FAQ-001650 - Salesforce Platform Security Responsibility / Security Testing and Validation

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Current FAQ

Question
How should I address potential platform vulnerabilities discovered during security testing and determine if findings are genuine issues or false positives?
Answer
**Addressing Platform Vulnerabilities During Security Testing:** To address potential platform vulnerabilities discovered during your own security testing: 1. **Identify and Document Vulnerabilities**: - Use tools like Salesforce Code Analyzer or other recommended security scanning tools - Document any false positives and address all valid issues 2. **Fix Vulnerabilities**: - Follow Salesforce's secure coding guidelines - Implement CRUD/FLS checks for object and field-level security - Securely store sensitive information using protected custom metadata or settings - Avoid insecure practices like direct DOM manipulation or outdated third-party libraries 3. **Test the Fixes**: - Rerun security scans after implementing fixes to confirm resolution - Include external endpoints in your testing scope if they interact with Salesforce data 4. **Prepare Documentation**: - For false positives, create a detailed document explaining why the issue is not a valid vulnerability, referencing Salesforce guidelines 5. **Submit for Review**: - If preparing for an AppExchange security review, ensure all fixes are implemented across the application - Submit the updated package with required materials, such as updated scan reports and false-positive documentation 6. **Follow Best Practices**: - Regularly update third-party libraries - Avoid using sample code in production - Ensure your solution adheres to Salesforce's security standards **Determining if Findings are Genuine Issues or False Positives:** To determine if a vulnerability flagged in your security review report is genuine or a false positive: 1. **Review the Report Details**: Understand the context and specifics of the flagged vulnerability 2. **Analyze the Code or Configuration**: Check if the issue is related to Salesforce standard platform features or custom implementation. Some flagged issues may stem from standard behaviors that are not exploitable 3. **Document False Positives**: If it's a false positive, prepare a detailed document explaining why it does not pose a security risk. Include justifications, references, and relevant Salesforce documentation 4. **Submit for Review**: Upload the false-positive documentation to the security review wizard in the AppExchange Partner Console and resubmit your solution. There is no fee for evaluating false-positive documentation 5. **Consult Salesforce Resources**: Use tools like the Secure Coding Guide and security scanner tools to validate your findings and ensure compliance with security guidelines 6. **Seek Clarification if Needed**: If you're unsure, open a case with Salesforce support for further clarification or assistance **For Penetration Testing Findings:** I couldn't find specific guidance on reporting and handling vulnerabilities identified in penetration tests that are part of the core Salesforce platform. I recommend opening a case with Salesforce support for further assistance. For further guidance, refer to Salesforce's secure coding and security review documentation or schedule a technical office hours session for specific queries.
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Related Security Rules (click to view)
ApexCRUDViolationApexSharingViolationsApexSOQLInjectionApexXSSFromEscapeFalseApexXSSFromURLParamApexBadCryptoApexInsecureEndpointApexOpenRedirectAvoidHardcodedCredentialsInFieldDeclsAvoidHardcodedCredentialsInVarDeclsLibraryWithKnownCriticalSeverityVulnerabilityVfUnescapeElVfCsrf
Question
How should I address potential platform vulnerabilities discovered during security testing and determine if findings are genuine issues or false positives?
Recommended Answer Update
**Addressing Platform Vulnerabilities During Security Testing:** To address potential platform vulnerabilities discovered during your own security testing: 1. **Identify and Document Vulnerabilities**: - Use tools like Salesforce Code Analyzer or other recommended security scanning tools - Document any false positives and address all valid issues 2. **Fix Vulnerabilities**: - Follow Salesforce's secure coding guidelines - Implement CRUD/FLS checks for object and field-level security - Securely store sensitive information using protected custom metadata or settings - Avoid insecure practices like direct DOM manipulation or outdated third-party libraries 3. **Test the Fixes**: - Rerun security scans after implementing fixes to confirm resolution - Include external endpoints in your testing scope if they interact with Salesforce data 4. **Prepare Documentation**: - For false positives, create a detailed document explaining why the issue isn't a valid vulnerability, referencing Salesforce guidelines 5. **Submit for Review**: - If preparing for an AppExchange security review, ensure all fixes are implemented across the application - Submit the updated package with required materials, such as updated scan reports and false-positive documentation 6. **Follow Best Practices**: - Regularly update third-party libraries - Avoid using sample code in production - Ensure your solution adheres to Salesforce's security standards **Determining if Findings are Genuine Issues or False Positives:** To determine if a vulnerability flagged in your security review report is genuine or a false positive: 1. **Review the Report Details**: Understand the context and specifics of the flagged vulnerability 2. **Analyze the Code or Configuration**: Check if the issue is related to Salesforce standard platform features or custom implementation. Some flagged issues may stem from standard behaviors that aren't exploitable 3. **Document False Positives**: If it's a false positive, prepare a detailed document explaining why it doesn't pose a security risk. Include justifications, references, and relevant Salesforce documentation 4. **Submit for Review**: Upload the false-positive documentation to the security review wizard in the AppExchange Partner Console and resubmit your solution. There's no fee for evaluating false-positive documentation 5. **Consult Salesforce Resources**: Use tools like the Secure Coding Guide and security scanner tools to validate your findings and ensure compliance with security guidelines 6. **Seek Clarification if Needed**: If you're unsure, open a case with Salesforce support for further clarification or assistance **For Penetration Testing Findings:** I couldn't find specific guidance on reporting and handling vulnerabilities identified in penetration tests that are part of the core Salesforce platform. I recommend opening a case with Salesforce support for further assistance. For further guidance, refer to Salesforce's secure coding and security review documentation or schedule a technical office hours session for specific queries.
Reasoning
The FAQ content is comprehensive and accurate, but I made minor improvements to enhance conversational tone and readability without changing the core information. Changes include: (1) Changed 'is not a valid vulnerability' to 'isn't a valid vulnerability' and 'does not pose' to 'doesn't pose' to use contractions per style guidelines, (2) Changed 'are not exploitable' to 'aren't exploitable' for conversational tone, (3) Changed 'There is no fee' to 'There's no fee' for consistency with contraction usage. All security rules selected directly relate to vulnerabilities that would be discovered during security testing: ApexCRUDViolation relates to the FAQ's mention of 'CRUD/FLS checks for object and field-level security'; ApexSharingViolations connects to sharing rule enforcement mentioned in security best practices; ApexSOQLInjection, ApexXSSFromEscapeFalse, and ApexXSSFromURLParam relate to injection and XSS vulnerabilities that would be found in security scans; ApexBadCrypto relates to cryptographic vulnerabilities; ApexInsecureEndpoint and ApexOpenRedirect relate to endpoint security issues; AvoidHardcodedCredentialsInFieldDecls and AvoidHardcodedCredentialsInVarDecls relate to the FAQ's mention of 'securely store sensitive information'; LibraryWithKnownCriticalSeverityVulnerability relates to 'outdated third-party libraries' mentioned in the FAQ; VfUnescapeEl and VfCsrf relate to Visualforce security issues that would be detected in scans.
Reasoning References
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