Permissions Policy

Permissions Policy (formerly known as Feature Policy) is a security mechanism that gives website owners granular control over what browser features their website can access and which features can be accessed by embedded content like iframes. It's essentially a set of rules defined via HTTP headers or the allow attribute on iframes that dictate which functionalities are permitted.

Here's how it works in the context of cybersecurity:

• Mitigating Risk: Many browser features, while helpful, can be exploited by malicious actors. For example, access to the camera, microphone, or geolocation can be used for unauthorized surveillance. Permissions Policy allows website owners to disable or restrict access to these features, reducing the potential attack surface.

• Least Privilege Principle: The Permissions Policy enforces the principle of least privilege by enabling only the necessary features. This minimizes the potential damage if a vulnerability is exploited on the website.

• Defense in Depth: It adds another layer of security on top of other measures like Content Security Policy (CSP). While CSP focuses on preventing unauthorized content from loading, the Permissions Policy controls access to potentially dangerous browser features.

• Protecting Against Attacks: Permissions Policy can help prevent various attacks, including:

  • Clickjacking: By disabling the fullscreen feature, websites can prevent attackers from tricking users into clicking on hidden elements.

  • Data Exfiltration: Websites can prevent sensitive data from being leaked by restricting access to features like geolocation or the clipboard.

  • Cross-Origin Attacks: Websites can mitigate the impact of cross-origin attacks by controlling which origins can access certain features.

Key Features of Permissions Policy:

• Granular Control: It allows fine-grained control over various browser features, including geolocation, camera, microphone, fullscreen, and more.

• Flexibility: Policies can be applied globally to the entire website or specifically to individual iframes.

• Backward Compatibility: It provides mechanisms for websites to handle cases where a feature is disabled, ensuring compatibility with older browsers.

In Summary

Permissions Policy is a valuable tool for enhancing website security by restricting access to potentially dangerous browser features. It helps website owners proactively mitigate risks, protect user privacy, and defend against attacks. By implementing the Permissions Policy, websites can create a more secure browsing experience.

ThreatNG is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform that offers a wide range of features and capabilities for managing external attack surfaces and digital risks. Here's how it can help with the Permissions Policy and work with complementary solutions:

1. Identifying and Assessing Risks Related to Permissions Policy

• Discovery and Assessment: ThreatNG's discovery capabilities can identify all web applications and subdomains associated with an organization. It can then assess these assets for potential vulnerabilities related to Permissions Policy, such as overly permissive settings that could allow for attacks like clickjacking or data exfiltration.

• Web Application Hijack Susceptibility: This module can specifically identify vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to manipulate a website's features, potentially exploiting weak Permissions Policy configurations.

• Search Engine Exploitation: This module can identify exposed sensitive information, configuration files, or other resources that might reveal information about the website's Permissions Policy settings or potential weaknesses.

• Archived Web Pages: ThreatNG can identify historical changes in Permissions Policy settings by analyzing archived web pages, potentially revealing vulnerabilities introduced over time.

2. Working with Complementary Solutions

• Integration with Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): ThreatNG can complement WAFs by providing detailed information about potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors. This information can be used to fine-tune WAF rules and improve their effectiveness in blocking attacks that exploit weak Permissions Policy configurations.

• Integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems: ThreatNG can feed its findings into SIEM systems, providing security teams with a centralized view of all security events and alerts, including those related to Permissions Policy violations.

• Integration with Vulnerability Scanners: ThreatNG can enhance vulnerability scanners' capabilities by providing additional context and intelligence about potential vulnerabilities related to the Permissions Policy.

3. Providing Examples with Investigation Modules

• Domain Intelligence: This module can identify misconfigured DNS records, missing or weak DMARC, SPF, and DKIM records, and exposed APIs that could be exploited due to weak Permissions Policy settings.

• Sensitive Code Exposure: This module can identify exposed code repositories containing sensitive information about the website's Permissions Policy configuration or reveal vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

• Cloud and SaaS Exposure: This module can identify misconfigured cloud services and SaaS applications with overly permissive Permissions Policy settings, potentially exposing sensitive data or functionalities.

4. Leveraging Intelligence Repositories

• Dark Web Presence: ThreatNG can monitor the dark web for mentions of the organization or its assets, identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities related to Permissions Policy that malicious actors might discuss.

• Compromised Credentials: This repository can help identify compromised credentials that could be used to access and modify the website's Permissions Policy settings.

• Known Vulnerabilities: This repository can provide information about known vulnerabilities related to Permissions Policy and help prioritize remediation efforts.

5. Utilizing Collaboration and Management Facilities

• Role-based access controls: Ensure only authorized personnel can access and modify Permissions Policy settings.

• Dynamically generated Correlation Evidence Questionnaires: Facilitate cross-functional cooperation in investigating and remediating Permissions Policy-related issues.

• Policy Management: Define and enforce consistent Permissions Policy settings across the organization.

By combining its comprehensive discovery, assessment, and intelligence capabilities with its collaboration and management features, ThreatNG can help organizations effectively manage and mitigate risks related to Permissions Policy, ensuring a robust security posture.