DEV Community: Vsevolod Ulyanovich

Browser Extension Development Companies: How to Choose the Right Partner

Vsevolod Ulyanovich — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:46:08 +0000

Today, browser extensions have moved far beyond simple add-ons and shortcuts. They’ve become essential product components for SaaS platforms, productivity tools, eCommerce optimization, security solutions, and AI-powered workflows. With Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari reaching billions of users every day, browser extensions offer one of the fastest and most effective ways to deliver lightweight, high-impact functionality directly inside the browser.

At the same time, the extension landscape has become significantly more demanding. Modern browser extensions must comply with stricter security standards (including Manifest V3), support multiple browsers, integrate seamlessly with backend services, and meet high expectations around performance, privacy, and scalability. This complexity has pushed companies to rely on specialized extension development partners who understand not only frontend JavaScript but also APIs, authentication flows, secure data handling, and long-term maintenance within browser ecosystems.

Nowadays, the leading browser extension development companies are those that combine deep browser-specific expertise with strong product thinking — delivering secure, compliant, and user-friendly extensions that scale reliably as products and user bases grow.

How We Selected the Top Browser Extension Development Companies

To create a reliable and practical list, we focused on companies with real-world experience building, shipping, and maintaining browser extensions — not just generic web development agencies:

We evaluated development companies that actively deliver browser extension projects for clients, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari extensions. Product-only companies, templates, and marketplaces were excluded;
Our research covered 100+ agencies across trusted B2B platforms such as Clutch, company portfolios, public case studies, and technical blogs. Verified client feedback played a key role in shortlisting;
Proven experience with Chrome Extension APIs, Manifest V3, background scripts, content scripts, permissions, and browser-specific limitations.
Ability to build extensions that meet modern security, privacy, and store policy requirements, including data handling and permission minimization. Demonstrated success in delivering extensions that work reliably across multiple browsers with minimal duplication and performance overhead;
Capacity to handle updates, store reviews, browser policy changes, bug fixes, and long-term support after release. We also paid attention to real customer feedback and documented project outcomes that confirm delivery quality and reliability.

Top Browser Extension Development Companies

Fively

Website: https://5ly.co

A custom software agency specializing in browser extension development, SaaS platforms, and AI-driven tooling — delivering secure, high-performance extensions across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Best for: Enterprise extensions, data integrations, AI workflows;
Engagement Models: Project-based, dedicated team, long-term support.

Airdev

Website: https://airdev.co

A no-code/low-code development agency that can build browser extensions and complement them with backend logic and user workflows, ideal for rapid prototyping and MVPs.

Best for: MVP extensions, no-code enhancements, prototypes;
Engagement Models: Project-based, prototype sprint, support.

Vincit

Website: https://www.vincit.com

A well-established product development partner with expertise in modern web technologies and custom tooling — including browser extensions that require deep UI/UX and platform integrations.

Best for: UX-centric extensions, cross-platform products;
Engagement Models: Project-based, discovery + delivery, retainers.

Brightscout

Website: https://www.brightscout.com

A product and engineering agency that builds custom browser extensions as part of broader digital experiences — especially for cloud platforms and analytics interfaces.

Best for: Analytics extensions, cloud-connected tools;
Engagement Models: Project engagement, discovery + build.

Qodic Technosoft

Website: https://qodictech.com

A software services company delivering web and browser-based solutions, including extension projects that tie into ecommerce, social tools, and business platforms.

Best for: Ecommerce extensions, business workflows;
Engagement Models: Project-based, support plans.

Tridhya Tech

Website: https://tridhyatech.com

A software development company experienced with custom client projects that include browser add-ons, automation tools, and platform extensions integrated with SaaS backends.

Best for: Automated browser tooling, add-ons with backend logic
Engagement Models: Fixed price, hourly, support.

How to Choose the Best Browser Extension Development Company

Choosing the right development partner is critical for browser extension success. Unlike standard web apps, extensions must comply with strict browser policies, security rules, and ongoing compatibility requirements. Here’s what to look for when selecting a browser extension development company:

Proven Browser Extension Experience Look for companies with real, production-ready browser extension case studies — not just generic web development projects. Experience with Chrome Extension APIs, Manifest V3, content scripts, background services, and permissions management is essential.
Security & Privacy Expertise Extensions often handle sensitive user data and run with elevated browser permissions. A reliable partner should demonstrate strong security practices, permission minimization, secure API communication, and awareness of privacy regulations and store review requirements.
Cross-Browser Compatibility The best teams know how to build once and adapt across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. Ask about their approach to handling browser-specific APIs, differences in store policies, and long-term maintenance.
Backend & Integration Skills Most modern extensions rely on APIs, authentication flows, and backend systems. Choose a company that can design and integrate secure backend services alongside the extension itself.
Post-Launch Support & Maintenance Browser extensions require continuous updates due to browser changes, policy updates, and user feedback. Make sure the company offers ongoing support, bug fixes, performance improvements, and store compliance updates after launch.
Transparent Communication & Process Clear documentation, predictable workflows, and proactive communication help prevent delays during development and store review. A strong partner will guide you through technical decisions and review cycles.
Verified Client Feedback Check verified reviews, testimonials, and references that specifically mention browser extension work. Real feedback is one of the strongest indicators of long-term reliability.

Browser Extension Development Process

Let’s take a closer look at how browser extension development typically works in practice. At Fively, we follow a clear, security-first, and product-driven workflow focused on building extensions that are intuitive to use, compliant with modern browser requirements, and designed for long-term support.

Planning

The process begins with defining the extension’s purpose, core features, and success criteria. At this stage, our engineers identify the target browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari), review relevant store policies (including Manifest V3 requirements), and align the extension logic with backend systems, APIs, and security constraints. This early groundwork ensures the solution is feasible, scalable, and compliant from the start.

Development

Next, our UI specialists design the extension’s interface and interaction flows with usability and performance in mind. Engineers then implement the functionality using modern web technologies such as JavaScript or TypeScript, browser APIs, and secure background and content scripts. Throughout development, we ensure cross-browser compatibility and pay close attention to permissions, data handling, and communication with external services.

Testing

QA specialists conduct comprehensive testing to validate stability, security, and real-world behavior. This includes functional testing, cross-browser validation, edge-case coverage, and regression checks. Extensions are tested across multiple operating systems and browser versions to ensure consistent performance and policy compliance before release.

Deployment

Once the extension is ready, we package it and manage submission to browser marketplaces, guiding it through the review and approval process. After launch, we provide ongoing maintenance, updates, and compatibility fixes based on user feedback, browser policy changes, and evolving product requirements.

Real-World Browser Extension Cases

Below are examples of browser extensions Fively custom software development company have already built for identity security, access management, and eCommerce automation.

Identity Verification Services Development

Swordfish is a browser extension that supports identity verification workflows directly within the user’s browser. It interacts with external verification services, securely processes user data, and assists in real-time validation without disrupting the core user journey.

Key challenges included strict security requirements, sensitive data handling, and seamless integration with backend identity services. Our solution focused on permission minimization, secure API communication, and compliance with modern browser policies — ensuring both reliability and trust.

Best for: Security-focused extensions, identity verification, regulated environments.

Identity & Access Management Automation

Uniqkey is a browser extension designed to automate identity management tasks that works alongside existing IAM systems, helping users manage credentials, permissions, and access flows directly from the browser interface.

The core complexity lay in synchronizing browser-level actions with backend access control logic while maintaining performance and security. We delivered a scalable, cross-browser solution that supports automation without exposing sensitive authentication data.

Best for: Enterprise extensions, IAM tooling, security automation.

Shopify Abandoned Cart Recovery Extension

MessageBuy, a browser extension that integrates with Shopify stores to support abandoned cart recovery workflows; enables merchants to interact with customer data, automate follow-ups, and trigger recovery actions without leaving their browser environment.

This project required deep Shopify ecosystem knowledge, real-time data handling, and a user-friendly interface for non-technical users. The result was a lightweight yet powerful extension that enhanced conversion rates while remaining easy to operate and maintain.

Best for: eCommerce extensions, Shopify automation, sales optimization tools.

Wrapping Up

Browser extensions are no longer just optional add-ons. Instead, they’re powerful product components that drive security, automation, and user engagement directly within the browser. Choosing the right development partner means working with a team that understands browser ecosystems, evolving security requirements, and the realities of long-term maintenance.

By focusing on industry experience, security practices, and a proven development process, companies can build reliable, scalable browser extensions that deliver real and lasting business value.

Axon Framework: Explaining the Power of Event-Driven Architecture

Vsevolod Ulyanovich — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:31:42 +0000

The world of technology is always changing, refining, and reaching new heights in software development. The Axon framework is a new word in technology, bringing with it a whole new philosophy and strategy for building apps.

It stands out as a powerful tool for building event-driven microservices with ease and efficiency. By embracing the principles of Domain-Driven Design (DDD), Command Query Responsibility Segregation (CQRS), and event sourcing, Axon empowers developers to create scalable, maintainable applications that respond seamlessly to changing business needs.

In this article, we explore the core features and benefits of the Axon framework, delving into its architecture, practical use cases, and how it can revolutionize your approach to modern application development.

About CQRS

Before we dive into what the Axon framework is, we need to understand some basics about CQRS and Event Sourcing.

Command Query Responsibility Segregation (CQRS) is a powerful architectural pattern that distinctly separates read (query) operations from write (command) operations, which allows devs to optimize each side independently, leading to improved performance and scalability.

In other words, the change it brings is the division of the conceptual model into two separate models:

● Command Model — intended for updating;

● Query Model — intended for displaying the information.

In a traditional CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) approach, the same model is often used for both reading and writing data, which can lead to complexities and inefficiencies as the application grows. With CQRS, the read side and the write side can evolve independently, allowing for tailored data models and storage solutions. This flexibility makes it easier to implement features like event sourcing, where changes to the application’s state are captured as a sequence of events.

Additionally, CQRS aligns well with microservices architecture, enabling teams to develop and deploy services independently. By employing CQRS within the Axon, developers can leverage its built-in support for handling commands and queries, ensuring a robust application that is capable of scaling effectively in response to varying workloads.

📌 Right now you can get a free consultation on your project if you contact our engineers. We will help you plan the project budget correctly.

About Event Sourcing

Now, let’s move on to event sourcing — what is it?

Event Sourcing is an innovative architectural pattern that focuses on capturing and storing the state changes of an application as a sequence of events, rather than merely storing the current state of data.

In an event-sourced application, every change to the app’s state is represented as an immutable event. In other words, these events are stored in an event store, serving as the primary source of truth for the application’s state. When reconstructing the current state, the application replays these events in the order they occurred, ensuring that the historical context is preserved.

In contrast to traditional database models, where data is updated directly, event sourcing retains the complete history of changes, allowing for greater transparency and traceability in the system. This not only provides a reliable audit trail but also enables features like time travel, allowing developers to investigate the state of the application at any point in its history.

Event sourcing complements CQRS effectively, as it allows the write side (commands) to emit events that are then consumed by the read side (queries). This decoupling of read and write operations improves the scalability and performance of the app, as each side can be optimized independently.

Moreover, by using the Axon framework’s built-in support for event sourcing, developers can easily implement robust architectures that accommodate complex business requirements.

Components of Axon Framework

This innovative framework offers a comprehensive suite of components designed to facilitate the development of event-driven applications. Each component plays a crucial role in enabling the principles of CQRS and event sourcing, fostering a structured approach to managing application complexity. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

Axon Framework (Core)

The core of the framework provides the foundational building blocks for developing event-driven applications. It includes essential libraries and tools that simplify the implementation of CQRS and event sourcing, allowing developers to focus on business logic without getting bogged down in infrastructure concerns.

Axon Server

Axon Server is a dedicated server designed to manage the storage and retrieval of events, commands, and queries. It serves as a centralized hub for event storage, providing features such as event replay, monitoring, and distributed event handling. Axon Server enhances scalability and performance, allowing applications to handle high-throughput workloads with ease.

Domain Model Components

In Axon, domain model components encapsulate the core business logic and rules. They consist of aggregates, entities, and value objects that collectively represent the state and behavior of the application domain. This modular design promotes a clear separation of concerns and facilitates easier testing and maintenance.

Commands

Commands are messages that represent requests for state changes in the application. They encapsulate user intentions and are dispatched to command handlers for processing. In Axon, commands are immutable, ensuring that the requested changes are clear and explicit, thereby preventing unintended side effects.

Events

Events are immutable messages that capture state changes that have occurred within the system. Once an event is published, it signifies that something significant has happened, allowing other components to react accordingly. Events serve as the primary mechanism for communication between aggregates, command handlers, and event handlers in an event-driven architecture.

Aggregates

Aggregates are the central building blocks of the domain model, representing a cluster of domain objects that are treated as a single unit for data changes. They encapsulate the business logic and ensure that invariants are maintained. Aggregates respond to commands and generate events that reflect state changes, helping to maintain consistency within the application.

🔥 Need a Project Estimation?
Let’s calculate the price of your project with Fively.
👉 Estimate a project

Command Handlers

Command handlers are responsible for processing incoming commands and executing the associated business logic. They receive commands, validate them, and invoke methods on aggregates to perform state changes. In Axon, command handlers are designed to be simple and focused, promoting a clean separation of concerns.

Event Handlers

Event handlers react to published events and execute logic in response to state changes. They can be used to update projections, trigger notifications, or initiate further processing. Axon allows for flexible event handling, enabling multiple handlers to listen to the same event and respond accordingly.

Query Handlers

Query handlers are responsible for processing read requests and returning data to clients. They operate on projections, which are read-optimized views of the application’s data. By decoupling read and write operations, query handlers can be optimized for performance, ensuring quick access to relevant information.

Sagas

Sagas are long-running business processes that span multiple aggregates and may require coordination between them. They manage the state and behavior of complex workflows, handling events and commands as necessary to ensure that the process progresses smoothly. Sagas help maintain consistency across different parts of the system while allowing for eventual consistency in distributed architectures.

All of the Axon framework components work together harmoniously to provide a robust and scalable infrastructure for building event-driven applications.

Infrastructure Components

In addition to the core domain model components, Axon includes several infrastructure components that facilitate communication and coordination within an event-driven architecture. These components ensure that commands, events, and queries are handled efficiently, enabling a seamless flow of information throughout the system. Here’s an overview of the key infrastructure components:

Command Buses

The command bus is a critical component responsible for dispatching commands to the appropriate command handlers. It acts as a mediator, ensuring that commands are routed correctly based on their type and intent.

The command bus supports both synchronous and asynchronous processing, allowing for flexible handling of command requests. By decoupling the sending of commands from their execution, the command bus enables better scalability and fault tolerance in the system.

Event Buses

The event bus plays a vital role in the Axon framework by facilitating the publication and subscription of events. When an event is generated, it is dispatched through the event bus, which notifies all registered event handlers that are interested in that specific event type. This decoupling of event producers from consumers allows for a flexible and extensible architecture, enabling multiple components to react to events independently.

The event bus also supports various delivery mechanisms, ensuring that events are delivered reliably to subscribers.

Query Bus

The query bus is responsible for handling read requests and routing them to the appropriate query handlers. Similar to the command bus, it provides a layer of abstraction that decouples the query logic from the components that request data. By utilizing the query bus, applications can optimize read operations separately from write operations, enhancing performance and scalability. The query bus allows for various querying strategies, enabling developers to design efficient and responsive data retrieval mechanisms.

The infrastructure components of the Axon form the backbone of an event-driven architecture. They facilitate the efficient handling of commands, events, and queries, enabling developers to build scalable and maintainable applications that respond effectively to changing business requirements.

📌 Right now you can get a free consultation on your project if you contact our engineers. We will help you plan the project budget correctly.

Advantages of Using Axon Framework

Axon offers numerous advantages for developers looking to build event-driven applications, particularly in complex domains. Here’s a closer look at these key benefits:

Scalability

One of the primary advantages of this framework is its ability to scale effortlessly. By separating read and write operations through CQRS and utilizing event sourcing, applications can be designed to handle varying workloads efficiently. Axon Server provides a centralized event storage solution that can manage large volumes of events, enabling systems to scale horizontally as demand grows. This architecture allows teams to allocate resources dynamically, ensuring that applications can maintain performance under high-traffic conditions.

Flexibility

It promotes flexibility by decoupling different components of the application, such as commands, events, and queries. This separation allows developers to modify, replace, or extend individual parts of the system without affecting the overall architecture. The use of Sagas further enhances flexibility by enabling complex workflows to be managed independently. As business requirements evolve, teams can adapt their applications more easily, facilitating continuous improvement and innovation.

Auditability

With event sourcing as a core principle, Axon inherently supports auditability. Every state change is captured as an event, providing a complete history of changes made within the application. This historical record allows teams to track the evolution of the application state over time, making it easier to investigate issues, ensure compliance, and perform audits. The ability to replay events also allows for powerful debugging and testing scenarios, enhancing the overall reliability of the application.

Consistency

It ensures consistency in applications through its use of aggregates and command handling. By encapsulating business logic within aggregates, the framework maintains invariants and consistency across state changes. Additionally, the use of event sourcing and the event bus ensures that all components react to events in a coordinated manner, reducing the likelihood of data inconsistencies. Axon’s architecture supports eventual consistency, allowing applications to achieve reliable state synchronization across distributed systems.

Challenges

While the Axon framework offers numerous benefits for developing event-driven applications, it also presents certain challenges that developers should be aware of. Understanding these challenges can help teams prepare and implement best practices to mitigate potential issues:

Complexity

The architecture of this framework can introduce additional complexity compared to traditional CRUD applications. Concepts such as CQRS, event sourcing, and Sagas require a deeper understanding of event-driven design patterns, which may not be familiar to all developers. This complexity can lead to longer onboarding times for new team members and increased development overhead as teams navigate the intricacies of the framework.

Additionally, debugging and testing such systems can be more challenging due to the asynchronous nature of command and event processing.

Insufficient Attention to Event Modeling

Effective event modeling is crucial for leveraging the full potential of this framework. Developers must carefully design event schemas that accurately represent domain changes and capture the necessary context for consumers. Failing to invest sufficient time and effort in event modeling can lead to poorly defined events, resulting in confusion and potential inconsistencies within the application.

It’s essential for teams to prioritize event design and establish clear guidelines for creating and managing events throughout the development process.

Ignoring Event Serialization+

Event serialization is a critical aspect of such architectures, as it determines how events are stored and transmitted between components. Neglecting proper serialization techniques can lead to issues such as data loss, compatibility problems, and performance bottlenecks.

It’s essential for developers to choose suitable serialization formats and libraries that align with the requirements of their applications. Additionally, maintaining backward compatibility for event schemas becomes increasingly important as applications evolve over time, necessitating careful planning and management of serialization strategies.

As you can see, while Axon provides powerful tools for building event-driven applications, it also introduces challenges that teams must address. By recognizing the complexities, prioritizing event modeling, and paying attention to serialization, developers can successfully navigate these challenges and fully harness the benefits of the Axon.

Use Cases of Axon Framework

This framework is versatile and can be applied across various domains and architectures, making it a valuable asset for developers. Organizations in various industries, including finance, healthcare, and logistics, leverage it to develop systems that demand high reliability and scalability.

Here are some prominent use cases where the Axon Framework excels:

Building Applications

The use of thie tool streamlines application development by offering a rich set of annotations and APIs that simplify the definition of command handlers, event handlers, and aggregates. This structure allows developers to implement business logic more effectively while focusing on the core functionality of their applications.

The framework supports both synchronous and asynchronous processing of commands and events, enabling teams to choose the most suitable approach for their specific use cases.

Microservices Architectures

It is particularly advantageous for microservices architectures, where services are often distributed and need to communicate efficiently. By promoting the decoupling of services through event-driven communication, Axon enables services to evolve independently without tight coupling. This flexibility allows teams to deploy, scale, and maintain services autonomously, enhancing overall system resilience.

Additionally, the use of CQRS and event sourcing within Axon facilitates better management of data and business logic across distributed systems, ensuring that each service can respond to changes in real time.

🔥 Need a Project Estimation?
Let’s calculate the price of your project with Fively.
👉 Estimate a project

Event-Driven Systems

Axon is ideal for applications that require complex architectures, enabling businesses to react to changes in real time. By capturing and processing events as they occur, organizations can build systems that provide immediate feedback and updates to users.

This capability is particularly valuable in scenarios such as monitoring IoT devices, managing e-commerce transactions and facilitating real-time analytics, where timely data processing is essential for decision-making.

Complex Business Workflows

For organizations with intricate business rules and workflows, the Axon Framework provides the tools needed to model and manage complex processes. Sagas enable coordination across multiple aggregates and services, allowing for seamless management of long-running transactions.

For instance, in the finance sector, Axon can be used to implement systems that require complex transaction processing, ensuring data consistency and compliance with regulations.

In healthcare, it can help manage patient records and workflows, where maintaining accurate data and responding swiftly to changes is critical. Similarly, logistics companies can utilize Axon to streamline supply chain processes, track shipments, and manage inventory levels, ensuring operational efficiency and responsiveness to market dynamics.

This capability is crucial for applications where consistency must be maintained across various business processes, such as order fulfillment, customer onboarding, and regulatory compliance.

Wrapping Up

The Axon framework is a powerful tool that can be applied in a variety of contexts, from building standard applications to complex microservices architectures. Its strengths in handling event-driven systems and supporting intricate business workflows make it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to enhance reliability, scalability, and responsiveness in their software solutions.

By embracing core principles such as CQRS and event sourcing, Axon empowers developers to decouple their systems, streamline application development, and enhance data consistency. While challenges like complexity and event modeling exist, the framework’s benefits far outweigh these hurdles, providing a robust foundation for organizations across various industries.

As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of modern software development, adopting the Axon framework can pave the way for more efficient, resilient, and responsive applications, ultimately driving success in an increasingly competitive landscape.

✨ This is the end of my explanation of Axon framework. Did you find it useful? Feel free to share your thoughts and contact us in case you have any questions or need professional Axon development and support.

Securing the Digital Frontier: Top 10 Web App Vulnerabilities and How to Fix Them

Vsevolod Ulyanovich — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 12:16:23 +0000

Explore the top 10 web application vulnerabilities and learn practical mitigation strategies by Fively specialists to enhance your app security and protect your digital assets.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, web applications have become central to business operations, serving as gateways to invaluable data and services. However, this prominence also makes them prime targets for cyber-attacks.

To assist organizations in understanding and securing apps against common threats, the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), an online community, developed the OWASP Top 10. This list serves as a crucial awareness document for developers and professionals in web application security, encapsulating a broad consensus on the most significant security risks that applications face today.

Today, let’s delve with our highly experienced full-stack engineer Aryna Tanana into the top 10 web application vulnerabilities as identified by security researchers and industry standards like the OWASP Top 10. We will explore each vulnerability in detail, examining its potential impact, and most importantly, practical strategies to mitigate these risks. By equipping yourself with this knowledge, you can enhance the security posture of your applications and protect your organization from the dire consequences of a security breach.

🔥 Need a Project Estimation?

Let’s calculate the price of your project with Fively.

👉 Estimate a project

1. Broken Access Control

Broken access control occurs when an application does not properly enforce restrictions on what authenticated users are allowed to do. Users may be able to access parts of the system that they should not have access to, or perform actions outside of their permitted scope. This could happen due to misconfigurations, flawed logic in access control implementations, or the failure to consistently apply security controls across an application.

Examples include allowing users to modify or view data belonging to other users, accessing sensitive files directly through predictable resource locations, or performing actions without proper authentication.

How to fix it: To prevent broken access control, it is essential to implement robust authentication and authorization controls that adhere to the principle of least privilege. A role-based access model can be highly effective, where access permissions are granted according to the user’s role within the organization. Access should be denied by default, and only allowed when explicitly granted. This ensures that unless a resource is intended to be publicly accessible, it remains secure from unauthorized access. Additionally, routinely review and update access controls to adapt to new security threats or changes in the organization.

2. Sensitive Data Exposure

Sensitive data exposure is another frequent vulnerability, it occurs when an application inadvertently exposes personal data, financial data, or other sensitive information due to inadequate security controls. This can happen in various ways, such as transmitting data in plain text over the internet, storing sensitive information without proper encryption, or failing to properly mask data in user interfaces.

Web applications that do not implement sufficient encryption measures for data at rest and in transit or that expose sensitive information in URLs, logs, or error messages are particularly vulnerable.

How to fix it: To mitigate the risk of sensitive data exposure, begin by ensuring that sensitive data such as passwords, credit card details, or personal information are not stored unnecessarily. If storage is unavoidable, such data should be stored in encrypted forms, using strong, industry-standard cryptographic protocols. Avoid placing files containing sensitive data in application publish directories where they might be easily accessible.

Additionally, ensure that sensitive data is not disclosed during the use of application functions unless absolutely necessary for the function to operate. Implement strong access controls and regularly audit data access logs to detect and respond to unauthorized data access attempts.

📌 Right now you can get a free consultation on your project if you contact our engineers. We will help you plan the project budget correctly. 🔥👨‍💻😎

3. SQL Injection

Most high-risk vulnerabilities in 2021–2023 were associated with SQL Injection. SQL Injection is a critical vulnerability that arises when an attacker is able to manipulate SQL queries by injecting malicious SQL code into them. This typically occurs through user input fields such as search boxes, login forms, or URL parameters that directly interact with the database.

Vulnerabilities of this type can lead to theft of sensitive information or remote code execution. When the application fails to sanitize and validate user inputs before incorporating them into SQL statements, it allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, which can lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, and even full database control.

How to fix it: To effectively mitigate SQL Injection vulnerabilities, always use parameterized queries or prepared statements instead of dynamically constructing SQL queries with user input. Parameterized queries ensure that user inputs are treated strictly as data, not executable code, which prevents attackers from altering the SQL query’s logic. In environments where parameterized queries cannot be implemented, ensure rigorous input validation and sanitization to eliminate any characters or patterns that could alter SQL execution.

Additionally, adopt the principle of least privilege by restricting database permissions and access rights to only what is necessary for the application to function. Implementing these measures significantly reduces the risk of SQL injection attacks.

4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-Site Scripting, commonly known as XSS, occurs when attackers inject malicious scripts into content that other users see. This can happen when an application takes untrusted data and sends it to a web browser without proper validation or escaping. XSS allows attackers to execute scripts in the victim’s browser, which can hijack user sessions, deface websites, or redirect the user to malicious sites.

Possible Mitigation: To prevent XSS attacks, it is crucial to sanitize all user input by encoding or escaping HTML, JavaScript, and CSS outputs. This involves replacing potentially dangerous characters with their safe equivalents — for example, transforming characters like <, >, “, ‘, and & into HTML entities like ‘<’, ‘>’, ‘"’, ‘'’, and ‘&’.

This process should be applied to any data received from external sources, including data displayed in the browser and data contained in HTTP headers like User-Agent and Referer. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of XSS by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regularly updating and auditing web applications for XSS vulnerabilities in both new and existing code is also essential.

5. Broken Authentication

Although almost half of the vulnerabilities in this category usually carry a medium risk level, and there are also high-risk ones as well, allowing access to the app on behalf of the customers’ clients.

Broken authentication typically occurs when security measures related to authentication and session management are implemented incorrectly, allowing attackers to compromise passwords, keys, or session tokens. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to multiple users’ accounts or even the entire system. Common issues include poorly protected credentials, predictable login credentials, session IDs exposed in URLs, and improperly managed session lifetimes.

Possible Mitigation: To mitigate broken authentication vulnerabilities, ensure that all authentication data undergoes strict validation procedures. It is critical to verify the signatures of tokens and session IDs to confirm their authenticity and integrity. Use high-entropy secrets for authentication processes such as encryption keys and signatures, and ensure these secrets are unique to each instance and not hardcoded into application code.

Furthermore, store secrets securely using dedicated secure storage mechanisms rather than placing them within the application code where they can be easily accessed. Implementing multi-factor authentication can also significantly enhance security by adding an additional layer of protection beyond just passwords. Regularly review and update authentication methods to keep up with new security practices and potential threats.

🔥 Need a Project Estimation?

Let’s calculate the price of your project with Fively.

👉 Estimate a project

6. Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities

This vulnerability occurs when web applications use third-party components such as libraries, frameworks, and other software modules that have known security flaws. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities when they are not addressed by patches or updates, potentially leading to serious data breaches or server takeovers. Often, developers are not aware of the vulnerabilities within these components, or they fail to keep them updated due to compatibility issues or oversight.

How to fit it: To protect against the risks associated with using components with known vulnerabilities, it is essential to maintain a regular inventory of all third-party components used within your applications. Keep these components up to date by applying security patches and updates as they become available. Use components only from trusted sources and ensure they have undergone rigorous security testing before integration.

Additionally, disable or remove any components that are not necessary for the application’s functionality. This reduces the attack surface and helps prevent potential exploits. Implementing automated tools to track vulnerabilities and manage dependencies can also streamline this process and ensure greater security compliance.

7. Security Misconfiguration

Security misconfiguration is one of the most common application vulnerabilities, arising when security settings are not defined properly, are left incomplete, or are misconfigured. This can include misconfigured HTTP headers, verbose error messages containing sensitive information, unnecessary services running on the server, and default accounts with unchanged passwords.

Such configurations provide attackers with opportunities to exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access or retrieve confidential information.

How to fit it: To avoid security misconfigurations, always adhere to security best practices for system configurations. Automate the configuration process as much as possible to reduce human error and ensure consistency across deployments. This includes using secure templates and management tools that enforce security policies. Ensure that different credentials are used for development, test, and production environments to prevent crossover risks.

Additionally, regularly review and disable any unnecessary features, components, services, or pages that are not required for the application to function. Regular updates and patches should also be applied to all systems to protect against known vulnerabilities. Conducting periodic security audits can help identify and rectify misconfigurations before they can be exploited.

8. Insufficient Protection from Brute-Force Attacks

This is another common vulnerability. Brute-force attacks involve attackers using trial-and-error methods to guess login info, encryption keys, or find hidden web pages. This type of attack is particularly effective when applications do not implement adequate safeguards to deter multiple failed attempts. Web applications become vulnerable when they allow unlimited, rapid-fire login attempts, which can eventually lead to unauthorized access.

Possible Mitigation: To protect against brute-force attacks, implement several layers of defense. First, consider integrating CAPTCHA challenges on login pages and after several failed authentication attempts to complicate automated login attempts by bots.

Additionally, employ prevention controls such as Web Application Firewalls (WAF) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) that can detect and block suspicious activities. These systems can be configured to recognize patterns typical of brute-force attacks, such as rapid succession login attempts or simultaneous logins from different accounts originating from the same IP address.

Furthermore, enforce account lockout policies where consecutive failed login attempts result in a temporary account lock to further hinder brute-force attempts. Regularly updating and fine-tuning these security measures will help maintain robust protection as attack strategies evolve.

9. Weak User Password

Weak user passwords are a common vulnerability that often results from inadequate password policies. When applications allow users to create simple, easily guessable passwords, it significantly lowers the barrier for attackers to gain unauthorized access through brute force or dictionary attacks. Common weak passwords include simple strings like “password,” “123456,” or even predictable combinations of names and dates.

Possible Mitigation: To combat the issue of weak user passwords, implement robust password policies that require users to create strong, complex passwords. Passwords should be a minimum length — typically 12 to 16 characters — and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Enforce password changes at regular intervals and prevent the reuse of previous passwords to continuously refresh access security.

Additionally, educate users about the importance of using strong passwords and the risks associated with weak ones. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) as an extra layer of security, which requires users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access, making it much harder for attackers to breach accounts even if they compromise a password. Utilize password strength meters during account creation or password updates to provide real-time feedback to users about the strength of their passwords.

10. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) occurs when an attacker manipulates a server into making an unexpected network request to a third-party server or resource. This vulnerability exploits the trust that a server has in the user’s browser, potentially allowing attackers to bypass firewalls, access private internal networks, and retrieve or manipulate sensitive data. SSRF is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to send requests from the server, which might have special access privileges or visibility that external devices do not.

Possible Mitigation: To mitigate SSRF vulnerabilities, start by implementing strict validation rules for incoming requests, particularly those that can cause the server to fetch data from external sources. Set up an allowlist of approved resources and ensure that the server only makes requests to services on this list. Reject any request that contains complete URLs or unauthorized domains. Additionally, configure your server’s firewall to block outgoing requests to untrusted services or those that do not meet specific criteria. Regularly update and audit your allowlists and firewall settings to adapt to new security developments and potential threat vectors. Applying these preventive measures helps shield your infrastructure from SSRF attacks by controlling what your servers can request and access.

Protecting Web Applications Against Vulnerabilities

Ensuring the security of web applications is a critical challenge but an essential responsibility for developers and administrators. By understanding and addressing the core app vulnerabilities, organizations can significantly enhance their defense mechanisms against cyber threats.

Here’s a consolidated list of mitigation strategies compiled by our specialists to help secure your applications:

Implement Role-Based Access Controls: Enforce strict authentication and authorization measures based on user roles to manage access to sensitive data and functionalities;
Encrypt Sensitive Data: Protect data in transit and at rest by implementing strong encryption protocols and ensuring secure storage practices;
Use Parameterized Queries: Prevent SQL Injection by using parameterized queries that separate SQL logic from data inputs;
Sanitize Input Data: Protect against XSS and other injection flaws by sanitizing user inputs and validating data before processing;
Regularly Update Components: Keep all software components updated to protect against vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and frameworks;
Enforce Secure Configuration: Apply security best practices in system configurations, disable unused features, and ensure minimal privileges for system operations;
Limit Login Attempts: Implement account lockout policies and CAPTCHAs to defend against brute-force attacks;
Strengthen Password Policies: Require complex passwords, enforce regular password changes, and educate users about secure password practices;
Utilize Allowlists: Restrict server requests to known, safe entities to prevent SSRF and reduce exposure to unauthorized external resources;
Configure Firewalls and Filters: Set up firewalls and network filters to control incoming and outgoing network traffic and block malicious requests.

By adopting these practices, organizations can build robust defenses against the most common and damaging web application vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and continuous monitoring are also crucial to adapt to evolving threats and maintain a secure app environment.

✨ Also, please remember that here at Fively, we take security in the first place.

🔹 We’re always here to ensure your web app security is doubtless. Feel free to contact us in case if you have any questions or need help, and stay tuned for more articles like this!

What books are on the bookshelf in our office? Part 1

Vsevolod Ulyanovich — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 13:16:33 +0000

When we began to notice that there was not enough space for new desks, while fresh employees were appearing one by one, we realized: it was time to expand our habitat. And after that, a few months ago, we moved to another office. The new premises are much more spacious: not like the headquarters of large corporations, but a match for the expanding company.

And what a surprise, - the lounge area has also become roomy. The good old sofa, a PlayStation and a telly looked pretty lonely there. It was necessary to enrich the empty space with something else. There were several options, but without hesitation, we decided to buy a couple of shelves: primarily for books.

The lounge area is now not only an arena for couch tournaments in fighting games and a quiet spot for those who want to recharge the batteries but also a small office library.

But this was all a short background. In this post, I want to talk about some of the books that are already on our shelf. So far, there are not many of them (let's call this the demo version of the library). The reason for this is not only the recent move but also the lack of readers - the overwhelming majority of my colleagues are in no hurry to return to the office. On their part, this is a fairly reasonable decision and the guys can only be praised for such a responsible attitude to the health of others.

So today, let's take a closer look at two books.

“Our Robots, Ourselves: Robotics and the Myths of Autonomy”

The author of this book is David A. Mindell, a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Dibner Professor of the History of Engineering and Manufacturing at MIT - in other words, an extremely respected engineer whose opinion you can safely trust. The scientific interest of the author is extremely wide and extends from aviation and space flights to deep ocean robotics. In general, the writer has devoted more than 20 years to research in the field of robotics, and therefore he has a lot of amazing things to tell his readers.

The book itself is focused on robots, their types and stories about how these machines are used by people in extreme conditions and in everyday life. The author does not ignore the question of how robotics will develop in future and how dangerous such a neighbourhood with smart mechanisms may be for humans. (Spoiler alert: it is unlikely that a robot will take your workplace in the near future, and you definitely should not be afraid of the rise of the machines)

“Our Robots, Ourselves: Robotics and the Myths of Autonomy” will be of interest to people curious about technology. The book is written in a simple manner and it is not difficult to read it from cover to cover. If you know robots only from science fiction, then by all means pay attention to this book. Our high-tech future will probably be a little different from what you might imagine it to be.

“Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction, Second Edition”

And here is the real bestseller, the legendary book and the most popular title in our office. Steve McConnell is the author of this great, programming guide. The writer also has solid experience in software development for gigantic companies such as Microsoft and Boeing.

On each page of this encyclopedia-like book (it’s about 1000 pages!!!), you will find many pragmatic tips for software engineering. For many developers, regardless of their level of competence, it is the book that has become the one they can't do without.

This handbook for programmers consists of 35 chapters and a subject index, but most importantly, it has references to all the sources mentioned, so that you could always check them on your own in case of need.

Truly, this is a book that you can open on any page and always learn something new. Despite the fact that the book is quite old-school, it is still an absolute must-have. What else could we say about the classics?

This is the first part of our bookshelf review. In the following parts, I will touch on other books on the bookshelf in our office.

What kind of literature is in your bookcases? Maybe you know some hidden gems?

Leave your comments under this post, I will gladly read them.

And please click a like button if it was interesting to read this post.

P. S.

Probably some of you will have a question: guys, why do you need paper books? After all, digital copies are much more convenient and cheaper.

Our Answer: Printed books have their own charm, they are easier to share, they can be put on the shelf.

And the most important point: a paper book is a great excuse to take your eyes off the monitor.