SafeVault Security Project Submission

This submission contains the secure code, authentication/authorization implementations, SQL injection prevention, tests, and reflective notes on Copilot’s assistance.

1. Secure Code: Input Validation & SQL Injection Prevention

We implemented input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection and ensure data integrity.

// Example: Parameterized SQL query in C#
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    var command = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM Users WHERE Username = @username", connection);
    command.Parameters.AddWithValue("@username", inputUsername);

    connection.Open();
    using (var reader = command.ExecuteReader())
    {
        while (reader.Read())
        {
            Console.WriteLine(reader["Username"]);
        }
    }
}
        

Copilot Assistance: Copilot suggested parameterized SQL usage and provided patterns for input validation, reducing security risks.

2. Authentication & Authorization Implementation

We implemented role-based access control (RBAC) using ASP.NET Identity.

// Example: ASP.NET Identity role assignment
var user = await _userManager.FindByEmailAsync(email);
await _userManager.AddToRoleAsync(user, "Administrator");

// Example: Authorize API endpoint
[Authorize(Roles = "Administrator")]
[HttpGet("secure-data")]
public IActionResult GetSecureData()
{
    return Ok(new { Message = "This data is for Admins only." });
}
        

Copilot Assistance: Copilot helped generate boilerplate Identity code and suggested authorization attributes for secure endpoints.

3. Debugging & Resolving Security Vulnerabilities

We identified and fixed vulnerabilities like SQL injection and XSS.

// Example: Encoding output to prevent XSS
@Html.Encode(userInput)

// Example: Replacing unsafe direct SQL execution
var safeQuery = "SELECT * FROM Orders WHERE OrderId = @orderId";
var command = new SqlCommand(safeQuery, connection);
command.Parameters.AddWithValue("@orderId", orderId);
        

Copilot Assistance: Copilot highlighted insecure patterns and suggested safe alternatives using parameterized queries and output encoding.

4. Security Tests

Tests verify authentication, authorization, input validation, and SQL injection prevention.

// Example: Unit test for login
[Fact]
public async Task Login_WithInvalidPassword_ReturnsFailure()
{
    var result = await _authService.LoginAsync("user@example.com", "wrongpassword");
    Assert.False(result.Succeeded);
}

// Example: Test for SQL injection prevention
[Fact]
public void SqlInjection_Attempt_ShouldNotModifyDatabase()
{
    string maliciousInput = "'; DROP TABLE Users; --";
    var users = _userRepository.GetUsers(maliciousInput);
    Assert.NotNull(users); // Query is safely parameterized
}
        

Copilot Assistance: Copilot generated test templates and suggested edge case scenarios for security validation.

5. Reflective Summary

During the SafeVault project, Copilot assisted in multiple areas:

• Generated secure, parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.
• Suggested boilerplate authentication and RBAC code for ASP.NET Identity.
• Helped identify unsafe patterns and proposed safe alternatives (e.g., output encoding).
• Provided templates for unit and security tests to ensure proper validation and coverage.

This workflow significantly reduced development time and improved code security compliance.