Power Platform

The Power Platform, which includes Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI, integrates heavily with Microsoft's cloud services like Azure and Microsoft 365, so your focus should include platform-specific aspects.

Here’s how you can break it down:

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1. Understand the Architecture

Power Platform apps are built on top of the Dataverse (formerly Common Data Service), and they often involve:

• Power Apps for the user interface.

• Power Automate for workflows/automation.

• Dataverse or external connectors for data storage.

Get clarity on:

• Where the data is stored: Dataverse, SharePoint, SQL Server, etc.

• How the app is hosted: Canvas App, Model-Driven App, or Portal.

• User roles and permissions.

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2. Common Security Risks in Power Platform

While many risks overlap with web apps, Power Platform introduces some unique vectors:

Authentication and Authorization

• Role-based access control (RBAC): Verify user roles and permissions in the app and underlying services. Misconfigured roles can lead to privilege escalation.

• Microsoft Azure AD integration: Check for weak or misconfigured OAuth flows or excessive permissions granted to the app.

Data Exposure

• Dataverse API Misconfigurations: Ensure APIs don’t expose sensitive data unnecessarily.

• Direct Table Access: Check if anonymous or overly privileged users can query tables directly.

• Power BI Data Leakage: If Power BI dashboards are integrated, verify that they don't expose sensitive data unintentionally (e.g., via shared links or embed tokens).

Injection Flaws

• Power Automate Flows: Look for places where user inputs are used in flows or API calls. Injection attacks can occur if user input is not sanitized.

• Expressions in Canvas Apps: Evaluate PowerFX formulas for vulnerabilities.

External Connectors

• Verify that connectors (e.g., SharePoint, SQL Server, HTTP) are configured securely.

• Check for exposed API keys or credentials in connections.

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3. Tools and Techniques

You can adapt familiar pentesting tools and techniques for Power Platform apps:

Testing Dataverse APIs

• Use tools like Postman or Burp Suite to test APIs.

• Test for insecure endpoints, missing rate limits, or excessive data exposure.

Testing Authentication

• Leverage tools like OAuth2 Proxy or Burp Suite’s JWT decoder to analyze authentication flows.

• Look for token mismanagement or weaknesses in token expiration and renewal.

Recon and Enumeration

• Use Power Platform CLI for inspecting metadata and configurations if you have appropriate access.

• Analyze environment variables for secrets or misconfigurations.

Dynamic Testing

• For Canvas Apps or Portals, use browser dev tools and proxy tools to analyze HTTP requests and responses.

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4. Specific to Power Platform Portals

If the application involves a Power Platform Portal (web application):

• Test for traditional web vulnerabilities (SQL injection, XSS, IDOR, etc.).

• Check for misconfigured web roles that can allow anonymous users to access restricted areas.

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5. Compliance and Logging

• Review logging and monitoring configurations. Ensure activities like data access and updates are logged.

• Validate compliance with standards like GDPR or HIPAA if applicable.

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6. Resources and References

• Microsoft Docs: Power Platform Security Overview
• OWASP Testing Guide: Adapt relevant sections to Power Platform.

• Community Forums: Microsoft Power Platform community and GitHub often have practical advice.

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7. A Mindset Shift

• Remember that Power Platform apps are low-code/no-code; vulnerabilities often stem from misconfigurations rather than traditional development flaws.

• Focus on misconfigurations, access controls, and data flows. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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1. Understand the Power Platform Components

The Power Platform includes:

• Power BI: Used for data visualization and reporting.

• Power Apps: Custom low-code/no-code applications.

• Power Pages: Websites for external users.

• Power Automate: Workflows and automation.

• Copilot Agent: AI integrations.

Each component has unique testing challenges:

• Power BI: Focus on data exposure and access control.

• Power Apps: Treat it like a web app with low-code configurations.

• Power Pages: Similar to web pentesting but with platform-specific risks.

• Power Automate: Evaluate input/output validation and access permissions.

• Copilot: Test AI-driven decision-making and ensure secure data handling.

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2. Preliminary Steps

1. Scoping and Credentials:

   • Ask the application owner:

     • Admin credentials for apps and Power Platform environments.

     • Access to environment configurations (Dataverse, connectors).

     • Details about integrations with external systems.

   • Clarify the application's purpose and expected user roles.

   • Obtain test accounts with various levels of permissions.

2. Understand the Environment:

   • Confirm if apps are deployed on Microsoft Dataverse, SharePoint, or external data sources.

   • Identify third-party connectors or APIs used.

   • Determine hosting type (e.g., internal vs. public).

3. Request Documentation:

   • User guides and architectural diagrams.

   • Data flow diagrams (important for Power Automate and APIs).

   • Compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, SOC2).

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3. Methodology

Here’s a tailored pentesting approach for Power Platform applications:

A. Reconnaissance

• Power Apps:

  • Test app interfaces for hidden functionality.

  • Use the browser developer tools to check API calls and hidden parameters.

  • Inspect Dataverse queries (e.g., $filter for injection risks).

• Power Pages:

  • Crawl the website for pages that expose data or logic.

  • Check for publicly exposed APIs.

• Power Automate:

  • Identify triggers and endpoints for workflows.

  • Look for automation involving sensitive data.

B. Authorization and Authentication

• Ensure role-based access control (RBAC) is correctly implemented:

  • Can a regular user access admin functionality?

  • Are business rules enforced (e.g., data access tied to user roles)?

• Test for Single Sign-On (SSO) vulnerabilities:

  • Manipulate SAML/JSON web tokens.

  • Test session management (logout functionality, token expiration).

C. Injection Testing

• Dataverse/Connectors:

  • Test for SQL-like injections in Dataverse queries ($filter, $expand).

  • Check for injection vulnerabilities in API connectors.

• Power Pages:

  • Check input fields for XSS, SQLi, and other standard injection flaws.

• Power Automate:

  • Test input/output flows for injection (e.g., commands in scripts or files).

D. Data Exposure

• Power BI:

  • Review report sharing settings.

  • Test for over-shared data through roles or URLs.

• Power Apps/Pages:

  • Test API calls and file uploads for sensitive data exposure.

• Power Automate:

  • Review logs and outputs for sensitive data leaks.

E. Platform-Specific Risks

• Dataverse Misconfigurations:

  • Over-permissioned users on tables.

  • Insecure sharing of tables and records.

• Custom Connectors:

  • Test for improper authentication.

  • Validate input sanitization for APIs.

• AI/Co-pilot:

  • Verify that AI suggestions don’t expose sensitive information.

  • Test AI-driven actions for unintended behaviors (e.g., workflow execution).

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4. Tools

Here are tools you can use for Power Platform pentesting:

• Browser Developer Tools: Analyze network traffic, API calls, and source code.

• Burp Suite/ZAP: Intercept and manipulate requests.

• Postman: Test APIs and workflows.

• PowerShell:

  • Use the Power Platform cmdlets for administrative testing:

    • Example: Get-AdminPowerApp to list all apps.

• Custom Scripts:

  • Automate testing of Dataverse queries or API endpoints.

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5. Common Vulnerabilities to Test

• Power Apps:

  • Default configurations exposing sensitive data.

  • Unrestricted access to system tables.

• Power Pages:

  • Misconfigured authentication.

  • Exposed endpoints and APIs.

• Power Automate:

  • Workflow triggers that allow unauthorized execution.

• Power BI:

  • Shared reports revealing sensitive data to unintended users.

• General:

  • Misuse of connectors (e.g., lack of input validation).

  • Insecure storage of sensitive credentials.

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6. Reporting

• Map findings to industry standards like OWASP Top 10 or CWE.

• Provide clear remediation steps (e.g., fix misconfigurations, enforce RBAC).

• Highlight any business logic flaws discovered in workflows or apps.

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Final Tip

use Microsoft’s documentation:

• Power Platform Security Best Practices
• Power Platform Penetration Testing Rules