[Audit] - High-Level Checklist of Findings and Next Steps

[glenn-sorrentino]

Security Audit Action Items Checklist

• [x] Investigate Potential DoS Vulnerability

  • Perform a detailed probability analysis of DoS risks associated with Tor exit nodes, similar to the discussion previously had.

• [x] Review and Enhance Authentication Mechanisms

  • Assess the current authentication methods for potential vulnerabilities and implement stronger protocols where necessary.

• [x] Encrypt Sensitive Data

  • Ensure all sensitive data, both in transit and at rest, is encrypted using industry-standard methods.

• [x] Update and Patch Systems

  • Regularly check for and apply updates and patches to all software components to mitigate known vulnerabilities.

• [x] Implement Rate Limiting and Monitoring

  • Review the effectiveness of current rate limiting settings and adjust based on traffic analysis to prevent abuse without impacting legitimate users.

• [x] Conduct Regular Security Audits

  • Schedule and perform security audits at regular intervals to identify and address new vulnerabilities.

• [x] Educate Users and Staff

  • Provide training on security best practices and awareness of phishing or other social engineering attacks.

• [ ] Backup and Disaster Recovery Planning

  • Develop or update disaster recovery and data backup plans to ensure business continuity in the event of a security incident.

• [x] Review Third-party Services

  • Assess the security posture of any third-party services or libraries used within the project and ensure they comply with your security standards.

• [ ] Legal and Compliance Review

  • Ensure all security measures align with relevant legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements.

Please note that this checklist is based on a general understanding of security best practices and the specific items discussed. It's important to tailor these action items to the specific findings and recommendations detailed in the security audit report.

[glenn-sorrentino]

Item 1: Investigate Potential DoS Vulnerability addressed by https://github.com/scidsg/hushline/issues/248

[glenn-sorrentino]

Item 5: Implement Rate Limiting and Monitoring addressed by https://github.com/scidsg/hushline/issues/241 https://github.com/scidsg/hushline/issues/243 https://github.com/scidsg/hushline/issues/244

[glenn-sorrentino]

Item 2: Review and Enhance Authentication Mechanisms addressed by https://github.com/scidsg/hushline/issues/240

[glenn-sorrentino]

Item 4: Update and Patch Systems addressed inherently through unattended upgrades

[glenn-sorrentino]

Review Third-party Services addressed.

• Use on Stripe with restricted API scopes
• No other third parties used

[glenn-sorrentino]

Encrypt Sensitive Data addressed by

• PGP-only messages
• Onion services on the Tor network offer a secure and private way to access and provide content, utilizing multiple layers of encryption for user connections. These services are accessible only through the Tor network, enhancing privacy by hiding users' IP addresses. A key feature is client authorization, which requires users to have a specific authentication credential, adding an extra layer of security for private services. Version 3 onion services improve upon this with cryptographic keys for authentication, ensuring that only users with the correct private key can access the service. This setup not only protects the privacy and security of the users and service providers but also makes the services self-authenticating, as the address of an onion service includes a hash of its public key, assuring users they are connecting to the intended service without relying on third parties​​​​​​.
• Environment variables for storing sensitive information
• SSH disabled
• USB disabled
• Case prevents HDMI access