In the past few years, there’s been a surge of low-code and no-code platforms, allowing applications to be built without writing complex code. According to Forrester, the low-code market is growing so much that it could reach $50 billion by 2028.
They have benefits, such as speeding up the development process, but they also come with challenges—especially when it comes to security. Let’s delve into these platforms, their risks, and how ThreatCanvas can help.
What Are Low-Code and No-Code Platforms?
Both platforms make it easy for non-developers to build applications as they have visual interfaces with drag-and-drop functionality. It’s pretty easy for users as all they need to do is put together or combine pre-built components. There’s no longer a need to manually write custom code. Here’s how they differ:
Low-Code
When working on low-code platforms, users have some flexibility when writing code. They have slightly more control over the functionality and customization of their apps.
No-Code
As the name suggests, no-code platforms allow users to create applications without any need for coding knowledge. They provide a fully visual interface and no developers are needed.
Security Risks in Low-Code and No-Code Development
Problems arise when users who work on these platforms haven’t had any training in security risks or what to look out for. When this happens, there are a vast array of vulnerabilities that can be damaging to organizations.
The Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) gives information about the top security risks for low-code and no-platforms.
1, Account Impersonation
Imagine someone pretending to be you online and getting away with it. That’s what account impersonation is all about. In low-code and no-code applications, poor session management or weak user validation can let attackers gain access to a user’s account. This could mean gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or even performing actions on behalf of others.
2. Authorization Misuse
If applications don’t properly control “who can do what,” users can end up with way more access than they should have. This could mean regular users accessing admin features or external systems getting permissions they don’t need. The principle of least privilege should always be applied—that is, users should be given the minimum levels of access or permissions needed to perform their job.
3. Data Leakage and Unexpected Consequences
It’s possible that applications can have misconfigured settings. This isn’t great because it can result in the leaking of sensitive information. For example, an application might send more data than necessary to an API or leave private files accessible to anyone with a link.
4. Authentication and Secure Communication Failures
If authentication isn’t strict enough, it’s easier for bad actors to find a way in. Weak passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication, or unsecured communication channels (like missing HTTPS) mean attackers can intercept or steal user data. Also, not handling session cookies securely can open the application to attacks such as session hijacking.
5. Security Misconfiguration
Low-code and no-code platforms often come with default settings that aren’t really secure. There need to be proper security configurations in place; otherwise, they can create openings for attackers to exploit. Be careful of issues like open administrative interfaces, debugging tools left enabled, or overly permissive user roles.
6. Injection Handling Failures
Injection attacks like SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS) can be harmful in low-code and no-code applications when input validation isn’t properly handled. If user input is directly inserted into database queries or system commands without proper sanitization, attackers can inject malicious code.
7. Vulnerable and Untrusted Components
The pre-built components used in low-code and no-code platforms could come with vulnerabilities or have untrusted sources. That’s why it’s really important to test and check them regularly for flaws so attackers can’t access sensitive data.
8. Data and Secret Handling Failures
API keys or passwords need to be secure to avoid leaks or breaches. However, low-code and no-code platforms may not have the right capabilities to encrypt, store, and manage data safely. For example, hardcoding secrets in the application code or storing them in plaintext in databases is asking for trouble.
9. Asset Management Failures
It’s essential to keep track of all assets, especially for low-code and no-code applications, as they often mix APIs, integrations, and infrastructure. Otherwise, issues like leaving outdated or vulnerable components exposed might occur. If there’s no up-to-date inventory, it’s harder to assess and deal with security issues.
10. Security Logging and Monitoring Failures
Without proper logging or monitoring, it’s difficult to track suspicious activity or failed login attempts. It’s hard to know if something’s gone wrong or how to fix it if it has. This makes applications more prone to prolonged attacks or unnoticed breaches.
Enter ThreatCanvas: A Risk Framework for Security
If you’re using low-code and no-code platforms, it’s very important to manage security risks. This is where SecureFlag’s ThreatCanvas comes in. It’s an automated risk assessment framework that helps organizations understand and address potential security risks throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
ThreatCanvas 2.0 introduces a new default risk template based on OWASP’s security risks, specifically for low-code and no-code platforms. This template helps developers and others identify and assess risks related to low-code/no-code environments, such as insecure API integrations, improper access controls, and platform-specific vulnerabilities.
Teams in the SDLC can address issues quickly, as they come with predefined risk parameters and practical recommendations. Development doesn’t need to be slowed down, which is vital for organizations that want to maintain speed and scale but also want to protect applications against threats.
How SecureFlag and ThreatCanvas Address Security in Low-Code/No-Code Platforms
SecureFlag offers in-depth, hands-on training and education resources on threat modeling and application security. This helps developers and everyone else involved in the SDLC gain the skills and knowledge they need to build secure applications.
With ThreatCanvas, organizations can greatly reduce the security risks associated with low-code and no-code platforms, making sure that applications are built with security in mind from the very beginning.
