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Secure HTTPS connection

  • Author: Juuso Sinikunnas
  • Date / Version: 11/04/2024

User roles

  1. Dev
  2. Sec
  3. Tester

Prerequisites / Conditions

  1. HTTPS connection is required
  2. valid SSL/TLS certificcates are required for encryption and server authentication

Use Case Diagram uml diagram

Description of use case -eg. Modify existing request

  1. Initiating Secure HTTPS Connection:
    • Developers, security analysts, or testers initiate the process to secure API endpoints by implementing HTTPS.
  2. Modifying Existing API Endpoints: * The system modifies the existing API endpoints to incorporate authentication and authorization mechanisms, ensuring that only authorized users with proper credentials can access the endpoints.
  3. Implementing Access Control Measures: * Access control measures, such as rate limiting, are set up to prevent excessive requests and mitigate the risk of Denial of Service (DoS) attacks.
  4. Configuring CORS Headers: * Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) headers are configured to control access from different origins, thereby enhancing security and preventing unauthorized cross-origin requests.
  5. Setting Security Headers: * Security headers are set using libraries like Helmet to protect against common security vulnerabilities, such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF).
  6. Implementing User Sessions: * Sessions are implemented to provide user authentication, ensuring that only authenticated users can access protected resources.
  7. Enforcing HTTPS Encryption: * HTTPS encryption is enforced to secure communication between clients and the server, preventing eavesdropping and tampering of data.
  8. Parameter and Input Validation: * Input validation mechanisms are implemented to validate parameters and inputs, preventing injection attacks and ensuring data integrity.

Exceptions

  • E1: Authentication Failure
  • Description: Occurs when the authentication process fails to verify the credentials provided by the user.

  • Handling: The system responds with an authentication error message, indicating that the user's identity could not be verified. Access to the API endpoint is denied, and the user is prompted to provide valid authentication credentials.

  • E2: Authorization Failure

  • Description: Occurs when the user's credentials are successfully authenticated, but the user does not have sufficient permissions to access the requested resource.
  • Handling: The system responds with an authorization error message, indicating that the user lacks the necessary permissions to access the requested resource. Access to the API endpoint is denied, and the user is informed of the authorization restrictions.

Result

  1. Prevention of Unauthorized Access: * Unauthorized access to API endpoints is effectively prevented by implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms. Only users with valid credentials and appropriate permissions can access the protected resources.
  2. Enforcement of Access Control Measures: * Access control measures, such as rate limiting and CORS headers, are successfully enforced to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and potential security threats. Rate limiting ensures that excessive requests are limited, reducing the possibility of Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, while CORS headers control access from different origins, enhancing security.
  3. rotection Against Security Vulnerabilities: * Security headers, such as those provided by the Helmet library, are set to protect against common security vulnerabilities, including Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). These measures strengthen the overall security posture of the system and reduce the likelihood of exploitation by malicious actors.
  4. Enhanced User Authentication: * User sessions are successfully implemented to provide robust authentication mechanisms, ensuring that only authenticated users can access protected resources. This enhances the security of the system and protects sensitive data from unauthorized access.
  5. Secure Communication Channel: * HTTPS encryption is enforced to secure communication between clients and the server, preventing eavesdropping and tampering of data. This ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data transmitted over the network, enhancing overall data security.
  6. Compliance and Trust: * By implementing robust security measures, the system complies with industry best practices and regulatory requirements, instilling trust and confidence among users. Users can rely on the system to protect their sensitive information and maintain the integrity of their data.
  7. Resilience Against Attacks: * The system demonstrates resilience against various security threats, including unauthorized access attempts, injection attacks, and data interception. Effective handling of authentication and authorization failures, along with comprehensive logging and monitoring, ensures timely detection and mitigation of security incidents.
  8. Continuous Improvement and Maintenance: * Regular monitoring and maintenance activities are carried out to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of security measures. Updates to security configurations, patches, and enhancements are applied as needed to adapt to evolving security threats and maintain a secure environment.

By achieving these results, the "Secure HTTPS Endpoints" use case effectively enhances the security posture of the system, protects sensitive data, and maintains the trust and confidence of users and stakeholders.

Use frequency

  • This use case is executed whenever there is a need to establish or enhance secure communication channels using HTTPS for API endpoints.
  • Trigger events include the deployment of new applications requiring HTTPS encryption, updates to existing endpoints to enforce HTTPS, identification of HTTPS-related security vulnerabilities, and compliance requirements mandating HTTPS implementation.
  • Frequency may vary based on the organization's development cycles, security policies, and regulatory demands, with periodic reviews and updates conducted to ensure ongoing HTTPS compliance.
  • Continuous improvement and adaptation are crucial, with regular assessments of HTTPS security practices, emerging threats, and industry trends prompting adjustments to HTTPS configurations and controls.
  • Collaboration between development, security, and testing teams is essential to ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of HTTPS security measures throughout the development lifecycle.

Additional information

  • We established HTTPS connection by modifying configurations, creating certifications and implementing them to front- and backend.
  • This implementation includes dockerfiles and nginx.

Sources

This wiki-document is based on the The public administration recommendations

Thanks to the original authors.