What is the IDE and What Are the 7 Key Considerations for Implementing Security?

With data breaches an almost daily occurrence, few would argue that hackers have anything but the upper hand. With time on their side, they can seemingly research, pick, and choose targets at will. Moreover, with the rapidity of change and with organizations faced with a seemingly gargantuan task of just staying abreast, let alone forging ahead, it’s an unenviable predicament. Indeed, one simple glance at the latest breach-driven hyperbolic headline might lead you to believe that organizations have long since given up and have meekly resigned themselves to an ever-lengthening queue of businesses shuffling along until it’s their turn to hit the news and to read of their own organization’s downfall. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Notwithstanding that no CIO, CISO, or developer worth their salt would ever consider adopting such a reactive stance, there are actions and measures that can be taken to not only reduce overall risk but also to enhance security and thwart any would-be attacker. It’s not enough to only secure part of your development pipeline. You need to secure it in its entirety. Security starts with the code and your Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and, as we will show in this post, it’s vital that you secure and protect it.

What is an Integrated Development Environment and why do we need it?

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is an application(s)that is used to develop other apps. An IDE simplifies and manages the development/creation process, helps link source and other code, and enables the automation of repetitive tasks. Typically, the IDE’s single, central interface contains all the tools that a developer needs to code, create/compile, test, and deliver apps.

In its simplest form an IDE facilitates:

• Writing code in the specified computer language (or languages).
• Compiling code in a form than can then be executed on any suitable machine (normally the developer’s machine)
• Debugging code.

Though single, standardized, out of the box Integrated Development Environments are available (we look at several, below), customizable IDE’s that can be configured to enhance a developer’s own workflow can increase efficiency. In such cases, the IDE acts like a dashboard or hub in that it centralizes and presents otherwise individual or disparate tools and apps to make working with source code easier. (In such cases, it’s akin to having your own customizable visual studio.) Before IDE’s, developers had to cobble together, and configure, a variety of tools.

What tools does an IDE have?

An Integrated Development Environment is usually customizable, and tools can be added or removed based on the requirements of the particular environment, task, or job.

Note: though there is typically some leeway allowed with customized IDEs, experience shows that having a standard toolset can both simplify and standardize builds and makes fault-finding and error tracking easier.

The actual tools required will depend on the business goal and purpose, but some of the more commonly deployed, or standard, tools include a code editor, code analysis, syntax highlighter, compiler, etc. We touch on these briefly below:

Code Editor

Text editors keep everything centralized and help avoid many typos and other user errors. Some text editors also permit you to save, compile, and run the process/program directly from the command prompt. The ability to automate the components making up your developer workflow is guaranteed to improve efficiency.

Code analysis

We use static analysis and dynamic analysis to analyze source code. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but they quickly find code weaknesses. Effective analysis ensures quicker turn around and aids developers in not only adopting best coding practices, but also elevating and improving the output quality of their organizational development environment.

Syntax highlighting

The ability to highlight different types of text, variables, comments, etc., provides major help when developing. Drawing attention to color differences in source code makes it far easier to distinguish between components such as variables, syntactical elements, and parameters. When human-error creeps into the development process, as it will, locating and fixing them is so much easier.

Vulnerability management

Vulnerability management through real-time threat intelligence, analysis, and correlation helps find, prioritize, and notify any critical code security vulnerability. Such security vulnerabilities can occur across all dependencies, containers, and even as far as misconfiguration across different devices, operating systems, and apps across your entire software dev environment.

Compilers

A software compiler’s main function is to analyze source code written in 1 or many programming languages (such as C#, C++, Java, etc.) and to then convert it into a format that the host system can execute. While doing so, compilers can save time by performing functions like error detection, enhance code optimization to improve performance, etc.

Debugger

When programming code in your text editor, syntax or logical errors are going to creep in (human error is unavoidable). The problem is that many errors will not only remain hidden but also when you test the code, nothing will happen, there’ll be no notifications, warnings, or indications about the problem. This makes finding errors difficult, let alone diagnosing and fixing them. This is what debuggers do. They make diagnosing, locating, and correcting bugs/scripts much more efficient.

Build automation tools

These tools simplify project or code delivery. As projects grow in size, so does the complexity. Build automation is a key factor in ensuring timely builds, consistency, adherence to requirements, quality control, accurate security testing, etc. All of which offer significant benefits.

What are the benefits of an IDE?

Other benefits include:

• Increasing developer productivity — speed is important but never in compromise of quality. Faster setup and deployment, plus an easy to use and a familiar workflow all helps with improving efficiency.
• Automating development tasks — assists developers in multiple areas but particularly with mundane and time-consuming tasks (including security-related software tasks) such as security testing, identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, etc.
• Enhancing visibility – leads to fewer distractions, improved focus, a proficient skill set, and optimum developer performance.
• Minimizing resources – streamlined workflows allow you to only use necessary resources and tools. The added flexibility they provide, allows many organizations to discard unnecessary tools, resources, and applications.
• Supporting multiple languages – some IDEs support only one language. However, many support multiple languages. For example, Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code supports almost every major programming language including Java, Python, JavaScript, C++, and web languages such as HTML and CSS.
• Improving security – the essence of what we need to do. We cover this, plus more, starting with the section on IDE Security, below.

Taking into account the options available, the benefits, and the flexibility of multi-platform choice: Cloud IDEs (or cloud-based IDEs), web-based IDEs, etc., how do you choose?

How to choose your IDE

There is no one size fits all and, ultimately, it comes down to the needs of your organization. However, several questions that you will need to ask (and answer) include:

• What are the business and user requirements? (These underpin everything.)
• Are infrastructure changes required (Are existing systems sufficient?)
• What type of IDE (cloud, on-premises, web, etc.)?
• Minimal essential features required (plus how these map to requirements, including certain languages and restrictions, how tight does the integrated need to be, etc.)
• What environments are required (cloud-based IDE/web/on-premise/hybrid/other IDEs; will extra plugins be needed?)
• How intuitive is it? (Will developers need specific training needed or has it already been developed/created?)
• Application security (who requires access, how is application security implemented, has security testing been done on other applications, etc.?)

Other tools and considerations (including is mobile development required, how it maps to your existing workflow/process, etc.)

Naturally, these are just some of the considerations for selecting the right IDE Fortunately, there are several out of the box IDEs readily available.

List of popular IDE tools/platforms

The following are popular tools. Each has different functionality, languages, and purpose. Naturally, do your own research and due diligence.

• Visual Studio Code (aka VS Code or VSC) – VSC is a feature rich, Microsoft cross-platform open-source IDE for Windows, Linux and macOS. Functions include debugging and highlighting tools, intelligent code completion, snippets, code refactoring, built-in Git, etc.
• IntelliJ IDEA – is an OSS platform for building IDEs and other developer tools . IntelliJ offers a solid, cross-platform approach to building tools for any language.
• PyCharm – is a feature-rich Python IDE that supports various template and programming languages such as CoffeeScript, TypeScript, Python, SQL, HTML or CSS, etc.
• Xcode – is Apple’s IDE. Xcode provides development tools for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, TV, etc.
• PhpStorm – is a cross-platform IDE for PHP. PhpStorm comes with an editor for PHP, HTML, and JavaScript, and provides code analysis, error prevention, and a variety of other development tools and features (It also supports java).

Having looked at IDEs, their purpose, benefits, and what commercially available tools there are, it’s time to understand what security issues exist and why it’s critical you are aware of and address them

IDE security (and why security must start with code)

Security needs to be an integral part of your Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) end-to-end build process. If you’re familiar with the term Shift-left, this means shifting left as far as you can AND keep going until you can’t shift left anymore.

“But surely our code’s safe?”

Sadly, no, it’s not.

In 2021, David Dworken, a Google security researcher, discovered over 30 vulnerabilities in various IDEs. As part of his findings, he proved and gave 2 examples where “simply loading code into an IDE can cause an infection”:

In the first example, a North Korean researcher was sent an infected code package where the malicious code ran as soon as it was loaded into the IDE, i.e., the developer didn’t even run it.

The second example relates to Visual Studio Code’s Python module. That module contains a feature called Flate8. They discovered that they could execute malicious code by simply modifying the Flate8 path to a same folder executable and then viewing the project that calls Flate8.

Common IDE Security Vulnerabilities

If an attacker compromises your development environment, they obtain at least the same permissions and access rights as the developer. Naturally, they expand from there and can do untold, irreparable damage. It needs to be avoided at all costs.

Other common cloud security problems and loopholes to be aware of include:

• Unauthorized access to applications, their functionality, or data – linked devices and Virtual Machines are often insecure, overlooked, and vulnerable.
• Misconfigured application services – can be compromised allowing the attacker to introduce malicious code, doctored plugins, other threats, etc.
• Inadequate encryption and ineffective Identity Access Management (IAM) – compromising user accounts–especially Privileged accounts–is a frequent entry point. Organizations must take a holistic approach to security, IAM, and their overall security posture.
• Data leakage via insecure APIs or other infrastructure endpoints – it’s critical to secure all data, including data in transit, in use, or at rest.
• Poor resource management – this can lead to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, malware, tool compromises, etc.

7 Recommend Security Practices for Integrating Security into your IDE

Among the recommended security practices to protect your IDE are:

1. Protect access credentials, keys, and accounts

IAM, Multifactor Authentication (MFA), and Single-Sign-on (SSO) are a potent triparty approach to thwarting attacks. Also, where applicable, investigate other measures such as defining temporary access credentials, allowing only approved devices, revoking compromised accounts, etc.

2. Equip, educate, train, and trust your developers

Absent correct tools, developers will attempt workarounds that, by nature, are insecure and likely to introduce gaps in security.

3. Minimize and control your attack surface

Adopting appropriate security controls and practices that restrict unauthorized access to critical and other systems (and usage) but do not hinder development. (Implement the right software tools with the right features to support and secure your attack surface.)

4. Security mitigation

Select and implement the correct devices, software, tools and OS that not only delivers the security that you need but also supports both your team and its operations.

5. Keep environments separate

Never operate production systems from dev. This is potentially high risk and can risk compromising sensitive or critical services. Instigate Privileged Access Management (PAM), use temporary access credentials, enforce strict controls, such as firewalls, proxies, to protect both horizontally and vertically.

6. Due diligence and continuous threat monitoring

Monitoring and testing for unexpected environmental changes, unusual login attempts at unpredicted times, etc. Establishing an environmental benchmark against which any adjustments, modifications, or unknown login attempts can be easily identified, notified, and acted upon.

7. Automated security testing

Should become an integral component of your entire development processes. Scanning for vulnerabilities throughout your CI/CD pipeline, including code and code libraries, developer workflows, and tooling is essential to hardening your defenses.

8. Shift-left

(Yes, I know we said 7, but it’s always nice to receive an unexpected bonus.) Shift-left—the practice of moving security as close to where the SDLC and the IDE starts—has been around since the turn of the century. Organizations already know both the importance and benefits of moving security as far left as possible (and, ideally, True Left), and if this is still a Work-in-Progress, i.e., you’re not there yet, then we hope it’s a priority.

Conclusion

That malicious code can be run without execution further shines the spotlight on how insecure code is. Your IDE needs to be secure but, on its own, that’s not enough—security must extend end-to-end throughout your entire process. Any gaps that expose your perimeter, increase your vulnerability and make you ripe for exploitation. Critical is that security must become integral to both organizational culture and your software development lifecycle (SDLC) and processes. This is best achieved through recommended security measures that include equipping your teams, training your users, and trusting your developers. We urge this as a priority.