How it seen by an application security engineer
Secure code review is a critical component of application security. It involves analysing source code to identify security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Conducting a secure code review can be a time-consuming process, but it is essential to ensure that your application is secure. In this post, I will discuss the methodology of secure code review from an application security engineer perspective.
Step 1: Planning
The first step in any secure code review is to plan the process. This includes identifying the scope of the review, setting the objectives, and establishing the resources required. The scope of the review should include the source code, libraries, and dependencies of the application. The objectives should focus on identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers and ways to mitigate them. The resources required should include tools and personnel.
Step 2: Analysis
The analysis phase of secure code review involves examining the source code for vulnerabilities. There are two primary methods for conducting analysis: manual and automated. Manual analysis involves reviewing the code line-by-line to identify security issues. Automated analysis involves using tools to scan the code for vulnerabilities. A combination of both methods is typically used to ensure that all vulnerabilities are identified.
Step 3: Reporting
Reporting is an essential component of secure code review. It involves documenting the vulnerabilities identified and providing recommendations for remediation. The report should also include a risk assessment of the identified vulnerabilities and their potential impact on the application and the organisation.
Step 4: Remediation
The final step in secure code review is remediation. This involves addressing the vulnerabilities identified in the analysis phase. Remediation may involve fixing the code, updating libraries and dependencies, and implementing new security controls. It is important to prioritise the vulnerabilities based on their risk and potential impact and to allocate resources accordingly.
Conclusion
By following this methodology, organisations can ensure that their applications are secure and protected against potential attacks. Secure code review should be conducted regularly to ensure that any new vulnerabilities are identified and remediated promptly
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