Security Incident Response Playbook

This playbook provides step-by-step procedures for handling security incidents in React Starter Kit projects. Each procedure includes specific actions, tools, and decision criteria.

Quick Reference

• Security Email: [email protected]
• Incident Tracking: GitHub Security Advisories
• Communication Channel: Email (encrypted when possible)
• Escalation: Project maintainers via GitHub

Incident Classification

Determining Severity

Use this decision tree to classify incidents:

Is remote code execution possible?
├─ Yes → CRITICAL (P0)
└─ No → Can authentication be bypassed?
    ├─ Yes → CRITICAL (P0)
    └─ No → Is sensitive data exposed?
        ├─ Yes (all users) → CRITICAL (P0)
        ├─ Yes (subset) → HIGH (P1)
        └─ No → Is privilege escalation possible?
            ├─ Yes → HIGH (P1)
            └─ No → Is XSS present?
                ├─ Yes (auth flow) → HIGH (P1)
                ├─ Yes (other) → MEDIUM (P2)
                └─ No → Is CSRF possible?
                    ├─ Yes → MEDIUM (P2)
                    └─ No → LOW (P3)

Phase 1: Initial Response

Step 1.1: Acknowledge Report (0-2 hours)

Actions:

1. Send acknowledgment email with template:

   Copy

   Subject: [RSK-SEC-YYYY-NNN] Security Report Received
   
   Thank you for your security report. We have received your submission
   and assigned tracking ID: RSK-SEC-YYYY-NNN
   
   We will begin our initial assessment and respond within [TIMEFRAME].
   
   Please keep this vulnerability confidential while we investigate.
   

2. Create private GitHub issue for tracking

3. Assign initial responder

Tools: Email client, GitHub Issues (private)

Step 1.2: Initial Assessment (2-24 hours)

Actions:

1. Review report for completeness
2. Attempt to reproduce vulnerability
3. Determine affected components
4. Classify severity using decision tree

Decision Points:

• If cannot reproduce – Request clarification
• If critical – Immediately notify maintainers
• If valid – Proceed to Phase 2

Step 1.3: Form Response Team

For Critical/High severity:

• Lead: Project maintainer
• Developer: Fix implementation
• Reviewer: Code review and testing
• Communicator: External updates

For Medium/Low severity:

• Lead: Available maintainer
• Developer: Fix implementation

Phase 2: Investigation & Containment

Step 2.1: Deep Dive Analysis (Day 1-2)

Actions:

1. Set up isolated test environment
2. Reproduce vulnerability with minimal test case
3. Identify root cause
4. Document attack vectors
5. Check for similar vulnerabilities

Checklist:

• Vulnerability reproduced
• Root cause identified
• Attack surface mapped
• Similar code patterns checked
• Impact assessment complete

Step 2.2: Temporary Mitigation (If Critical)

Actions:

1. Develop temporary workaround
2. Test workaround doesn't break functionality
3. Document workaround for users
4. Publish security bulletin with mitigation

Template for Security Bulletin:

## Security Bulletin: [TITLE]

**Date**: [DATE]
**Severity**: [CRITICAL/HIGH]
**Status**: Under Investigation

### Summary

We are investigating a security vulnerability in React Starter Kit.

### Temporary Mitigation

Until a patch is available, users should:

1. [Specific mitigation steps]
2. [Additional steps]

### Timeline

- Patch expected: [DATE]
- Full disclosure: After patch

### Contact

Report issues to: `[email protected]`

Phase 3: Development & Testing

Step 3.1: Develop Fix (Varies by severity)

Actions:

1. Create private branch for fix
2. Implement minimal fix (no refactoring)
3. Add regression tests
4. Document code changes

Code Review Checklist:

• Fix addresses root cause
• No new vulnerabilities introduced
• Tests cover vulnerability scenario
• Changes are minimal and focused
• No sensitive info in comments/commits

Step 3.2: Testing Protocol

Test Environments:

1. Local development
2. Isolated staging
3. Integration testing
4. Performance impact

Test Cases:

• Original PoC no longer works
• Legitimate functionality preserved
• No performance regression
• No new error conditions
• Edge cases handled

Step 3.3: Prepare Release

Actions:

1. Update version numbers
2. Write release notes
3. Prepare security advisory
4. Request CVE (if applicable)

CVE Request Template:

[Contact GitHub Security for CVE]
Repository: react-starter-kit
Vulnerability Type: [TYPE]
Affected Versions: < X.Y.Z
Fixed Version: X.Y.Z
Description: [DESCRIPTION]

Phase 4: Release & Disclosure

Step 4.1: Coordinated Release

Release Checklist:

• Code merged to main branch
• Version tagged and released
• Security advisory drafted
• Reporter notified of release date
• Release notes prepared

Step 4.2: Public Disclosure

Actions:

1. Publish GitHub Security Advisory
2. Update SECURITY.md if needed
3. Send notification to users (if critical)
4. Credit reporter

Security Advisory Template:

## [CVE-YYYY-NNNNN] [Vulnerability Title]

**Severity**: [Critical/High/Medium/Low]
**Affected Versions**: < X.Y.Z
**Patched Version**: X.Y.Z

### Description

[Clear description of vulnerability]

### Impact

[Potential impact on users]

### Patches

Update to version X.Y.Z or later.

### Workarounds

[If any temporary workarounds exist]

### References

- [Links to fixes]
- [Links to documentation]

### Credit

Reported by [Name] ([Organization])

Step 4.3: User Communication

For Critical vulnerabilities:

1. Email registered users (if applicable)
2. Post on project blog/website
3. Social media announcement
4. Update documentation

Communication Template:

Subject: [ACTION REQUIRED] Security Update for React Starter Kit

A critical security vulnerability has been discovered and patched.

Action Required:
1. Update to version X.Y.Z immediately
2. Review security advisory: [LINK]
3. Apply any additional mitigations

Details: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]

Questions: `[email protected]`

Phase 5: Post-Incident Review

Step 5.1: Incident Retrospective (Within 1 week)

Meeting Agenda:

1. Timeline review
2. What went well
3. What could improve
4. Action items
5. Policy updates needed

Questions to Answer:

• How was the vulnerability introduced?
• Why wasn't it caught earlier?
• How can we prevent similar issues?
• Was our response adequate?
• What tools/processes need improvement?

Step 5.2: Implement Improvements

Common Improvements:

• Add security linting rules
• Enhance test coverage
• Update coding guidelines
• Improve dependency management
• Add security checkpoints to CI/CD

Step 5.3: Documentation Updates

Update as needed:

• This playbook
• SECURITY.md
• Development guidelines
• CI/CD configurations
• Security checklist

Appendix A: Tools & Resources

Security Tools

• Dependency Scanning: bun audit, Dependabot
• Static Analysis: ESLint security plugins
• Secret Scanning: GitHub secret scanning, truffleHog
• SAST: Semgrep, CodeQL
• Testing: Vitest for security tests

Communication Tools

• Encrypted Email: PGP/GPG
• Secure File Transfer: Age encryption
• Private Issues: GitHub Security Advisories

External Resources

• GitHub Security Advisories
• CVE Request Process
• OWASP Incident Response
• NIST Incident Handling Guide

Appendix B: Contact Templates

Reporter Follow-up

Subject: Re: [RSK-SEC-YYYY-NNN] Status Update

Thank you for your patience. Here's an update on your report:

Status: [In Progress/Testing Fix/Ready for Release]
Severity: [Confirmed as X]
Timeline: [Expected resolution date]

[Any questions for reporter]

We'll notify you before public disclosure.

Maintainer Escalation

Subject: [URGENT] Critical Security Issue - Immediate Action Required

A critical vulnerability has been reported:

Tracking: RSK-SEC-YYYY-NNN
Type: [Vulnerability type]
Impact: [Brief impact description]
Status: [Confirmed/Under Investigation]

Required Actions:
1. [Immediate actions needed]
2. [Review assignments]

Details in private issue: [Link]

Release Notification

Subject: Security Release Scheduled - [DATE]

Security release details:

Version: X.Y.Z
Release Date: [DATE TIME UTC]
Severity: [Level]
CVE: [If assigned]

Pre-release checklist:
- [ ] Code reviewed and tested
- [ ] Advisory prepared
- [ ] Reporter notified
- [ ] Release notes ready

Please confirm readiness by [DATE].

Revision History

• v1.0.0 - Initial playbook creation
• Updates logged in commit history

This playbook is a living document. Update it based on lessons learned from each incident.