The document details a presentation by Alexander Andelkovic on HTML5 security testing at Spotify, covering his background and the approval process for apps developed on the platform. It highlights the importance of security testing throughout the app lifecycle and the role of various teams in the approval process. Key points include the significance of a secure concept, appropriate use of the manifest file, and preventive measures against data leakage for user privacy.

1. T23
Security Testing
5/2/2013 3:00:00 PM
HTML5 Security Testing at Spotify
Presented by:
Alexander Andelkovic
Spotify
Brought to you by:
340 Corporate Way, Suite 300, Orange Park, FL 32073
888-268-8770 ∙ 904-278-0524 ∙ sqeinfo@sqe.com ∙ www.sqe.com

2. Alexander Andelkovic
In the software industry for more than fifteen years, Alexander Andelkovic currently works for the Platform
Partners team at Spotify in Stockholm as a team lead, responsible for the approval process for Spotify
Apps. An exploratory tester, Alexander is a driving force for implementing agile model-based testing
techniques and an ambassador for session-based test management (SBTM). Previously Alexander
worked as a test leader in the mobile Internet business unit at Microsoft and as an exploratory tester in the
med-tech industry with focus on implementing SBTM. He has been a speaker at international conferences
including STAREAST, STARWEST, and iqnite Nordic.

3. 4/16/2013
HTML5 Security Testing at Spotify
Alexander Andelkovic, Spotify
April 16, 2013
Agenda
Introduction
Background
Approval process
Security testing
Summary
Questions
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Introduction – About me
- Lives in Stockholm, Sweden
- 15+ years testing experience
- Have a background in telecom and Med-Tech
- Test lead at Spotify
- Passionate about advanced test techniques
Background – Spotify Apps
- Apps(HTML5 & JS) integrated into Spotify music client(C++)
- Launched 30 Nov 2011 (at launch13 apps, today over 100
apps)
- Different categories of apps (discovery, concert, review,
social, lyrics)
- Manual QA process
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Background – QA Challenges
- Spotify App = mini application
- Release high quality in no time
- Testing needs to scale over time(partners need to test)
- Stable test environment(new API, backend)
- Dependant on external development(partners)
Approval process - Introduction
- Steps that help partners ”release” high quality apps
- Approval steps: Concept > Development > Release > Update
- Average app development time 3 months
- Approval team around 10-15 persons
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Approval process - Team
- Product owners(prioritize tasks, final calls)
- QA(manual testers)
- Test automators(regression test)
- Designers(concept, prototype)
- Release manager(silent/big bang release)
Approval process - Partners
- One man shows
- Web developers
- App developers
- Inhouse development
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Approval process - Security
- App security tests performed by Security
Penetration Testers
- All ways of input needs to be tested
- Are HTML5 and javascript apps a security risk?
- Partner homepages
Approval process - Checklist
- Approximately 50 teststeps(manifest, navigation, performance,
security etc..)
- Should be run through by partner before app submission
- Security testing performed on first/last submissions to find
vulnerabilities early/late
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8. 4/16/2013
Approval process - Concept
- An app shall bring ‘valuable content’ or something ‘unique’ to
the Spotify experience.
- A good concept will save development time
- Summary, Mockups, Wireframes, Screenshots, Alpha version
- How are the app going to be secured
- No development should be started until concept is approved
Approval process - Development
- App development can start after concept approved and agreement
signed
- App should be submited for approval when ”production ready”
- QA gives thorough feedback on app quality and security
- An app is approved when ”all” issues are resolved
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Approval process - Release
- When an app is approved a release date and market(s) are decided
- PR involved(internal, external)
- Release manager inform partner when app is live
- Live app needs to be maintained(api updates)
Approval process - Update
- Bugfixes, tweaks, small features
- Requires new App Submission
- App goes through the approval phase for Development again
- ”New” version treated as a new app concept(approval phase concept)
and needs to be security tested again
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Security testing – Permissions and the manifest
- The manifest is a JSON file included in every application
- The manifest declares what rights the application have (what web
addresses it may contact and how much of the api it has right to use)
- A 3rd party application may never have the private permission
- If “Required Permissions” is declared in manifest, it cannot contain
wildcard domains:
"*.soundrop.com" is OK. "*soundrop.com" is NOT OK.
UNSPECIFIED WILDCARD domains is also not allowed, e.g. "http://*.*"
Security testing – Basic html
<html>
<body>
<script>alert(0);</script>
<!-- This is a comment. Below is an example text -->
<p>Example text</p>
</body>
</html>
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Security testing – Script inclusion
- User-controlled input means security risks
- If entering "<script>alert(0);</script>" shows you a popup containing "0" the string is
parsed as HTML = bad
- Try entering HTML into any and all input fields (search-boxes etc.)
If entering "<!--this-->that" only shows you "that" means the string is parsed as HTML = bad
Partner should use html-escaping for the name and description for music stories instead of
using strip_tags() for security reasons.
Security testing – Privacy and prevention of data-leakage
- 3rd parties may never find out who the user is, except if the user
authenticates
- 3rd parties should only transmit information to its backend that
is needed for intended operation
- Performed by penetration testers
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Summary
- App security needs to be addressed during whole app lifecycle
- Challenge to ”trust” external parties
- App security is as secure as it’s weakest link
- Security test early and late
Questions
alex@spotify.com
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Thank you!
April 16, 2013
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