Unlocking the potential of AI-driven tools such as AI Copilot without compromising your software security - how to achieve this?

We are in a time where AI is transforming how we live, so it’s crucial to think about how secure it is. In this article, we’ll dive into the risks that come with AI, especially looking at tools like GitHub Copilot. We’ll also talk about why coding securely is key to protecting our digital world.

AI’s Security Challenges

AI is evolving quickly and becoming a vital part of modern innovation, but the development of proper security measures hasn’t kept up. This leaves both AI systems and their creations vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. In many AI systems, machine learning is key, using extensive datasets to “learn” and “decide”. Yet, AI’s strength in processing vast data is also its weakness – starting with “whatever we find on the Internet” may not be ideal training data. Hackers can exploit this, manipulating data to deceive AI into errors or malicious actions.

How secure is Copilot?

GitHub Copilot, powered by OpenAI’s Codex, showcases AI’s coding potential, improving productivity by suggesting code snippets and whole blocks of code. Yet, studies caution against complete reliance on this technology, as a notable portion of Copilot-generated code may contain security flaws, including vulnerabilities to common attacks like SQL injection and buffer overflows.

The “Garbage In, Garbage Out” (GIGO) principle applies here. AI models such as Copilot rely on training data, much of which is unsupervised. This training data is likely to be flawed (given that it comes from open-source projects or Q&A sites), so the output, based on code suggestions, may inherit these flaws. Early studies (Asleep at the Keyboard? Assessing the Security of GitHub Copilot’s Code Contributions) found that around 40% of Copilot-generated code samples based on the CWE Top 25 were vulnerable, emphasizing the importance of reinforced security awareness. A later study in 2023 (Is GitHub’s Copilot as bad as humans at introducing vulnerabilities in code?) showed some improvement but still found Copilot’s performance lacking, particularly in handling vulnerabilities related to missing input validation. This underscores the challenges of using generative AI for security without comprehensive solutions for handling vulnerabilities.

Integrating AI tools like GitHub Copilot into software development demands a cautious approach, demanding a shift in mindset and implementation of robust strategies to address potential vulnerabilities. Here are practical tips for developers to maximize productivity while maintaining security when utilizing Copilot and similar AI-driven tools.

1. Enforce rigorous input validation

Defensive programming remains central to secure coding practices. When incorporating Copilot’s code suggestions, particularly for functions dealing with user input, establish rigorous input validation procedures. Define criteria for acceptable user input, create an allowlist of permitted characters and data formats, and validate inputs before processing. Alternatively, consider requesting Copilot to handle this task; it can be effective at times.

2. Securely handle dependencies

Copilot might recommend adding dependencies to your project, which attackers could exploit through supply chain attacks like “package hallucination”. Prior to integrating any suggested libraries, manually assess their security by checking for known vulnerabilities in databases such as the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) or conduct a software composition analysis (SCA) using tools like OWASP Dependency-Check or npm audit for Node.js projects. These tools facilitate automatic tracking and management of dependencies’ security status.

3. Regularly perform security assessments

Whether the code originates from AI-generated sources or is manually crafted, prioritize regular code reviews and security-focused testing. Employ a combination of approaches, including static (SAST) and dynamic (DAST) testing, Software Composition Analysis (SCA), as well as manual and automated testing. However, prioritize human intelligence over tools; while automation is valuable, human judgment remains irreplaceable.

4. Take a step-by-step approach

Begin by allowing Copilot to generate comments or debug logs. It excels in these areas and any errors here won’t impact your code’s security. As you become familiar with its functionality, gradually expand its usage to generate code snippets for actual functionalities.

5. Always review Copilot’s offerings

Never accept Copilot’s suggestions without review. Remember, you are the pilot; Copilot is simply a tool, it isjust a “copilot” after all. While you and Copilot can work effectively as a team, ultimate responsibility lies with you. Therefore, ensure you understand the expected code and desired outcomes before proceeding.

6. Experiment

Experiment with various prompts and scenarios in chat mode. If unsatisfied with the results, ask Copilot to refine the code, and ask it if the code contains any vulnerabilities. Seek to comprehend Copilot’s decision-making process in different situations, recognizing its strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, bear in mind that Copilot improves over time—thus, continue to experiment regularly!

7. Stay updated and educated

Stay updated on the latest security threats and best practices by continually educating yourself and your team. Engage with security blogs, attend webinars and workshops, and participate in forums focused on secure coding. Knowledge serves as a potent tool in identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities in code, whether generated by AI or not.

In conclusion, secure coding practices are crucial as we venture into AI-generated code. Tools like GitHub Copilot offer growth opportunities but also code security challenges. Understanding these risks ensures effective yet secure coding to safeguard infrastructure and data.

Cydrill provides a blended learning journey for software engineers to ensure effective secure coding readiness. With its gamified environment and content, Cydrill empowers developers to be on the front line in securing our digital future.