Cryptographic Failures in Sails with Cockroachdb

Sails is a Node.js web framework that encourages rapid development with an ActiveRecord-style ORM. When Sails applications interact with Cockroachdb, a distributed SQL database, cryptographic failures can arise if sensitive data is handled without adequate protections. These failures typically map to OWASP API Top 10 categories such as Cryptographic Failures (A2) and can expose data in transit or at rest.

In a Sails app, models often define attributes that may store sensitive values like passwords, API keys, or personal information. If these attributes are saved directly to Cockroachdb without encryption or hashing, an attacker who gains access to the database can recover plaintext sensitive data. Cockroachdb supports secure storage, but it does not automatically encrypt application-level data; encryption must be implemented in the application logic or via database features like envelope encryption.

Another vector involves the use of insecure transport or weak cryptographic configurations. Sails apps may communicate with Cockroachdb using connection strings or ORM settings that do not enforce TLS. Without enforced encryption in transit, credentials or data can be intercepted. Additionally, improper key management — such as storing encryption keys in the same repository as the code or in environment variables without protection — increases the risk of exposure.

SSRF and related attacks can also lead to cryptographic failures. If a Sails endpoint accepts user input that influences database queries or external connections, an attacker might coerce the application to interact with Cockroachdb in unintended ways, potentially bypassing encryption or accessing internal services. Input validation and strict schema definitions in Sails models are essential to mitigate this.

Real-world examples include CVE scenarios where plaintext passwords or session tokens are stored in user tables, or where API keys are logged in application output that eventually reaches Cockroachdb audit logs. These issues highlight the need for hashing passwords with strong algorithms, encrypting sensitive fields, and enforcing strict input validation within Sails models.

Remediation focuses on ensuring data is protected before it reaches Cockroachdb and that communication channels are secured. Below are concrete steps and code examples tailored for Sails with Cockroachdb.

• Hash passwords before storage: Use a strong, adaptive hashing algorithm such as bcrypt. In a Sails model, define a custom setter to automatically hash values before saving to Cockroachdb.

// api/models/User.js
const bcrypt = require('bcrypt');

module.exports = {
  attributes: {
    email: {
      type: 'string',
      required: true,
      unique: true
    },
    passwordHash: {
      type: 'string',
      required: true
    }
  },
  beforeCreate: async function (values, proceed) {
    if (values.password) {
      const saltRounds = 12;
      values.passwordHash = await bcrypt.hash(values.password, saltRounds);
      delete values.password;
    }
    return proceed();
  }
};

• Encrypt sensitive fields: For fields like API keys or personal data, use a library such as node-forge or the built-in crypto module to encrypt values before persisting them to Cockroachdb. Store only the ciphertext.

// api/models/SecretData.js
const crypto = require('crypto');

const ALGORITHM = 'aes-256-gcm';
const KEY = Buffer.from(process.env.ENCRYPTION_KEY, 'hex');

module.exports = {
  attributes: {
    payload: {
      type: 'json',
      required: true
    }
  },
  beforeCreate: async function (values, proceed) {
    const iv = crypto.randomBytes(12);
    const cipher = crypto.createCipheriv(ALGORITHM, KEY, iv);
    let encrypted = cipher.update(JSON.stringify(values.payload), 'utf8', 'hex');
    encrypted += cipher.final('hex');
    values.encryptedPayload = encrypted;
    values.iv = iv.toString('hex');
    delete values.payload;
    return proceed();
  }
};

• Enforce TLS for database connections: Ensure the Sails app connects to Cockroachdb using a secure connection string that includes SSL mode. This prevents credentials and data from being transmitted in plaintext.

// config/connections.js
module.exports.connections = {
  cockroachdb: {
    adapter: 'sails-cockroachdb',
    connectionString: process.env.DATABASE_URL + '?sslmode=verify-full',
    ssl: {
      rejectUnauthorized: true
    }
  }
};

• Validate and sanitize all inputs: Define strict schema rules in Sails models to prevent injection and ensure that only expected data types and formats are accepted. This reduces the risk of SSRF and other attacks that could compromise cryptographic controls.

// api/models/Invoice.js
module.exports = {
  attributes: {
    amount: {
      type: 'number',
      min: 0
    },
    currency: {
      type: 'string',
      isIn: [['USD', 'EUR', 'GBP']]
    },
    referenceId: {
      type: 'string',
      regex: '^[a-zA-Z0-9-]{1,50}$'
    }
  }
};