security

🔐 Security

Security implementation guides, audits, and best practices for Meteo Weather App.

Current Security Score: 9.4/10 | Vulnerabilities: 0

Quick Links

Implementation

• SECURITY_IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md - Latest security features summary
• RATE_LIMITING_AND_SECURITY_AUDIT.md - Comprehensive security audit & implementation

Deployment

• SECURITY_DEPLOYMENT_CHECKLIST.md - Pre-deployment security checklist
• SECURITY_HEADERS.md - HTTP security headers configuration
• NGINX_SECURITY_DEPLOYMENT_GUIDE.md - Nginx security setup

Security Features

✅ Implemented

• Rate Limiting: 100/15min API, 5/15min auth, 10/hour AI
• CORS: Origin whitelist validation
• CSP: Content Security Policy headers (XSS protection)
• Helmet: Security headers (X-Frame-Options, HSTS)
• Gitleaks: Automated secret scanning (pre-commit + CI/CD)
• Dependabot: Automated vulnerability monitoring
• npm audit: 0 vulnerabilities in all packages
• JWT Auth: Secure token-based authentication

🛡️ Protection Layers

1. Application Layer

   • Rate limiting on all endpoints
   • Input validation and sanitization
   • SQL injection prevention (parameterized queries)
   • XSS protection (CSP headers)

2. Infrastructure Layer

   • HTTPS enforcement (HSTS)
   • Secure headers (Helmet)
   • CORS origin validation
   • Docker container isolation

3. Development Layer

   • Pre-commit secret scanning (Gitleaks)
   • Automated dependency updates (Dependabot)
   • CodeQL static analysis
   • Security-focused CI/CD

Security Scanning

Automated Scans

# Secret scanning (pre-commit)
gitleaks protect --staged

# Full repository scan
gitleaks detect --verbose

# Dependency audit
npm audit

# Check Dependabot alerts
gh api repos/mbuckingham74/meteo-weather/dependabot/alerts

Manual Review (Monthly)

1. Check GitHub Security tab
2. Review Dependabot PRs
3. Run SecurityHeaders.com scan
4. Verify API usage alerts
5. Review production logs

Emergency: Secret Exposed

If you accidentally commit a secret:

1. Rotate the credential immediately (generate new key)
2. DO NOT just delete the file - git history retains it
3. Use git log -- path/to/file to find the exposing commit
4. Consider using BFG Repo-Cleaner for history rewriting
5. Force push carefully: git push --force
6. Update .env with new secret (never commit these)

Prevention is easier than cleanup! Gitleaks blocks secrets before they enter git.

Best Practices

• Never commit .env files (already gitignored ✅)
• Use .env.example for documentation only
• Rotate exposed keys immediately
• Use environment-specific files
• Restrict API key domains when possible
• Monitor API usage for anomalies
• Keep dependencies updated
• Review security alerts promptly

Cost Savings

Security features also prevent API abuse:

• AI abuse protection: 96% cost reduction ($3,600/month → $36/month)
• Rate limiting: Prevents API key exhaustion
• Caching: 99% reduction in external API calls

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Related Documentation:

• 🚀 Deployment: ../deployment/SECURITY_DEPLOYMENT_CHECKLIST.md
• 📖 Main security policy: ../../SECURITY.md
• 💻 Development: ../development/