Gartner®: Avoid Mobile Application Security Pitfalls

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Gartner®: Avoid Mobile Application Security Pitfalls

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My Webex App Key leaked! What should I do?

What is a Webex App Key and how it is used?

A Webex App Key is a unique identifier that allows an application to securely authenticate and access resources within the Webex platform.

Here are the main use cases for the Webex App Key:

  • Authentication: The Webex App Key is used to authenticate and authorize applications to access the Webex API on behalf of users. It provides a secure way for applications to interact with the Webex platform.
  • Integration: Developers use the Webex App Key to integrate their applications with Webex services, enabling features such as messaging, meetings, and calling within their own applications.
  • Security: The Webex App Key helps in maintaining the security of the application by ensuring that only authorized applications can access the Webex API and perform actions on behalf of users.

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1. Code snippets to prevent Webex App Key hardcoding using environment variables

Using environment variables for storing sensitive information such as Webex App Key in your code is a secure practice for the following reasons:

  • Environment variables are not hard-coded in the codebase, making it difficult for attackers to access them directly.
  • Environment variables are stored outside of the code repository, reducing the risk of exposure in case of a breach.
  • Environment variables can be easily managed and rotated without changing the code, enhancing security and compliance.
  • Environment variables provide a layer of abstraction, ensuring that sensitive information is not leaked through logs or other means.

How to secure your secrets using environment variables

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2. Code snippet to prevent Webex App Key hardcoding using AWS Secrets Manager

Using AWS Secrets Manager to manage Webex App Keys is a secure way to handle sensitive data. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages that demonstrate how to retrieve the Webex App Key from AWS Secrets Manager.

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3. Code snippet to prevent Webex App Key hardcoding using HashiCorp Vault

Using HashiCorp Vault for managing Webex App Keys is a great way to enhance security. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages for securely handling a Webex App Key using HashiCorp Vault.

Remember to replace the VAULT_ADDR and VAULT_TOKEN with your Vault server address and authentication token. The snippets assume that the Webex App Key is stored under the api_key field within Vault. The specifics of the Vault path and field names should be adjusted to match your Vault setup.

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4. Code snippet to prevent Webex App Key hardcoding using CyberArk Conjur

Using CyberArk Conjur to manage Webex App Key is a secure way to handle sensitive data. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages that demonstrate how to retrieve the Webex App Key from CyberArk Conjur.

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How to generate a Webex App Key?

To generate a Webex App Key, developers can follow these steps:

  1. Log in to the Webex for Developers portal.
  2. Go to the "My Apps" section.
  3. Click on the "Create a New App" button.
  4. Fill in the required information for the new app, such as the name, description, and redirect URI.
  5. Once the app is created, the App Key will be generated along with the other necessary credentials.

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My Webex App Key leaked, what are the possible reasons?

There are several reasons why a Webex App Key might have been leaked:

  • Improper storage: If the App Key is stored in plain text in a configuration file or hard-coded in the application code, it can easily be leaked.
  • Weak access controls: If the App Key is shared with individuals who do not have a legitimate need for it, there is a higher risk of it being leaked.
  • Compromised systems: If the server or database where the App Key is stored is compromised, attackers can gain access to the key.
  • Developer mistakes: Developers may accidentally include the App Key in publicly accessible repositories or logs, leading to its exposure.

What are the risks of leaking a Webex App Key

Developers must understand the risks associated with leaking a Webex App Key, as this can have serious consequences for the security of their applications. Here are some specific risks related to leaking a Webex App Key:

  • Unauthorized Access: Leaking a Webex App Key can allow unauthorized individuals to access sensitive data and resources within the Webex application.
  • Data Breach: If a Webex App Key is leaked, it can lead to a data breach where confidential information is exposed to malicious actors.
  • Account Takeover: Hackers can potentially use a leaked Webex App Key to take over user accounts or manipulate the functionality of the application.
  • Financial Loss: A compromised Webex App Key may result in financial loss for the organization, as attackers could exploit the key to conduct fraudulent activities.
  • Reputation Damage: A security breach caused by a leaked Webex App Key can tarnish the reputation of the organization and erode customer trust.

It is crucial for developers to implement robust security measures to protect Webex App Keys and ensure that they are not inadvertently leaked or exposed to unauthorized parties.

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Webex App Key security best practices

  • Avoid embedding the secret directly in your code. Instead, use environment variables or secrets managers
  • Secure storage: store the Webex App Key in a secure location, such as a password manager or a secrets management service.
  • Regular rotation: periodically rotate the API key to minimize the risk of long-term exposure.
  • Restrict permissions: apply the principle of least privilege by only granting the key the minimum necessary permissions.
  • Monitor usage: regularly check the usage logs for any unusual activity or unauthorized access attempts.
  • Implement access controls: limit the number of users who have access to the secret and enforce strong authentication measures.
  • Use a secrets manager: utilize secret management tools like CyberArk or AWS Secrets Manager for enhanced security.

By adhering to the best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk associated with Webex App Key usage and improve the overall security of your Webex App Key implementations.

Exposing secrets on GitHub: What to do after leaking Credential and API keys

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Webex App Key leak remediation: what to do

What to do if you expose a secret: How to stay calm and respond to an incident [cheat sheet included]

How to check if Webex App Key was used by malicious actors

  • Review Access Logs: Check the access logs of your Webex App Key account for any unauthorized access or unusual activity. Pay particular attention to access from unfamiliar IP addresses (if you haven’t set up a specific allow list) or at odd hours.
  • Monitor Usage Patterns: Look for anomalies in the usage patterns, such as unexpected spikes in data access or transfer.
  • Check Active Connections and Operations: Review the list of active connections and recent operations on your database. Unusual or unauthorized operations might indicate malicious use.
  • Audit API Usage: If possible, audit the usage of your API key through any logging or monitoring services you have integrated with Webex App Key. This can give insights into any unauthorized use of your key.

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Steps to revoke the Webex App Key

Generate a new Webex App Key:

  • Log into your Webex App Key account.
  • Navigate to the API section and generate a new API key.

Update Services with the new key:

  • Replace the compromised key with the new key in all your services that use this API key.
  • Ensure all your applications and services are updated with the new key before deactivating the old one.

Deactivate the old Webex App Key:

  • Once the new key is in place and everything is functioning correctly, deactivate the old API key.
  • This can typically be done from the same section where you generated the new key.

Monitor after key rotation:

  • After deactivating the old key, monitor your systems closely to ensure that all services are running smoothly and that there are no unauthorized access attempts.

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How to understand which services will stop working

  • Inventory of services: keep an inventory of all services and applications that utilize your Webex App Key.
  • Communication and documentation: Ensure that your team is aware of which services are dependent on the key. Maintain documentation for quick reference.
  • Testing: before deactivating the old key, test your services with the new key in a staging environment. This helps in identifying any services that might face issues post rotation.
  • Fallback strategies: Have a fallback or emergency plan in case a critical service fails after the key rotation. This might include temporary measures or quick rollback procedures.

In summary, the remediation process involves identifying potential misuse, carefully rotating the key, and ensuring minimal disruption to services. Being proactive and having a well-documented process can greatly reduce the risks associated with a compromised API key.

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What about other secrets?

GitGuardian helps developers keep 350+ types of secrets out of source code. GitGuardian’s automated secrets detection and remediation solution secure every step of the development lifecycle, from code to cloud:

  • On developer workstations with git hooks (pre-commit and pre-push);
  • On code sharing platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket;
  • In CI environments (Circle CI, Travis CI, Jenkins CI, GitHub Actions, and many more);
  • In Docker images.

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Environment Variables
Environment Variables
Environment Variables

charge

nullable string

For card errors, the ID of the failed charge.

payment_method_type

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

doc_url

nullable string

A URL to more information about the error code reported.

request_log_url

nullable string

A URL to the request log entry in your dashboard.

charge

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

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child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

charge

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

Hide
Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

payment_intent

nullable object

The PaymentIntent object for errors returned on a request involving a PaymentIntent.

setup_intent

nullable object

The SetupIntent object for errors returned on a request involving a SetupIntent.

Hide
Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

Hide
Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

CLIENT LIBRARIES

$ gem install stripe
$ pip install stripe
$ composer require stripe/stripe-php
MAVEN
<dependency>
  <groupId>com.stripe</groupId>
  <artifactId>stripe-java</artifactId>
  <version>24.16.0</version>
</dependency>

GRADLE
compile "com.stripe:stripe-java:24.16.0"
$ npm install --save stripe
$ go get github.com/stripe/stripe-go/v76
$ nuget install Stripe.net
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