8 Essential Strategies to Prevent Data Leakages in Web Applications
Preventing data leakages is a crucial yet critical practice to protect the integrity of sensitive information in web applications. Data leaks often lead to easy attacks and hacking by cybercriminals.
With such exposure, cyber attackers always look for leaked credentials or unauthorized access to an organization’s systems. Further, such direct access is a reason for a variety of cyber attacks with less effort. In this blog, we will explain the meaning of data leaks and some essential strategies you can follow to prevent data leakages in web applications.
With such exposure, cyber attackers always look for leaked credentials or unauthorized access to an organization’s systems. Further, such direct access is a reason for a variety of cyber attacks with less effort. In this blog, we will explain the meaning of data leaks and some essential strategies you can follow to prevent data leakages in web applications.
What is a Data Leak?
In simple terms, a data leak exposes sensitive information. Such leaks can occur internally or through devices like hard drives, etc. Moreover, cyber attackers can use such leaks to launch ransomware attacks or publish data on the dark web.
Let’s dive into the essential strategies to prevent such data leaks in web applications.
Let’s dive into the essential strategies to prevent such data leaks in web applications.
Encrypting Sensitive Data
Encrypting sensitive data is the most common yet essential strategy. Let’s understand this through an example. For instance, a retail company discovered unencrypted credit card data stored in its database, even though TLS was used for data transmission, which could lead to significant data leaks.
Developers can encrypt sensitive data and files using robust encryption algorithms when data is at rest. When data is in transit, developers can implement encryption protocols (e.g., TLS). However, it is necessary to ensure that TLS is properly configured.
Developers can encrypt sensitive data and files using robust encryption algorithms when data is at rest. When data is in transit, developers can implement encryption protocols (e.g., TLS). However, it is necessary to ensure that TLS is properly configured.
Enforcing Coding Standards to not comment in HTML
Let’s say a financial services company had sensitive API keys and database connection strings commented out in their HTML code, which attackers used to gain unauthorized access to their systems.
In such cases, developers can adopt strict coding standards, which help prevent the inclusion of sensitive data in code comments. Developers can implement and enforce coding standards prohibiting commenting on sensitive information in HTML and other code. Regular code reviews and using automated liners also help to ensure compliance throughout the process.
In such cases, developers can adopt strict coding standards, which help prevent the inclusion of sensitive data in code comments. Developers can implement and enforce coding standards prohibiting commenting on sensitive information in HTML and other code. Regular code reviews and using automated liners also help to ensure compliance throughout the process.
Avoiding Source Control Files in Web Directories
Sometimes, companies expose their .git directory, which reveals internal details and vulnerabilities. Such control files contain sensitive project data, and they should not be accessible to the public. To avoid revealing internal files, developers can use automated scripts to scan for source control files in web directories. Configuring web servers and conducting regular audits can also be useful steps in denying access to source control directories.
Implementing Proper Access Controls
Proper access controls ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information. For instance, there are no proper access controls in an educational platform, resulting in access to administrative functions by an unauthorized user. To avoid such cases, developers can regularly review and update access control policies and implement role-based access control (RBAC). This will restrict unauthorized access. Developers can also use automated tools to verify access control settings.
Tracking File Access Times
Tracking file access times is another essential strategy for web applications, which helps detect unused or unauthorized files that pose a security risk. For instance, an e-commerce platform finds an unused backup file in the webroot through access time tracking, preventing a potential data breach. To tackle such issues, a developer can enable access time tracking on the filesystem. Constant monitoring of logs can also help identify and remove unused files found in the webroot.
Regular Web Directory Audits
Regular web directory audits simply help identify and remove unnecessary files that shouldn’t be accessible by the public. For instance, there is an unsecured web directory of healthcare providers that can lead to significant data leaks of sensitive information. To tackle such issues, developers can schedule monthly or quarterly audits of web directories. Automated tools or scripts are helpful for scanning directories for sensitive files. Further, developers can also remove or secure files to avoid potential breaches.
Conducting Thorough Code Reviews to pick out the HTML Comments
Code comments can be a cause for exposing sensitive information. With regular reviews, developers can ensure such information is not present. Let’s understand this with an example. You will find financial institution’s source code comments containing hard-coded credentials. Such codes are easy targets for hackers to gain unauthorized access to the system.
To avoid such cases, developers should implement peer code reviews as a core strategy in the development process. Using static code analysis tools can also help scan for comments containing sensitive information. Once scanned, developers can remove or redact any sensitive information in the comments.
To avoid such cases, developers should implement peer code reviews as a core strategy in the development process. Using static code analysis tools can also help scan for comments containing sensitive information. Once scanned, developers can remove or redact any sensitive information in the comments.
Regular External Penetration Testing
Conducting regular external penetration testing helps identify vulnerabilities that internal teams might overlook. For instance, a financial services company discovered previously undetected vulnerabilities through a pentest. Once the vulnerabilities are detected well in advance, developers can promptly address the issues and prevent exploitation.
Hence, scheduling periodic external pen tests, such as annually or bi-annually, is a necessary step. Developers can select third-party pen testers like Peneto Labs to get expert guidance. Along with collaboration with pen testers, developers can implement and monitor remediation efforts based on pentest findings.
How Peneto Labs Can Help?
Preventing data leakages in a web application is crucial for every organization. Peneto Labs is a valuable asset today. We have a team of experts with prominent certifications and experience. We can help you thoroughly examine your web application before it is exploited.