Configuration Vulnerabilities Overview
Configuration Vulnerabilities Overview
Configuration vulnerabilities arise when applications, frameworks, or systems are set up with insecure default settings or improper configurations. These vulnerabilities can create security weaknesses that attackers can exploit, even if the application code itself is secure.Proper configuration management is essential for maintaining security throughout the application lifecycle. This includes secure default settings, proper environment configuration, and regular security reviews of configuration changes.
Hardcoded Credentials
Hardcoded Credentials
- Use environment variables for sensitive configuration
- Implement a secure configuration management system
- Use secrets management services (AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault)
- Implement proper access controls for configuration files
- Regularly rotate credentials
- Use different credentials for different environments
Insecure Default Configurations
Insecure Default Configurations
- Review and harden default settings
- Use security-focused middleware (like Helmet for Express)
- Set appropriate size limits for requests
- Configure secure cookie attributes
- Disable unnecessary features and modules
- Implement proper CORS configuration
- Regularly update and review security configurations
Exposed Configuration Files
Exposed Configuration Files
- Store configuration files outside the web root
- Use appropriate file permissions
- Block access to configuration files via web server rules
- Use environment-specific configuration files
- Consider encrypting sensitive configuration values
- Implement proper access controls for configuration management
Verbose Error Messages
Verbose Error Messages
- Configure different error handling for development and production
- Log detailed errors server-side
- Return generic error messages to users in production
- Implement proper error handling middleware
- Consider using error tracking services
- Regularly review error logs for sensitive information
Insecure Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS)
Insecure Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS)
- Specify allowed origins explicitly
- Avoid using wildcard origins in production
- Limit allowed HTTP methods and headers
- Consider the implications of allowing credentials
- Implement proper preflight request handling
- Use environment-specific CORS configurations
Insufficient Transport Layer Security
Insufficient Transport Layer Security
- Enforce minimum TLS version (1.2 or higher)
- Configure secure cipher suites
- Implement proper certificate management
- Enable HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
- Disable insecure protocols and ciphers
- Regularly update TLS configurations
- Use automated tools to verify TLS security
Insecure HTTP Headers
Insecure HTTP Headers
- Use security-focused middleware (like Helmet)
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP)
- Enable HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
- Configure X-Content-Type-Options
- Set X-Frame-Options to prevent clickjacking
- Implement Referrer-Policy
- Configure Feature-Policy/Permissions-Policy
- Regularly test and update security headers
Excessive Permissions
Excessive Permissions
- Create separate accounts for different functions
- Grant only necessary permissions
- Use read-only access when possible
- Implement proper role-based access control
- Regularly audit and review permissions
- Revoke unnecessary permissions
- Use different credentials for different environments
Insecure Cookie Configuration
Insecure Cookie Configuration
Unnecessary Services and Features
Unnecessary Services and Features
- Disable unnecessary features and modules
- Remove unused dependencies
- Implement proper HTTP method restrictions
- Disable directory listing
- Remove unnecessary headers that reveal system information
- Close unused ports and services
- Regularly audit enabled features and services
Insecure File Upload Configuration
Insecure File Upload Configuration
- Store uploaded files outside the web root
- Generate secure random filenames
- Validate file types and content
- Implement file size limits
- Use proper file permissions
- Scan uploaded files for malware
- Serve files through a controlled endpoint
- Consider using a CDN or dedicated file storage service
Improper Cache Control
Improper Cache Control
- Set appropriate cache control headers based on content sensitivity
- Prevent caching of sensitive information
- Use appropriate caching directives for public content
- Consider implementing cache partitioning
- Be aware of proxy caching behavior
- Implement proper cache invalidation strategies
- Regularly test caching behavior
Insecure Dependency Configuration
Insecure Dependency Configuration
- Pin dependency versions to specific releases
- Use lock files to ensure consistent installations
- Regularly audit dependencies for vulnerabilities
- Update dependencies in a controlled manner
- Consider using dependency scanning tools
- Implement continuous monitoring for vulnerable dependencies
- Have a process for emergency updates when critical vulnerabilities are discovered
Insufficient Rate Limiting
Insufficient Rate Limiting
- Apply stricter limits for authentication endpoints
- Implement different limits for different types of resources
- Consider using IP-based and user-based rate limiting
- Implement proper response headers for rate limiting
- Use appropriate time windows for different endpoints
- Consider implementing progressive delays
- Monitor for rate limit violations and potential attacks
Debug Mode in Production
Debug Mode in Production
- Disable debug mode in production environments
- Use environment variables to control debug settings
- Implement environment-specific configuration files
- Remove or secure debugging endpoints in production
- Implement proper error handling for different environments
- Regularly audit production environments for debug settings
- Use configuration validation to prevent misconfiguration