3 of the Most Common Python Security Vulnerabilities | EC-Council CodeRed Blog – EC-Council Blog

Python is one of the fastest-growing programming languages in the world. According to Slashdata, there are 8.2 million active python users in the world. It is mostly used by Software Engineers but also by Mathematicians, Data Analysts, and students for various purposes like automation, artificial intelligence, big data analysis, and for investment schemes by the fintech companies. However, regardless of what computer language you use, the language is never secure on its own. It entirely depends on how you use the language. The same applies when it comes to Python, which is why Python Security is highly essential.

But, before we go there, lets talk about what Python is.

Unlike other programming languages, Python is a general-purpose coding language. You can use it for other types of programming and software development, aside from web development. It is highly readable as it uses English keywords when other programming languages use punctuation. It also has fewer syntactical construction than the other language.

Python is an open-source programming language. Even the source codes for python are freely available to download and distribute for commercial use.

With features like faster execution, readability, and code clarity provides a seamless experience.

The source code in python syntax as a whole is interpreted line by line at one go.

Rich in libraries and frameworks, it supports web development, data science, and machine learning, therefore increasing the programmers productivity.

Python is more than 30 years old and has a more matured community of developers and users as compared to any programming language

It has powerful control capabilities as it can invoke directly through C, C++, or Java. Python also processes XML and other markup languages with the same byte code.

Python is a top-notch programming language for aspirants with a technical and non-technical background. They can immediately start coding as it is like learning how to read and write.

Python developers have the highest paid salaries in the IT industry. The average Python Developer salary in the United States is approximately $79,395 per year. Python can be effective in a myriad of areas, a few of which are:

Due to Pythons competence, its used in the areas mentioned above and in web-scraping applications, audio and video applications, cad applications, embedded applications, testing frameworks, and automating tasks.

While Python is extremely helpful and widely used, it is not 100% secure from cyber threats like any scripting language. In fact, one of the most common is Python backdoor attacks. For example, Iran used a MechaFlounder Python backdoor attack against Turkey last year.

Here are some of the most common Python-based risks:

Some of the more popular injection attacks are SQL injection attacks and command injection attacks. These types of attacks can impact not just the language but the environment as a whole.

Its normal for files to load and parse XML files if you are in the habit of using an XML standard library module, especially external XML files. Most of these attacks are DoS and DDoS styled attacks that aim to crash the system instead of infiltrating it.

Testing a file is always good; however, beware of creating temp files using the mltemp() function as a different process may also create a file with this name to attempt to load the wrong data or expose other temporary data.

It has become important to secure your network and data with the increase in data breaches regularly.

Here are some ways you can ensure Python security:

However, if you are looking for a more detailed approach to Python security, take a look at EC-Councils Microdegree program.

The EC-Councils Python Security Microdegree program teaches you Python programming, such as data structures, string operations, OOPS concepts, file interaction, and database management. It also covers advanced programming like parallel processing, decorators, and generating cross-platform programs. This course will also teach you about cybersecurity applications like socket programming, packet capturing, parsing, and integrating other languages for Python cryptography, metadata analysis, and password cracking.

The benefit of this Microdegree program is that world-class industry experts will teach you in a self-paced, video-based training that comes with an option to perform hands-on live exercises via our Cyber Range, iLabs with 55+ hands-on virtual labs and assessment to help you establish as a secure programmer

Learn more about EC-Councils CodeRed Microdegree programs

FAQs

1. Where is Python mostly used?

Python is popular and widely used in various industry sectors like insurance, finance and fintech companies, healthcare, entertainment, startups, and many more. Python is extensively being used in Data Science and Machine Learning domain. It is highly being considered one of the most demanded career paths.

2. What can you do with Python code?

Due to the simplicity of the language, it can be used in any scenario. As Python is a scripting language for web applications, it can be used in automating tasks boring things, thus making them more efficient. One can learn to create games according to their preference. You can also learn to build stunning things like fingerprint identification scanner, predicting stocks, and spam detection. You can also learn to build futuristic robots.

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3 of the Most Common Python Security Vulnerabilities | EC-Council CodeRed Blog - EC-Council Blog