sec-design.md

BUSINESS POSTURE

• Business Priorities and Goals:
  • Provide a flexible and convenient configuration loading mechanism for Node.js applications.
  • Simplify configuration management across different environments (development, testing, production).
  • Enhance developer productivity by abstracting configuration loading logic.
  • Improve application maintainability and adaptability through externalized configuration.
• Business Risks:
  • Risk of application misconfiguration due to incorrect or unexpected configuration values loaded by the library. This can lead to application malfunction or security vulnerabilities.
  • Risk of loading configuration from untrusted sources, potentially introducing malicious settings that compromise the application or system.
  • Supply chain risk associated with using a third-party library. If the library is compromised, applications using it could be affected.
  • Risk of exposing sensitive configuration data if not handled properly by the application using the library.

SECURITY POSTURE

• Existing Security Controls:
  • security control: Dependency management using npm or yarn for installing and managing the rc library and its dependencies. Described in package.json and lock files (package-lock.json, yarn.lock) of projects using rc.
  • security control: Input validation implemented by applications using rc to validate configuration values after they are loaded. Implemented within the application's code that consumes the configuration.
• Accepted Risks:
  • accepted risk: Potential vulnerabilities in third-party dependencies of rc. Risk is mitigated by dependency updates and security audits, but not fully eliminated.
  • accepted risk: Misconfiguration by developers using rc. The library itself provides flexibility, but incorrect usage can lead to security issues.
• Recommended Security Controls:
  • security control: Implement schema validation for configuration files used with rc to enforce expected structure and data types, reducing the risk of unexpected configuration values.
  • security control: Regularly audit dependencies of rc for known vulnerabilities using automated tools and manual reviews.
  • security control: Provide clear documentation and best practices for developers on securely using rc, including guidance on handling sensitive configuration data and avoiding loading configuration from untrusted sources.
  • security control: Encourage applications using rc to implement principle of least privilege when accessing configuration values, minimizing the impact of potential misconfigurations.
• Security Requirements:
  • Authentication: Not directly applicable to the rc library itself. Authentication is the responsibility of the application that uses rc to load its configuration.
  • Authorization: Not directly applicable to the rc library itself. Authorization decisions are made by the application based on the loaded configuration and user context.
  • Input Validation: Applications using rc must perform thorough input validation on configuration values loaded by rc to prevent injection attacks and ensure data integrity. This is critical as configuration can influence application behavior significantly.
  • Cryptography: The rc library itself does not directly handle cryptography. However, applications using rc might need to manage cryptographic keys or sensitive data within their configuration. Secure storage and handling of such data is the responsibility of the application, not rc. If sensitive data is part of the configuration, applications should use appropriate encryption and secure storage mechanisms, configured and managed independently of rc.

DESIGN

• C4 CONTEXT

  flowchart LR
    subgraph Internet
    end
    subgraph "User's Computer"
      Developer["Developer"]
    end
    subgraph "Server Environment"
      SystemUnderTest["Node.js Application\n(using rc)"]
      ConfigurationFile["Configuration Files\n(.rc, package.json)"]
      EnvironmentVariables["Environment Variables"]
      CommandLineArguments["Command Line Arguments"]
    end
  
    Developer -- "Configures\n& Develops" --> SystemUnderTest
    Developer -- "Creates" --> ConfigurationFile
    Developer -- "Sets" --> EnvironmentVariables
    Developer -- "Provides" --> CommandLineArguments
    SystemUnderTest -- "Loads Configuration from" --> ConfigurationFile
    SystemUnderTest -- "Loads Configuration from" --> EnvironmentVariables
    SystemUnderTest -- "Loads Configuration from" --> CommandLineArguments
  

  Loading
  • Context Diagram Elements:
    • • Name: Developer
      • Type: Person
      • Description: Software developer who uses the rc library to configure their Node.js application.
      • Responsibilities: Develops and configures the Node.js application, creates configuration files, sets environment variables, and provides command-line arguments.
      • Security controls: Code review, secure development practices on developer's machine.
    • • Name: Node.js Application (using rc)
      • Type: Software System
      • Description: The Node.js application that utilizes the rc library to load and manage its configuration. This is the system being designed and analyzed.
      • Responsibilities: Load configuration from various sources, use configuration to control application behavior, process user requests, interact with other systems.
      • Security controls: Input validation, authorization, secure configuration management, logging and monitoring.
    • • Name: Configuration Files
      • Type: Data Store
      • Description: Files (e.g., .rc, package.json) that store configuration settings for the Node.js application.
      • Responsibilities: Persistently store configuration data.
      • Security controls: File system permissions, access control lists, secure storage locations.
    • • Name: Environment Variables
      • Type: Configuration Source
      • Description: Environment variables set in the operating system environment where the Node.js application runs, used as a configuration source.
      • Responsibilities: Provide dynamic configuration settings based on the environment.
      • Security controls: Operating system level access controls, secure environment configuration.
    • • Name: Command Line Arguments
      • Type: Configuration Source
      • Description: Arguments passed to the Node.js application when it is executed, used as a configuration source.
      • Responsibilities: Allow for runtime configuration adjustments.
      • Security controls: Input validation of command-line arguments, secure execution environment.

• C4 CONTAINER

  flowchart LR
    subgraph "Server Environment"
      NodeJS["Node.js Runtime"]
      subgraph "Node.js Application\n(using rc)"
        RCLibrary["rc Library\n(npm package)"]
        ApplicationCode["Application Code"]
      end
      ConfigurationFile["Configuration Files\n(.rc, package.json)"]
      EnvironmentVariables["Environment Variables\n(OS)"]
      CommandLineArguments["Command Line Arguments\n(Process)"]
    end
  
    ApplicationCode -- "Uses" --> RCLibrary
    ApplicationCode -- "Reads Configuration from" --> ConfigurationFile
    ApplicationCode -- "Reads Configuration from" --> EnvironmentVariables
    ApplicationCode -- "Reads Configuration from" --> CommandLineArguments
    NodeJS -- "Executes" --> ApplicationCode
    NodeJS -- "Provides Runtime for" --> RCLibrary
  

  Loading
  • Container Diagram Elements:
    • • Name: Node.js Runtime
      • Type: Execution Environment
      • Description: The Node.js runtime environment that executes the application and the rc library.
      • Responsibilities: Provide execution environment for Node.js applications, manage resources, handle system calls.
      • Security controls: Operating system security controls, runtime environment security updates, resource limits.
    • • Name: rc Library (npm package)
      • Type: Library
      • Description: The rc npm package, a configuration loading library for Node.js.
      • Responsibilities: Load configuration from various sources (files, environment variables, command-line arguments), merge configurations based on priority, provide configuration data to the application.
      • Security controls: Source code review, dependency scanning, npm registry security, no direct security controls implemented by the library itself other than standard coding practices.
    • • Name: Application Code
      • Type: Application Component
      • Description: The custom application code that utilizes the rc library to load and use configuration settings.
      • Responsibilities: Implement application logic, use configuration data to control application behavior, interact with other systems, handle user requests.
      • Security controls: Input validation, authorization, secure coding practices, error handling, logging and monitoring, secure configuration management.
    • • Name: Configuration Files
      • Type: Data Store
      • Description: Files (e.g., .rc, package.json) that store configuration settings.
      • Responsibilities: Persistently store configuration data.
      • Security controls: File system permissions, access control lists, secure storage locations, encryption at rest (if sensitive).
    • • Name: Environment Variables (OS)
      • Type: Configuration Source
      • Description: Environment variables provided by the operating system.
      • Responsibilities: Provide dynamic configuration settings.
      • Security controls: Operating system level access controls, secure environment configuration, principle of least privilege for environment variable access.
    • • Name: Command Line Arguments (Process)
      • Type: Configuration Source
      • Description: Command line arguments passed to the Node.js process.
      • Responsibilities: Allow runtime configuration adjustments.
      • Security controls: Input validation of command-line arguments, secure process execution environment, limiting access to process arguments.

• DEPLOYMENT

  • Deployment Options:

    • Option 1: Cloud Platform (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) - Node.js application and rc library deployed as a containerized application (e.g., Docker) on a cloud platform. Configuration can be managed through environment variables provided by the cloud platform, configuration files stored in cloud storage, or command-line arguments during container startup.
    • Option 2: On-Premise Server - Node.js application and rc library deployed directly on a physical or virtual server within an organization's data center. Configuration can be managed through local configuration files, system environment variables, or command-line arguments.
    • Option 3: Serverless Environment (e.g., AWS Lambda, Azure Functions) - Node.js application and rc library deployed as a serverless function. Configuration is typically managed through environment variables provided by the serverless platform or through configuration files packaged with the function deployment.

  • Detailed Deployment (Option 1: Cloud Platform - AWS ECS with Docker):

  flowchart LR
    subgraph "AWS Cloud"
      subgraph "ECS Cluster"
        ECSService["ECS Service\n(Node.js App)"]
        ECSTask["ECS Task\n(Docker Container)"]
      end
      ECR["Elastic Container Registry\n(Docker Image)"]
      CloudWatchLogs["CloudWatch Logs"]
      subgraph "AWS Services"
        ParameterStore["Parameter Store\n(Config Data)"]
        SecretsManager["Secrets Manager\n(Sensitive Config)"]
      end
    end
    Developer["Developer"] -- "Pushes Docker Image to" --> ECR
    ECSService -- "Pulls Docker Image from" --> ECR
    ECSTask -- "Runs" --> ECSService
    ECSTask -- "Sends Logs to" --> CloudWatchLogs
    ECSTask -- "Retrieves Config from" --> ParameterStore
    ECSTask -- "Retrieves Secrets from" --> SecretsManager
  

  Loading
  • Deployment Diagram Elements (AWS ECS):
    • • Name: AWS Cloud
      • Type: Environment
      • Description: Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud environment where the application is deployed.
      • Responsibilities: Provide infrastructure, platform services, and security for the deployed application.
      • Security controls: AWS IAM, VPC, Security Groups, Network ACLs, AWS Shield, AWS WAF, encryption in transit and at rest for AWS services.
    • • Name: ECS Cluster
      • Type: Compute Cluster
      • Description: Amazon ECS (Elastic Container Service) cluster that manages the containerized application.
      • Responsibilities: Orchestrate and manage Docker containers, provide compute resources, ensure application availability.
      • Security controls: ECS IAM roles, container security context, network isolation within the cluster.
    • • Name: ECS Service
      • Type: Application Service
      • Description: ECS service definition that manages the desired state of the Node.js application containers.
      • Responsibilities: Maintain the desired number of running tasks, perform health checks, manage deployments and updates.
      • Security controls: ECS service IAM roles, deployment strategies, health checks.
    • • Name: ECS Task
      • Type: Container Instance
      • Description: An instance of a Docker container running the Node.js application and rc library within the ECS cluster.
      • Responsibilities: Execute application code, load configuration using rc, process requests, send logs.
      • Security controls: Docker container security, resource limits, IAM roles assigned to the task, network isolation within the ECS task.
    • • Name: ECR (Elastic Container Registry)
      • Type: Container Registry
      • Description: AWS Elastic Container Registry used to store and manage Docker images for the application.
      • Responsibilities: Securely store Docker images, provide access control for image pulling and pushing.
      • Security controls: ECR repository policies, IAM access control, encryption at rest for Docker images.
    • • Name: CloudWatch Logs
      • Type: Logging Service
      • Description: AWS CloudWatch Logs service used for collecting, monitoring, and storing application logs.
      • Responsibilities: Aggregate logs from ECS tasks, provide log retention and analysis capabilities.
      • Security controls: CloudWatch Logs access policies, encryption at rest for logs, secure log retention policies.
    • • Name: Parameter Store
      • Type: Configuration Management Service
      • Description: AWS Parameter Store used to store configuration data for the application.
      • Responsibilities: Securely store and manage configuration parameters, provide versioning and access control.
      • Security controls: Parameter Store access policies, encryption at rest for parameters, IAM access control.
    • • Name: Secrets Manager
      • Type: Secrets Management Service
      • Description: AWS Secrets Manager used to securely store and manage sensitive configuration data like API keys and database credentials.
      • Responsibilities: Securely store and rotate secrets, provide access control and auditing for secret access.
      • Security controls: Secrets Manager access policies, encryption at rest for secrets, IAM access control, secret rotation policies.

• BUILD

  flowchart LR
    Developer["Developer"] -- "Code Changes" --> VersionControl["Version Control\n(e.g., GitHub)"]
    VersionControl -- "Webhook Trigger" --> CI_CD["CI/CD System\n(e.g., GitHub Actions)"]
    CI_CD -- "Checkout Code" --> BuildEnvironment["Build Environment"]
    BuildEnvironment -- "Install Dependencies\n(npm install)" --> BuildEnvironment
    BuildEnvironment -- "Run Linters & SAST" --> BuildEnvironment
    BuildEnvironment -- "Build Application" --> BuildArtifacts["Build Artifacts\n(e.g., Docker Image)"]
    BuildArtifacts -- "Push to Registry" --> ContainerRegistry["Container Registry\n(e.g., ECR)"]
  

  Loading
  • Build Process Description:
    • Developer commits code changes to a version control system (e.g., GitHub).
    • A CI/CD system (e.g., GitHub Actions) is triggered by a webhook on code changes.
    • The CI/CD system checks out the code into a build environment.
    • Dependencies are installed using a package manager (e.g., npm install).
    • Static analysis security testing (SAST) tools and linters are run to identify potential code quality and security issues.
    • The application is built, and build artifacts are created (e.g., a Docker image).
    • The build artifacts are pushed to a container registry (e.g., ECR).
  • Build Process Security Controls:
    • security control: Version control system (e.g., GitHub) to track code changes and provide audit trails. Access control to the repository.
    • security control: CI/CD system (e.g., GitHub Actions) to automate the build process and enforce security checks. Access control to CI/CD pipelines and secrets management for CI/CD.
    • security control: Secure build environment - hardened build agents, up-to-date tooling, and isolated build environments.
    • security control: Dependency scanning during build to identify vulnerable dependencies. Using tools like npm audit or dedicated dependency scanning tools.
    • security control: Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools integrated into the build pipeline to detect code-level vulnerabilities.
    • security control: Code linters to enforce code quality and coding standards, reducing potential security issues.
    • security control: Container image scanning after building Docker images to identify vulnerabilities in the base image and application dependencies within the container.
    • security control: Secure artifact registry (e.g., ECR) with access control policies to protect build artifacts.
    • security control: Code signing of build artifacts to ensure integrity and authenticity.

RISK ASSESSMENT

• Critical Business Processes:
  • Application startup and initialization: Correct configuration is crucial for the application to start up properly and function as intended. Misconfiguration can lead to application failures or unexpected behavior.
  • Feature toggles and application behavior control: Configuration often dictates which features are enabled or disabled and how the application behaves in different environments. Incorrect configuration can lead to unintended feature activation or deactivation, impacting business functionality.
  • Security settings: Configuration can include security-related settings such as authentication methods, authorization policies, and encryption keys. Misconfiguration in these areas can directly lead to security vulnerabilities.
• Data to Protect and Sensitivity:
  • Configuration data itself: Configuration data can range in sensitivity. It may include:
    • Low sensitivity: Application settings that do not expose sensitive information (e.g., UI themes, logging levels).
    • Medium sensitivity: Internal application URLs, non-production database connection strings, API endpoint configurations.
    • High sensitivity: Production database credentials, API keys, secrets, encryption keys, certificates.
  • The sensitivity of configuration data depends heavily on the application and the specific configuration values. It is crucial to identify and classify configuration data based on its potential impact if compromised. Sensitive configuration data requires strong protection measures, such as encryption, secure storage, and access control.

QUESTIONS & ASSUMPTIONS

• Questions:
  • What types of applications are intended to use the rc library? (e.g., web applications, CLI tools, backend services).
  • What is the typical sensitivity level of configuration data that applications using rc will manage?
  • What are the common deployment environments for applications using rc? (e.g., cloud platforms, on-premise servers, serverless environments).
  • Are there any specific regulatory compliance requirements that applications using rc might need to adhere to? (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS).
  • What is the organization's risk appetite regarding the use of third-party libraries and potential supply chain risks?
• Assumptions:
  • Assumption: The rc library will be used in a variety of Node.js applications, ranging from simple utilities to complex enterprise systems.
  • Assumption: Configuration data managed by applications using rc can include sensitive information, requiring appropriate security measures.
  • Assumption: Applications using rc will be deployed in diverse environments, including cloud, on-premise, and potentially serverless architectures.
  • Assumption: Security is a relevant concern for applications using rc, and secure configuration management is a priority.
  • Assumption: Developers using rc are expected to follow secure coding practices and implement necessary security controls in their applications.