About the course
Flask is a widely-used, lightweight Python web framework, known for its simplicity and flexibility in building web applications and APIs. As Flask applications become more prevalent, ensuring their security is paramount to protect sensitive data and prevent breaches. Developers must be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to identify common web vulnerabilities and understand how to defend against them specifically within the Flask ecosystem. This 2-day intensive hands-on training course is designed for Python developers who want to master secure coding practices for Flask applications and understand how to prevent common web security risks, drawing heavily on the principles of the OWASP Top 10.
The course is structured to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Flask security challenges and the practical techniques needed to implement effective countermeasures. It begins by introducing key security vulnerabilities relevant to Flask applications, such as SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), explaining how they manifest and how to mitigate them using Flask-specific approaches and Python best practices. The training then delves into more advanced security issues, including the risks and safe handling of Insecure File Uploads, preventing Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) by understanding how user input can exploit template engines, and mitigating Command Injection risks by using secure subprocess handling methods.
Furthermore, the course covers implementing secure Authentication and Session Management using Flask extensions like Flask-Login or Flask-Security, understanding the risks of Insecure Deserialization and how to handle data safely, and implementing Logging Security Best Practices to prevent log injection and information leaks in Flask applications. Participants will also learn about integrating security practices throughout the Secure Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and gain an introduction to Penetration Testing and Security Scanning tools and techniques relevant to Flask applications. A significant emphasis is placed on practical application, with extensive hands-on labs throughout the three days where participants will explore vulnerable Flask apps, practice exploiting vulnerabilities in a safe environment, implement fixes, and apply secure coding techniques directly in Flask code. The course concludes with a review session to consolidate learning and discuss integrating security into the daily Flask development process.
Instructor-led online and in-house face-to-face options are available - as part of a wider customised training programme, or as a standalone workshop, on-site at your offices or at one of many flexible meeting spaces in the UK and around the World.
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- Understand the key security challenges and risks in Flask web applications, including their relevance to the OWASP Top 10.
- Identify and implement effective mitigation techniques for common Injection vulnerabilities in Flask, including SQL Injection and Command Injection.
- Identify and implement effective mitigation techniques for client-side vulnerabilities like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) in Flask.
- Understand the risks and implement secure handling for file-related vulnerabilities like Insecure File Uploads and templating risks like Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) in Flask.
- Implement secure Authentication and Session Management mechanisms in Flask applications.
- Understand and prevent Insecure Deserialization and apply secure data handling practices in Flask.
- Implement Logging Security Best Practices in Flask applications.
- Understand how to integrate security practices throughout the Secure Development Lifecycle (SDLC) for Flask projects.
- Gain an introduction to Penetration Testing and Security Scanning tools and techniques for identifying vulnerabilities in Flask applications.
- Apply learned security concepts through extensive hands-on labs using vulnerable Flask applications.
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This 3-day intensive hands-on training course is designed for Python software developers building applications using the Flask web framework. It is ideal for:
Python Developers who want to write secure Flask applications and understand web security vulnerabilities.
Flask Developers looking to deepen their knowledge of secure coding practices specific to the framework.
Python or Flask Architects and Technical Leads responsible for designing secure Flask application architectures.
Developers involved in building or maintaining web applications or APIs using Flask.
Security professionals who need to understand application security specifically within the Python/Flask ecosystem.
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Participants should have:
Experience developing applications using the Python programming language.
Familiarity with the Flask web framework is essential, as the course focuses specifically on Flask security.
A basic understanding of web technologies (HTTP, browsers, client-server concepts).
We can customise the training to match your team's experience and needs - with more time and coverage of fundamentals for newer developers, for instance.
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This Python and Flask security course is available for private / custom delivery for your team - as an in-house face-to-face workshop at your location of choice, or as online instructor-led training via MS Teams (or your own preferred platform).
Get in touch to find out how we can deliver tailored training which focuses on your project requirements and learning goals.
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Introduction to Flask Security and OWASP Top 10
Overview of Flask web development.
Introduction to the OWASP Web App Security Top 10 and its relevance to Flask.
Discussion of key Flask security challenges (SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF).
SQL Injection in Flask
What SQL Injection is and how it works specifically in Flask applications.
Best practices for mitigating SQL Injection.
Lab 1: Detecting and Fixing SQL Injection.
Explore a vulnerable Flask app and perform SQL Injection.
Implement fixes using parameterised queries with SQLite.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in Flask
Explanation of XSS and its impact on Flask apps.
How Flask apps are vulnerable to XSS.
Preventing XSS using input sanitisation and output encoding.
Lab 2: Detecting and Fixing XSS Vulnerabilities.
Demonstrate XSS vulnerability in a Flask route.
Implement a fix using escape() and Flask extensions like Flask-WTF.
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) in Flask
Understanding CSRF and its risks.
How to prevent CSRF attacks in Flask.
Lab 3: Fixing CSRF Vulnerabilities.
Work through a vulnerable Flask form.
Implement CSRF protection using Flask-WTF.
Insecure File Uploads in Flask
Common risks associated with file uploads.
How to safely handle file uploads in Flask.
Lab 4: Securing File Uploads.
Implement file upload validation (e.g., file extension checks) and secure storage.
Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) in Flask
Explanation of SSTI and its impact on Flask applications.
How user input can exploit template engines.
Lab 5: Preventing SSTI.
Demonstrate SSTI vulnerability.
Use Flask's escape() function to secure templates.
Command Injection in Flask
Risks of passing untrusted data to system commands.
Using safe subprocess handling methods to mitigate command injection.
Lab 6: Detecting and Fixing Command Injection.
Explore a vulnerable command injection in a Flask route.
Implement a secure subprocess call with arguments.
Secure Authentication and Session Management in Flask
Overview of secure user authentication mechanisms suitable for web applications.
Using secure session management (cookies, token-based authentication) in Flask.
Lab 7: Securing Authentication and Sessions.
Implement secure login and session management using Flask-Login or Flask-Security.
Secure Development Lifecycle (SDLC) in Flask Projects
The importance of integrating security throughout the entire development lifecycle.
Integrating security practices into your workflow, such as code reviews and CI/CD pipelines, specifically for Flask projects.
Lab 8: Secure Flask App Review.
Participants will review a Flask application and identify areas for security improvement.
Insecure Deserialization and Secure Data Handling in Flask
Introduction to the risks of insecure deserialization vulnerabilities.
Safely handling data and preventing insecure deserialization by replacing vulnerable serialization formats (like pickle) with safer alternatives (like JSON) in Flask applications.
Lab 9: Preventing Insecure Deserialization.
Detect insecure deserialization vulnerabilities and implement fixes.
Logging Security Best Practices in Flask
The risks of improper logging, including log injection and unintentional information leaks.
Best practices for implementing secure logging in Flask applications, including sanitizing user inputs before logging.
Lab 10: Secure Logging Implementation. * Implement secure logging with sanitized user inputs, preventing log injection.
Penetration Testing and Security Scanning for Flask Apps
Introduction to security testing tools and techniques.
Conducting basic security scans to identify common vulnerabilities in Flask applications.
Lab 11: Penetration Testing.
Participants will scan a vulnerable Flask app and identify potential vulnerabilities using basic tools.
Wrap-up Session: Final Security Review and Q&A
Review of the key concepts learned throughout the course.
Addressing any remaining questions.
Discussing integrating security into the Flask development process.
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OWASP Official Website: The primary source for web application security knowledge and projects.
OWASP Top 10 (Latest Version): Detailed information on the most critical web application security risks.
Flask Documentation: The official documentation for the Flask web framework, including security-related sections.
The Python Security Guide: A community guide offering recommendations for writing secure Python code.
Flask-WTF Documentation: Documentation for the Flask extension that provides integration with WTForms, useful for CSRF protection.
Flask-Login Documentation: Documentation for the Flask extension that provides user session management.
SQLAlchemy Documentation: Documentation for a popular Python SQL toolkit and ORM, useful for preventing SQL Injection.
Python Standard Library Documentation: Relevant modules for security (e.g., subprocess, logging, json, pickle risks, os).
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