Node.js Secure Coding:
Defending Against Command Injection Vulnerabilities
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Community Testimonials
Hear what the community has to say about the book and their recommendations to follow Node.js Secure Coding practices.
Thomas Gentilhomme
Node.js lead at MyUnisoft, Node Security WG
I have finished reading Node.js Secure Coding from Liran Tal. I read the whole thing in an hour without realizing it. I learned and discovered a few things along the way. I laughed at the IFS, didn't see it coming.
Manuel Spigolon
Senior Software Developer at NearForm
I'm already reading it 🤩 #Devs! You have found where to spend your #training budget!
Master Node.js Security Through Hands-On Learning and Best Practices
Comprehensive learning path
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced JavaScript developer, this Node.js Secure Coding book takes a comprehensive approach to security. From basic terminology to introduction to Command Injection, you'll learn about assorted patterns of insecure code observed in popular and well-known npm packages.
Hands-on learning
Unlike other security books that rely on theoretical examples, this book is based on real-world vulnerable code found in popular npm packages. You'll get hands-on experience reviewing and fixing security issues in these projects, learning practical security skills and Node.js secure coding best practices.
Best practices and practical takeaways
Each chapter ends with a summary of the lessons learned, highlighting best practices for securing your Node.js code and improving your overall security knowledge of Command Injection vulnerabilities.
Congratulations!
You've leveled up your security skills!

Liran is a tireless advocate for security in the JS ecosystem. He works hard to build bridges, educate developers about security issues, and support Open Source projects working to improve their security posture. Liran has served on the Node security team and is always available to support developers!
OpenJS Foundation
Elevated Reading Experience
Who said books don't need to look good?
Forget boring black and white, ceremonial typeface and scientific-like book formatting.
With an elegant color palette, thoughtful formatting, and carefully chosen fonts, you'll enjoy a unique reading experience. Every page is designed to help you focus on the content and immerse yourself in the learning journey. Get ready to elevate your reading experience.
Beautiful Color Palette
Everything from the book's cover design to notes, code blocks, typography styles and notes has been designed with a color palette that is unique and specially crafted for this book.
Beautifully Rendered Code Blocks
You'll read a lot of code.
More precisely, you will read a lot of vulnerable code.
To make the source code review process as fluent as possible, code blocks are styled with the rogue
source highlighter using the base16.monokai.dark
theme. This is to provide an effective color contrast.

Node.js Security Learnings
Chapters start with a short introduction to the topic, citing key areas of new knowledge gained, and end with a summary and lessons learned.

Master Node.js Security:
Get Started with Secure Coding
The Definitive Guide to Defending Against Command Injection Vulnerabilities and Building Secure Node.js Applications
Developers Level Up
- Access an introduction to AppSec and Command Injection
- 6 chapters reviewing vulnerable npm packages
- Real-world CVE analysis of vulnerable code
- Experience hands-on defensive programming approach
- Command Injection attack and defense secure coding
- Best practices for securing Node.js code

What sets Liran Tal apart as an authority on secure coding in Node.js?
Security Analyst for the Node.js Foundation
In his role as a security analyst in the Node.js Foundation's Security Working Group, Liran reviewed hundreds of vulnerability reports for npm packages and established processes for responsible security disclosures and vulnerability triage.
Education is a core practice
Passionate about educating developers on application security and secure coding practices, Liran is a world-wide international speaker, workshop instructor, and author of several books on the subject. He occasionally speaks on software security topics at academic institutions, such as presenting to students at the Electrical and Computer Engineering School at Purdue University.
Award-winning GitHub Star ⭐️
Liran received the GitHub Star recognition award from GitHub for his work educating and inspiring developers.
Recipient of the Pathfinder for Security Award 🎖️
Honored with the OpenJS Foundation Pathfinder for Security Award, Liran is recognized for his work advancing Node.js security.
Security Researcher
An accomplished security researcher, Liran has disclosed security vulnerabilities in various open source software projects, including being credited with CVEs impacting npm packages.
Acclaimed Recognition at Black Hat
Liran's work on supply chain security research, including Lockfile Injection, was presented at the prestigious Black Hat Europe 2021 cybersecurity conference. Liran is also the creator of several developer security tooling projects such as npq, is-website-vulnerable, and snync, which help developers and enterprises defend against dependency confusion attacks.
About Liran Tal
Liran Tal is an accomplished software developer, respected security researcher, and prominent advocate for open source software in the JavaScript community. As an experienced author and educator, Liran has written several widely respected books on software security. These include "Serverless Security" published by O'Reilly, as well as the self-published titles "Essential Node.js Security" and "Web Security: Learning HTTP Security Headers". Liran's leadership in open source security includes significant contributions to OWASP projects, recording supply chain security incidents at the CNCF, and various OpenSSF initiatives. Currently, Liran is a developer advocate at Snyk where he empowers developers with the knowledge and tools needed to build and deploy secure software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I learn Node.js security best practices?
I wrote this book first and foremost as a Node.js coding best practices so you can apply secure coding conventions. You can think of it as a Node.js security checklist that you can apply at work or in your own projects.
Will I learn about Node.js security vulnerabilities?
Yes, more than you realized. Forget common Node.js security tutorials and generic security guides - experience true security expertise with this hands-on approach that will analyze actual npm packages that were found vulnerable, some of which you may use today in your projects, and learn why they were vulnerable and how to fix insecure code.
What programming level is required to benefit from this book?
This book doesn't assume any prior knowledge of security nor advanced knowledge of Node.js. It opens with a short introduction to application security, then to Command Injection class of vulnerabilities, and continues to deep-dive into publicly-known vulnerable npm package versions. You will read a lot of code and learn why it's insecure, and how to fix it.
Can it help with Node.js API security?
Probably. As a backend developer, you may need to resort to process execution APIs such as exec() or spawn() in order to perform image processing off the main thread, or other use-cases. You will learn how to secure your Node.js APIs in reference to preventing common Command Injection pitfalls and insecure coding.
Can I contact the author for additional help or questions?
Yes, anytime. I'm always happy to help! Reach out to me here [liran at lirantal dot com].
Does this book focus on other secure Node.js aspects?
No, it focuses specifically and entirely on Command Injection vulnerabilities and how to prevent them. Regardless, it will likely teach you about application security topics and Node.js security best practices that you can apply in your own projects.
of Downloads
Millions of for vulnerable open-source npm packages and projects reviewed in this book, demonstrating the wide impact on the ecosystem.
Chapters
2 introductory chapters, 6 CVE-focused chapters reviewing real-world vulnerable npm packages, 1 best practice chapter and 1 concluding in-the-wild vulnerabilities review chapter.
CVE Years
This book reviews up-to-date security vulnerabilities from the recent years, ranging from 2018 to 2022.
QUIZ Questions
Yes-no, Fill-the-blanks, and multiple answers questions to help you evaluate and test your knowledge in Node.js secure coding
Pages
Extensive hands-on exercises and practical code review of vulnerable code to draw insights and lessons learned
vulnerable npm packages
6 CVE chapters deeply reviewing vulnerable npm packages for lessons learned on command injection vulnerabilities, and 6 more references to vulnerable npm packages to exercise your secure coding skills.
Hands-On
Node.js Security
Master secure coding in Node.js with real-world vulnerable dependencies and experience secure coding firsthand