FAQ-000860 - External Platform Security / External Web Applications and SaaS

Current Status:VALID_RESPONSEErrorUnable to AnswerSuggests Case

Current FAQ

Question
How should subscriber orgs interact with external web applications securely?
Answer
Subscriber orgs can interact securely with external web applications by following these measures: 1. **Secure Credential Storage**: Use protected custom settings or metadata to store sensitive credentials. Provide a custom UI (e.g., Visualforce, Aura, or LWC) for privileged users to input and manage credentials securely. 2. **Named Credentials**: Use Named Credentials to package metadata and configuration, allowing subscribers to set up actual credentials after installation. 3. **Access Control**: Enforce CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) and FLS (Field-Level Security) checks in Apex code to restrict access based on user permissions. 4. **Authentication**: Use secure authentication mechanisms like JWT or OAuth flows. Subscribers should complete the OAuth flow to provide consent for data access. 5. **Data Protection**: Avoid storing sensitive data in public custom objects, settings, or metadata, as these can be accessed by untrusted code. 6. **Input Validation**: Validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent injection attacks or unintended exposure of sensitive information. 7. **Session Management**: Ensure proper session termination and use CSRF tokens for sensitive operations to prevent unauthorized access. 8. **Secure Coding Practices**: Follow secure coding practices and conduct regular security reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities. By implementing these practices, subscriber orgs can ensure secure interactions with external web applications.
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Related Security Rules (click to view)
ApexSuggestUsingNamedCredApexCRUDViolationApexCSRFApexBadCryptoApexInsecureEndpointApexSOQLInjectionApexXSSFromURLParamAvoidHardcodedCredentialsInFieldDeclsAvoidHardcodedCredentialsInVarDeclsAvoidHardcodedCredentialsInHttpHeaderAvoidInsecureHttpRemoteSiteSettingAvoidApiSessionId
Question
How should subscriber orgs interact with external web applications securely?
Recommended Answer Update
Subscriber orgs can interact securely with external web applications by following these measures: 1. **Secure Credential Storage**: Use protected custom settings or metadata to store sensitive credentials. Provide a custom UI (e.g., Visualforce, Aura, or LWC) for privileged users to input and manage credentials securely. 2. **Named Credentials**: Use Named Credentials to package metadata and configuration, allowing subscribers to set up actual credentials after installation. 3. **Access Control**: Enforce CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) and FLS (Field-Level Security) checks in Apex code to restrict access based on user permissions. 4. **Authentication**: Use secure authentication mechanisms like JWT or OAuth flows. Subscribers should complete the OAuth flow to provide consent for data access. 5. **Data Protection**: Avoid storing sensitive data in public custom objects, settings, or metadata, as these can be accessed by untrusted code. 6. **Input Validation**: Validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent injection attacks or unintended exposure of sensitive information. 7. **Session Management**: Ensure proper session termination and use CSRF tokens for sensitive operations to prevent unauthorized access. 8. **Secure Coding Practices**: Follow secure coding practices and conduct regular security reviews to identify and address vulnerabilities. By implementing these practices, subscriber orgs can ensure secure interactions with external web applications.
Reasoning
The FAQ content is well-structured and covers the essential security practices for secure external web application interactions. No significant content changes are needed as the information is current and accurate. The security rules selected all directly relate to the specific security practices mentioned in the FAQ: - ApexSuggestUsingNamedCred relates to point #2 about using Named Credentials for secure credential management - ApexCRUDViolation relates to point #3 about enforcing CRUD and FLS checks in Apex code - ApexCSRF relates to point #7 about using CSRF tokens for sensitive operations - ApexBadCrypto relates to point #4 about secure authentication mechanisms like JWT - ApexInsecureEndpoint relates to secure external communication practices mentioned throughout - ApexSOQLInjection relates to point #6 about input validation to prevent injection attacks - ApexXSSFromURLParam relates to point #6 about sanitizing user inputs to prevent exposure - AvoidHardcodedCredentialsInFieldDecls, AvoidHardcodedCredentialsInVarDecls, and AvoidHardcodedCredentialsInHttpHeader all relate to points #1 and #5 about secure credential storage and avoiding sensitive data in accessible locations - AvoidInsecureHttpRemoteSiteSetting relates to secure external communication practices - AvoidApiSessionId relates to point #7 about proper session management
Reasoning References
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