Network based API via HTTPS in local network

This document summarizes how HTTPS in local network can mitigate the security risk on Network based API.

Network based API

Network based API is a type of API(Application Programing Interface) which is provided via the network interface of 'localhost' server on a device. A web application can communicate with the device and its peripherals via Networked based APIs instead of JavaScript APIs natively supported by browsers. For example, React VR uses a Network based API to communicate with Oculus Rift connected to PC or Mac [1]. W3C(World Wide Web Consortium) has been publishing the standards of JavaScript APIs. Recently, some of groups in W3C work on the standardization of Network based API instead of JavaScript APIs. For example, the Automotive Working Group discusses on Vehicle Information Service Specification [2].

Plugins and extensions

In past, browser plugins and extensions have been well used as a way to extend features and capabilities of browsers. Because of the security concern on browser plugin as described in the Wiki page [3], nowadays, major browser vendors let a user to install browser plugin only thru their marketplaces, though a user can still install a third-party extension at its own risk.

Plugins and extensions: Although not part of the browser per se, browser plugins and extensions extend the attack surface, exposing vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player, Adobe (Acrobat) Reader, Java plugin, and ActiveX that are commonly exploited. Malware may also be implemented as a browser extension, such as a browser helper object in the case of Internet Explorer. Browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox can block—or warn users of—insecure plugins [3]

Security Concern

Network based API is more safety than plugins and extensions because a malicious 'localhost' server can not access the context of browser and a web application and vulnerabilities of a 'localhost' server does not impact them directly. However, the Network based API would be still a security hole of browsers. For example, when a user installs a native application from a certain application market for smartphone, it may contain a malicious 'localhost' server which is able to attack a web application via the Network based API. Or a malicious web application may attack a vulnerability of server via the Network based API. Of course, some developers can take care of such security risks with application level of authentication and data encryption on their Network based API, however it would be useful for most developers if browsers support a standard way to mitigate the security risk.

HTTPS in local network

If HTTPS can be used for Network based API, browsers can verify an origin of 'localhost' server as well as secure origins on the web. Browsers can also restrict a particular origin of the Network based API if a critical security vulnerability of the server has not been fixed. It should be noted that a 'localhost' server is regarded as potentially trustworthy in the W3C SecureContexts[4] but browsers can not verify its origin.
HTTPS in Local Network Community Group has been discussed the use cases and the requirements to use HTTPS in local network. We hope that a solution for the "HTTPS in Local Network" would mitigate the security risk of Network Based API. Also, Networked based API will become more extensible by hosting a server not only on 'localhost' interface but also on local network. It should be noted that application-level authentication over HTTPS is valuable for access control.

References

[1] https://facebook.github.io/react-vr/docs/getting-started.html
[2] https://w3c.github.io/automotive/vehicle_data/vehicle_information_service.html/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_security#Plugins_and_extensions
[4] https://www.w3.org/TR/secure-contexts/

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