'Side-channel' leaks could lead to exposure of sensitive information, researchers warn
Applications delivered via the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model could be leaking data, according to a research paper published earlier this week.
The paper (PDF), which was prepared by researchers at Microsoft Research and Indiana University, offers a detailed look at the behavior of SaaS-delivered applications and how their use of networks can cause "side-channel" leaks that might enable attackers to glean even the most sensitive data -- even when the SaaS offerings are encrypted.
"Specifically, we found that surprisingly detailed sensitive information is being leaked out from a number of high-profile, top-of-the-line Web applications in healthcare, taxation, investment, and Web search," the paper says.
The leaks don't happen in every SaaS application, the researchers say, and some are worse than others. But the network-oriented behavior of SaaS applications means that the side-channel flaw could be present even in environments that use strong encryption.
"A Web application is split between the browser and the server, so a subset of its internal state-transitions and data exchanges inevitably go through the network," the paper says. "Despite encryption, some fundamental characteristics of Web applications -- namely low entropy input, stateful communications, and significant traffic distinctions -- make the side-channel leak a realistic and serious privacy problem."
Since the vulnerability varies from app to app, SaaS providers and users will have to study their applications individually, the paper says. "Developers will need to identify the vulnerabilities first, and then specify mitigation policies accordingly," the researchers say. "This effort requires analysis of Web application semantics, information flow, and network traffic patterns."
Have a comment on this story? Please click "Discuss" below. If you'd like to contact Dark Reading's editors directly, send us a message.
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like
Guarding the Cloud: Top 5 Cloud Security Hacks and How You Can Avoid Them
April 4, 2024Cybersecurity Strategies for Small and Med Sized Businesses
April 11, 2024Defending Against Today's Threat Landscape with MDR
April 18, 2024Securing Code in the Age of AI
April 24, 2024
Black Hat USA - August 3-8 - Learn More
August 3, 2024Cybersecurity's Hottest New Technologies: What You Need To Know
March 21, 2024Black Hat Asia - April 16-19 - Learn More
April 16, 2024