February 20, 2024 at 09:01AM
A new security advisory cautions Salesforce users with customized instances to be wary of common programming errors and misconfigurations. The advisory emphasizes the vulnerability of the Apex programming language, citing instances where leaked data and vulnerable sites were identified. Recommendations include avoiding certain configurations and conducting thorough security assessments of custom and third-party Apex software.
Based on the meeting notes, it is clear that there are significant security risks associated with using the Apex programming language and customizing Salesforce instances. The notes highlight that common programming errors and misconfigurations in Apex code can result in vulnerabilities that may lead to data exposure and security breaches.
Security experts have emphasized the importance of ensuring that Apex code is secure, particularly when it comes to protecting sensitive information such as phone numbers, home addresses, social security numbers, and credentials like usernames and passwords. Issues with lax permissions and misconfigurations have been identified as key factors contributing to the vulnerability of Salesforce sites and applications.
To address these risks and protect Salesforce apps, it is recommended that developers avoid the “without sharing” configuration whenever possible, carefully check all user-supplied inputs, and exercise caution when granting access to guest and external users. Conducting a thorough security assessment of all custom and third-party Apex software is also crucial.
In addition, it is important for organizations to prioritize securing Apex classes that can be run by guest users or external actors, adhere to best practices for access management, and ensure that developers are well-trained in creating and managing secure Salesforce applications.
Overall, the meeting notes emphasize the need for organizations to take proactive steps to enhance the security of their Salesforce instances and applications by addressing the identified vulnerabilities and adhering to best practices for secure coding and access management.