How to Use JavaScript Safely in Your Projects

JavaScript has many use cases. Developers can utilize it to create interactive and dynamic web content, such as video games, animations, and mobile apps. They can also use it in browsers and backends.

Since JavaScript is ubiquitous, developers must secure it to minimize the attack surface. Otherwise, threat actors will exploit vulnerability gaps in JavaScript projects to access and tamper with sensitive information.

Read on to learn about the risks of using JavaScript and the best practices for securely developing JavaScript projects. We’ll also cover how Kiuwan security tools can keep JavaScript projects safe.

Risks Associated with Using JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the most vulnerable coding languages. The most common risks associated with JavaScript development include:

→  Source Code Vulnerabilities

JavaScript libraries and public packages are often riddled with source code vulnerabilities—flaws or weaknesses that can compromise the JavaScript software’s security. Malicious actors can exploit these security gaps to access, leak, and tamper with sensitive business and personal data.

→  Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks involve threat actors injecting dangerous scripts into otherwise trusted and benign sites. XSS attacks can occur when an attacker tricks a web application into allowing data from untrusted sources, such as data passed to an application programming interface (API) endpoint through client software.

Because XSS allows untrusted users to execute code in trusted users’ browsers, XSS software security gaps can empower attackers to harvest user data and take control of applications and sites.

→  Cross-Site Request Forgeries (CSRFs)

Lastly, threat actors can use cross-site request forgeries (CSRFs) to encourage users to perform unintended actions. They accomplish this by tricking web browsers into executing malicious requests on sites that the user is already logged into. 

Cybercriminals can also use forums, social media, and their own websites to post malicious links and other content that force browsers to make unnoticed calls to other websites. For instance, they can embed malicious links in a legitimate-looking online banking page. If the victim clicks the link, the CSRF will transfer money to the threat actor’s account.

Best Practices for Developing Securely in JavaScript

Because JavaScript development poses numerous security risks, JavaScript developers must use it safely. Here are some standard safety practices for developing secure JavaScript projects:

✓  Integrity Checks

Third-party libraries and resources offer numerous advantages, including the ability to build software and websites more effectively and efficiently. Unfortunately, they are also risky to use. As previously mentioned, when code quality is low, it’s often riddled with source code vulnerabilities. For instance, a threat actor could inject malicious code into a resource that, when downloaded, can lead to a data leak or hack.

Accordingly, developers who use third-party JavaScript resources should perform regular integrity checks to ensure the integrity of these resources. They can do this by:

• Adding files that they want to protect to a baseline list
• Comparing files to this baseline list
• Instantly sending alerts to administrators  about attempts to modify the monitored files

✓  Frequent NPM Vulnerability Tests

Also stylized as npm, NPM is a JavaScript package manager maintained by npm Inc. It consists of:

• The NPM registry, an online database of paid-for private and public packages 
• NPM, a command-line client

Developers can use the npm audit command in NPM to spot vulnerabilities for all installed dependencies. They should automate this command for every pull request to protect systems and data from exploitation. Otherwise, vulnerabilities will accumulate, making it difficult for developers to address them.

✓  URL Validation

URL validation enhances security against potential exploits and prevents bugs from occurring while running code. It ensures that all URL components—such as the hostname, origin, domain name, and protocol—meet internet standards, such as security protocols.

Developers should implement URL validation in every software or application that identifies and verifies resources, such as images, pages, videos, and GIFs. They can also use the following methods to validate URLs:

✓  Use Independent Components

Finally, developers can secure JavaScript projects by using independent components to create apps instead of building monolithic apps. This enables faster, more scalable, and consistent development. 

There are many tools for building apps with independent components. Many of these tools empower developers to:

• Distribute development to autonomous teams and components
• Easily fix and upgrade modular components across systems
• Drive development consistency and standards across products and teams
• Compose components into various products without having to program from scratch

The Best JavaScript App Protection Solution

JavaScript vulnerabilities are incredibly widespread. As such, if developers don’t do their due diligence, JavaScript apps and sites can easily lead to severe data security issues.

One of the best ways to protect JavaScript projects is by using reliable security tools like Kiuwan. Kiuwan is a powerful, end-to-end application DevSecOps security platform designed to empower software teams throughout the development process. It boasts the following:

• Kiuwan static application security testing (SAST): This tool automatically scans code to identify and remediate vulnerabilities. It also provides you with valuable insights and statistics about your codebase. Kiuwan SAST complies with stringent industry regulations and security standards, including the CWE, OWASP, CERT, and SANS guidelines.
• Kiuwan Insights software composition analysis (SCA): This tool detects and tracks all open-source components in a company’s codebase, enabling developers and programmers to manage their open-source components and close security gaps. SCA also alerts developers about security and compliance issues and blocks them from using suspicious code. 
• Add-ons: Kiuwan also offers several add-ons. One is Code Quality, which enables teams to identify issues with code characteristics like portability, efficiency, maintainability, and reliability. Another notable add-on is Governance, which gives quality assurance engineers data for managing their software portfolio, assessing application evolution, and comparing applications.

Interested in learning more about how Kiuwan can help teams? Click the link below!