React is a free open-source front-end JavaScript library that helps developers build user interfaces. It is often used as a boilerplate for single-page web/mobile applications. Being a well-structured framework, ReactJS mobile application development helps inject JavaScript codes inside an HTML page for which it uses JSX syntax. Also, React is an ideal framework for beginners who wish to develop a dynamic UI hassle-freely. Today, React has become a highly popular framework, thanks to its outstanding simplicity and flexibility. It is estimated that more than 1,300k developers and 10.2 million sites prefer ReactJS over other website development frameworks. With more data being shared online, the risks associated with the various technologies have also increased dramatically. Although React has a very low risk compared to other frameworks, any careless mistake can result in severe complications in your app. React is rich in open-source components, which means it is unlicensed, rarely uses codes, and has unreliable sources, making your app vulnerable to security risks. Don’t panic. If you’ve chosen ReactJS mobile application development framework, here are some preventative measures to secure your ReactJS application. So, let’s get started.

How to secure your ReactJS application?

Any business web app today consists of extensive data exchange and connection to numerous sources. It helps businesses compete in the market and effectively provide services to the end-users. However, it has a few downsides too. The high connectivity of ReactJS makes web apps prone to a wide range of security flaws and data breaches. While building a web app with ReactJS, developers must keep in mind that ReactJS has no default security settings. Therefore, while you tend to hire a ReactJS developer, make sure they know how to handle the most widespread security issues appearing in web applications. Since React is always being updated and improved, it's difficult to create a list of vulnerabilities associated with its development process. However, we discuss some of the well-known and common threats here.

Cross-site scripting (XSS)

XSS refers to a serious client-side vulnerability where the hacker adds some malicious code to your program. This code is mistakenly interpreted as valid and gets executed as a part of the application.

SQL injection

SQL injection refers to a code injection technique that attacks database contents by inserting malicious SQL queries into the input fields. It allows the attacker to modify (read or write) data or even destroy the entire data.

XML external entity attack (XXE)

It is a type of attack targeted with XML parsers. It occurs when the external entity reference gets processed with a weakly configured XML parser. The XXE attack may lead to the disclosure of your confidential data.

Broken authentication

Authentication plays a crucial role in making your application successful. Although our ReactJS development company have two-factor authentication methods available in ReactJS, an inadequate/poor authentication leads to a security breach. As a result, it may expose all your user information for the attacker to manipulate it.

Zip Slip

Zip Slip is an archive extraction vulnerability. It allows attackers to write arbitrary files into the system, which results in remote command execution.

Arbitrary code execution

Arbitrary code execution refers to an attacker’s ability to run any code of their choice on the target machine. This execution exploit is a program that runs by the attacker to disrupt the target machine via a remote code execution method.

How to prevent the ReactJS app vulnerabilities and risks?

Here are some of the best practices you should follow to secure your ReactJS applications:

XSS protection with data binding

Use data binding with curly braces { }, and React framework will automatically escape values to protect your app against XSS attacks. However, this protection only helps while rendering “textContent” and non-HTML attributes. Therefore, use JSX data-binding syntax { } to insert data in your elements.

Dangerous URLs

URLs contain dynamic script content. Therefore, always validate the URL to ensure the links are http: or https: to avoid javascript: a URL-based script injection. Also, you can use the native URL parsing function to validate the URL and match the parsed protocol property to allow the list.

Rendering HTML

We can insert HTML directly into the DOM using “dangerouslySetInnerHTML.” These contents must get sanitized beforehand with the help of a sanitization library like dompurify on these values before placing them into the dangerouslySetInnerHTML prop.

Direct DOM access

If you inject HTML, make sure you use “dangerouslySetInnerHTML” and sanitize it using “do purify” before injecting it into the component. The direct DOM access using refs, findDomNode (), and innerHTML makes our application vulnerable. Therefore, try to avoid the use of these methods, and use the “dangerouslySetInnerHTML” for the entire purpose.

Server-side rendering

Use server-side rendering functions like “ReacrDOMServer.renderToStrin() and ReactDOMServer.renderToStaticMarkup(). It helps provide content escaping while sending the data to the client. However, it's not safe to combine unsanitized data with the “renderToStaticMarkup() output before sending it for hydration. Therefore, avoid concatenation of the both.

Detecting vulnerabilities in dependencies

Always check the vulnerability index of the dependency before importing it into your application, because it might have some vulnerable dependencies. Therefore, try to install a stable version of it or the latest version with a less vulnerability count. For ease, you can use tools like Snyk to analyze the vulnerabilities.

Inject JSON state

JSON and XML are the two most widely used formats that help transmit data over the network. However, many prefer using JSON. Also, it is possible to send JSON data along with server-side rendered react pages. Therefore, try to replace Summary With new threats coming up every day, and attackers exploiting more loopholes, it has become primitive to secure your React app. Therefore, hire React developers who specialize in security or outsource the development to a well-renowned app development company like us. Because, when it comes to security, you always have an expert on your side.

FAQs

How can I secure my ReactJS application?

Here are the top ReactJS security best practices to follow:

Use default XSS protection with data binding

Checkout any dangerous URLs and URL-based script injection

Sanitize and render HTML

Avoid direct DOM access

Secure React server-side rendering

Check for known vulnerabilities in dependencies

Avoid JSON injection attacks

How is React a secure framework?

Although React has a very small number of attack points than other frameworks, it is not entirely secure. But, it is compatible with other open-source components and does not have robust default security settings, when it becomes vulnerable to security slips.

How can I keep my app secure?

Here are the 5 ways your developers can protect your app and keep it safe:

Write and test secure code

Data encryption

Authorized and secured APIs

High-level authentication

Privacy by Design with limited privileges

The post Know The Best Practices To Secure Your Reactjs Application appeared first on reactjsindia.