1. “X-Powered-By”
Many scripting languages employ the common non-standard HTTP response header X-Powered-By as a default option. You have the option of either enabling or disabling this header using server and configuration management strategies. Developers could neglect to remove the X-Powered-By header, which allows attackers to access some crucial data. The technology used to construct the app is revealed in the header, which enables attackers to take advantage of different security flaws related to that specific technology.
2. CSRF
It’s important to consider Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), a prevalent Node.js security issue. Users who have previously been authenticated are compelled to send a request to a web application via a CSRF attack. Sensitive data has been made available to attackers, and web applications’ integrity and privacy have been breached.
In order to change the application’s state, CSRF attackers employ social engineering strategies like sending users emails or texts. Due to the need for users to send money and alter their email addresses, CSRF attacks can seriously harm Node.js apps. CSRF attacks must be addressed for admin-level users since they can jeopardize the security of the entire online application.
3. Cookie names
Since every user action on a web application results in the storage of a cookie in the underlying infrastructure, cookies aid websites or web apps in identifying a specific user. The most typical uses for cookies are on e-commerce websites’ shopping carts. The products you choose on the website will be remembered by the cookies, and when you go to the checkout page, the shopping cart will show those goods.
However, the issue with Node.js development occurs when the developer chooses the default cookie names rather than changing them as necessary. As long as they are aware of the default cookie name, attackers can easily attack and gain access to user input inside the complex ecosystem.
4. Code injection
Developers are primarily responsible for writing secure code for applications. You cannot, however, fully ensure the security of your codebase while using open-source packages. The term “code injection” refers to any attack where the attacker inserts code into the system and compels the application function to run it. In order to get knowledge of your codebase, the attacker investigates the carelessly handled data.
Insufficient input and output data validation are one of the main causes of this security issue. Most people who work in the software development industry regularly come across SQL injection attacks. Here, the attacker manipulates the backend database with the help of malicious SQL code to get access to private data that is not typically available.
5. Brute-force
In any Node.js security checklist, brute force assaults are one of the most frequent attacks or threats. In order to gain access to sensitive data, the attackers try to use random passwords on web application login endpoints. Until you find the right password for the web application, brute forcing entails trying millions of different possibilities. You will need to make your authentication system for Node.js applications stronger in order to prevent brute-force assaults. In addition, you can use bcrypt.js to protect the passwords kept in the database and restrict the number of login attempts from a single IP address to deal with such dangerous scenarios.
6. DDoS
During a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, an excessive amount of internet data—possibly containing malicious JavaScript code—is sent to a server, service, or network in an effort to disrupt regular traffic on that server, service, or network. Some versions of Node.js have given rise to DDoS attacks because of their capacity to exploit the HTTP processing bug.
Because they have the ability to crash your servers, networks, or services and destroy your thriving ecosystem, preventing these dangers is crucial for the smooth running of your Node.js apps. Request restrictions can significantly impact their reduction.
7. XSS
When creating Node.js online applications, cross-site scripting attacks are a serious threat that you must guard against. Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability that enables attackers to install client-side scripting using modified JavaScript code into the web app because hostnames provided by Domain Name Servers are not properly validated.
An attacker can send a malicious script to the end user using XSS since the end user’s browsers have no way of knowing whether the codebase is reliable. As a result, they carry out it automatically, enabling hackers to access any cookies, session tokens, or other confidential information. XSS is quite harmful since these scripts have the capability of altering the content of any HTML page.
With a solid understanding of Node.js hazards, let’s break down its recommended techniques to assist you in avoiding such circumstances.