This is a web security policy cracy where by
a web server declares that the complying of users’ agents is to interact with
it using only secure HTTPS connections.
HSTS Policy is communicated through the
server to the user’s agent through a HTTP response headers fields named
"Strict-Transport-Security". HSTS Policy specifies the period of time
during which the user’s agent shall approach the server in a secure only manner.
HSTS mechanisms:
Servers implement an HSTS policy through
supplying the header over HTTPS connections.
1.
An automatically turn any in-secure
links referencing the web application into secure links.
2.
If the security of the
connections can’t be ensured, show an error message or do not allow the user’s
to access the web application.
Limitations:
The first request remains
un-protected from active attacks, if it uses an in-secure protocol such as
plain HTTP and if the URL for the starting request was obtained over an in-secure
channel. The same as applies to the initial request after the process period
specified in advertised the HSTS Policy max-age. Google Chrome or Mozilla
Firefox addresses this limitation through implementing a "STS pre-loaded
list", which is a list of that contains known sites supporting to the HSTS. A probable solution might be achieved through
using Data Name Source (DNS) record to declare the HSTS Policy, & accessing
them securely by DNSSEC, optionally
with certificate of finger prints to ensure legality.
What is DNSSEC?
The full form of the “Domain Name System Security Extensions “and
it is a page, and it is about the various possible meanings of abbreviation, acronym,
short hand and slang term: “DNSSEC”.
To test by manually,
access the web site through typing of any web site URL
“http://abc.com” in URL bar of the browser. If you are capable to
access the web site over http then “HSTS” is not enabled. When this feature is
enabled in browser always communicate with server over HTTPS.
This can be tested using
CURL.
1.
Download from internet and installs the CURL in you PC.
2.
Open the “Run command” prompt window
as administrator.
3.
Executes the command.
“Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=xxxxxx” header will be present
if HSTS is enabled.
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