# Security Policy

This document outlines the security policy and procedures for the Network Chat Client project.

## Project Information

- **Author**: Molla Samser (Founder, RSK World)
- **Designer & Tester**: Rima Khatun
- **Website**: https://rskworld.in
- **Email**: info@rskworld.com, support@rskworld.com
- **Phone**: +91 93305 39277
- **Year**: 2026
- **License**: MIT

## Security Overview

The Network Chat Client is an educational project designed to demonstrate C++ network programming concepts. While security has been considered in the design, this implementation uses simplified encryption for educational purposes and is **not intended for production use** without security enhancements.

## Current Security Features

### Authentication
- Username validation (3-20 characters, alphanumeric + underscore)
- Session key generation per client
- Connection timeout handling
- Duplicate username prevention

### Encryption
- XOR-based message encryption (educational only)
- Session key management
- Base64 encoding for message transport

### Network Security
- TCP/IP socket communication
- Connection validation
- Client cleanup on disconnect
- Rate limiting concepts (not fully implemented)

### Input Validation
- Username format validation
- Message length limits
- Buffer overflow protection
- Input sanitization

## Security Limitations

### ⚠️ Educational Encryption
The current implementation uses XOR encryption for demonstration purposes only. **This is not secure** for production use.

**Recommendations for production:**
- Replace XOR with AES-256 encryption
- Implement proper key exchange mechanisms
- Use SSL/TLS for transport security
- Add certificate-based authentication

### ⚠️ No Persistent Security
- No user database integration
- No password hashing/storage
- No session persistence
- No audit logging

### ⚠️ Limited Access Control
- No role-based permissions
- No admin authentication
- No access logging
- No intrusion detection

## Security Best Practices

### For Educational Use

1. **Understand the Limitations**
   - This is a learning project, not production software
   - Encryption is simplified for demonstration
   - Security features are basic

2. **Safe Deployment**
   - Use only in isolated test environments
   - Do not expose to public networks
   - Use with test data only

3. **Learning Objectives**
   - Study the architecture and design patterns
   - Understand threading and synchronization
   - Learn network programming concepts

### For Production Enhancement

1. **Encryption Upgrade**
   ```cpp
   // Replace XOR with AES-256
   #include <openssl/evp.h>
   
   std::string encryptAES256(const std::string& plaintext, const std::string& key) {
       EVP_CIPHER_CTX* ctx = EVP_CIPHER_CTX_new();
       // Implement proper AES-256 encryption
   }
   ```

2. **Authentication System**
   - Implement user database
   - Add password hashing (bcrypt, Argon2)
   - Multi-factor authentication
   - Session management

3. **Network Security**
   - SSL/TLS implementation
   - Certificate management
   - VPN support
   - Firewall integration

4. **Access Control**
   - Role-based permissions
   - Admin authentication
   - Audit logging
   - Rate limiting

## Vulnerability Reporting

### Reporting Security Issues

**Do NOT open public issues for security vulnerabilities!**

For security vulnerabilities, please email:
- **Primary**: info@rskworld.com
- **Security**: security@rskworld.com

### What to Include

1. **Vulnerability Description**
   - Clear description of the issue
   - Potential impact
   - Steps to reproduce

2. **Environment Information**
   - Operating system
   - Compiler version
   - Build configuration
   - Network setup

3. **Proof of Concept**
   - Minimal reproduction case
   - Test code if applicable
   - Screenshots/logs

### Response Timeline

- **Acknowledgment**: Within 24 hours
- **Initial Assessment**: Within 3 days
- **Fix Timeline**: Depends on severity
- **Public Disclosure**: After fix is released

### Security Team

- **Lead**: Molla Samser (info@rskworld.com)
- **Security Review**: Rima Khatun (support@rskworld.com)

## Security Assessment

### Current Risk Level: **MEDIUM**

**Reasons:**
- Educational encryption (not production-ready)
- No persistent user authentication
- Limited access control
- Basic input validation

### Risk Mitigation

1. **For Educational Use**
   - Use in isolated environments
   - Do not use real credentials
   - Limit to test networks

2. **For Production Enhancement**
   - Implement proper encryption
   - Add comprehensive authentication
   - Integrate with security frameworks
   - Regular security audits

## Security Checklist

### Development Security

- [ ] Code review for security issues
- [ ] Static analysis tools integration
- [ ] Memory leak testing
- [ ] Buffer overflow protection
- [ ] Input validation testing

### Deployment Security

- [ ] Network isolation
- [ ] Firewall configuration
- [ ] Access control implementation
- [ ] Monitoring setup
- [ ] Backup procedures

### Operational Security

- [ ] Regular security updates
- [ ] Vulnerability scanning
- [ ] Log monitoring
- [ ] Incident response plan
- [ ] Security training

## Security Recommendations

### For Students and Educators

1. **Learning Focus**
   - Study the architecture and patterns
   - Understand threading concepts
   - Learn network programming
   - Practice secure coding

2. **Security Awareness**
   - Understand current limitations
   - Learn about proper encryption
   - Study authentication methods
   - Practice secure coding principles

### For Developers

1. **Security Enhancement**
   - Implement proper encryption
   - Add comprehensive authentication
   - Integrate security libraries
   - Follow security best practices

2. **Testing and Validation**
   - Security testing
   - Penetration testing
   - Code security review
   - Dependency security audit

## Security Resources

### Learning Materials

- **OWASP Top 10**: https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/
- **Secure Coding**: https://owasp.org/www-project-secure-coding-practices-quick-reference-guide/
- **C++ Security**: https://isocpp.org/faq
- **Network Security**: https://tools.ietf.org/

### Security Tools

- **Static Analysis**: Clang Static Analyzer, Cppcheck
- **Dynamic Analysis**: Valgrind, AddressSanitizer
- **Network Analysis**: Wireshark, Nmap
- **Vulnerability Scanning**: Nessus, OpenVAS

### Standards and Frameworks

- **ISO 27001**: Information Security Management
- **NIST Cybersecurity Framework**: Security guidelines
- **Common Criteria**: Security evaluation standards
- **CWE/SANS**: Common weakness enumeration

## Incident Response

### Security Incident Types

1. **Unauthorized Access**
   - Immediate account suspension
   - Password reset requirements
   - Access log review

2. **Data Breach**
   - System isolation
   - Data integrity verification
   - Notification procedures

3. **Denial of Service**
   - Traffic analysis
   - Rate limiting implementation
   - Service restoration

### Response Procedures

1. **Detection**
   - Monitor system logs
   - Analyze network traffic
   - Review user activity

2. **Containment**
   - Isolate affected systems
   - Block malicious IPs
   - Suspend compromised accounts

3. **Eradication**
   - Remove malicious code
   - Patch vulnerabilities
   - Update security measures

4. **Recovery**
   - Restore from backups
   - Verify system integrity
   - Monitor for recurrence

5. **Lessons Learned**
   - Document incident
   - Update procedures
   - Improve security measures

## Compliance and Legal

### Data Protection

- **GDPR Compliance**: For EU users
- **Data Minimization**: Collect only necessary data
- **User Consent**: Explicit consent for data collection
- **Right to Delete**: User data deletion procedures

### Legal Requirements

- **Export Controls**: Compliance with cryptography export laws
- **Privacy Laws**: Local privacy regulation compliance
- **Intellectual Property**: Respect for third-party licenses
- **Terms of Service**: Clear usage terms

## Contact Information

### Security Team

**Primary Security Contact:**
- **Email**: security@rskworld.com
- **Phone**: +91 93305 39277
- **Website**: https://rskworld.in

**General Inquiries:**
- **Email**: info@rskworld.com, support@rskworld.com
- **Address**: Nutanhat, Mongolkote, Purba Burdwan, West Bengal, India, 713147

### Reporting Timeline

- **Critical**: Immediate response (within 24 hours)
- **High**: Response within 48 hours
- **Medium**: Response within 1 week
- **Low**: Response within 2 weeks

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## Disclaimer

This Network Chat Client is provided for **educational purposes only**. The security features are simplified for learning and are **not suitable for production use** without significant security enhancements.

Users are responsible for:
- Understanding the security limitations
- Using appropriate security measures for production deployments
- Complying with applicable laws and regulations
- Protecting their own systems and data

For production use, please implement proper security measures including but not limited to:
- AES-256 encryption
- SSL/TLS transport security
- Comprehensive authentication
- Access control systems
- Regular security audits

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*Content used for educational purposes only. View Disclaimer: https://rskworld.in/disclaimer.php*
