FEATURE: Add Virus Scanning to File Upload Middleware

[100NikhilBro]

Describe the Feature

🛡️ Add Virus Scanning to File Upload Middleware

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📝 Description

Currently, our file upload middleware handles:

• ✅ File storage in public/images
• ✅ Unique file naming to avoid conflicts
• ✅ File size restriction (max 1MB)

However, it does NOT handle file security, such as virus or malware scanning.

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⚠️ Why This Is Important

Uploading files without proper scanning can expose the system to:

• Malicious files (e.g., viruses, trojans)
• Compromised user data
• Potential server security risks

Ensuring uploaded files are safe is critical for production-ready applications.

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❌ What Is Missing

• No virus scanning for uploaded files
• Only basic extension validation, not MIME-type or content verification
• No integration with an external API or local scanner

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💡 Recommended Solution

We suggest integrating an external virus scanning API (like VirusTotal API) because:

• 🌐 Does not require server setup
• ⚡ Lightweight and easy to integrate
• 🔄 Automatic updates with latest virus definitions

Using NodeClam requires a local ClamAV server, which adds server overhead and maintenance complexity.

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🔑 Benefits

• Improved security and production safety
• Reduced risk of malware affecting our users or servers
• Demonstrates proactive attention to security in the codebase

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🛠️ Next Steps

1. Research available external virus scanning APIs.
2. Integrate API into the file upload middleware.
3. Test with safe and unsafe files to ensure scanning works correctly.
4. Document the process in the README or developer guide.

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⚠️ Note: Even if full integration is not done immediately, creating this issue ensures security awareness and a roadmap for improvement.

Use Case

📌 Use Case

In our application, users can upload images and documents. Without virus scanning, a malicious file could be uploaded, potentially compromising the server or other users.
Example: A user uploads a file disguised as a .jpg, but it contains malware code that could exploit server vulnerabilities.

Additional Information

ℹ️ Additional Information

Case Study: In 2017, a popular web platform experienced a security breach when attackers uploaded malicious files disguised as images. This allowed execution of harmful scripts on the server, leading to data leaks and downtime.
This highlights the importance of integrating virus scanning into any file upload system.

Suggested Tools

🛠️ Suggested Tools

• External APIs: VirusTotal API, OPSWAT MetaDefender
• Node.js Libraries: node-clam (requires local ClamAV setup)
• Validation: Check MIME types and file signatures to prevent disguised malicious files

Additional Context or Information

No response

[100NikhilBro]

@hiteshchoudhary Hello Sir,
I have opened an improvement issue related to file upload security. If approved, I would like to work on implementing it.
Additionally, I have identified a few potential security vulnerabilities in our application, based on OWASP Top 10 guidelines, and I would like to create corresponding issues to address them.
Your approval and guidance would be highly appreciated.