How Do I Add Application Level Security

 

Introduction

Securing an Oracle APEX application is critical to protect sensitive data and ensure only authorized users can access specific features or pages. Application-level security in Oracle APEX involves configuring authentication and authorization schemes, session management, and other built-in security features to safeguard your application. This blog post will guide you through the process of implementing robust application-level security in Oracle APEX, highlight best practices, and provide a link to the official Oracle APEX documentation for further reference.

Steps to Add Application-Level Security in Oracle APEX

1. Define an Authentication Scheme
   Authentication verifies the identity of users attempting to access your application. Oracle APEX provides several authentication schemes, such as Oracle APEX Accounts, LDAP, Single Sign-On (SSO), and Custom Authentication.

   • Navigate to Shared Components > Authentication Schemes in your application.
   • Select or create a new authentication scheme (e.g., "APEX Authentication" for simplicity).
   • Configure the scheme by specifying credentials or integrating with external systems like SSO or LDAP. For custom authentication, define a PL/SQL function to validate user credentials against a database table.
   • Ensure the scheme is set as the "Current" scheme for the application.

2. Implement Authorization Schemes
   Authorization controls what authenticated users can do within the application. Oracle APEX allows you to create authorization schemes to restrict access to pages, regions, or items based on user roles or conditions.

   • Go to Shared Components > Authorization Schemes.
   • Create a new scheme, such as "Admin Only" or "User Role Check," using a PL/SQL function or SQL query to evaluate user privileges. For example:

     SELECT 1
     FROM users
     WHERE username = :APP_USER
     AND role = 'ADMIN';
     

   • Apply the authorization scheme to specific pages, regions, or components to restrict access.

3. Secure Session Management
   Session management ensures that user sessions are protected from unauthorized access or session hijacking.

   • Enable Session State Protection in Shared Components > Security Attributes to prevent URL tampering. Configure page and item-level session state protection to validate checksums.
   • Set a Session Timeout to log out inactive users after a specified period.
   • Use Secure Cookies by enabling the "Secure" attribute for session cookies to ensure they are only sent over HTTPS.

4. Enable HTTPS
   To protect data in transit, configure your Oracle APEX application to use HTTPS.

   • Ensure your Oracle APEX instance is hosted on a server with a valid SSL/TLS certificate.
   • In the application properties, set the Require HTTPS option under Security Attributes to enforce secure connections.

5. Protect Against SQL Injection and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
   Oracle APEX has built-in features to mitigate common vulnerabilities.

   • Use bind variables in SQL queries to prevent SQL injection. For example:

     SELECT username FROM users WHERE user_id = :P1_USER_ID;
     

   • Enable Escape Special Characters for dynamic content in regions, items, or reports to prevent XSS attacks.
   • Validate user inputs using APEX validations or custom PL/SQL logic to ensure data integrity.

6. Use Access Control Lists (ACLs)
   Oracle APEX provides an Access Control feature to simplify role-based access management.

   • Navigate to Shared Components > Application Access Control.
   • Define roles (e.g., Administrator, Editor, Viewer) and assign them to users via a database table or custom logic.
   • Apply these roles to authorization schemes for fine-grained access control.

7. Monitor and Audit User Activity
   Track user actions to identify potential security issues.

   • Enable Application Activity Logging in Shared Components > Security Attributes to log page views and user actions.
   • Use the APEX_ACTIVITY_LOG view to query activity logs for auditing purposes.
   • Implement custom logging in PL/SQL processes for sensitive operations, such as user login or data modifications.

Application-level security in Oracle APEX ensures that users can only access the appropriate data and functionality based on their roles and permissions. This security is enforced through authentication, authorization, session state management, and data protection techniques. Implementing security at the application level helps protect sensitive information, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain application integrity.

Authentication in APEX

Authentication verifies a user's identity before granting access to an application. Oracle APEX provides several authentication methods that can be configured at the application level:

Built-in Authentication Schemes

• APEX Accounts – Uses Oracle APEX’s internal user management system.

• Database Accounts – Requires users to log in with an Oracle database user.

• LDAP Directory – Integrates with an LDAP server to authenticate users.

• Single Sign-On (SSO) – Allows authentication using enterprise-wide credentials.

• Social Sign-In – Enables login using Google, Facebook, or other OAuth providers.

• Custom PL/SQL Function – Uses a PL/SQL function to validate user credentials.

Configuring Authentication in Oracle APEX

To set up authentication:

1. Navigate to Shared Components in the APEX application.

2. Click Authentication Schemes under the Security section.

3. Select an authentication type and configure the settings.

4. Set the authentication scheme as Current to activate it.

Authorization in APEX

Authorization defines what actions a user is allowed to perform after authentication. It is used to control access to pages, buttons, regions, reports, and other components.

Creating an Authorization Scheme

1. Go to Shared Components → Authorization Schemes.

2. Click Create and choose Based on a SQL Query or PL/SQL Function.

3. Define the logic that determines whether a user has the required permissions.

4. Apply the authorization scheme to pages or components.

Example: Role-Based Access Control

To restrict access to a page for admin users only, use an SQL-based authorization scheme:

EXISTS (

    SELECT 1 

    FROM my_security_table 

    WHERE user_id = :APP_USER 

    AND privilege = 'ADMIN'

)

Session State Protection

Oracle APEX maintains user session data, including authentication details, page items, and application state. Session State Protection (SSP) ensures that users cannot tamper with session values by modifying URLs or form submissions.

To enable SSP:

1. Go to Shared Components → Session State Protection.

2. Set the Session State Protection Level to Enabled.

3. Apply Restricted or Checksum Required settings to page items that should not be modified externally.

Securing Data in APEX

Protecting sensitive data is a key part of application-level security. Consider the following best practices:

Using Bind Variables in SQL Queries

Instead of embedding values directly in SQL, use bind variables to prevent SQL injection attacks:

SELECT * FROM employees WHERE department_id = :P1_DEPT_ID

Encrypting Sensitive Data

Store confidential data in an encrypted format using DBMS_CRYPTO functions:

DBMS_CRYPTO.ENCRYPT (

    src => UTL_RAW.CAST_TO_RAW('Sensitive Data'),

    typ => DBMS_CRYPTO.ENCRYPT_AES256 + DBMS_CRYPTO.CHAIN_CBC,

    key => encryption_key

)

Applying Security to UI Components

Authorization schemes can be applied to various UI elements:

• Pages – Restrict access based on user roles.

• Regions – Show or hide sections dynamically.

• Buttons and Items – Enable or disable controls for specific users.

• Reports and Interactive Grids – Filter data based on user permissions.

To apply security to a button:

1. Open the button's properties in Page Designer.

2. Under Security, set Authorization Scheme to a predefined authorization rule.

3. Save and run the application.

Logging and Auditing

Monitoring user activity can help detect security issues. Use Database Triggers and APEX Logging to track changes and log user interactions.

Example of logging user activity in a custom table:

CREATE TABLE audit_log (

    log_id NUMBER GENERATED ALWAYS AS IDENTITY,

    user_id VARCHAR2(50),

    action VARCHAR2(100),

    log_timestamp TIMESTAMP DEFAULT SYSDATE

);

To insert an entry into the log:

INSERT INTO audit_log (user_id, action) VALUES (:APP_USER, 'Page Accessed');

COMMIT;

Application-level security in Oracle APEX involves authentication, authorization, session management, and data protection. By implementing these security measures, developers can build secure and reliable applications that protect sensitive data and ensure controlled user access.

Best Practices for Application-Level Security in Oracle APEX

• Least Privilege Principle: Grant users only the permissions they need to perform their tasks. Use authorization schemes to enforce role-based access.
• Regularly Update and Patch: Keep your Oracle APEX instance and database updated with the latest security patches to address vulnerabilities.
• Strong Password Policies: Enforce complex passwords and regular password changes for APEX accounts or custom authentication schemes.
• Secure Development Practices: Avoid hardcoding sensitive information (e.g., API keys) in your application. Use APEX items or application settings for configuration.
• Test Security Configurations: Regularly test authentication and authorization schemes in a development environment to ensure they work as expected.
• Backup and Recovery: Maintain regular backups of your APEX application and database to recover from potential security incidents.
• Use Built-in Features: Leverage Oracle APEX’s native security features, such as Session State Protection and Access Control, rather than reinventing the wheel with custom code.

Oracle APEX Documentation
For detailed guidance on securing your Oracle APEX application, refer to the official Oracle APEX documentation:
Oracle APEX Security Documentation

Conclusion
Implementing application-level security in Oracle APEX is a multi-faceted process that involves configuring authentication, authorization, session management, and protections against common vulnerabilities. By following the steps outlined above and adhering to best practices, you can build a secure and reliable APEX application that protects sensitive data and ensures a safe user experience. Always stay updated with Oracle’s official documentation and regularly review your security configurations to adapt to evolving threats.