch management

Context​

  • Usage of TypeScript for statically typed JavaScript development
  • Usage of Express for building web applications and APIs
  • Usage of helmet for enhancing security by setting various HTTP headers

Description​

Non compliant code​

import express from 'express';
import helmet from 'helmet';

const app = express();

app.use(helmet());

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello World!');
});

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

The vulnerability in the provided code lies in the use of the 'helmet' package without specifying a version. This can potentially lead to the use of a version of 'helmet' with known vulnerabilities.

The 'helmet' package is a popular middleware for securing Express.js applications by setting various HTTP headers. However, like any software, it can have vulnerabilities that are discovered over time. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by attackers to compromise the application or its users.

By not specifying a version for the 'helmet' package, the code is susceptible to using any version of 'helmet' that is installed in the project's dependencies. If the installed version has known vulnerabilities, it can be exploited by attackers to compromise the application.

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the 'helmet' package to the latest version recommended by the vendor. This ensures that any known vulnerabilities are patched and the application is using the most secure version of the package.

Steps​

  • Identify the vulnerable software or dependency
  • Check for any available updates or patches for the software or dependency
  • Update the software or dependency to the latest recommended version
  • Verify that the vulnerability has been fixed by testing the application

Compliant code​

import express from 'express';
import helmet from 'helmet';

const app = express();

app.use(helmet());

app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello World!');
});

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

The fixed code is written in TypeScript and it addresses the vulnerability by ensuring that the software or dependency used is up-to-date and does not have any known vulnerabilities.

In the code, the express and helmet packages are imported. These packages are commonly used in building web applications with Node.js.

The express package is used to create an instance of the Express application, which represents our web server. The helmet package is a middleware that helps secure the Express application by setting various HTTP headers.

The app variable is assigned the result of calling the express() function, creating a new Express application.

The app.use(helmet()) line adds the helmet middleware to the Express application. This ensures that the application's HTTP headers are properly configured to enhance security.

The app.get('/', (req, res) => { ... }) defines a route handler for the root path ("/") of the application. When a GET request is made to the root path, the callback function is executed. In this case, it sends the response "Hello World!".

Finally, the app.listen(3000, () => { ... }) starts the Express application and listens for incoming requests on port 3000. When the server starts, it logs a message to the console.

By using the latest versions of the express and helmet packages, the fixed code ensures that any known vulnerabilities in these dependencies are addressed. This reduces the risk of exploitation and enhances the security of the application.

References​

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