Meaning
Code review is a manual or automated process that examines the source code of an application. The purpose of this examination is to identify existing security flaws or vulnerabilities. Code review looks at logical errors, implementation and adherence to style guidelines, among other things.
Automated code review is a process in which a tool automatically checks an application's source code, using a predefined set of rules to look for inferior code. Automated review can find problems in source code faster than if they are identified manually.
In manual code review, a human reviews source code line by line to find vulnerabilities. Manual code review helps clarify the context of coding decisions. Automated tools are faster, but cannot take into account developer intentions and general business logic. Manual review is more strategic and looks at specific problems.
Why is code review important?
Code review is a crucial process used by the most successful development teams. It can:
- Reduce the number of defects found at a later stage of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Reduce the amount of time developers spend troubleshooting late-stage defects, increasing productivity
- Reduce the number of bugs and security vulnerabilities in production
- Improve consistency between code bases and increase maintainability
- Improve collaboration, knowledge sharing and developer productivity, and lessons learned can help with future code development
- Improve efficiency by making processes faster and safer requiring less money and time
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How is code review approached?
Code review - manual, automated or a combination of the two - can be performed through an automated process or by a human. Current best practices for performing robust and secure code reviews involve combining manual and automated reviews. This tandem approach captures most of the potential problems.
Code review can occur at any time during the software development life cycle (SDLC), but it has the most impact when it is performed earlier, because that is when it is easiest and fastest to make corrections to the code. In particular, using automated code review at the time developers are writing code makes it possible to make changes immediately when needed. Manual code review is very useful when performed during the commit phase, or when a merge request is submitted to the repository. It is also a way to review code while considering business logic and developer intentions.
Automated code review allows large codebases to be analyzed quickly and efficiently. Developers perform this monitoring using open source or commercial tools as they are coding, to help find vulnerabilities in real time. The most advanced development teams also use SAST tools, which can provide additional input, detect vulnerabilities and allow developers to fix them before the code is checked in. In the most successful development processes, developers also conduct their own self-assessments as they code.
Manual code review involves a thorough review of the entire codebase by a senior or more experienced developer. This process can be extremely tedious and time-consuming, but it identifies errors, such as problems with business logic, that automated tools may overlook. Layering QA testing can also help, but there are still scenarios that manual testing can miss. A combination of automation and manual review is usually considered best practice.
What does results-based code review entail?
The key components of a successful code review are:
- A combination of manual and automated review
- Collaboration, including sharing knowledge and lessons learned
- An analysis of relevant statistics, which helps reduce defects and policy violations prior to code merging
How can Warpnet help?
Warpnet ensures that one or more consultants with relevant programming experience are assigned to the assignment. Each security consultant has a wealth of application security experience. Thorough understanding of the target application is necessary. The lead security consultant spends time with an appropriate developer to gain a deep understanding of the software before beginning the actual testing process for source code verification. This includes joint discussions on relevant issues such as design, documentation, etc.
Solution recommendations are detailed, relevant and actionable. Where common themes are identified, Warpnet will also address them at a higher level. After delivery of the report, we hold a debrief (or "readout") with the partner organization to ensure the findings are fully understood. After the debrief, Warpnet's security consultants are on hand to answer any follow-up questions about the security of the target application.