A Security Guide for

Developers
I Overview...................................................................1

N
What Is Application Security....................................2

What Is ASP.NET......................................................2

Best Practices When Coding in ASP.NET..................3

D
Top Risks for Developing in ASP.NET........................6

Risks for Developing in ASP.NET Compared to

Other Development Languages................................8

E
Cost of Not Securing ASP.NET Applications.............9

How Teams Can Work to Secure Their ASP.NET

Applications ..........................................................10

Benefits of Securing ASP.NET Applications............10

X
Final Words.............................................................11
 e w
Over v i
The growth of the internet and web-based applications has made software security an increasingly
important consideration for all businesses. With the development of sophisticated tools and techniques,
hackers can gain access to data and system resources through weakly secured applications. To prevent
these types of attacks, companies must invest in application security best practices and ensure that
their software is secure.

The choice of using ASP.NET is growing, especially in legacy programs, as it offers a reliable, secure
and well-supported platform for developing web applications. However, with security being an essential
aspect of software development, it is vital to understand how to secure the application, data, and users.
In this guide, we provide a comprehensive overview of the various measures taken to ensure the data and
software security of ASP.NET applications outlined here:

• Defining AppSec
• ASP.NET
• Best Practices
• Risks Developing in ASP.NET
• Costs of Not Securing ASP.NET Applications
• Benefits of Securing

Kiuwan | Security Guide for ASP.NET Developers 1

What Is Application Security?
Application security is a set of processes, policies, and technologies
designed to protect an application from unauthorized access. It focuses
on protection from malicious acts aimed at the application itself and its
associated data, including denial of service (DoS) attacks, data
breaches, injection flaws, and other methods used to gain unauthorized
access.

Application security involves multiple tools and techniques, such as

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Software Composition
Analysis (SCA). These allow organizations to identify security flaws and
vulnerabilities in their applications before attackers can exploit them.

Why Is Application Security Important?

Application security is an essential part of any effective cybersecurity strategy. It helps protect sensitive
data, secure applications from malicious attacks, and assure the integrity of systems and networks. This
ensures that the information contained in an application is safe and secure.

What Is ASP.NET?
ASP.NET is a server-side programming framework used for web development and creating dynamic
websites, services, and applications. ASP.NET is an open-source framework developed by Microsoft and
used for building a wide range of web applications.

ASP.NET is an important tool to help manage the risks

associated with building large-scale web applications
and services, such as corporate websites and e-commerce
platforms. It provides a secure environment for developers
to create complex applications with features like authentication,
error handling, caching, and more. ASP.NET is also a significant
part of the .NET framework, which provides a complete
application development platform and the ability to build web
applications. ASP.NET is an efficient way for developers to create
dynamic websites and applications, providing the tools necessary
to deliver a more secure and reliable web experience.

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What Are the Features of ASP.NET Applications?
ASP.NET is a versatile, feature-rich, and advanced framework for building dynamic and secure web
applications. It provides developers with a range of features to create robust applications quickly. ASP.
NET takes advantage of the ASP model and adds new features, such as caching, separation of code and
HTML, object-oriented programming, and the use of an extensive class library. ASP.NET also allows
developers to access data quickly and prevent potential security risks with built-in authentication and
authorization mechanisms.

ASP.NET offers a wide range of deployment options, making it easy to build

applications for mobile devices and the cloud. It provides powerful tools
and technologies, enabling developers to quickly build secure, scalable
applications with minimal effort.

ASP.NET delivers multiple development modes, including ASP.NET Web

Forms and ASP.NET MVC (Model View Controller). ASP.NET Web Forms
allows developers to quickly create web applications that are developed
and deployed in fewer steps. ASP.NET MVC is more powerful and allows
developers to create applications with high flexibility and scalability. ASP.
NET also provides a wealth of options for creating web services, including
ASP.NET Web API, WCF (Windows Communication Foundation), and ASP.
NET SignalR.

Best Practices When Coding in ASP.NET

When coding in ASP.NET, there are several key best practices to keep in mind. Although ASP.NET is a
powerful framework, it poses certain risks when not properly used. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to
the following best practices:

Caching
Caching is a programming technique that stores frequently used data in
memory, allowing faster retrieval of this data when needed. This reduces the
time and resources required to process a request, eliminating potential risks
associated with resource-intensive processes.

ASP.NET provides many powerful tools for caching data, allowing developers to easily implement
caching in their applications. This significantly improves application performance. As a result, ASP.NET
is an ideal framework for applications that need quick and efficient data. With the help of ASP.NET’s
caching functions, developers can build highly optimized applications that exploit the full potential of the
ASP.NET platform.

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Avoid Blocking Calls
When coding in ASP.NET, it is important to avoid blocking calls. The framework offers powerful
functionality and improved scalability, but if used incorrectly, it can create risks. Blocking calls are
synchronous requests and require waiting for a response before continuing with the program execution.
This could lead to the ASP.NET application becoming unresponsive, causing system performance issues.
Therefore, it is best practice to use asynchronous calls instead to maximize the performance and
scalability of the ASP.NET application.

Validation Controls
The ASP.NET framework offers validation controls as a best practice for secure
coding. These controls reduce the risks associated with security vulnerabilities,
such as cross-site scripting and SQL injection. Validation controls can verify
that user input is in the expected data type and format, ensuring that all
external requests are safe and secure. Validation controls also help protect
against malicious code or data that could otherwise compromise a website’s
security. By incorporating validation controls into ASP.NET code, developers
can create a secure and reliable web application.

Minimize Exceptions
When coding in ASP.NET, it is important to minimize the use of exceptions. Exceptions can cause the
application to fail, resulting in unexpected results and potential system crashes. The use of exceptions
should be rare and only used to handle errors that cannot be easily prevented or anticipated. This will
reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities exposed due to unexpected situations.

Compress Responses
When programming in ASP.NET, it is a best practice to compress responses.
This reduces the amount of data sent over the network between the server
and client, thereby improving the performance of ASP.NET applications.
Compressing responses can also help to reduce bandwidth usage and enhance
security by minimizing the risks associated with sending sensitive data over the
internet.

ASP.NET supports various compression techniques, including Gzip, Deflate, and Brotli. Compressing
responses should be part of any ASP.NET programmer’s arsenal of best practices when creating ASP.
NET applications.

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Avoid Hard-Coding Sensitive Data
When coding in ASP.NET, it is important to avoid hard coding sensitive data into the codebase as it can
increase security risks. Sensitive data includes passwords, encryption keys, database connection
information, and other confidential information. Hard coding this type of sensitive data into the ASP.NET
codebase can make it more vulnerable to hacker attacks, as this data is easily readable. It also
increases the risk of theft or misuse of confidential information, which can lead to serious
consequences. It is, therefore, best practice to use secure methods, such as encryption or hashing, to
protect sensitive data stored in the ASP.NET application.

Naming Convention
A naming convention is an important best practice when coding in ASP.NET
and any other programming language. It helps organize code, makes code
easier to read and understand, reducing the potential for errors. ASP.NET uses
a case-sensitive naming convention, meaning all names should be in the same
case when used. This is to avoid confusion when a name contains upper and
lowercase characters since ASP.NET will interpret them as two different names.

Additionally, ASP.NET allows the use of special characters and spaces within naming conventions.
However, this can also be risky, as it is more difficult to read and maintain. ASP.NET coders need to
adhere to a consistent naming convention to reduce any risks or confusion in their code.

Avoid Using Session Objects

The ASP.NET programming language provides an easy way to store and access data through the use of
session objects. Although it is convenient, there are risks associated with using session objects. For
example, ASP.NET stores the data on the server and can lead to a decrease in performance as more
information is continuously stored. Additionally, session objects are not necessarily secure and can be
easily accessed by malicious users. Therefore, it is best practice to avoid using session objects when
coding in ASP.NET.

Using other techniques, such as caching and cookies, are much more secure and
efficient ways to manage data when coding ASP.NET. It is also important to
remember that session objects are only meant to store small amounts of data that
do not need to be on the server. These should not replace other measures for data
security, such as encryption and authentication techniques.

Avoid Using Session Objects

When coding in ASP.NET, it is essential to secure user input and output to protect against security
vulnerabilities. This includes:

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 • Validating user input for accuracy and completeness
• Sanitizing it to prevent the introduction of malicious code
• Encrypting output so only authorized users can view it
• Ensuring user input is free from cross-site scripting attacks

Furthermore, developers should also take steps to harden the software by using secure software
development practices, such as strong passwords, implementing secure connection protocols and a
robust authentication system.

Top Risks for Developing in ASP.NET

ASP.NET development involves risks related to the platform
and associated programming language. ASP.NET applications
are vulnerable to common attacks, such as cross-site
scripting, SQL injection, and authentication bypass.
Additionally, ASP.NET’s reliance on a stateful programming
model requires developers to properly handle session and
application variables or risk exposing sensitive data.

The following risks are commonly associated with developing

ASP.NET applications.

1
Local File Inclusion (LFI)
The ASP.NET programming framework is vulnerable to the risk of local file inclusion (LFI). LFI occurs
when a malicious user attempts to read or manipulate files on a web server exploiting the dynamic
nature of ASP.NET. This allows it to execute commands embedded in file names and paths. When ASP.
NET processes these malicious requests, it can allow an attacker to access local resource files and
sensitive information or even execute arbitrary code on the web server.

ASP.NET developers should be mindful of this risk and take measures to protect their web applications
against LFI attacks. This includes implementing input validation, utilizing server-side authentication,
and limiting access to sensitive files. Additionally, ASP.NET developers should ensure that all ASP.NET
components and library files are up-to-date.

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2
SQL Injection
When developing with ASP.NET, one of the greatest risks is SQL injection attacks. SQL injection occurs
when malicious users execute database queries on the web server to gain access to sensitive
information or manipulate data. ASP.NET developers must take steps to guard against such attacks by
validating user input and using parameterized queries to protect against injection attacks.

Additionally, ASP.NET developers should use caution when creating and manipulating user input as such
actions can leave ASP.NET applications vulnerable to injection attacks. Sanitizing user input is also
necessary for ASP.NET development as it helps ensure that malicious code is not introduced into the
application.

3
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Websites developed using ASP.NET may be vulnerable to cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks.
CSRF is a type of attack that uses website vulnerabilities to execute unintended actions. The attack
takes advantage of the trust a website has in its users and compromises legitimate requests by tricking
users into requesting malicious content without their knowledge.

ASP.NET developers must take measures to protect their applications from CSRF attacks, such as using
a Double Submit Cookie pattern for ASP.NET Core or using security tokens for ASP.NET MVC
applications. This protects against this type of risk.

ASP.NET developers must also be aware that CSRF vulnerabilities can exist in any component of the
application, such as third-party libraries or code snippets. So it is necessary to ensure that all third-party
integrations are up-to-date.

4
Authentication Bypass
The ASP.NET programming language can be vulnerable to authentication bypass attacks. In these types
of attacks, an attacker can gain access to a system through a vulnerability in the ASP.NET application
code, which bypasses the standard authentication process. This type of attack is often caused by
developers not properly validating user input or not implementing secure authentication measures, such
as two-factor authentication.

ASP.NET developers must take extra care to ensure their code is securely written to protect against
authentication bypass attacks. ASP.NET developers need to stay up-to-date with the latest security best
practices and regularly review their code for potential vulnerabilities.

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Risks for Developing in ASP.NET
Compared to Other Development
Languages
Developing ASP.NET applications can lead to many risks that are not present in other programming
languages. The following are some key differences between ASP.NET and other programming languages
when it comes to security risks.

Reliance on IIS
One such risk is the reliance of the ASP.NET framework on IIS for application hosting, which can lead to
issues with scalability and reliability. Hosting ASP.NET applications on IIS can also lead to compatibility
issues with other languages and technologies, making it difficult to integrate ASP.NET into existing
software architectures.

Additional Licenses and Software

The use of ASP.NET to develop software applications comes with many risks, primarily due to the
additional licenses and software needed to host an ASP.NET application. These licenses, such as those
for SQL Server and Windows Server, can quickly add up in cost and require additional ongoing
maintenance.

Furthermore, the additional software required to host and manage an ASP.NET application can add
another layer of complexity when it comes to software and data security. It is, therefore, important to be
aware of the need for additional licenses and software when developing in ASP.NET since it puts a
heavier burden on the development and maintenance of an application.

Level of Control
ASP.NET also does not provide the same level of control over program execution as other languages, and
the ASP.NET runtime can limit the types of applications created. This can present a risk in developing
software with ASP.NET, as it may not provide the necessary data and software security to protect the
user from possible malicious intent. Additionally, ASP.NET is a proprietary framework, so there is no
guarantee of its continued support in the future.

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Costs of Not Securing ASP.NET
Applications
ASP.NET applications, like any software platform, require strong security to protect data and user
privacy. When proper security measures are not in place, businesses face high costs in terms of both
money and reputation. Without secure software, malicious actors can access user data or steal
intellectual property, resulting in costly data breaches and regulatory fines.

Downtimes
Failure to secure ASP.NET applications can have serious consequences for businesses, including loss
of revenue due to unexpected downtimes. Downtimes can arise from software vulnerabilities that are
avoidable with proper security measures.

Additionally, the downtime associated with attacks on vulnerable systems can disrupt operations, re-
sulting in further financial losses. To ensure the security of ASP.NET applications, organizations should
use static application security testing (SAST) to identify and address any vulnerabilities. SAST provides a
proactive approach to software security and can help prevent costly security incidents.

Data Breaches
Data breaches are a weighty cost of not securing ASP.NET applications. Without proper data security
measures, any malicious actor can gain access to confidential information stored in the application,
resulting in a data breach. These breaches can lead to significant financial losses for businesses and
organizations as well as damage to their reputation and credibility. Additionally, data breaches can cause
direct harm to individuals whose data is already exposed, leading to identity theft, financial fraud, or
other forms of abuse.

Example of a Data Breach

ASP.NET applications are vulnerable to data breaches if not
properly secured. In 2019 SmartASP.NET, a company that
hosts ASP.NET applications experienced a data breach that
exposed over 400,000 records of customer information,
including email addresses and passwords. The hackers took
down the company’s website, as well as customer servers,
leading to significant losses for the company.

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How Teams Can Work to Secure Their
ASP.NET Applications
When building an ASP.NET application, teams can take
steps to ensure the data security of their applications.
By ensuring the application development uses secure
coding practices — and by using an authorization service
to protect user accounts — teams can ensure their
application is robust and secure.

Furthermore, teams should consider utilizing encryption

methods to hide data from malicious actors, as well as
regular security scans and audits to ensure the
identification and addressing of vulnerabilities. Lastly,
teams should communicate about data security best
practices with anyone authorized to access the
application and set up appropriate permissions to
prevent unauthorized access.

Benefits of Securing ASP.NET

Applications
Securing ASP.NET applications is essential for protecting data
and sensitive information from malicious actors. When properly
secured, an application can provide a layer of defense that
prevents the loss of a company’s data and intellectual property
while keeping customer and user data safe.

Securing an ASP.NET application also helps organizations comply

with privacy and security regulations, reducing the risk of fines
or other penalties. Moreover, a secure application provides users
with confidence in their online experience and can help build trust
between the organization and its customers. Ultimately, security
is a crucial factor in building a successful application.

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Secure Your ASP.NET
Application Today
When it comes to data security, the importance of protecting your application from potential cyber
threats cannot be easily overstated. Taking the necessary steps to properly secure your ASP.NET
application can help to keep your data safe. With the right security measures, you can ensure that all
transactions and communication online are safe from hackers. Secure your application today to protect
yourself and your customers from potential security breaches.

SAST and SCA offered by Kiuwan are two important steps to ensure the security of your application.
Both solutions provide a comprehensive approach to protecting your data and applications from
malicious attacks. Utilizing these methods, you can be sure that any vulnerabilities in your system will be
easily identified and patched quickly.

Take the time to secure your applications properly and reduce any risks associated with data security.
Invest in SAST and SCA today for maximum protection.

YOU KNOW CODE, WE KNOW SECURITY!

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