This document outlines the security measures implemented in the Cloud IDE platform.

Vulnerability: User input was directly interpolated into shell commands, allowing arbitrary command execution.

Fix:

• Replaced execAsync with spawn for command execution (no shell interpretation)
• Added package name validation using regex: /^[@a-zA-Z0-9_.\-\/]+$/
• Commands are now executed with explicit argument arrays

Example:

// Before (vulnerable)
await execAsync(`npm install ${packageList}`, { cwd: workspacePath });

// After (secure)
await executeCommand('npm', ['install', ...packageList], workspacePath);

Vulnerability: SQL queries were executed directly without parameterization, allowing arbitrary SQL execution.

Fix:

• Added support for parameterized queries
• Queries now accept a params array for safe parameter binding
• Both PostgreSQL and MySQL queries use prepared statements

Example:

// Before (vulnerable)
const result = await conn.client.query(query);

// After (secure)
const safeParams = Array.isArray(params) ? params : [];
const result = await conn.client.query(query, safeParams);

Usage:

// Client sends
{
  "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $1",
  "params": [userId]
}

Vulnerability: File paths from user input were used directly, allowing access to files outside workspace directories.

Fix:

• Added workspace ID validation (alphanumeric, hyphens, underscores only)
• Implemented validateFilePath() function that:
  • Resolves absolute paths
  • Checks if resolved path is within workspace boundary
  • Returns null for invalid paths
• All file operations validate paths before execution

Example:

// Validation logic
function validateFilePath(
  workspaceId: string,
  filePath: string
): string | null {
  const workspacePath = path.resolve(WORKSPACE_DIR, workspaceId);
  const fullPath = path.resolve(workspacePath, filePath);

  // Ensure path is within workspace
  if (!fullPath.startsWith(workspacePath + path.sep)) {
    return null;
  }
  return fullPath;
}

Issue: Hardcoded WebSocket URLs (ws://localhost:5000) would fail in production.

Fix:

• WebSocket URLs are now dynamically constructed based on window.location
• Automatically uses wss:// for HTTPS and ws:// for HTTP
• Properly handles different ports and hostnames

Example:

// Dynamic URL construction
const wsProtocol = window.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss:' : 'ws:';
const wsHost = window.location.hostname;
const wsPort = window.location.port ? `:${window.location.port}` : '';
const wsUrl = `${wsProtocol}//${wsHost}${wsPort}/terminal`;

⚠️ Not Implemented - The API currently has no authentication. For production:

1. Add Authentication

   • Implement JWT-based authentication
   • OAuth2 integration for third-party logins
   • Session management

2. Add Authorization

   • Role-based access control (RBAC)
   • Workspace ownership and permissions
   • API rate limiting

3. Secure Database Credentials

   • Don't accept database credentials from clients
   • Use server-side configuration
   • Implement credential vault (HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager)

1. HTTPS/WSS Only in Production

   • Force HTTPS redirects
   • Use WSS for all WebSocket connections
   • Implement HSTS headers

2. Input Validation

   • Validate all user inputs
   • Sanitize file names and paths
   • Limit request sizes

3. Rate Limiting

   • Implement API rate limiting
   • Prevent brute force attacks
   • Throttle expensive operations

4. Audit Logging

   • Log all API access
   • Track file modifications
   • Monitor suspicious activities

5. Security Headers

   app.use(
     helmet({
       contentSecurityPolicy: {
         directives: {
           defaultSrc: ["'self'"],
           scriptSrc: ["'self'", "'unsafe-inline'"],
           styleSrc: ["'self'", "'unsafe-inline'"],
           imgSrc: ["'self'", 'data:', 'https:'],
         },
       },
     })
   );

6. Regular Security Updates

   • Keep dependencies updated
   • Run npm audit regularly
   • Subscribe to security advisories

Test these scenarios to verify security:

1. Command Injection

   # Try to install malicious package
   POST /api/package/npm/install
   { "packages": "; rm -rf /" }
   # Should reject with validation error

2. SQL Injection

   # Try SQL injection
   POST /api/db/postgres/query
   { "query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = '1' OR '1'='1'" }
   # Use parameterized queries instead

3. Path Traversal

   # Try to access files outside workspace
   GET /api/preview/workspace-1/../../../etc/passwd
   # Should reject with validation error

1. Dependency Scanning

   npm audit
   npm audit fix

2. Static Analysis

   • Use ESLint with security plugins
   • Run SonarQube or similar tools

3. Dynamic Testing

   • OWASP ZAP for penetration testing
   • Burp Suite for API testing

If you discover a security vulnerability, please email [security@example.com] instead of opening a public issue.

Include:

• Description of the vulnerability
• Steps to reproduce
• Potential impact
• Suggested fix (if available)

We will respond within 48 hours and work on a fix as soon as possible.

• Enable HTTPS/WSS only
• Implement authentication (JWT/OAuth2)
• Add authorization and RBAC
• Configure CORS properly
• Enable rate limiting
• Set security headers (Helmet.js)
• Implement audit logging
• Use environment variables for secrets
• Enable database encryption at rest
• Set up intrusion detection
• Configure firewall rules
• Regular security audits
• Dependency updates and scanning
• Backup and disaster recovery plan
• Security training for team

Consider compliance requirements for your use case:

• GDPR: Data protection and privacy
• SOC 2: Security controls and practices
• HIPAA: Healthcare data protection (if applicable)
• PCI DSS: Payment card data (if applicable)

• OWASP Top 10
• Node.js Security Best Practices
• Express Security Best Practices
• npm Security Best Practices