Security Auditing
The objective of the N3N Open Source Security Audits is to proactively identify and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities in our software projects, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the codebase.
Frequency
Security audits will be conducted regularly as part of our commitment to maintaining a secure development environment. The frequency may vary based on project criticality and changes in the threat landscape.
Process
1. Scope Definition:
- Clearly define the scope of the security audit, including the specific components, modules, and functionalities to be assessed.
2. Automated Scans:
- Utilize automated security scanning tools to perform initial assessments for common vulnerabilities such as OWASP Top Ten, known CVEs, and code patterns.
3. Manual Code Review:
- Conduct a detailed manual code review to identify nuanced vulnerabilities that automated tools might miss. This includes reviewing critical sections and input validation mechanisms.
4. Dependency Analysis:
- Review and update project dependencies. Identify and address vulnerabilities in third-party libraries by using dependency scanning tools.
5. Threat Modeling:
- Perform threat modeling to identify potential security threats and assess the impact on the project. This includes understanding potential attack vectors and their consequences.
6. Penetration Testing:
- Engage in penetration testing to simulate real-world attacks on the application. Testers will attempt to exploit vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of existing security controls.
7. Configuration Review:
- Review application and system configurations to ensure they align with security best practices. Verify that secure defaults are enforced.
8. Data Flow Analysis:
- Analyze the flow of sensitive data within the application. Identify potential points of exposure and ensure appropriate encryption and data protection measures are in place.
9. Authentication and Authorization Assessment:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of authentication and authorization mechanisms. Ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive functionalities.
10. Incident Response Simulation:
- Simulate security incidents to evaluate the effectiveness of the incident response plan. Identify areas for improvement in incident detection and response.
11. Documentation Review:
- Review security-related documentation, including README files, security guides, and any documentation outlining security measures and practices.
12. Report and Remediation:
- Compile a comprehensive security audit report detailing identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and recommendations for remediation. Work with developers to implement necessary fixes.
13. Continuous Improvement:
- Capture lessons learned from each security audit to improve future audits. Implement feedback loops to enhance security practices continuously.
By following this comprehensive security audit plan, N3N aims to maintain the highest standards of security in its open-source projects. Your contribution to this security-focused approach is highly valued. Thank you for your commitment to building a secure open-source community!