# Security Policy
## Supported Versions
We provide security updates for the following versions of netwatch:
| 0.1.x | :white_check_mark: |
## Reporting a Vulnerability
We take security seriously. If you discover a security vulnerability in netwatch, please report it responsibly.
### How to Report
**DO NOT** open a public GitHub issue for security vulnerabilities.
Instead, please send an email to the maintainers with:
- A description of the vulnerability
- Steps to reproduce the issue
- Potential impact assessment
- Suggested fixes (if any)
### Response Timeline
- **Initial Response**: Within 48 hours
- **Assessment**: Within 1 week
- **Fix Development**: Depends on severity
- **Public Disclosure**: After fix is released
### Vulnerability Assessment
We classify vulnerabilities using the following criteria:
#### Critical
- Remote code execution
- Privilege escalation
- Data exfiltration
#### High
- Denial of service attacks
- Information disclosure
- Local privilege escalation
#### Medium
- Limited information disclosure
- Resource exhaustion
#### Low
- Minor information leaks
- Configuration issues
## Security Measures
### Development Security
- **Memory Safety**: Rust's ownership system prevents common vulnerabilities like buffer overflows and use-after-free
- **Dependency Scanning**: Automated security auditing with `cargo audit` and `cargo deny`
- **Static Analysis**: Comprehensive linting with Clippy
- **Code Review**: All changes require review before merging
### Runtime Security
- **Privilege Separation**: Runs with minimal required privileges
- **Input Validation**: All user inputs are validated and sanitized
- **Error Handling**: Secure error handling that doesn't leak sensitive information
- **Resource Limits**: Built-in protections against resource exhaustion
### Network Security
- **Read-Only Operations**: Only reads network interface statistics
- **No Network Transmission**: Does not send data over the network
- **Local Access Only**: Only accesses local system resources
- **Interface Validation**: Validates network interface names before access
## Security Best Practices
### For Users
1. **Keep Updated**: Always use the latest version
2. **Minimal Privileges**: Run with least required privileges
3. **Secure Environment**: Use in trusted environments
4. **Monitor Logs**: Watch for unusual behavior
### For Developers
1. **Secure Coding**: Follow Rust security best practices
2. **Dependency Updates**: Keep dependencies current
3. **Testing**: Include security-focused tests
4. **Documentation**: Document security considerations
## Known Security Considerations
### System Access
netwatch requires read access to:
- `/proc/net/dev` (Linux) - Network interface statistics
- `/sys/class/net/` (Linux) - Network interface information
- System calls for network statistics (macOS)
### Permissions
- **Linux**: No special privileges required for basic functionality
- **macOS**: May require elevated privileges for detailed network information
- **No Root Required**: Designed to work without root access when possible
### Data Handling
- **No Persistence**: Does not store sensitive data permanently
- **Memory Security**: Uses Rust's memory safety guarantees
- **Log Security**: Logs contain only network statistics, no sensitive data
## Security Updates
Security fixes are prioritized and released as patch versions. Users should:
1. Subscribe to release notifications
2. Update promptly when security fixes are available
3. Review changelog for security-related changes
## Compliance
netwatch is designed to comply with:
- Standard Unix security practices
- Principle of least privilege
- Defense in depth
- Secure by default configuration
## Third-Party Dependencies
We regularly audit dependencies for:
- Known vulnerabilities (CVE database)
- Maintenance status
- License compatibility
- Security best practices
Current security scanning includes:
- RustSec Advisory Database
- GitHub Security Advisories
- Automated dependency updates via Dependabot
## Contact
For security-related questions or concerns:
- Open a public issue for general security questions
- Email maintainers for vulnerability reports
- Review this document for security guidelines
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Last updated: 2024
Security policy version: 1.0