Securing Web Applications with System Hardening

Hardening a computer system reduces its attack surface. This involves deactivating unused services, shutting open network ports, and modifying default settings. The underlying operating systems, databases, network devices, application servers, and web servers affect the attack surface. This article discusses system hardening and illustrates how to secure web applications.

Web Application Security Hardening
Hardening a computer system reduces its attack surface. Disabling superfluous services, deleting unwanted software, closing open network ports, and so forth. The complete software stack and hardware architecture configuration affects web applications, from operating systems, databases, and network devices to application servers and web servers. In here, we will discuss system hardening and how to secure web applications.

Mapping attack surface
The attack surface of a web application includes any security flaws, backdoors, and other attack routes in the programme and its infrastructure. Unpatched software and firmware are examples, as are faulty setups, insecure data and application access, default or hardcoded logins and passwords, and inadequate data encryption in transit and/or at rest.

Minimizing the attack surface reduces the danger of malware attacks and other security risks. Less active components make hardened systems easier to manage. Hardening can also increase performance by removing unused features that eat up resources.

Formal Hardening Processes
System hardening is not simply a good practice; it is required in some businesses to reduce security risks and assure data protection. HIPAA server hardening standards apply to medical patient data, while PCI DSS requirement 2.2 applies to financial transactions.

SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, and Security Institute) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are among the organizations that produce standards and processes for reducing system flaws (NIST). Major software providers also give product-specific hardening instructions.

Web App Hardening Checklist
A hardening checklist is a formal list of steps to secure one or more systems. Even though an all-cloud deployment necessitates different procedures than a whole physical infrastructure, the essential goals and concepts are the same.

Begin by compiling a list of all applicable software and hardware assets. To detect vulnerabilities and weak points, conduct a cybersecurity audit, web vulnerability scan, or penetration testing. Web application discovery can help find neglected or obsolete programmes that pose new threats.

Securing User Accounts and Data
The most challenging issue to strengthen is data access control. All software and hardware tiers must comply to prevent unwanted access to systems and data. Begin by implementing role-based access controls and limits and only enabling valid user accounts. Follow the guideline of minimal privileges for each position and user.

Define strong password policies that demand password rotation. Create encryption policies for databases, files, and directory services to protect critical data at rest and in transit. Enforce procedures to centralize data management and protection, such as storing user files on a secure central file server.

Net/Server Hardening
Securing a web application requires server hardening. This comprises web and application servers, database and file servers, cloud storage systems, and any external system interfaces. Close all superfluous ports and remove unnecessary applications and services (particularly file-sharing services like FTP). Delete or disable the web-based administrative interface if you only use SSH sessions to operate a server.

System hardening also includes network security. If your network employs physical devices, alter all default settings and credentials, and keep firmware updated to avoid known problems and vulnerabilities. Encrypt communications and use access lists to restrict data and system access.

Always apply the newest security updates after testing them outside the production environment. Automate the update process and provide notifications for out-of-date items to keep systems updated.

Hardening the OS
Assuring universal support is usually achieved by providing a wide range of features, drivers, and services. Using an OS for a server requires deleting any extraneous software, libraries, services, and drivers. The server job may need you to install or enable security services such as a firewall or intrusion detection system.

The Windows Firewall, demanding login to shut down the system, and preventing or restricting anonymous access to shares are examples of hardening a Windows server. Configuring SELinux, logging all administrator and root access, and restricting process access to core dumps are some examples of hardening a Linux system.

Maintaining Cybersecurity
System hardening isn't something you perform once and forget about. Your first system hardening attempt should yield a secure baseline configuration. Every modification to your web application or infrastructure must be tested against that baseline.

Web security threats and exploits are constantly evolving. In addition, uncontrolled system changes necessitate continual monitoring and testing. Use enterprise-grade online vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tools to see your application's weak areas from an attacker's perspective.