Source: securityboulevard.com – Author: Shikha Dhingra
Secure code review is a combination of automated and manual processes assessing an application/software’s source code. The main motive of this technique is to detect vulnerabilities in the code. This security assurance technique looks for logic errors and assesses style guidelines, specification implementation, and so on.
In an automated secure code review, the tool automatically reviews the source code to detect security flaws by using a set of predefined rules. However, this technique can be performed manually as well but automated secure code testing proves to be faster, which is why companies mostly rely on automated code review. In this blog, we will discuss about what is secure code review and its process.
What is Secure Code Review?
A secure code review is a specialized procedure that entails manually and/or automatically examining the source code of an application to find weaknesses in the design, discover unsafe coding techniques, find backdoors, injection flaws, cross-site scripting problems, weak cryptography, etc. The goal of secure code review is to improve the code’s security and uncover any flaws before they may cause harm. Insecure code that could potentially result in a vulnerability at a later stage of the software development process and ultimately result in an insecure application is found through a procedure called secure code review.
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Importance of Secure Code Review
Secure code review is used to reveal security vulnerabilities in software source code. It works to identify common coding errors such as buffer overflows, SQL injection, cross-site scripting and others, making it an important part of the Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) process.
Secure code review aims to identify and address security flaws early before they are exploited by malicious actors, therefore promoting the creation of reliable and secure software. During the review process, trained security professionals thoroughly examine application source code to identify potential security vulnerabilities. Findings are documented and suggestions for improvement are made.
Every organization’s security strategy should include security code analysis as a key behavior to ensure the integrity of software development. By adhering to established best practices, guidelines, or secure coding standards, developers can effectively mitigate common vulnerabilities in their software. Adopting secure coding practices is essential to mitigating common software vulnerabilities and preventing the organization from cyberattacks.
Process of Secure Code Review
Secure code reviews provide the most important benefits when done early because this is when changes to the code are easier and more efficient. Especially, by using automatic code reviews during the coding phase so developers can quickly address necessary changes. Manual code reviews are especially valuable when performed during the commit phase or when a merge request is issued to the repository. It provides an opportunity to scrutinize code while considering business logic and developer perspective.
Automated Tool Based
Automated tool-based systems facilitate the rapid and efficient analysis of large codebases. Developers engage in this review process while coding, utilizing either open-source or commercial tools to identify vulnerabilities in real time. Advanced development teams incorporate Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools, which offer supplementary insights, aid in vulnerability detection, and empower developers to rectify issues prior to code check-in. Additionally, successful development practices entail developers conducting self-reviews during the coding process.
Manual Tool Based
A manual test-based tool is a detailed analysis of the entire codebase by a senior or experienced developer. While this process can be time-consuming, it presents shortcomings, including business logic issues. While integrating QA tests can provide additional support, there are still situations where manual testing can overlook certain aspects. The best approach involves a mix of automated and manual testing. Combining detection from tools such as SAST with a manual test-based tool enhances the security of guaranteed codes, thus reducing the occurrence of defects in manufacturing processes.
Best Practices for Secure Code Review
Creation of Secure Code Review
The first step in building a robust regulatory review process that prioritizes security is to design a secure regulatory system. This policy is a clear guide for developers, describing the principles that guide security code practices in your organization.
A comprehensive secure coding system should include various aspects of coding, such as data handling, user input acceptance and error handling, logging and scheduling the needs of your organization and the quality of your software are important. For example, if your software handles sensitive user information, the policy may include strict encryption and data security guidelines.
Awareness of Secure Coding
Another important aspect of effective code analysis for security is creating a culture of security awareness within your development team. This includes not only instructing manufacturers to create safe codes but also encouraging a focus on safety. With security in mind, your developers are better equipped to identify potential vulnerabilities during the coding process, reducing the likelihood of security flaws persisting in the final product
Secure coding training should be consistent and comprehensive, covering topics from identifying common security vulnerabilities to following best practices to using safe coding techniques. This allows entrepreneurs to learn on their own and explore areas of interest at their own pace.
Continuous Integration and Deployment
In secure code review, it’s not solely about scrutinizing the code itself; it also involves assessing the processes and tools utilized in code development. One such crucial element is Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), a development approach centered on regularly integrating code changes and swiftly deploying software.
The foremost advantage of CI/CD lies in its capability to detect and address security issues at an early stage of the development cycle. Nonetheless, it’s imperative to ensure the security of your CI/CD pipeline. This entails enforcing robust access controls, employing secure configuration settings, and consistently evaluating your CI/CD tools for potential vulnerabilities.
How Does Kratikal Help Organizations in Secure Code Review?
Kratikal helps organizations improve the security of their applications through secure code review. Our security team uses a combination of manual and automated processes to identify security weaknesses in source code. The goal is to improve code security and uncover flaws before they can be exploited. The methodology includes reconnaissance, scope assessment, automated testing, manual review, confirmation, and reporting. As a CERT-In empanelled security company, Kratikal has extensive experience detecting vulnerabilities in application codebases. We provide detailed reports with mitigation guidance to enhance security posture, reduce risks, and ensure compliance.
Conclusion
Prioritizing a secure code review process, combining automation and manual processes, is paramount for flexible and secure software. Establishing comprehensive safety protocols, improving safety awareness among manufacturers, and monitoring the safety of CI/CD pipelines are important elements of this effort Through these actions a will be adopted so organizations can proactively identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Kratikal provides businesses with a wide range of cybersecurity solutions & services. Trusted by over 450+ SMEs and Enterprises worldwide, Kratikal delivers robust cybersecurity solutions. We are one of the fastest-growing firms committed to safeguarding companies and organizations of different sectors, for instance, SaaS, Fintech, Healthtech, Govt., etc., against cyber risks.
FAQ
- Q1: What is SAST secure code review?
Ans: Static Application Security Testing (SAST), also referred to as static analysis, is a testing approach that examines source code to identify security vulnerabilities that could render your organization’s applications vulnerable to attacks. SAST assesses an application prior to the compilation of its code and is commonly recognized as white box testing.
- Q2: What is Secure Coding in Cybersecurity?
Ans: Secure coding introduces an abstraction layer that evaluates both existing and newly committed code within a code repository. This layer reinforces adherence to best practices, consequently upholding standards for production-ready code while also mitigating human error and discouraging developers from taking shortcuts to meet tight deadlines.
The post What is Secure Code Review and How to Conduct it? appeared first on Kratikal Blogs.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Kratikal Blogs authored by Shikha Dhingra. Read the original post at: https://kratikal.com/blog/what-is-secure-code-review-and-how-to-conduct-it/
Original Post URL: https://securityboulevard.com/2024/05/what-is-secure-code-review-and-how-to-conduct-it/
Category & Tags: Cloud Security,Security Bloggers Network,VAPT – Cloud Security,Security Bloggers Network,VAPT
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