Web Repository - Security Audit¶

Executive Summary¶

This security audit evaluates the Psyter Web Application for vulnerabilities, security risks, and compliance with best practices. The application handles sensitive health information (PHI) and requires HIPAA/GDPR-level security considerations.

Audit Date: November 2025
Severity Levels: 🔴 Critical | 🟠 High | 🟡 Medium | 🟢 Low

Security Findings¶

1. Authentication & Session Management¶

1.1 Session-Based Authentication (🟠 High Risk)¶

Current Implementation:

// Session-based authentication
Session[SessionVariables.UserLoginInfo] = userInfo;
Session[SessionVariables.APIAuthTokenList] = apiTokens;

Issues:
- Session fixation vulnerability potential
- No session rotation on privilege escalation
- Session data stored on server (scalability concern)
- No anti-CSRF tokens visible in code review
- Session timeout hardcoded (180 seconds = 3 minutes)

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Implement anti-CSRF tokens using @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
2. Rotate session ID after login
3. Implement sliding expiration
4. Consider claims-based authentication (ASP.NET Identity)
5. Add secure session configuration:

<httpCookies httpOnlyCookies="true" requireSSL="true" sameSite="Strict"/>

Code Example:

[ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
public async Task<ActionResult> Login(LoginModel model)
{
    // Regenerate session ID
    Session.Abandon();
    Session.RemoveAll();
    // Create new session
}

1.2 Password Storage (🟢 Low Risk - Delegated to API)¶

Current Implementation:
- Passwords sent to API for validation
- Web application doesn’t store passwords
- API handles password hashing

Verification Needed:
- Confirm API uses strong hashing (bcrypt, Argon2, PBKDF2)
- Ensure password complexity requirements
- Verify password history to prevent reuse

Recommendations:
- Document password policy
- Implement password strength meter in UI
- Add breach password check (HaveIBeenPwned API)

1.3 Authentication Bypass Risk (🟠 High Risk)¶

Issue: Custom authentication filters may have bypass vulnerabilities

Current Implementation:

public class AuthenticateUser : ActionFilterAttribute
{
    public override void OnActionExecuting(ActionExecutingContext filterContext)
    {
        var userInfo = (UserLoginInfo)HttpContext.Current.Session[SessionVariables.UserLoginInfo];
        if (userInfo == null)
        {
            filterContext.Result = new RedirectResult("~/Web/Login");
        }
    }
}

Concerns:
- No validation of session data integrity
- No check for expired sessions
- Potential race condition in session access

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Add session validation
2. Implement timeout checks
3. Add concurrent session detection
4. Log authentication failures

2. Authorization & Access Control¶

2.1 Role-Based Access Control (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

Current Implementation:

[IsAdmin]
[IsClient]
[IsServiceProvider]
// Multiple role filter attributes

Issues:
- Role checks only at controller level
- No fine-grained permissions
- Hard-coded role IDs in filters
- No role hierarchy

Recommendations (Do Next):
1. Implement claims-based authorization
2. Add permission-based access (not just roles)
3. Create centralized authorization service
4. Add resource-based authorization

2.2 Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) (🔴 Critical)¶

High Risk Areas:

// Example vulnerability pattern
public async Task<ActionResult> ViewPrescription(int prescriptionId)
{
    // Missing authorization check - any authenticated user could view
    var prescription = await GetPrescription(prescriptionId);
    return View(prescription);
}

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Verify ownership before returning resources:

public async Task<ActionResult> ViewPrescription(int prescriptionId)
{
    var userInfo = (UserLoginInfo)Session[SessionVariables.UserLoginInfo];
    var prescription = await GetPrescription(prescriptionId);

    // Verify user owns this resource
    if (prescription.UserId != userInfo.UserID && !userInfo.IsAdmin)
    {
        return new HttpUnauthorizedResult();
    }

    return View(prescription);
}

Implement resource-based authorization
Use authorization policies
Add audit logging for sensitive resource access

3. Input Validation & Output Encoding¶

3.1 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) (🟠 High Risk)¶

Potential Vulnerabilities:
- User-generated content in diary entries
- Chat messages
- Profile information
- Clinical notes

Current Protection:
- Razor engine provides automatic HTML encoding
- @Html.Raw() usage should be audited

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Audit all @Html.Raw() usage
2. Implement Content Security Policy:

<add name="Content-Security-Policy" 
     value="default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' trusted-cdn.com; 
            style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'; img-src 'self' data:; 
            connect-src 'self' api.psyter.com;"/>

3. Sanitize rich text input (if HTML editor used):

using HtmlSanitizer;
var sanitizer = new HtmlSanitizer();
var safeHtml = sanitizer.Sanitize(userInput);

4. Implement output encoding for JavaScript contexts
5. Use HttpUtility.JavaScriptStringEncode for dynamic JS

3.2 SQL Injection (🟢 Low Risk - API Layer)¶

Current Implementation:
- Web app makes API calls (no direct DB access)
- API layer responsible for data access

Verification Needed:
- Confirm API uses parameterized queries/ORM
- Audit API layer separately

3.3 Command Injection (🟢 Low Risk)¶

No evidence of command execution in web layer

Recommendations:
- Avoid Process.Start() or shell commands
- If file operations needed, validate file paths strictly

4. Data Protection & Privacy¶

4.1 Sensitive Data Exposure (🟠 High Risk)¶

Concerns:
- Session data contains sensitive information
- Potential data leakage in error messages
- No encryption for data at rest in session
- Logging may contain PHI

Current Configuration:

<customErrors mode="Off">
  <!-- Exposes detailed errors in production! -->
</customErrors>

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Enable custom errors in production:

<customErrors mode="On" defaultRedirect="~/Error/ServerError">
    <error statusCode="404" redirect="~/Error/NotFound" />
</customErrors>

Encrypt sensitive session data:

var encryptedData = Encrypt(sensitiveInfo);
Session["EncryptedData"] = encryptedData;

Implement data masking for logs
Remove sensitive data from error messages
Use Application Insights privacy controls

4.2 HTTPS Enforcement (🟢 Low Risk - Configured)¶

Current Configuration:

<httpCookies httpOnlyCookies="true" requireSSL="true" />
<add name="Strict-Transport-Security" value="max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains" />

Good Practices Found:
- SSL required for cookies
- HSTS header configured
- IIS configured for HTTPS

Recommendations:
- Extend HSTS max-age to 2 years
- Add HSTS preload directive
- Implement HTTPS redirect at server level

4.3 Personal Health Information (PHI) Protection (🔴 Critical)¶

HIPAA Compliance Concerns:
- Audit logging insufficient for HIPAA requirements
- No data encryption at rest (session, temp files)
- No access logs for PHI viewing
- Insufficient data retention policies
- No data breach notification procedures

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Implement comprehensive audit logging:

public void LogAccess(string resourceType, int resourceId, string action)
{
    var log = new AuditLog
    {
        UserId = CurrentUser.Id,
        ResourceType = resourceType,
        ResourceId = resourceId,
        Action = action,
        Timestamp = DateTime.UtcNow,
        IPAddress = Request.UserHostAddress
    };
    _auditService.Log(log);
}

Encrypt PHI data
Implement data access controls
Create data retention/deletion policies
Develop breach response plan
Sign BAA (Business Associate Agreement) with all vendors

5. API Security¶

5.1 API Authentication (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

Current Implementation:

// API tokens stored in session
var apiTokens = (APIAuthTokensResponse)Session[SessionVariables.APIAuthTokenList];
mObjHttpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.Authorization = 
    new AuthenticationHeaderValue("Bearer", apiTokens.APIAuthToken.access_token);

Concerns:
- Token stored in session (server-side state)
- No token refresh mechanism visible
- Unclear token expiration handling

Recommendations (Do Next):
1. Implement automatic token refresh
2. Handle token expiration gracefully
3. Secure token storage (encrypt if needed)
4. Implement token revocation

5.2 API Communication (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

Current Implementation:
- HTTPS for API calls (good)
- Bearer token authentication

Concerns:
- No request signing
- No API rate limiting visible
- No request validation

Recommendations:
- Implement request/response validation
- Add API client-side rate limiting
- Consider mutual TLS for high-security endpoints
- Implement API request logging

6. File Upload Security¶

6.1 File Upload Vulnerabilities (🟠 High Risk)¶

Upload Points:
- Profile photos
- Care provider credentials
- Homework files
- Prescription documents

Current Protection: Unclear from code review

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Validate file types:

private static readonly string[] AllowedExtensions = { ".jpg", ".jpeg", ".png", ".pdf" };

public bool IsAllowedFile(HttpPostedFileBase file)
{
    var extension = Path.GetExtension(file.FileName).ToLowerInvariant();
    return AllowedExtensions.Contains(extension);
}

Validate file content (magic numbers):

public bool ValidateImageContent(Stream stream)
{
    var fileSignature = new byte[4];
    stream.Read(fileSignature, 0, 4);
    // Check against known file signatures
}

Limit file size:

<system.web>
    <httpRuntime maxRequestLength="10240" /> <!-- 10 MB -->
</system.web>

Scan for malware before storage
Store files outside web root
Generate random filenames (prevent overwrite)
Serve files through handler (not direct URL)

7. Security Headers¶

7.1 Security Headers Analysis (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

Current Headers (from Web.config):

✅ X-Frame-Options: SAMEORIGIN
✅ X-Xss-Protection: 1; mode=block
✅ X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff
✅ Referrer-Policy: same-origin
✅ Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000
✅ X-Powered-By: removed

Missing Headers:

❌ Content-Security-Policy (commented out)
❌ Permissions-Policy
❌ X-DNS-Prefetch-Control

Recommendations (Do Next):
1. Enable and fine-tune CSP:

<add name="Content-Security-Policy" 
     value="default-src 'self'; 
            script-src 'self' 'nonce-{random}' https://trusted-cdn.com; 
            style-src 'self' 'nonce-{random}';
            img-src 'self' data: https:;
            connect-src 'self' https://api.psyter.com;
            font-src 'self';
            object-src 'none';
            base-uri 'self';
            form-action 'self';
            frame-ancestors 'none';
            upgrade-insecure-requests;
            block-all-mixed-content;"/>

Add Permissions-Policy:

<add name="Permissions-Policy" 
     value="camera=(self), microphone=(self), geolocation=(), payment=()"/>

Add Cross-Origin headers (if needed):

<add name="Cross-Origin-Embedder-Policy" value="require-corp"/>
<add name="Cross-Origin-Opener-Policy" value="same-origin"/>
<add name="Cross-Origin-Resource-Policy" value="same-origin"/>

8. Dependency Vulnerabilities¶

8.1 Outdated Dependencies (🟠 High Risk)¶

Known Outdated Packages:
- ASP.NET MVC 5.2.3 (current: 5.3.0+, but .NET Framework EOL)
- jQuery 3.3.1 (current: 3.7.1) - known vulnerabilities
- Bootstrap 3.0.0 (EOL - current: 5.3+)
- Newtonsoft.Json 13.0.1 (current: 13.0.3)

Recommendations (Do Next):
1. Update jQuery to latest 3.x:

Update-Package jQuery -Version 3.7.1

Migrate to Bootstrap 5:
- Major changes required
- Update all UI components
- Test thoroughly

Update NuGet packages:

Update-Package -Safe  # Updates to latest minor/patch

Implement dependency scanning:
- Use OWASP Dependency-Check
- Enable GitHub Dependabot
- Integrate with CI/CD
Consider .NET modernization (long-term):
- Migrate to .NET 6/8
- Better security posture
- Active support

9. Logging & Monitoring¶

9.1 Insufficient Logging (🟠 High Risk)¶

Current Logging:
- Application Insights configured
- No visible audit logging
- Exception tracking

HIPAA Requirements:
- Log all PHI access
- Log authentication events
- Log authorization failures
- Log admin actions
- Retain logs for 6+ years

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Implement comprehensive audit logging:

public class AuditLogger
{
    public void LogUserAction(string action, string resource, string details)
    {
        var audit = new AuditLog
        {
            UserId = _currentUser.Id,
            Username = _currentUser.Email,
            Action = action,
            Resource = resource,
            Details = details,
            IPAddress = _httpContext.Connection.RemoteIpAddress.ToString(),
            Timestamp = DateTime.UtcNow
        };

        _dbContext.AuditLogs.Add(audit);
        _dbContext.SaveChanges();
    }
}

Log security events:
- Login attempts (success/failure)
- Password changes
- Permission changes
- Data access (view, edit, delete)
- File downloads
- Admin actions
Implement log monitoring:
- Alert on suspicious patterns
- Monitor for brute force attempts
- Track failed authentications
- Detect unusual data access patterns
Secure log storage:
- Separate log database
- Write-only access for application
- Encrypt logs
- Regular backups

10. Video Session Security¶

10.1 WebRTC Security (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

Concerns:
- Peer-to-peer connection security
- Media encryption
- Signaling server security
- TURN/STUN server security

Recommendations (Do Next):
1. Ensure media encryption (DTLS-SRTP)
2. Secure signaling (WSS protocol)
3. Authenticate TURN server access
4. Implement session recording controls
5. Add watermarking for security
6. Prevent screen recording (if possible)

11. Third-Party Integrations¶

11.1 Google Analytics (🟢 Low Risk)¶

Privacy Concerns:
- Potential PHI leakage in page URLs
- User tracking privacy

Recommendations:
1. Anonymize IP addresses
2. Avoid PHI in page titles/URLs
3. Review data sharing settings
4. Sign DPA with Google

11.2 Payment Gateway (🟠 High Risk)¶

PCI-DSS Compliance:
- Must not store card data
- Use payment gateway tokenization
- Maintain PCI-DSS compliance

Recommendations (Do Now):
1. Verify PCI-DSS compliance
2. Implement payment tokenization
3. Use SAQ-A (if iframe/redirect used)
4. Secure merchant certificates:

MerchantCertificates.p12  // Found in repo - SECURE THIS!

5. Encrypt certificate file
6. Restrict file access

Compliance Requirements¶

HIPAA Compliance Gaps¶

Required Implementations:

Access Controls ✅ Partial
- Unique user identification ✅
- Emergency access ❌
- Automatic logoff ⚠️ (3-minute timeout too short)
- Encryption ⚠️ (HTTPS yes, at-rest no)
Audit Controls ❌ Missing
- Comprehensive audit logging needed
- Log access to ePHI
- Log system activity
- Retain logs 6+ years
Integrity Controls ⚠️ Partial
- Mechanism to authenticate ePHI ❌
- Detect unauthorized changes ❌
Transmission Security ✅ Good
- HTTPS/TLS ✅
- End-to-end encryption ⚠️
Business Associate Agreements ❓
- Required for all vendors
- Cloud providers
- Payment processors
- Analytics providers

Required Implementations:

Consent Management ❓
- Explicit consent for data processing
- Consent withdrawal mechanism
- Cookie consent
Right to Access ❌
- User data export functionality
- Machine-readable format
Right to Erasure ❌
- Account deletion mechanism
- Data anonymization
- Retain only necessary data
Data Portability ❌
- Export user data
- Transfer to another provider
Breach Notification ❌
- 72-hour notification process
- Documented procedures

Security Testing Recommendations¶

1. Penetration Testing (Do Next)¶

Scope:
- Authentication/authorization bypass
- IDOR vulnerabilities
- XSS/CSRF
- Session management
- API security

Frequency: Annually or after major changes

2. Code Security Scanning (Do Now)¶

Tools:
- SonarQube or SonarCloud
- OWASP Dependency-Check
- Checkmarx or Veracode
- GitHub Advanced Security

Integration: CI/CD pipeline

3. Dynamic Application Security Testing (Do Next)¶

Tools:
- OWASP ZAP
- Burp Suite
- Acunetix

Frequency: Quarterly

4. Security Awareness Training (Do Now)¶

Topics:
- Secure coding practices
- OWASP Top 10
- HIPAA requirements
- Data privacy
- Incident response

Incident Response Plan¶

Required Components¶

Preparation
- Incident response team
- Contact information
- Tools and access
Detection & Analysis
- Monitoring and alerting
- Log analysis
- Threat intelligence
Containment
- Isolation procedures
- Evidence preservation
- Communication plan
Eradication & Recovery
- Remove threat
- Restore services
- Validation
Post-Incident
- Lessons learned
- Process improvements
- Documentation

Priority Action Plan¶

Do Now (0-30 days) 🔴¶

Enable custom errors in production
Implement anti-CSRF tokens
Add IDOR protection to all endpoints
Secure merchant certificates
Implement comprehensive audit logging
Review and secure file uploads
Update jQuery to latest version
Document and verify API password security
Encrypt sensitive session data
Create incident response plan

Do Next (30-90 days) 🟠¶

Enable Content Security Policy
Implement token refresh mechanism
Add resource-based authorization
Conduct penetration testing
Implement dependency scanning
Update Bootstrap framework
Add log monitoring and alerting
Implement GDPR compliance features
Review and secure WebRTC implementation
Create BAAs with vendors

Plan (90+ days) 🟡¶

Migrate to claims-based authentication
Implement CQRS pattern for security
Modernize to .NET 6/8
Implement zero-trust architecture
Add advanced threat protection
Implement data loss prevention
Add security automation
Regular security audits
Compliance certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001)

Security Metrics¶

Track Monthly:
- Failed login attempts
- Authentication bypasses detected
- IDOR attempts
- XSS/CSRF attempts
- Vulnerability scan results
- Patch compliance rate
- Security incidents
- Mean time to resolve (MTTR)
- Security training completion

Conclusion¶

The Psyter Web Application has moderate security posture but requires immediate attention in several critical areas, particularly around HIPAA compliance, audit logging, and data protection. The application handles sensitive health information and must meet stringent regulatory requirements.

Overall Risk Level: 🟠 HIGH

Critical Priorities:
1. HIPAA compliance gaps (audit logging, encryption)
2. IDOR vulnerabilities
3. Insufficient logging
4. Outdated dependencies
5. Missing GDPR features

Recommended Timeline:
- Critical issues: 0-30 days
- High priority: 30-90 days
- Compliance certification: 6-12 months

Document Version: 1.0
Last Updated: November 2025
Next Security Audit: 6 months or after major changes
Auditor: Development Team

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Web Repository - Security Audit¶

Executive Summary¶

Security Findings¶

1. Authentication & Session Management¶

1.1 Session-Based Authentication (🟠 High Risk)¶

1.2 Password Storage (🟢 Low Risk - Delegated to API)¶

1.3 Authentication Bypass Risk (🟠 High Risk)¶

2. Authorization & Access Control¶

2.1 Role-Based Access Control (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

2.2 Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) (🔴 Critical)¶

3. Input Validation & Output Encoding¶

3.1 Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) (🟠 High Risk)¶

3.2 SQL Injection (🟢 Low Risk - API Layer)¶

3.3 Command Injection (🟢 Low Risk)¶

4. Data Protection & Privacy¶

4.1 Sensitive Data Exposure (🟠 High Risk)¶

4.2 HTTPS Enforcement (🟢 Low Risk - Configured)¶

4.3 Personal Health Information (PHI) Protection (🔴 Critical)¶

5. API Security¶

5.1 API Authentication (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

5.2 API Communication (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

6. File Upload Security¶

6.1 File Upload Vulnerabilities (🟠 High Risk)¶

7. Security Headers¶

7.1 Security Headers Analysis (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

8. Dependency Vulnerabilities¶

8.1 Outdated Dependencies (🟠 High Risk)¶

9. Logging & Monitoring¶

9.1 Insufficient Logging (🟠 High Risk)¶

10. Video Session Security¶

10.1 WebRTC Security (🟡 Medium Risk)¶

11. Third-Party Integrations¶

11.1 Google Analytics (🟢 Low Risk)¶

11.2 Payment Gateway (🟠 High Risk)¶

Compliance Requirements¶

HIPAA Compliance Gaps¶

GDPR Compliance¶

Security Testing Recommendations¶

1. Penetration Testing (Do Next)¶

2. Code Security Scanning (Do Now)¶

3. Dynamic Application Security Testing (Do Next)¶

4. Security Awareness Training (Do Now)¶

Incident Response Plan¶

Required Components¶

Priority Action Plan¶

Do Now (0-30 days) 🔴¶

Do Next (30-90 days) 🟠¶

Plan (90+ days) 🟡¶

Security Metrics¶

Conclusion¶