[SECURITY] Missing Security Headers in Express Server

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🐛 Bug: Missing Security Headers in Server Configuration

Description

The Express server in server.js is missing critical security headers that protect against common web vulnerabilities. This leaves the application vulnerable to various attacks including XSS, clickjacking, and MIME-type sniffing.

Affected File

• server.js

Missing Security Headers

1. Content-Security-Policy (CSP) - Prevents XSS attacks
2. X-Frame-Options - Prevents clickjacking
3. X-Content-Type-Options - Prevents MIME-type sniffing
4. Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS) - Enforces HTTPS
5. X-XSS-Protection - Additional XSS protection
6. Referrer-Policy - Controls referrer information

Security Impact

• XSS Attacks: Without CSP, malicious scripts can be injected
• Clickjacking: Site can be embedded in malicious iframes
• MIME Sniffing: Browsers may execute files as different types
• Man-in-the-Middle: Without HSTS, HTTP connections are vulnerable

Recommended Solution

Install helmet middleware:

npm install helmet

Update server.js:

const helmet = require('helmet');

// Add after other middleware
app.use(helmet({
  contentSecurityPolicy: {
    directives: {
      defaultSrc: ["'self'"],
      styleSrc: ["'self'", "'unsafe-inline'", "https://fonts.googleapis.com"],
      fontSrc: ["'self'", "https://fonts.gstatic.com"],
      scriptSrc: ["'self'", "'unsafe-inline'", "https://www.gstatic.com"],
      imgSrc: ["'self'", "data:", "https:"],
      connectSrc: ["'self'", "https://firestore.googleapis.com", "https://identitytoolkit.googleapis.com"]
    }
  },
  hsts: {
    maxAge: 31536000,
    includeSubDomains: true,
    preload: true
  }
}));

Additional Recommendations

• Add rate limiting to prevent brute force attacks
• Implement request validation middleware
• Add CORS configuration review
• Set up proper error handling (don't expose stack traces)

References

• Helmet.js Documentation
• OWASP Secure Headers Project
• MDN Security Headers

Priority

HIGH - Should be addressed soon to improve application security.

[github-actions]

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