Application Security and Secure Coding

Definitions

• Application Security: The process of protecting applications from threats throughout their lifecycle.
• Secure Coding: Writing code in a way that enhances the security of the application.
• Vulnerability: A weakness in a system that can be exploited to compromise the system's integrity or availability.

Secure Coding Practices

1. Validate Input: Ensure all user inputs are validated and sanitized.
2. Use Parameterized Queries: Prevent SQL injection by using parameterized queries.
3. Implement Authentication and Authorization: Ensure proper authentication methods and access controls are in place.
4. Keep Software Updated: Regularly update libraries and frameworks to patch known vulnerabilities.
5. Use Security Headers: Implement HTTP security headers to protect against common vulnerabilities.

Common Types of Vulnerabilities

• SQL Injection
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
• Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
• Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR)

Example: Preventing SQL Injection

let username = "userInput"
let password = "userPassword"
let query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = ? AND password = ?"
let statement = db.prepare(query)
statement.bind(username, password)
let result = statement.execute()