securebit-chat/SECURITY.md

# Security Policy

## 🛡️ Security Overview

SecureBit.chat is built with security-first principles and implements **military-grade security** with 12-layer protection system. We take security vulnerabilities seriously and appreciate responsible disclosure from the security community.

**Current Security Status:** 🔒 **MAXIMUM SECURITY (Stage 4)** - Exceeds government-grade communication standards

## 🔒 Enhanced Security Features (Stage 4)

### Multi-Layer Cryptographic Implementation
- **Key Exchange:** ECDH P-384 (NIST recommended curve) with non-extractable keys
- **Primary Encryption:** AES-GCM 256-bit with authenticated encryption
- **Nested Encryption:** Additional AES-GCM 256-bit layer for maximum protection
- **Metadata Protection:** Separate AES-GCM 256-bit encryption for message metadata
- **Digital Signatures:** ECDSA P-384 with SHA-384 for message authenticity and MITM protection
- **Perfect Forward Secrecy:** Automatic key rotation every 5 minutes with secure key versioning
- **Non-extractable Keys:** All cryptographic keys are hardware-protected and non-exportable
- **Enhanced Replay Protection:** Multi-factor protection with sequence numbers, message IDs, and timestamps

### Advanced Traffic Obfuscation
- **Packet Padding:** Random padding (64-512 bytes) to hide real message sizes
- **Anti-Fingerprinting:** Advanced traffic pattern obfuscation and timing randomization
- **Fake Traffic Generation:** Invisible decoy messages for traffic analysis protection
- **Message Chunking:** Split messages into random-sized chunks with variable delays
- **Packet Reordering Protection:** Sequence-based packet reassembly with timeout handling
- **Decoy Channels:** Multiple fake communication channels to confuse attackers

### Enhanced Security Architecture
- **Zero-trust Model:** No central servers to compromise
- **P2P Direct:** WebRTC encrypted channels with enhanced validation
- **No Data Persistence:** Messages exist only in memory, automatic cleanup
- **Enhanced Rate Limiting:** 60 messages/minute, 5 connections/5 minutes with cryptographic verification
- **Session Security:** 64-byte salts, unique session IDs, and replay attack prevention
- **MITM Protection:** Out-of-band verification codes with enhanced validation

## 🚨 Supported Versions

| Version | Security Level | Supported          |
| ------- | -------------- | ------------------ |
| 4.0.x   | MAXIMUM        | ✅ Yes (12 layers)|
| 3.x.x   | HIGH           | ⚠️  Limited       |
| < 3.0   | BASIC          | ❌ No             |

**Recommendation:** Upgrade to 4.0.x immediately for maximum security protection.

## 📋 Reporting a Vulnerability

### 🔴 Critical Vulnerabilities
For **critical security issues** that could compromise user safety:

**DO NOT** create a public GitHub issue.

**Contact us privately:**
- 📧 **Email:** security@SecureBit.chat (PGP key below)
- 🔒 **Signal:** +[REDACTED] (ask for Signal number via email)
- 🔐 **Keybase:** @SecureBitChat

### 🟡 Non-Critical Issues
For general security improvements or non-critical findings:
- Create a GitHub issue with `[SECURITY]` prefix
- Use our security issue template

## 📝 Vulnerability Disclosure Process

1. **Report:** Send details to security@SecureBit.chat
2. **Acknowledgment:** We'll respond within 24 hours
3. **Investigation:** We'll investigate and keep you updated
4. **Fix:** We'll develop and test a fix
5. **Disclosure:** Public disclosure after fix is deployed
6. **Credit:** We'll credit you in our security hall of fame

### Timeline Expectations
- **Initial Response:** < 24 hours
- **Status Update:** Every 72 hours
- **Fix Timeline:** Critical bugs < 7 days, Others < 30 days

## 🏆 Security Hall of Fame

We maintain a hall of fame for security researchers who help improve SecureBit.chat:

<!-- Security researchers will be listed here -->
*Be the first to help secure SecureBit.chat!*

## 🔍 Security Audit History

### Independent Audits
- **Pending:** Professional cryptographic audit (Q2 2025)
- **Community:** Ongoing peer review by security researchers

### Internal Security Measures
- **Code Review:** All cryptographic code reviewed by multiple developers
- **Security Testing:** Comprehensive 12-layer security test suite
- **Dependencies:** Regular security updates for all dependencies
- **Vulnerability Testing:** Automated testing for all 12 security layers

## 📊 Security Architecture (Stage 4)

```
12-Layer Security Architecture:
├── Layer 1: Enhanced Authentication (ECDSA P-384 + SHA-384)
├── Layer 2: Key Exchange (ECDH P-384, non-extractable keys)
├── Layer 3: Metadata Protection (AES-256-GCM + 64-byte salt)
├── Layer 4: Message Encryption (Enhanced with sequence numbers)
├── Layer 5: Nested Encryption (Additional AES-256-GCM layer)
├── Layer 6: Packet Padding (64-512 bytes random obfuscation)
├── Layer 7: Anti-Fingerprinting (Advanced pattern obfuscation)
├── Layer 8: Packet Reordering Protection (Sequence + timeout)
├── Layer 9: Message Chunking (Random delays + sizes)
├── Layer 10: Fake Traffic Generation (Invisible decoy messages)
├── Layer 11: Enhanced Rate Limiting (Cryptographic verification)
└── Layer 12: Perfect Forward Secrecy (5-minute key rotation)
```

### Security Metrics
- **Encryption Strength:** Triple-layer AES-256-GCM
- **Key Security:** P-384 ECDH/ECDSA (equivalent to 7680-bit RSA)
- **Forward Secrecy:** Complete (automatic key rotation)
- **Traffic Analysis Protection:** Maximum (6-layer obfuscation)
- **Attack Surface:** Minimal (P2P, no central servers)

## 🛠️ Security Best Practices for Users

### For Maximum Security:
1. **Verify Authenticity:** Always verify out-of-band codes (enhanced 6-digit format)
2. **Use Official Source:** Only use https://SecureBit.chat
3. **Keep Updated:** Use version 4.0.x for maximum security
4. **Secure Environment:** Use updated browsers on secure devices
5. **Lightning Wallets:** Use reputable Lightning wallets (Alby, Zeus, etc.)
6. **Monitor Security Status:** Check for "MAXIMUM SECURITY" indicator in chat

### Security Indicators:
- ✅ **Green Shield:** MAXIMUM SECURITY (Stage 4) active
- 🟡 **Yellow Shield:** HIGH SECURITY (Stage 3)
- 🔴 **Red Shield:** Security issues detected

### Red Flags:
- ❌ Verification codes don't match
- ❌ Security level below Stage 4
- ❌ Unusual connection behavior
- ❌ Requests for private keys or seed phrases
- ❌ Unofficial domains or mirrors
- ❌ Missing security layer notifications

## 🔬 Security Research Guidelines

### Scope
**In Scope:**
- ✅ Cryptographic implementation flaws in any of the 12 layers
- ✅ WebRTC security issues
- ✅ Authentication bypass attempts
- ✅ Input validation vulnerabilities
- ✅ Client-side security issues
- ✅ Traffic analysis vulnerabilities
- ✅ Perfect Forward Secrecy implementation
- ✅ Anti-fingerprinting bypass techniques
- ✅ Fake traffic detection methods

**Out of Scope:**
- ❌ Social engineering attacks
- ❌ Physical attacks on user devices
- ❌ DoS attacks on user connections
- ❌ Issues requiring physical access
- ❌ Lightning Network protocol issues
- ❌ Browser security vulnerabilities

### Research Ethics
- **No Disruption:** Don't interfere with live users
- **Responsible Disclosure:** Follow our disclosure timeline
- **No Data Harvesting:** Don't collect user communications
- **Legal Compliance:** Follow all applicable laws
- **Respect Privacy:** Don't attempt to break active encrypted sessions

## 🔄 Recent Security Updates (Version 4.0)

### Major Security Enhancements:
- ✅ **Implemented 12-layer security architecture**
- ✅ **Added Perfect Forward Secrecy with automatic key rotation**
- ✅ **Enhanced MITM protection with ECDSA signatures**
- ✅ **Implemented traffic obfuscation (fake traffic, padding, chunking)**
- ✅ **Added anti-fingerprinting protection**
- ✅ **Fixed demo session creation vulnerability**
- ✅ **Eliminated session replay attacks**
- ✅ **Enhanced rate limiting with cryptographic verification**

### Bug Fixes:
- 🔧 **Fixed fake traffic visibility in user interface**
- 🔧 **Resolved message processing conflicts**
- 🔧 **Improved security layer error handling**
- 🔧 **Enhanced session validation**

## 📚 Security Resources

### Technical Documentation:
- [12-Layer Security Architecture](docs/SECURITY-ARCHITECTURE.md)
- [Cryptographic Implementation](docs/CRYPTOGRAPHY.md)
- [P2P Security Model](docs/P2P-SECURITY.md)
- [Lightning Integration Security](docs/LIGHTNING-SECURITY.md)
- [Traffic Obfuscation Guide](docs/TRAFFIC-OBFUSCATION.md)

### External Resources:
- [WebRTC Security Guide](https://webrtc-security.github.io/)
- [Web Crypto API Best Practices](https://www.w3.org/TR/WebCryptoAPI/)
- [Lightning Network Security](https://lightning.network/lightning-network-paper.pdf)
- [NIST Cryptographic Standards](https://csrc.nist.gov/)

### Security Verification:
```bash
# Verify current security status in browser console:
webrtcManager.getSecurityStatus()
# Expected: { stage: 4, securityLevel: 'MAXIMUM', activeFeatures: 12 }
```

## 📞 Contact Information

- **Security Team:** security@SecureBit.chat
- **General Contact:** lockbitchat@tutanota.com
- **GitHub Issues:** https://github.com/SecureBitChat/securebit-chat/issues

## 🏅 Security Achievements

SecureBit.chat v4.0 provides:
- **🥇 Military-Grade Security:** 12-layer protection system
- **🥇 Government-Level Encryption:** Triple AES-256-GCM + P-384 ECDH/ECDSA
- **🥇 Perfect Forward Secrecy:** Complete with automatic key rotation
- **🥇 Traffic Analysis Protection:** Maximum with 6-layer obfuscation
- **🥇 Zero-Trust Architecture:** No central points of failure

**Security Rating: MAXIMUM** - Exceeds most government and military communication standards.

---

*This security policy is reviewed and updated quarterly. Last updated: January 14, 2025*
*Security implementation verified and tested as of Version 4.0*