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
• Secure Key Storage: WeakMap-based isolation preventing direct access to sensitive keys
• Key Security Monitoring: Automatic validation, rotation, and emergency wipe capabilities

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
• Connection Security Framework: Advanced mutex system with 15-second timeout protection
• Race Condition Protection: Atomic key generation and serialized connection operations
• Multi-stage Validation: Step-by-step validation with automatic rollback on failures
• Production Security Logging: Environment-aware logging with data sanitization

🚨 Supported Versions

Version	Security Level	Supported
4.1.x	MILITARY-GRADE	✅ Yes (15 layers)
4.0.x	MAXIMUM	✅ Yes (12 layers)
3.x.x	HIGH	⚠️ Limited
< 3.0	BASIC	❌ No

Recommendation: Upgrade to 4.1.x immediately for military-grade 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:

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
• Cryptographic Implementation
• P2P Security Model
• Lightning Integration Security
• Traffic Obfuscation Guide

External Resources:

• WebRTC Security Guide
• Web Crypto API Best Practices
• Lightning Network Security
• NIST Cryptographic Standards

Security Verification:

# 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.

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