Top Software Security Interview Questions and Answers

Software Security is the practice of preventing unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of software. It is a critical aspect of information security, as software is often the target of cyberattacks.

Here are top Software Security interview questions,

 

1. What is the difference between Authentication and Authorization?

Authentication: It verifies the identity of a user, ensuring they are who they claim to be. It's typically done through credentials like usernames and passwords, biometrics, or multi-factor authentication.

Authorization: It controls what actions a user is allowed to perform after being authenticated. It's about determining whether a user has the necessary permissions to access specific resources or perform certain actions.

 

2. What is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)?

XSS is a vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications that are then executed by other users. This can lead to the theft of sensitive information or hijacking of user sessions.

 

3. How can you prevent SQL Injection attacks?

Use parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user inputs are properly sanitized and treated as data, not code.

Utilize an Object Relational Mapping (ORM) framework, as they often handle SQL injection protection automatically.

 

4. What is Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)?

CSRF is an attack where an attacker tricks a user into performing an action without their knowledge, usually by exploiting the trust a user has in a specific website.

 

5. Explain the concept of Security by Design.

Security by Design is the practice of considering security aspects during the entire software development lifecycle. It involves identifying potential security risks, implementing secure coding practices, and performing security testing at every stage.

 

6. What is the principle of least privilege?

This principle dictates that users or processes should have only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks. It helps limit the potential damage if a security breach occurs.

 

7. How can you prevent sensitive data exposure?

Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit using strong encryption algorithms.

Implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to restrict access to sensitive data.

 

8. What is a Buffer Overflow?

Buffer Overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer (memory storage) than it can hold, potentially causing the extra data to overwrite adjacent memory areas and leading to unintended behavior or crashes.

 

9. How do you ensure secure password storage?

Use cryptographic hashing algorithms like bcrypt or Argon2 to hash passwords before storing them.

Add salt to passwords before hashing to enhance security.

 

10. Explain the importance of input validation in software security.

Input validation is crucial to prevent attackers from injecting malicious code or data through user inputs. Proper input validation helps prevent a range of vulnerabilities, including SQL injection, XSS, and command injection.

 

11. What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

2FA is an additional layer of security that requires users to provide two different authentication factors (e.g., password and a one-time code from a mobile app) before gaining access.

 

12. How can you protect against DDoS attacks?

Implement traffic filtering and rate limiting to block suspicious or excessive traffic.

Utilize content delivery networks (CDNs) to distribute traffic and absorb DDoS attacks.

 

13. What are the different software security certifications?

There are many different software security certifications, including:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This is a widely recognized certification for information security professionals.

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): This is a certification for ethical hackers.

• Security+: This is a certification for entry-level security professionals.

• GIAC Security Essentials GSEC: This is a certification for security professionals who want to learn the basics of security.

• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH): This is a certification for security professionals who want to learn how to respond to security incidents.

• CISM: This certification is for information security managers.

• OSCP: This certification is for penetration testers.

• GIAC GWAPT: This certification is for web application security professionals.

 

14. Explain the concept of Same-Origin Policy.

Same-Origin Policy is a security feature in web browsers that restricts web pages from making requests to a different domain than the one that served the web page. This prevents malicious scripts from accessing sensitive data across different origins.

 

15. How can you secure sensitive data in mobile applications?

Use encryption to protect data stored on the device.

Implement secure communication protocols (HTTPS) to ensure data transmitted between the app and servers is encrypted.

 

16. What are the different software security tools?

There are many different software security tools, including:

·      Nmap: This tool is used to scan networks for vulnerabilities.

·      Metasploit: This tool is used to exploit vulnerabilities.

·      OWASP ZAP: This tool is used to test web applications for security vulnerabilities.

·      Burp Suite: This tool is used to intercept and analyze network traffic.

·      Wireshark: This tool is used to capture and analyze network traffic.

 

17. What are the different software security standards?

There are many different software security standards, including:

·      ISO/IEC 27001: This standard provides a framework for information security management.

·      OWASP Top 10: This list identifies the top 10 security vulnerabilities in web applications.

·      CWE/SANS Top 25: This list identifies the top 25 security vulnerabilities in software.

·      NIST Cybersecurity Framework: This framework provides a set of controls for improving cybersecurity.

·      PCI DSS: This standard provides a set of requirements for protecting payment card data.

 

18. How can you protect against Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks?

Use strong encryption (TLS/SSL) for data transmission to prevent eavesdropping and tampering.

Implement certificate validation to ensure you're communicating with the intended server.

 

19. Explain the concept of a Web Application Firewall (WAF).

A WAF is a security device or software that filters and monitors incoming and outgoing traffic for web applications. It helps protect against common web-based attacks, such as XSS and SQL injection.

 

20. What is the role of security patches and updates in software security?

Security patches and updates address known vulnerabilities and weaknesses in software. Regularly applying patches ensures that the software remains up-to-date and protected against potential threats.

Above are few top Software Security interview questions. Remember to prepare and expand on these answers.

Good luck with your interview!  👍