The Art of Secure Coding: Ensuring Application

Security
Ankita Uday Singh
SYMCA Student, Late Bhausaheb Hiray S.S Trust’s Hiray Institute of Computer Application, Mumbai, India
[email protected]

Abstract - The concept of security in web applications is not new. development lifecycle. By incorporating these practices into the
However, it is often ignored in the development stages of the software development process, organizations can build more
applications. Moreover, developers are more inclined to secure and resilient applications, reducing the risk of data
implement features and often do not practice secure coding. breaches and ensuring the protection of sensitive information.
Therefore, countless web applications are launched with security
vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting, injection attacks and II. LITERATURE REVIEW
resource alterations. As software applications are used more often
across a range of industries, maintaining their security has grown Application security and secure coding practices are
to be a top priority. Web applications comprise a large proportion critical aspects of software development that aim to protect
of the contemporary Internet with many of them dealing with applications from vulnerabilities and potential threats. This
sensitive information and handling critical operations whose
compromise could result in large monetary and privacy costs.
literature review provides an overview of the current
Naturally, the security of web applications has become an research and best practices in the field of application
increasingly important issue as web technologies are utilized more security and secure coding. A systematic literature review
and more. Without practicing secure coding and having an (SLR) was selected as the research method for this study.
integrity verification system in place, it is difficult to defend “An SLR is a type of secondary study in which primary
security attacks. To that end, the incorporation of security studies are examined impartially and iteratively to define,
controls throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC) interpret, and discuss evidence relevant to the research
has emerged as the most prominent solution for detecting security questions”
defects early and fixing them with minimal cost and overhead.
This research paper gives an in-depth analysis of secure coding A. "Secure Coding: Principles and Practices" by Mark G.
techniques and application security. The study finishes by Graff and Kenneth R. van Wyk:
summarizing the main conclusions and highlighting the value of
application security and secure encryption procedures to lower This book offers comprehensive coverage of secure coding
risk and safeguard sensitive data. principles and best practices. It covers various programming
languages and provides practical examples, code snippets, and
Keywords— Vulnerabilities, Security, guidelines, confidentiality, case studies. The authors emphasize secure coding techniques
mitigate, SDLC to prevent common vulnerabilities like buffer overflows,
injection attacks, and cross-site scripting.
I. INTRODUCTION
B. "The Web Application Hacker's Handbook: Finding and
Application security refers to the discipline of protecting
Exploiting Security Flaws" by Dafydd Stuttard and
software applications from threats, vulnerabilities, and attacks.
Marcus Pinto:
It involves implementing measures and practices to identify,
mitigate, and prevent security risks throughout the entire Focused on web application security, this book explores the
lifecycle of an application. It is reported that most techniques used by attackers and provides insights into
vulnerabilities originate in the source code of the application. securing web applications. It covers topics such as input
Specifically, the survey by Positive Technologies reports a validation, authentication, session management, and secure
whopping 82% of vulnerabilities being located in the communication. The authors also delve into common
application code. The main objective of application security is vulnerabilities and attack vectors, making it a valuable
to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of both resource for understanding application security risks.
the application itself and the data it processes.
Secure coding practices are a set of techniques and C. "OWASP Testing Guide" by The Open Web Application
guidelines that developers follow to write code that is resistant Security Project (OWASP):
to security vulnerabilities and exploits. By incorporating secure
OWASP is a well-known organization dedicated to improving
coding practices into the software development process,
application security. Their Testing Guide is a comprehensive
developers can build applications that are more robust and less
resource that outlines various security testing techniques,
susceptible to attacks. These practices address various aspects
methodologies, and tools. It covers all stages of the software
of coding, including input validation, authentication, access
development lifecycle, including threat modeling, code
control, secure communication, error handling, and more. The
review, and penetration testing.
matter of addressing security in application development calls
for integration of security controls throughout the software
D. "Secure Programming Cookbook for C and C++" by John find effective ways to seamlessly integrate security activities,
Viega and Matt Messier: such as secure coding reviews, vulnerability assessments, and
security testing, into the software development process.
This book focuses on secure coding practices specific to C and
C++ programming languages. It provides practical recipes for Emerging Threat Landscape: The threat landscape is
addressing common vulnerabilities and demonstrates how to constantly evolving, with new attack vectors and techniques
write secure code using the language-specific features and emerging regularly.
libraries. The book covers memory management, input
validation, cryptographic functions, and secure Compliance with Security Standards and Regulations:
communication. Organizations need to comply with industry-specific security
E. "Secure Development for Mobile Apps: How to Design standards and regulations to protect user data and ensure the
and Code Secure Mobile Applications with PHP and privacy and security of sensitive information.
JavaScript" by J. D. Glaser.:
Secure Integration of Third-Party Components: Many
With the increasing prevalence of mobile applications, this applications rely on third-party libraries, frameworks, and
book provides insights into secure development practices components. The problem is to address the security risks
specifically for mobile platforms. It covers topics such as associated with third-party components and establish best
secure data storage, user authentication, handling push practices for their secure integration and ongoing management.
notifications securely, and secure network communication.
The book includes real-world examples and code snippets. By addressing these problems, organizations can enhance
the security of their applications, protect sensitive data, and
F. "Building Secure Software: How to Avoid Security
mitigate the risk of security breaches. The proposed research
Problems the Right Way" by John Viega and Gary
aims to identify effective solutions, best practices, and
McGraw:
frameworks for application security and secure coding
In this book, the authors emphasize the importance of practices, ultimately contributing to the development of more
integrating security practices into the software development secure software systems.
process from the beginning. It covers security requirements,
threat modelling, secure design principles, and secure coding
IV. OBJECTIVE / SCOPE
techniques. The book provides actionable recommendations
and case studies to help developers build more secure The objective of this research paper is to investigate and
software. analyze the various aspects of application security and secure
coding practices. The paper aims to explore the importance,
III. PROBLEM DEFINITION challenges, best practices, and emerging trends in the field of
The problem addressed in this research paper is the need for application security and secure coding. It seeks to provide
effective application security and the implementation of secure insights, recommendations, and guidelines to enhance the
coding practices in software development. The objective is to security of software applications and promote the adoption of
identify the specific challenges and issues faced in ensuring the secure coding practices.
security of applications and to propose solutions for integrating
secure coding practices into the development process Scope:

Key problem areas include: The research paper will focus on the following key areas
related to application security and secure coding practices:
Lack of Security Awareness and Education: Many ✓ Overview of Application Security
developers may not have sufficient knowledge and awareness ✓ Secure Coding Practices
of secure coding practices and the importance of application ✓ Vulnerability Analysis and Mitigation
security. ✓ Integration of Application Security in Software
Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Vulnerability Management: Applications are ✓ Emerging Trends and Technologies
susceptible to various vulnerabilities, such as input validation ✓ Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
flaws, insecure session management, and inadequate
authentication mechanisms. The problem is to effectively The scope of the research on application security and secure
identify, assess, and mitigate these vulnerabilities throughout coding practices will encompass various dimensions and areas
the application. of focus including:

Integration of Security into Software Development Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC): It examines how
Lifecycle: Integrating security practices into the software security measures can be integrated at each stage to ensure
development lifecycle can be challenging. The problem is to secure software development.
Programming Languages and Frameworks: The research VI. ANALYSIS & FINDINGS
focuses on specific programming languages or frameworks
commonly used in application development. Securing critical software resources is more important than
Secure Coding Guidelines and Standards: The research ever as the focus of attackers has steadily moved toward the
evaluates and propose enhancements to existing secure coding application layer. Study found that attacks against web
guidelines and standards such as OWASP Top Ten, CERT applications constitute more than 60% of the total attack
Secure Coding Standards, or SANS Secure Coding. attempts observed on the Internet.
Secure Development Tools and Technologies: The research This report provides coding practices that can be translated
explores the effectiveness of various tools and technologies into coding requirements without the need for the developer to
used for secure application development. have an in depth understanding of security vulnerabilities and
Emerging Technologies and Security Challenges: The scope exploits. However, other members of the development team
can extend to emerging technologies such as cloud computing, should have the responsibility, adequate training, tools and
Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, or artificial intelligence resources to validate that the design and implementation of the
(AI), and their associated security challenges. entire system is secure.
Human Factors and Education: The research investigates the
role of human factors in application security, including
developer awareness, training, and secure coding education.

V. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The main purpose of this literature review is to study the
current challenges and gaps in application security. It involves
systematic and structured approach to gather, analyze, and
interpret data. Phases involved in carrying out this research are
as follows:
1. Planning
2. Conducting
3. Reporting

Below are set of general software security coding practices,

A. Research Questions that can be integrated into the software development lifecycle.
1. What are the security risks that should be avoided while Implementation of these practices will mitigate most common
designing secure software applications? software vulnerabilities.
2. What are the best practices to follow when designing
secure software applications? 1. Input Validation:
3. What What are the challenges, limitations, and gaps related
to application security? • Conduct all input validation on a trusted system
(server side not client side)
• Identify all data sources and classify them into trusted
B. Code Analysis: Analyzed code samples or projects using and untrusted
static analysis tools, manual reviews, or code scanning • Validate all data from untrusted sources (databases,
techniques to identify security vulnerabilities, adherence to file streams, etc)
secure coding practices, and common pitfalls. • Use a centralized input validation routine for the
whole application
Following steps are part of the research methodology: • Specify character sets, such as UTF-8, for all input
Data Collection sources (canonicalization)
Data Analysis
Framework and Model Development 2. Output Encoding:
Case Studies and Experiments
Recommendations and Guidelines • Conduct all output encoding on a trusted system
Validation and Peer Review (server side not client side)
Conclusion and Limitations • Utilize a standard, tested routine for each type of
By following this methodology, research paper was produced outbound encoding
to provide valuable insights, practical recommendations, and • Specify character sets, such as UTF-8, for all outputs
guidelines to enhance application security and promote the • Contextually output encode all data returned to the
adoption of secure coding practices in software development. client from untrusted sources
 • Ensure the output encoding is safe for all target • Implement least privilege, restrict users to only the
systems functionality, data and system information that is required to
perform their tasks
3. Authentication and password management
9. Database security
• Require authentication for all pages and resources,
except those specifically intended to be public • Use strongly typed parameterized queries
• All authentication controls must be enforced on a • Utilize input validation and output encoding and be
trusted system sure to address meta characters. If these fail, do not run the
• Establish and utilize standard, tested, authentication database command
services whenever possible • Use secure credentials for database access
• Use a centralized implementation for all
authentication controls, including libraries that call external 10. General coding practices
authentication services
• If your application manages a credential store, use • Utilize task specific built-in APIs to conduct
cryptographically strong one-way salted hashes operating system tasks. Do not allow the application to issue
commands directly to the Operating System, especially through
4. Session management the use of application initiated command shells
• Utilize locking to prevent multiple simultaneous
• Use the server or framework’s session management requests or use a synchronization mechanism to prevent race
controls. The application should recognize only these session conditions
identifiers as valid • Do not pass user supplied data to any dynamic
• Session identifier creation must always be done on a execution function
trusted system (server side not client side) • Review all secondary applications, third party code
• Session management controls should use well vetted and libraries to determine business necessity and validate safe
algorithms that ensure sufficiently random session identifiers functionality

5. Access control By implementing effective security measures and following

secure coding practices, organizations can significantly reduce
• Use only trusted system objects, e.g. server side the risk of security breaches and safeguard sensitive data.
session objects, for making access authorization decisions
• Enforce authorization controls on every request,
including those made by server side scripts Key findings and analysis include:
• Segregate privileged logic from other application
code Common Vulnerabilities: Through research and analysis, it
• Restrict access to files or other resources, including has been found that certain vulnerabilities, such as injection
those outside the application's direct control, to only authorized attacks (e.g., SQL injection), cross-site scripting (XSS), and
users authentication bypass, are prevalent in many applications.
These vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access, data
6. Cryptographic practices breaches, and other security incidents.

• All cryptographic functions used to protect secrets Importance of Secure Coding: Secure coding practices play
from the application user must be implemented on a trusted a crucial role in preventing security vulnerabilities. By
system following guidelines and best practices for secure coding,
developers can minimize the risk of introducing vulnerabilities
7. Error handling and logging during the software development process.

• Do not disclose sensitive information in error Integration of Security in SDLC: Integrating security
responses, including system details, session identifiers or activities throughout the software development lifecycle
account information (SDLC) is crucial. This includes incorporating security
• Use error handlers that do not display debugging or requirements analysis, threat modelling, security testing, and
stack trace information code reviews at various stages of development. Organizations
that adopt a secure SDLC approach tend to have more robust
8. Data protection and secure applications.

Secure Third-Party Component Usage: Many applications

rely on third-party libraries and components. However, it has
been observed that inadequate vetting and management of these DevOps lifecycle, ensuring security is not an afterthought but
components can introduce vulnerabilities. Organizations an inherent part of the development process.
should prioritize the evaluation and continuous monitoring of Automation and Tooling: Advancements in automation and
third-party components to ensure their security. security tooling can enhance secure coding practices. Future
research can explore the development of advanced static and
Emerging Threat Landscape: The threat landscape is dynamic analysis tools, code scanners, and automated security
constantly evolving, with new attack vectors and techniques testing techniques to identify vulnerabilities and enforce secure
emerging regularly. The research in this area highlights the coding practices more efficiently.
importance of staying updated on the latest threats and Secure Coding for Emerging Technologies: As new
vulnerabilities to effectively counteract them. Techniques such technologies emerge, such as blockchain, IoT, and AI, there is
as threat intelligence and proactive vulnerability scanning can a need to develop secure coding practices specific to these
aid in identifying and addressing emerging threats. domains.
Metrics and Evaluation: Developing metrics and evaluation
Training and Awareness: Promoting security education and frameworks for measuring the effectiveness of secure coding
awareness among developers and stakeholders is essential. practices can provide valuable insights. Future research can
Research emphasizes the significance of providing training, explore methodologies for assessing the impact of secure
resources, and regular knowledge sharing sessions to ensure coding practices on application security, quantifying the
that individuals involved in software development understand reduction in vulnerabilities, and evaluating the return on
the importance of application security and follow secure coding investment in security measures.
practices. Collaborative Efforts and Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging
collaboration and knowledge sharing among developers,
security professionals, and researchers is crucial. Future
research can focus on fostering communities, platforms, and
VII. LIMITATIONS & FUTURE SCOPE forums for sharing best practices, case studies, and lessons
learned to collectively enhance application security and secure
coding practices.
Limitations:

Human Error: Despite following secure coding practices, VIII. CONCLUSIONS

human error can still occur. Developers may inadvertently
introduce vulnerabilities or overlook certain security In conclusion, the research paper highlights the importance
considerations of incorporating robust security measures and adhering to
Lack of Standardization: There is a lack of universal secure coding practices in software development. The findings
standards and guidelines for secure coding practices. While emphasize that application security is a critical concern, given
organizations can follow established frameworks like OWASP the evolving threat landscape and potential vulnerabilities that
Top 10 or CERT Secure Coding Standards. can be exploited by malicious actors.
Rapid Technological Advancements: The rapid evolution of
technologies, frameworks, and programming languages The analysis reveals that secure coding practices, such as
introduces new security challenges. Secure coding practices input validation, output encoding, access control, secure
must adapt to these advancements, requiring continuous communication, and error handling, significantly contribute to
learning and updates to address emerging vulnerabilities. minimizing security risks. Integration of security activities
Time and Resource Constraints: Implementing robust throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and
application security and following secure coding practices can proper management of third-party components are crucial for
be time-consuming and resource-intensive. building secure applications.
Legacy Systems and Codebases: Organizations often have
legacy systems and codebases that were developed without The research paper identifies limitations, including human
adequate security considerations. Retrofitting security error, lack of standardization, resource constraints, and the
measures into these systems can be challenging and may challenges of securing legacy systems. Future research should
require significant time and effort. focus on integrating security practices into DevOps
methodologies, leveraging automation and tooling, developing
Future Scope: secure coding practices for emerging technologies, establishing
metrics and evaluation frameworks, and promoting
Secure DevOps Integration: The integration of security collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing.
practices into DevOps methodologies is gaining prominence.
Future research can focus on effective ways to seamlessly Ultimately, the research paper emphasizes the need for
integrate security controls and processes throughout the continuous training, awareness, and adaptation to address
emerging threats. By embracing secure coding practices and
implementing effective application security measures,
organizations can enhance their resilience to security breaches, [6] Secure Coding Guidelines for the Java Programming Language by
safeguard sensitive data, and build trustworthy software Oracle
[7] Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) - MITRE Corporation
applications. [8] The Building Security In Maturity Model (BSIMM) by Cigital, Inc.
[9] Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) Implementation Guide by
REFERENCES Microsoft
[1] Secure Programming Cookbook for C and C++ by John Viega and Matt [10] ISO/IEC 27034: Application Security
Messier [11] NIST SP 800-64: Security Considerations in the System Development
[2] The Art of Software Security Assessment: Identifying and Preventing Life Cycle
Software Vulnerabilities by Mark Dowd, John McDonald, and Justin [12] CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) and CERT Secure Coding
Schuh Standards
[3] Secure Coding in Java: Best Practices for Secure Java Development by [13] www.sans.org/reading-room/topics/secure-coding
Robert C. Seacord [14] www.nist.gov/topics/software-assurance
[4] Threat Modeling: Designing for Security by Adam Shostack [15] www.computer.org/technical-committees/center-for-secure-design
[5] Secure Development for Mobile Apps: How to Design and Code Secure
Mobile Applications with PHP and JavaScript by J.D. Glaser