Pentesting against NO-Code Platforms and Best Practices to protect your data
Introduction
Pentesting, is the practice of simulating cyberattacks on a computer system, network, or web application to identify vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit. It is an important security measure that can help organizations detect and fix potential security weaknesses before they are exploited by malicious actors.
No-code platforms are becoming increasingly popular as a way to quickly and easily develop applications without the need for traditional coding skills. However, this ease of use can come at a security cost. No-code platforms often have a wide range of features and functionality, which can make them difficult to secure. As a result, no-code platforms are often targeted by attackers.
No-code platforms allows users to create, customize, and automate various processes without having to write any code. They are often used to build applications, websites, and other digital products quickly and easily, without the need for specialized technical skills.
Types of No-Code Platforms
There are a number of different types of no-code platforms available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most popular no-code platforms include:
Airtable is a cloud-based platform that allows users to create and manage databases, forms, and workflows. www.airtable.com
Google App Maker is a platform that allows users to create custom business applications using Google Workspace services. https://cloud.google.com/appsheet , Retool
Microsoft Power Platform is a suite of tools that allows users to create custom applications, automate processes, and analyse data. https://powerplatform.microsoft.com/en-us/
Zoho Creator is a platform that allows users to create custom business applications using Zoho’s suite of products. https://www.zoho.com/creator/
Fliplet is a platform that allows users to create custom mobile and web applications without writing any code. https://fliplet.com/
Security Risks of No-Code Platforms
No-code platforms can be vulnerable to a number of security risks, including:
- Insecure APIs. No-code platforms often expose a number of APIs that can be used by attackers to access sensitive data or control the application.
- Weak authentication and authorization. No-code platforms often have weak authentication and authorization controls, which can make it easy for attackers to gain unauthorized access.
- Insecure data storage. No-code platforms often store sensitive data in an insecure manner, which can make it easy for attackers to steal or modify this data.
- Vulnerabilities in the platform itself. No-code platforms are complex software applications, and as such, they are susceptible to vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to the application or to disrupt its operation.
Pentesting No-Code Platforms
As more organizations adopt no-code platforms, it is important to consider their security and ensure that they are not vulnerable to cyberattacks.When pentesting a no-code platform, it is important to focus on the following areas:
Pentesting no-code platforms — to identify potential vulnerabilities.
1. Identify the scope of the pentest: Before conducting a pentest, it is important to define the scope and objectives of the test. This should include the specific no-code platform that will be tested, the types of attacks that will be simulated, and the expected outcome of the test.
2. Conduct research and gather information: Before beginning the pentest, it is important to gather as much information as possible about the no-code platform and its potential vulnerabilities. This can include conducting online research, reading documentation, and talking to the platform’s developers and users.
3. Use a variety of testing techniques: A successful pentest should use a variety of testing techniques to simulate different types of cyberattacks and identify potential vulnerabilities. These can include manual testing, automated testing, and dynamic testing, as well as social engineering tactics.
4. Use software test codes to identify vulnerabilities: Software test codes are a powerful tool for pentesters, as they allow them to automate the testing process and quickly identify potential vulnerabilities. Some examples of software test codes that can be used for pentesting no-code platforms include SQL injection attacks, cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, and password cracking algorithms.
5. Document and report on the results of the pentest: After the pentest is complete, it is important to document and report on the results. This should include a detailed description of the vulnerabilities that were identified, as well as recommendations for how to fix them.
Main components of NO-CODE Pen-testing:
APIs. The first step is to identify all of the APIs that are exposed by the platform. These APIs should be tested for security vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and broken authentication.
Authentication and authorization. The next step is to test the authentication and authorization controls of the platform. These controls should be tested to ensure that they are secure and that they cannot be bypassed by attackers.
Data storage. The next step is to test the way that sensitive data is stored by the platform. This data should be stored in a secure manner, such as using encryption.
The platform itself. Finally, the platform itself should be tested for security vulnerabilities. This includes testing for vulnerabilities in the platform’s code, as well as vulnerabilities in the platform’s configuration.
Examples for Pentesting no-code platforms to identify vulnerabilities:
1. SQL injection attack: This type of attack involves injecting malicious SQL commands into a no-code platform’s database, with the goal of gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information.
2. Cross-site scripting (XSS) attack: This type of attack involves injecting malicious code into a no-code platform’s website, with the goal of stealing user data or executing unauthorized actions.
3. Password cracking algorithm: This type of test code can be used to simulate a brute-force attack, where a pentester attempts to guess a user’s password by trying thousands or even millions of possible combinations.
4. Session hijacking attack: This type of attack involves intercepting a user’s session and using it to gain unauthorized access to a no-code platform.
5. Man-in-the-middle attack: This type of attack involves intercepting communications between a no-code platform and its users, with the goal of stealing sensitive information or executing unauthorized actions.
6. Denial of service (DoS) attack: This type of attack involves overwhelming a no-code platform with traffic, with the goal of making it unavailable to its users.
7. Clickjacking attack: This type of attack involves tricking a user into clicking on
How to Prevent the Attack?
To prevent this type of attack, it’s important to follow best practices for pentesting against no-code platforms. Some of these best practices include:
1. Regularly conduct pentests: To identify and address vulnerabilities in a no-code platform, it’s important to regularly conduct pentests. This can help ensure that any potential vulnerabilities are identified and addressed before they can be exploited.
2. Use a multi-layered approach: When conducting a pentest, it’s important to use a multi-layered approach that covers all potential attack vectors. This might include testing the platform’s security controls, as well as the applications and data that are deployed on the platform.
3. Test the platform’s security controls: No-code platforms often include a variety of security controls, such as authentication and authorization mechanisms, to prevent unauthorized access. It’s important to test these controls to ensure they are effective at preventing unauthorized access.
4. Test the applications and data deployed on the platform: In addition to testing the platform’s security controls, it’s also important to test the applications and data that are deployed on the platform. This can help identify any vulnerabilities in the applications themselves, as well as any sensitive data that is at risk of being stolen by an attacker.
5. Use automated tools: To ensure a comprehensive and efficient pentest, it’s important to use automated tools to assist with the testing process. These tools can help automate certain aspects of the pentest, such as identifying vulnerabilities and testing the platform’s security controls.
Here are some best practices for pentesting no-code platforms:
1. Start by reviewing the documentation and user guides for the no-code platform. This will provide an overview of the platform’s capabilities and potential vulnerabilities.
2. Use a web application scanner to identify potential vulnerabilities in the platform’s user interface and application logic.
3. Test the platform’s authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that they are secure and cannot be bypassed.
4. Conduct penetration tests on the platform’s underlying infrastructure, including the database and server configuration.
Previous cases reported on vulnerabilities related to NO-CODE platforms:
Here are some real-time examples of security vulnerabilities that have been found in no-code platforms:
- In 2021, a security researcher found a vulnerability in Airtable that allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code on the platform.
- In 2022, a security researcher found a vulnerability in Google App Maker that allowed attackers to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access to applications.
- In 2023, a security researcher found a vulnerability in Microsoft Power Platform that allowed attackers to steal sensitive data from applications.
Conclusion
Pentesting no-code platforms can be a complex and challenging task. However, it is important to perform this type of testing in order to identify and mitigate security risks. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can help to ensure that your no-code platform is secure.
- Keeping the platform up to date. No-code platforms are constantly being updated with security patches. It is important to keep your platform up to date in order to apply these patches and mitigate known security vulnerabilities.
- Using strong passwords and security practices. Users of no-code platforms should use strong passwords and follow good security practices, such as not reusing passwords across multiple applications.
- Monitoring the platform for suspicious activity. It is important to monitor the platform for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access attempts or unusual traffic patterns.
