Essential Node.js Security

for Express Web Applications

Liran Tal
written by
Liran Tal

Hands-on and abundant with source code for a practical guide to Securing Node.js web applications.

$29.99 $14.99 | PDF
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by top Node.js developers

Tip: get 2 Node.js secure coding books bundle for $60.48 and save 65%

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Join 424+ developers learning Node.js security skills

Hands-on and abundant with source code for a practical guide to Securing Node.js web applications

Node.js Secure Code Guidelines

Express Hardening

Node.js and npm secure dependencies management

Understanding and securing HTTP Headers, NoSQL Injections, XSS, CSRF, Regex DoS, Sessions and more

Essential Node.js Security table of contents

Testimonials from Top Node.js Developers

Read testimonials and learn what the developer community has to say about the books and their recommendations to skill up on Node.js Secure Coding practices.

David Madar
David Madar
Software Engineer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Excellent book. Covers the possible security issues and the right way to discover and deal with them. Written clearly with plenty of examples. A great book for those who wish to enrich their knowledge in security and for those who want to implement practical security solutions in their application.

Ran Bar Zik
Ran Bar Zik
Web Developer @AOL

An essential book for every Node.js developer out there. Many security issues can be avoided just by understanding the inherent security risks and this book covers clear description and how to tackle those issues. It is recommended not only for Node.js developers but to all JavaScript developers who want to expand their understanding of security. Security in source code should not be neglected and by reading this book every developer will do a major step towards producing more secure code.

Check out Liran's newest Node.js Secure Coding books 👇

Node.js Secure Coding: Defending Against Command Injection Vulnerabilities
Node.js Secure Coding: Defending Against Command Injection Vulnerabilities, dark mode edition

Digital book

PDF & EPUB

The book features:

  • 106 Pages
  • 12 Vulnerable npm Packages
  • 33 Self-assessment Questions
  • 10 Chapters
  • Light Mode
  • Dark Mode SPECIAL EDITION
  • July 2023 release
  • Sale 15% OFF

Tip: get 2 secure coding books bundle for $60.48 and save 65% Buy Bundle

Node.js Secure Coding: Defending Against Command Injection Vulnerabilities
Node.js Secure Coding: Defending Against Command Injection Vulnerabilities, dark mode edition

Digital book

PDF & EPUB

The book features:

  • 117 Pages
  • 7 Vulnerable npm Packages
  • 40 Self-assessment Questions
  • 11 Chapters
  • Light Mode
  • Dark Mode SPECIAL EDITION
  • September 2023 release
  • Sale 15% OFF

Liran is a tireless advocate for security in the JS ecosystem. He works hard to build bridges, educate developers about security issues, and support Open Source projects working to improve their security posture. Liran has served on the Node security team and is always available to support developers!

by the OpenJS Foundation

Liran Tal

Meet Liran Tal, the Author.

Security Analyst for the Node.js Foundation

In his role as a security analyst in the Node.js Foundation's Security Working Group, Liran reviewed hundreds of vulnerability reports for npm packages and established processes for responsible security disclosures and vulnerability triage 🏴‍☠️.

Education is a core practice

Passionate about educating developers on application security and secure coding practices, Liran is a world-wide international speaker, workshop instructor, and author of several books on the subject. He occasionally speaks on software security topics at academic institutions, such as presenting to students at the Electrical and Computer Engineering School at Purdue University 🎓.

Award-winning GitHub Star ⭐️

Liran received the GitHub Star recognition award from GitHub for his work educating and inspiring developers and actively advocating for web security.

Recipient of the Pathfinder for Security Award 🎖️

Honored by the OpenJS Foundation with the Pathfinder for Security Award, Liran is recognized for his work advancing Node.js security.

I'm a Security Researcher

An accomplished security researcher, Liran has disclosed security vulnerabilities in various open source software projects, including being credited with CVEs to his name for vulnerabilities in npm packages with millions of downloads.

Acclaimed Recognition at Black Hat

Liran's discovery in supply chain security research, including Lockfile Injection, was presented at the prestigious Black Hat Europe 2021 cybersecurity conference. Liran is also the creator of several developer security tooling projects such as npq, is-website-vulnerable, and snync, which help developers and enterprises defend against dependency confusion attacks.

About Liran Tal

Liran Tal is an accomplished software developer, respected security researcher, and prominent advocate for open source software in the JavaScript community. As an experienced author and educator, Liran has written several widely respected books on software security. These include "Serverless Security" published by O'Reilly, as well as the self-published titles "Essential Node.js Security" and "Web Security: Learning HTTP Security Headers". Liran's leadership in open source security includes significant contributions to OWASP projects, recording supply chain security incidents at the CNCF, and various OpenSSF initiatives. Currently, Liran is a developer advocate at Snyk where he empowers developers with the knowledge and tools needed to build and deploy secure software.

Leading Developers Love Node.js Secure Coding

Read testimonials and learn what the developer community has to say about the books and their recommendations to skill up on Node.js Secure Coding practices.

"I have finished reading Node.js Secure Coding from Liran Tal. I read the whole thing in an hour without realizing it. I learned and discovered a few things along the way. I laughed at the IFS, didn't see it coming."


Thomas Gentilhomme

Thomas Gentilhomme

Node.js lead at MyUnisoft, Node Security WG

"Liran Tal, your book on Node.js security is an absolute gem! The abundance of real-world examples with commented fixes is incredibly valuable. Your practical solutions have enlightened me, especially the discovery of the shell-quote module! Recommended to all Node.js developers!"


Manuel Spigolon

Manuel Spigolon

Senior Software Developer at NearForm

"I wholeheartedly enjoyed working and learning from Liran's expertise in securing applications. With extensive experience speaking at global conferences and actively contributing code to the community, he is a true authority in the field. I highly endorse both his enlightening book and engaging workshop, as they are invaluable resources for anyone looking to enhance their understanding and implementation of application security"


Yoni Goldberg

Yoni Goldberg

Software Architect, Node.js Specialist

"Liran Tal just published a new book about Node.js secure coding. It is worth taking a look at!"


Daniel Garcia

Daniel Garcia

Cybersecurity & API Security Consultant

"I highly recommend the new Node.js Secure Coding book published by Liran Tal. Covers not only Node.js but also gives you another perspective on how to achieve good and secure applications, especially with understanding and handling SAST vulnerabilities. Liran - CHAPEAU!"


Eli (Tom) Lelonek

Eli (Tom) Lelonek

Application Security Manager at Allot

"Got my copy of Node.js secure coding! I already know I'll learn a lot 🔥"


Marco Ippolito

Marco Ippolito

Node.js Collaborator & Developer Experience Engineer @NearForm

"A very interesting book that I recommend if you are in the Node.js world is "Node.js Secure Coding" by Liran Tal. Laid out with explanations, examples and tips. Warmly recommended."


Diego Betto

Diego Betto

Founder & Senior Fullstack Developer

"Read trough first 3 chapters last night, nice work Liran!"


Aranđel Šarenac

Aranđel Šarenac

12+ years developer, focusing on Identity Security

"Highly recommend Liran Tal's ebooks for any Node developers who are serious about security (which should be all of you!)"


Alicia Sykes

Alicia Sykes

Principal Engineer @AND Digital

"Started reading the Prevention and Exploitation of Path Traversal and I am very happy with the quality. It is connecting me to some knowledge I had from working in AV company and now with code, very interesting."


Yana Ifraimov

Yana Ifraimov

NOC Engineer @Skai

"Node.js security rock-star Liran Tal drops another book on how to ship safe Node.js applications. I know it's hard to tell sometimes where to start from when it comes to security, as the internet is flooded with content. Well, look no more - trust content composed by Liran"


Gal Weizman

Gal Weizman

Browser JS Application Security at MetaMask & LavaMoat

"It's not every day that you can pay less than $20 for years of security wisdom. Just got this and will be using the book during my streams to improve my code."


Ray Fernando

Ray Fernando

AI app at TruthTorch.ai, ex-Apple Engineer

"The amount of content covering advanced topics in Node.js is so little, makes this a must-read"


Ruan Martinelli

Ruan Martinelli

Product engineer, Full-stack Freelancer & Consultant

"Outstanding book, can't wait."


Tiger Abrodi

Tiger Abrodi

TypeScript fanatic

"I've followed Liran Tal's work for years and definitely one of the top experts in Node.js security! Give these a look as they are essential for anyone serious about securing their Node.js applications."


Zac Rosenbauer

Zac Rosenbauer

CTO & Co-founder at Joggr

"Just got my hands on your new book and I'm thoroughly impressed! It's clear that your passion for application security and deep understanding of Node.js shines through every page"


Zeal Chhasatiya

Zeal Chhasatiya

Security Analyst at Shared Services Canada

"If you're a developer looking to better understand security vulnerabilities, this is one of the best books out there on the topic. While this book specifically focuses on Command Injection vulnerabilities in Node, the content contained within is broadly applicable to any developers writing software. It's an A++ book and absolutely worth the time to read and analyze. Liran is a top-tier security researcher and developer who's an icon in the security space. Seriously, look him up on Google, he's amazing."


Randall Degges

Randall Degges

Head of Developer Relations & Community at Snyk

"Psyched to get my copy of Liran Tal's book: "Node.js Secure Coding: Defending Against Command Injection Vulnerabilities" Do yourself a favor and grab a copy!"


Micah Silverman

Micah Silverman

Director, DevSecOps Acceleration at Snyk

"I am just starting to read it now that I am doing security patching in Express. The book looks amazing! I mean... all the series is an amazing work, thanks a lot for investing the time to write them."


Ulises Gascón

Ulises Gascón

Express TSC & Node.js Collaborator

"On point content, short book just for my liking. I like the interesting facts in the middle and code examples are good. I like the approach of Risk -> Solution -> Implementation"


Sumit Kumar

Sumit Kumar

Full-Stack Engineer at Optmyzr

"This was targeted at a perfect level for me, as someone who had exposure to these topics, had done some fiddling with helmet previously in node, but this was a great succinct guide to quickly and effectively teach "what" and "why"."


Luke Rasmussen

Luke Rasmussen

Software Engineer

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Path Traversal Relevant to Node.js Developers?

Path traversal vulnerabilities pose a significant threat to Node.js applications, allowing attackers to navigate and access sensitive files like .env or package.json. My book is tailored to Node.js developers, providing practical insights, real-world vulnerable code examples, and secure coding practices to fortify your applications against these potentially devastating attacks.

What Makes This Book Stand Out for Secure Coding Practices?

This book goes beyond conventional secure coding guides. It not only reveals the hidden impacts of path traversal vulnerabilities but also offers hands-on examples, expert insights, and a deep dive into Node.js security. By exploring real-world vulnerable npm packages and best practices, you'll gain a robust understanding of secure coding, making this book an essential resource for Node.js developers looking to elevate their skills.

How Will This Book Enhance My Node.js Security Knowledge?

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of path traversal vulnerabilities specific to Node.js, offering practical solutions and insights tailored to this environment. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, you'll gain a deep understanding of Node.js security, enabling you to proactively identify and mitigate path traversal risks in your applications.

Is This Book Suitable for Developers at Different Skill Levels?

Absolutely! My book is designed to cater to a wide range of developers. From those new to Node.js security to seasoned professionals, the content is structured to accommodate various skill levels. With a mix of foundational concepts and advanced techniques, every reader can benefit from the actionable insights and secure coding practices shared throughout the book.

How Does This Book Address the Latest Security Challenges in Node.js?

This book is not just a static guide; it evolves with the Node.js security landscape and the secure coding practices specific to Node.js. This book's content reviews security vulnerabilities, attack vectors, and security best practices. With real-world examples and practical insights, you'll be equipped to tackle the dynamic challenges of securing Node.js applications effectively. Stay ahead in the ever-changing world of web security with this 2023 up-to-date educational resource.

Can I contact the author for additional help or questions?

Anytime! I'm always happy to help. Reach out to me here [liran at lirantal dot com].