107.  Java Development for Secure Systems

Rev. 5.0

 

This course is now available directly from our partner, Capstone Courseware.

This course exposes students to the broad range of challenges and techniques that is "Java security." As there is not one security problem for Java applications and components, but many, so there are many diverse solutions, found in various places in the Java architecture. This course starts with basic concepts of code security -- access controllers, permissions, and policies -- and good secure-coding practices. It introduces key and certificate management and code signing, and takes students through exercises in basic cryptography skills using the appropriate Java APIs; but then the heavy focus is on the Java Authentication and Authorization Service, or JAAS, and its increasing role in J2EE security.

 

The course emphasizes hands-on exercise, and students will spend more than half of their classroom time solving specific security problems. Most labs are organized as scenarios in which a security breach of existing software is possible - students begin by hacking the system in some way. Then the work of the lab is to tighten up the software to eliminate the threat: set a secure policy, sign a file, clean up overexposed parts of an API, require user login, etc.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

·         Understand how the Java language and standard-platform architecture solve many low-level security problems for all Java code.

·         Design and implement security policies for Java applications, servers, and components.

·         Manage keys and certificates for a Java application, and sign code sources as necessary.

·         Practice secure design and coding, and balance usability with security in UI and API.

·         Sign and verify application data and messages using the JCA, and encrypt/decrypt using the JCE.

·         Incorporate JAAS authentication into an application.

·         Implement a JAAS LoginModule to connect to your own application data.

·         Secure J2EE applications by URL and role, and integrate JAAS authentication.

 

Course Duration:  3 days

 

Prerequisites: 

·         Solid Java programming experience is assumed - both structured and object-oriented techniques. Course 103 is excellent preparation for this course.

·         Some knowledge of J2EE architecture and development is also required, though extensive practical experience with J2EE development is not strictly necessary. Our Course 108 offers a one-day overview of J2EE development, including architecture and working examples..

 

1. J2SE Security

Holistic Security Practices

Threats to the User

Protections in the Java Language

The Class Loader and Bytecode Verifier

System Classes and the Core API

SecurityManager and AccessController

Permissions

Implication

CodeSources

Policies

Configuring J2SE Security

Dynamic Policies

Privileged Actions

 

2. Code Signature and Key Management

Encryption and Digital Signature

Keystores

Keys and Certificates

Certificate Authorities

The KeyStore API

Signing JARs

Signed CodeSources

Additional Policy Semantics

 

3. Secure Development Practices

Threats to the Code

Presentation-Tier Vulnerabilities

MVC and Security

Validating User Input

Injection Attacks

Business-Tier Vulnerabilities

Final Classes and Methods

Inner Classes and Objects

Singletons, Factories, and Flyweights

Methods, Collections, and Data Hiding

Sealing JARs

Code Obfuscation

Logging and Auditing

Object Serialization

 

4. Cryptography

Threats to Identity and Privacy

The Java Cryptography Extensions

The Signature Class

SignedObjects

The Java Cryptography Extensions

SecretKeys and KeyGenerator

The Cipher Class

Dangerous Practices

HTTP and JSSE

 

5. JAAS

Pluggable Authentication Logic

JAAS

Packages and Interfaces

Subjects and Principals

ANDs and ORs

Impersonation Methods

Permissions for JAAS Use

LoginContext and LoginModule

Configuring JAAS

CallbackHandler and Callbacks

Implementing a JAAS Client

Implementing a LoginModule

 

6.      J2EE Security

Threats for Enterprise Software

J2EE Servers as Code Hosts

Tomcat Security Configuration

Securing URLs

Declaring Roles

Securing EJBs

Programmatic Security

JAAS in J2EE

Realms and LoginModules

JAAS in Tomcat

Certifying a J2EE Application

HTTPS Configuration

 

Appendix A.  Learning Resources

 

System Requirements

 

Hardware – minimal:                     500 MHz, 256 meg RAM, 500 meg disk space

 

Hardware – recommended:           1.5 GHz, 512 meg RAM, 1 gig disk space

 

Operating system:                          Tested on Windows XP Professional. Course software should be viable on all systems which support a J2SE 5.0 JDK.

 

Software:                                       All free downloadable tools.