Loopholes in front-end software development can obscure the cyber security of a web application leaving the website vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). Accordingly, mitigating front-end development vulnerabilities involves focusing on threat modelling of the website infrastructure starting with the site map.
The second step involves fostering a culture of secure coding practices among software development teams. For this reason, introduce a framework of coding operations that encourages software developers to consider cyber security at every stage of development starting with the design. Moreover, all web development code changes should integrate via continuous integration (CI) and continuous deployment (CD) processes.
A final aspect for inculcating cyber security with web development relates to having visibility over the threat landscape. Thus, implement a continuous monitoring culture for the web application to facilitate rapid cyber threat identification.
Continued reliance on web applications providing consumer services, multiplies the cyber threat levels. For this reason, establishing security of web applications holds tantamount importance to protect website assets, prevent data leakage and enhance public trust in digital services.
The first form of interaction between consumers and services takes place via the front-end web application. As a consequence, securing the web pages creates the first layer of cyber defences. Whereas, negligence of front-end web application security leads to vulnerabilities. A breach of web application security may cause organisational reputational damage, legal repercussions and financial losses.
The role of Front-End Developers in securing web applications
Front-end developers should begin web development with a cyber security conscious mindset. Having strong coding practices that implement common cyber security practices interrelated to front-end development must form the basis for protecting the front-end web application.
Examples of strong front-end coding practices which incorporate cyber security practices entail validating and sanitising user inputs. Furthermore, ensure secure communication to back-end systems and implement authentication.
All front-end developers have a personal obligation to increase knowledge and awareness on the most prevalent cyber threats appropriate to their domain of web application development. At present, popular front-end web application threats focus on Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks.
Improper handling of input data leads to attackers exploiting the vulnerability by attempting SQL injection. The injection of malicious code and commands into the application can expedite application integrity failure. As a result, attackers gain unauthorised access, manipulate data, and disrupt or terminate services.
Cyber security tips for front-end developers:
- Check for outdated and vulnerable third-party libraries code that may be exploited by attackers to gain leverage over an application.
- Implement the cyber security least privilege principle wherever possible to limit access based on permissions.
- Ensure secure data transmission from front-end to back-end via encrypted data with the use of HTTPS.
- Proceed with a defense in depth cyber security approach to web development that takes both client-side and server-side security into consideration.
- Handle session management with care to guarantee secure storage of session tokens and ensure adequate session timeout configuration to avoid session hijacking.
- Secure authentication by ensuring activation of multi-factor authentication and robust implementation of secure passwords.
- Avoid bad coding practices such as hardcoded data and maintain codebase integrity by ensuring all code is free from sensitive data such as encryption keys, passwords and API keys.
- Protect error handling by ensuring message outputs do not contain sensitive technical information. Technical information assists an attacker in deciphering notable information about the web application.
