sec-design.md

BUSINESS POSTURE

• Business Priorities and Goals:

• Provide a user-friendly and reliable Python library for making HTTP requests.

• Enable Python developers to easily integrate with web services and APIs.

• Maintain a widely adopted and trusted open-source project within the Python ecosystem.

• Ensure the library is performant and efficient for various use cases.

• Foster a community of contributors and users around the project.

• Business Risks:

• Security vulnerabilities in the library could impact a vast number of downstream applications, leading to data breaches or service disruptions.

• Reputational damage to the project and the Python Software Foundation if the library is perceived as unreliable or insecure.

• Supply chain attacks targeting the library's dependencies or distribution channels could compromise users.

• Lack of timely security updates and patches could leave users vulnerable to known exploits.

• Compatibility issues with different Python versions or platforms could hinder adoption and create maintenance overhead.

SECURITY POSTURE

• Existing Security Controls:

• security control: Version control using Git and GitHub. Implemented in: GitHub repository.

• security control: Public issue tracking on GitHub. Implemented in: GitHub repository issue tracker.

• security control: Pull requests and code review process for contributions. Implemented in: GitHub contribution guidelines and GitHub workflow.

• security control: Distribution via PyPI (Python Package Index). Implemented in: PyPI infrastructure.

• accepted risk: Reliance on community contributions, which may introduce security vulnerabilities if not properly vetted.

• accepted risk: Limited resources for dedicated security testing and audits due to open-source nature.

• accepted risk: Potential vulnerabilities in dependencies that are not immediately addressed.

• Recommended Security Controls:

• security control: Implement automated security scanning (SAST/DAST) in the CI/CD pipeline to detect potential vulnerabilities in code changes.

• security control: Integrate dependency vulnerability scanning to identify and address known vulnerabilities in third-party libraries.

• security control: Establish a clear security policy and vulnerability disclosure process to handle security issues effectively.

• security control: Conduct periodic security audits and penetration testing to proactively identify and remediate security weaknesses.

• security control: Implement code signing for releases to ensure integrity and authenticity of distributed packages.

• Security Requirements:

• Authentication:

• Requirement: The library should securely handle authentication credentials (e.g., API keys, tokens) provided by users, avoiding storage in logs or insecure locations.

• Requirement: Support various authentication methods including but not limited to Basic Auth, Digest Auth, OAuth, and API Key authentication.

• Authorization:

• Requirement: While the library itself does not enforce authorization, it should provide mechanisms for applications to implement authorization checks based on server responses (e.g., checking HTTP status codes like 401, 403).

• Requirement: The library should not automatically follow redirects to different domains without user awareness, to prevent potential authorization bypass issues.

• Input Validation:

• Requirement: The library must validate all user-provided inputs, such as URLs, headers, parameters, and data, to prevent injection attacks (e.g., URL injection, header injection).

• Requirement: Sanitize or encode user inputs when constructing HTTP requests to mitigate injection risks.

• Cryptography:

• Requirement: Enforce HTTPS by default for all requests to protect data in transit.

• Requirement: Properly handle TLS/SSL certificate validation to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Requirement: Support secure renegotiation and other TLS best practices.

• Requirement: Avoid implementing custom cryptography; rely on well-vetted and established cryptographic libraries provided by Python and the operating system.

DESIGN

C4 CONTEXT

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Python Ecosystem"
        PyPI["PyPI"]
    end
    subgraph "Users"
        PythonDevelopers["Python Developers"]
        Applications["Applications using Requests"]
    end
    Requests["Requests Library"]
    subgraph "External Systems"
        WebServers["Web Servers"]
        APIs["Web APIs"]
    end

    PythonDevelopers -- "Uses" --> Requests
    Applications -- "Uses" --> Requests
    Requests -- "Downloads from" --> PyPI
    Requests -- "Makes HTTP Requests to" --> WebServers
    Requests -- "Makes HTTP Requests to" --> APIs

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• Context Diagram Elements:
• • Name: Python Developers
  • Type: Person
  • Description: Software developers who use the Requests library to build Python applications.
  • Responsibilities: Utilize the Requests library to interact with web services and APIs in their Python projects.
  • Security controls: Responsible for using the library securely, handling sensitive data appropriately in their applications, and keeping their development environments secure.
• • Name: Applications using Requests
  • Type: Software System
  • Description: Various Python applications (web applications, scripts, CLIs, etc.) that depend on the Requests library for HTTP communication.
  • Responsibilities: Leverage the Requests library to perform HTTP requests as part of their functionality.
  • Security controls: Application developers are responsible for securing their applications, including proper input validation, authorization, and handling of data received via Requests.
• • Name: Requests Library
  • Type: Software System
  • Description: The Python Requests library, an HTTP client library for making HTTP requests in Python.
  • Responsibilities: Provide a user-friendly and reliable interface for making HTTP requests, handling various HTTP methods, headers, data, and responses.
  • Security controls: Implement security best practices within the library itself, such as input validation, secure handling of credentials, and proper TLS/SSL configuration.
• • Name: PyPI
  • Type: Software System
  • Description: Python Package Index, the official repository for Python packages, used to distribute the Requests library.
  • Responsibilities: Host and distribute the Requests library packages to Python developers.
  • Security controls: PyPI implements security controls to protect the package repository and ensure the integrity of packages, including package signing and malware scanning.
• • Name: Web Servers
  • Type: Software System
  • Description: Web servers that host websites and web applications, which Requests library interacts with.
  • Responsibilities: Serve web content and APIs, handle HTTP requests from clients including those made by Requests library.
  • Security controls: Web servers implement various security controls to protect themselves and the data they host, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls.
• • Name: Web APIs
  • Type: Software System
  • Description: Application Programming Interfaces exposed over the web, which Requests library interacts with to retrieve or send data.
  • Responsibilities: Provide programmatic interfaces for accessing data and functionality, handle API requests from clients including those made by Requests library.
  • Security controls: APIs implement security controls such as authentication, authorization, rate limiting, and input validation to protect themselves and the data they expose.

C4 CONTAINER

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Python Developers Environment"
        PythonInterpreter["Python Interpreter"]
        RequestsLibrary["Requests Library Files"]
    end
    PyPI["PyPI"]
    WebServers["Web Servers"]
    APIs["Web APIs"]

    PythonInterpreter -- "Imports and Executes" --> RequestsLibrary
    RequestsLibrary -- "Downloads from" --> PyPI
    RequestsLibrary -- "Makes HTTP Requests to" --> WebServers
    RequestsLibrary -- "Makes HTTP Requests to" --> APIs

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• Container Diagram Elements:
• • Name: Python Interpreter
  • Type: Container - Runtime Environment
  • Description: The Python runtime environment where Python applications and the Requests library are executed.
  • Responsibilities: Execute Python code, including the Requests library, and manage system resources.
  • Security controls: Operating system level security controls, Python interpreter security features, and potentially containerization or sandboxing technologies in deployment environments.
• • Name: Requests Library Files
  • Type: Container - Library
  • Description: The collection of Python files that constitute the Requests library.
  • Responsibilities: Implement the HTTP client functionality, handle request construction, response processing, and error handling.
  • Security controls: Security controls within the library code itself, such as input validation, secure coding practices, and dependency management.
• • Name: PyPI
  • Type: External System
  • Description: Python Package Index, the repository for Python packages.
  • Responsibilities: Distribute and host the Requests library packages.
  • Security controls: PyPI security measures for package integrity and availability.
• • Name: Web Servers
  • Type: External System
  • Description: Web servers that Requests library interacts with.
  • Responsibilities: Host web applications and serve content.
  • Security controls: Web server security configurations and infrastructure security.
• • Name: Web APIs
  • Type: External System
  • Description: Web APIs that Requests library interacts with.
  • Responsibilities: Provide API endpoints and handle requests.
  • Security controls: API security measures including authentication, authorization, and rate limiting.

DEPLOYMENT

• Deployment Options:

• Developer Machine: Python developers install Requests library locally using pip for development and testing.

• Server Environment: Requests library is deployed as a dependency of Python applications running on servers (e.g., web servers, application servers).

• Cloud Environment: Requests library is used in Python applications deployed in cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) as part of serverless functions, containers, or virtual machines.

• Detailed Deployment (Server Environment - typical scenario):

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Server Infrastructure"
        OperatingSystem["Operating System"]
        PythonRuntime["Python Runtime"]
        RequestsInstalled["Requests Library (installed via pip)"]
        ApplicationCode["Application Code (using Requests)"]
    end
    Network["Network"]
    WebServers["Web Servers"]
    APIs["Web APIs"]

    ApplicationCode -- "Imports and Uses" --> RequestsInstalled
    PythonRuntime -- "Runs" --> ApplicationCode
    OperatingSystem -- "Hosts" --> PythonRuntime
    RequestsInstalled -- "Makes HTTP Requests via" --> Network
    ApplicationCode -- "Makes HTTP Requests via" --> Network
    Network -- "Connects to" --> WebServers
    Network -- "Connects to" --> APIs

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• Deployment Diagram Elements:
• • Name: Operating System
  • Type: Infrastructure - Software
  • Description: The server operating system (e.g., Linux, Windows) hosting the Python runtime and application.
  • Responsibilities: Provide the base environment for running Python and applications.
  • Security controls: Operating system level security controls, such as user access management, firewalls, and security updates.
• • Name: Python Runtime
  • Type: Infrastructure - Software
  • Description: The Python interpreter and associated libraries installed on the server.
  • Responsibilities: Execute Python code, including the application and Requests library.
  • Security controls: Python runtime security features and configurations, and potentially virtual environments for dependency isolation.
• • Name: Requests Library (installed via pip)
  • Type: Container - Software Library
  • Description: The Requests library installed within the Python environment on the server, typically using pip install requests.
  • Responsibilities: Provide HTTP client functionality to the application running on the server.
  • Security controls: Package integrity checks during installation via pip, and reliance on the security of the PyPI repository.
• • Name: Application Code (using Requests)
  • Type: Container - Application
  • Description: The Python application code that utilizes the Requests library to make HTTP requests.
  • Responsibilities: Implement application logic, including making HTTP requests using Requests library and processing responses.
  • Security controls: Application-level security controls, such as input validation, authorization, and secure data handling.
• • Name: Network
  • Type: Infrastructure - Network
  • Description: The network infrastructure connecting the server to external systems.
  • Responsibilities: Provide network connectivity for HTTP communication.
  • Security controls: Network security controls, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and network segmentation.
• • Name: Web Servers
  • Type: External System
  • Description: External web servers that the application communicates with via HTTP requests made by Requests library.
  • Responsibilities: Serve web content and APIs.
  • Security controls: Web server security configurations and infrastructure security.
• • Name: Web APIs
  • Type: External System
  • Description: External web APIs that the application communicates with via HTTP requests made by Requests library.
  • Responsibilities: Provide API endpoints and handle requests.
  • Security controls: API security measures including authentication, authorization, and rate limiting.

BUILD

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Developer Environment"
        Developer["Developer"]
        CodeChanges["Code Changes"]
    end
    GitHub["GitHub Repository"]
    subgraph "CI/CD Pipeline (Example: GitHub Actions)"
        BuildAutomation["Build Automation (GitHub Actions Workflow)"]
        SecurityChecks["Security Checks (SAST, Dependency Scan)"]
        TestExecution["Test Execution"]
        PackageBuild["Package Build"]
    end
    PyPI["PyPI"]
    Artifacts["Distribution Artifacts (Wheels, Source Tarball)"]

    Developer -- "Writes" --> CodeChanges
    CodeChanges -- "Commits & Pushes to" --> GitHub
    GitHub -- "Triggers" --> BuildAutomation
    BuildAutomation -- "Performs" --> SecurityChecks
    BuildAutomation -- "Executes" --> TestExecution
    BuildAutomation -- "Builds" --> PackageBuild
    PackageBuild -- "Publishes to" --> PyPI
    PyPI -- "Distributes" --> Artifacts

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• Build Diagram Elements:
• • Name: Developer
  • Type: Person
  • Description: Software developer contributing to the Requests library.
  • Responsibilities: Write code, fix bugs, implement features, and contribute to the project.
  • Security controls: Secure development practices, code review participation, and adherence to contribution guidelines.
• • Name: Code Changes
  • Type: Software - Code
  • Description: Modifications to the Requests library codebase.
  • Responsibilities: Implement new functionality, fix bugs, and improve code quality.
  • Security controls: Code review process to identify potential security vulnerabilities before merging changes.
• • Name: GitHub Repository
  • Type: Platform - Version Control
  • Description: GitHub repository hosting the Requests library source code.
  • Responsibilities: Version control, collaboration platform, issue tracking, and hosting CI/CD workflows.
  • Security controls: GitHub's security features, access controls, and audit logs.
• • Name: Build Automation (GitHub Actions Workflow)
  • Type: Tool - CI/CD
  • Description: Automated build pipeline using GitHub Actions (example CI/CD system).
  • Responsibilities: Automate build, test, security checks, and package publishing processes.
  • Security controls: Secure configuration of CI/CD pipelines, secrets management, and access control to workflow definitions.
• • Name: Security Checks (SAST, Dependency Scan)
  • Type: Tool - Security Scanning
  • Description: Automated security scanning tools integrated into the CI/CD pipeline, including Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and dependency vulnerability scanning.
  • Responsibilities: Identify potential security vulnerabilities in the code and dependencies.
  • Security controls: Configuration and maintenance of security scanning tools, and remediation of identified vulnerabilities.
• • Name: Test Execution
  • Type: Process - Testing
  • Description: Automated execution of unit tests and integration tests to ensure code quality and functionality.
  • Responsibilities: Verify the correctness and stability of code changes.
  • Security controls: Well-designed test suite to cover security-relevant aspects of the library.
• • Name: Package Build
  • Type: Process - Packaging
  • Description: Process of creating distribution packages (wheels, source tarball) of the Requests library.
  • Responsibilities: Package the library for distribution on PyPI.
  • Security controls: Ensuring build process integrity, using trusted build environments, and potentially code signing of packages.
• • Name: PyPI
  • Type: Platform - Package Registry
  • Description: Python Package Index, the official repository for Python packages.
  • Responsibilities: Host and distribute Requests library packages.
  • Security controls: PyPI's security measures for package integrity, malware scanning, and account security.
• • Name: Distribution Artifacts (Wheels, Source Tarball)
  • Type: Software - Packages
  • Description: The packaged versions of the Requests library distributed via PyPI.
  • Responsibilities: Provide installable packages for Python developers.
  • Security controls: Package signing (if implemented), and PyPI's distribution security.

RISK ASSESSMENT

• Critical Business Processes:

• Enabling reliable and secure HTTP communication for Python applications across various domains.

• Facilitating integration of Python applications with web services and APIs.

• Maintaining the trust and reputation of the Requests library as a fundamental component of the Python ecosystem.

• Data to Protect and Sensitivity:

• The Requests library itself does not store or process sensitive data directly. However, it is used by applications that may handle highly sensitive data.

• Data sensitivity depends entirely on the applications using the Requests library. This could include:

• Authentication credentials (API keys, passwords, tokens) used in requests. Sensitivity: High.

• User data transmitted in requests and responses (personal information, financial data, etc.). Sensitivity: Varies, potentially High.

• Application logic and configuration that could be exposed through vulnerabilities in the library. Sensitivity: Medium to High.

• The integrity and availability of the Requests library itself are also critical, as its compromise could impact a vast number of applications. Sensitivity: High (for integrity and availability of the library).

QUESTIONS & ASSUMPTIONS

• Questions:

• What is the formal security policy for the Requests project? Is there a public security policy document?

• Is there a dedicated security team or point of contact for security vulnerabilities?

• What is the process for reporting and handling security vulnerabilities? Is there a vulnerability disclosure policy?

• Are there regular security audits or penetration testing performed on the Requests library?

• Are automated security scanning tools (SAST/DAST, dependency scanning) integrated into the CI/CD pipeline? If so, which tools are used?

• Is code signing used for releases to ensure package integrity and authenticity?

• What is the process for managing and updating dependencies, especially in response to security vulnerabilities?

• Assumptions:

• The Requests project follows standard open-source development practices, including code review and public issue tracking.

• The project relies on the security of the GitHub and PyPI platforms for version control and distribution.

• Security testing is primarily performed through community contributions and may not be as comprehensive as in commercial software projects.

• The project aims to address security vulnerabilities reported by the community in a timely manner, but resources may be limited.

• HTTPS is the default and recommended protocol for making requests using the library.