sourcegraph / zoekt

Security

This page provides an overview of security considerations for Zoekt. Security is crucial because Zoekt processes source code, which can be sensitive and valuable.

What is Security?

Security refers to the measures taken to protect information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. In the context of Zoekt, security encompasses protecting the search service itself, the indexed data, and users’ privacy.

Why is Security Important?

  • Data Confidentiality: Zoekt indexes source code, which may contain sensitive information such as trade secrets, proprietary algorithms, or user credentials. It’s essential to protect this data from unauthorized access.

  • System Integrity: Zoekt’s search service must remain reliable and functional. Malicious actors could attempt to disrupt or corrupt the service, impacting Zoekt’s ability to function correctly.

  • User Privacy: Users should be able to search and interact with Zoekt without compromising their privacy. Zoekt should not expose personal information or track user activity without consent.

  • Compliance: Depending on the context of Zoekt’s usage, security measures might be required to comply with relevant industry regulations and legal frameworks.

Security Topics

Here are some key security considerations for Zoekt:

Authentication and Authorization:

  • Zoekt should implement strong authentication mechanisms to verify user identities and control access to the search service.
  • Authorization controls should be in place to restrict users’ access to specific data or features based on their roles and permissions.

Client-Side Security:

  • Zoekt should protect against common web vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection.
  • Input validation techniques should be employed to sanitize user inputs and prevent malicious code injection.

Data Validation:

  • Zoekt should perform data validation on the source code being indexed to prevent malicious input from corrupting the index.
  • Data validation techniques should be used to ensure the integrity and consistency of indexed data.

Vulnerability Management:

  • A process for identifying, reporting, and mitigating vulnerabilities should be established.
  • Regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify and address potential security flaws.

Security Best Practices:

  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users only the minimum access necessary to perform their tasks.
  • Secure Configuration: Implement secure configurations for Zoekt’s servers and applications.
  • Regular Updates: Regularly update Zoekt’s software components to address security vulnerabilities.
  • Security Monitoring: Monitor Zoekt’s systems for suspicious activity.
  • Incident Response Plan: Develop a plan to respond to security incidents effectively.

These are just a few key security topics to consider for Zoekt. A robust security approach should encompass all aspects of the system’s design, development, and operation.

Top-Level Directory Explanations

doc/ - This directory contains documentation for the project.