In the past, developers relied on local development environments on their personal machines for coding. Now, with the growth of cloud computing and the shift towards SaaS tools, the popularity of cloud-based integrated development environments (IDEs) has surged. Cloud IDEs allow developers to work within a web browser, giving them access to real-time collaboration, seamless version control, and tight integration with other cloud-based apps such as code security or AI code generation assistants.
Cloud IDEs bring major productivity and collaboration benefits, which explains why 60% of dev environments are expected to shift to cloud-native platforms by 2026. With improved scalability, continuous integration capabilities, and reduced operational overhead, cloud IDEs have become the top choice for organizations looking to increase developer efficiency and streamline source code management.
On the other hand, using cloud IDEs can also introduce new risks to organizations. Because these environments run on virtual machines or containers within the provider’s cloud infrastructure, the security of these environments is dependent upon the cloud provider's security protocols. Unless the IDE is deployed in a fully isolated, single-tenant environment within the organization’s own cloud account, it poses a new security dependency.
In this article, we’ll talk about the associated risks with cloud IDEs and suggest best practices for securing them. Let’s get started.
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The top security threats to cloud IDEs
Cloud IDEs introduce multiple security threats due to their reliance on cloud infrastructure, real-time collaboration, and integration with development tools. Here are some key threats to consider:
1. Risks from misconfigurations
Some cloud IDE providers ensure that each IDE instance runs on isolated VMs with network segregation and use firewalls to prevent inter-codespace communication. Still, misconfigurations in resource permissions, exposed ports, or improperly set RBAC can inadvertently expose code assets.
Misconfigurations also pose risks when it comes to integrations with other resources. Cloud IDEs integrate with services like cloud storage, compute resources, and databases. Even minor misconfigurations in these services can expose critical assets like source code or infrastructure configurations.
2. Risks from plugins and browser extensions
Plugins and browser extensions are crucial in enhancing cloud IDEs by providing centralized management, seamless integration with cloud services, and enabling real-time collaboration. Unlike traditional local IDEs that require manual updates and configuration, cloud IDEs automate and eliminate these hassles. They harness cloud resources to boost performance, maintain security checks, and ensure consistency, significantly enhancing team productivity.
But browser extensions and plugins in cloud IDEs have their complications. Considering these plugins often have elevated access to the IDE environment and connected resources, malicious or poorly vetted plugins can introduce backdoors, execute unauthorized code, or harvest sensitive information, compromising the entire development setup.
Browser extensions can be targeted by threat actors too: Vulnerabilities in browser extensions could lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation attacks within the IDE’s infrastructure.
3. Risks from web application threats
Because they’re hosted in the cloud and accessed through a browser, cloud-based IDEs are more exposed to traditional web-based threats like cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and other common web vulnerabilities.
Here are some other web application threats:
The interception or manipulation of session tokens could allow attackers to access or alter source code repositories, introduce backdoors, or tamper with version history.
Integrating cloud IDEs with CI/CD pipelines and deployment workflows is often done to streamline development processes, automate testing, and accelerate deployment times. But if attackers exploit these connections, they may gain control over infrastructure configurations, enabling them to initiate unauthorized deployments of cloud-based resources. The result? Serious consequences, including service disruptions or major security breaches.
4. Compromised collaborative sessions
Cloud-based IDEs offer built-in features like live co-editing, synchronized debugging, and seamless version control integration, enabling multiple developers to work simultaneously on the same code. This setup allows for efficient teamwork, faster feedback loops, and streamlined project workflows, which are crucial for remote or globally distributed teams.
The downsides? Real-time distributed access increases the surface area for potential attacks. If session management is not secure, attackers could exploit weak session management practices, steal session tokens, and gain unauthorized access to the environment. Likewise, credential theft from a compromised session could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users and alter source code undetected.
Best practices for securing cloud IDEs
By implementing the key security practices below, you can ensure that your team’s cloud development workflows are both efficient and secure:
Leverage identity access management (IAM): Cloud IDEs require granular control over who can access and modify cloud-based resources. Implementing your cloud platform’s native IAM services helps you to enforce RBAC, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access. By adopting tried-and-true IAM strategies, including the principle of least privilege, you can restrict access to only those who need it, reducing the chance of accidental or malicious data exposure.
Vet and limit plugins and extensions: As we’ve seen, poorly vetted plugins pose a severe risk. Organizations should regularly review and restrict plugins to those offered by trusted marketplaces like the JetBrains Marketplace or Visual Studio Marketplace.
Use cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools: The only way to get full, real-time visibility into cloud IDEs’ security posture is by using CSPM tools. Implementing CSPM solutions allows security teams to continually assess cloud environments, flagging potential security deviations (think exposed cloud assets, public-facing code repos, or storage buckets with sensitive data) and ensuring compliance across cloud IDE deployments.
Emphasize container and environment security: Since cloud IDEs operate within VMs or containerized environments, it goes without saying that you need to take steps to harden your configurations. To keep VMs and containers safe, it’s a good idea to follow CIS benchmarks to prevent common misconfigurations such as open management ports or containers running with unnecessary root privileges. Your security strategy should also include implementing network segmentation to isolate traffic and minimize lateral movement within environments.
Implement the zero-trust security model: In cloud-hosted IDEs, assuming zero trust means treating every access point and connection as potentially malicious by conducting strict identity verification for every request, allocating minimal privileges, and continuously monitoring all communications within the environment. By segmenting your network and validating every interaction, you can minimize the risk of unauthorized access or lateral movement even more. The zero-trust approach is particularly crucial for cloud IDEs, where shared environments and real-time collaboration are common.
Choosing a secure cloud IDE provider
Implementing best practices is critical, but it’s equally important to make sure you’re equipped with the right tools. Selecting the right cloud IDE provider is crucial to ensuring the security of your development environment. When evaluating providers, prioritize specific security features that can protect your code, data, and software supply chain from various threats.
Specific items to look for include:
Data security and encryption: Evaluate the provider's data encryption methods for both stored and transmitted data. Many providers, including Gitpod, implement robust encryption techniques, such as AES-256 for stored data and secure protocols like TLS for data in transit. Verify that the provider follows established encryption standards to ensure the protection of sensitive information.
Access control and IAM capabilities: A secure cloud IDE provider should offer fine-grained identity access management (IAM) controls. This includes enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access controls (RBAC), and comprehensive user activity logging. Ensure that the provider supports integration with enterprise IAM solutions like Okta or Azure AD.
Compliance and certifications: Confirm that the provider meets industry standards and regulatory requirements applicable to your organization. Typical certifications to look for include ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA. For example, Gitpod highlights its compliance credentials in its Trust Center, reassuring clients that its security practices meet globally recognized standards.
Third-party and supply chain security: Since many cloud IDEs integrate with third-party tools or services, it’s essential to assess how these integrations are vetted and secured. Make sure that providers conduct regular audits and have third-party risk management programs in place. Providers should also maintain transparency about their partners and sub-processors.
Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments: A secure provider regularly performs third-party penetration tests to identify potential vulnerabilities in its infrastructure. Look for a provider that publishes test results and takes remedial actions promptly. Also, check for vulnerability disclosure programs that allow external researchers to report security issues securely.
Protect yourself with Wiz Code
Cloud IDEs provide significant flexibility and scalability but also introduce serious security risks. Implementing strong security practices, choosing the right tools, and working with a secure cloud IDE provider are key steps to safeguarding your development environment and minimizing vulnerabilities.
If you’re concerned about the security of your cloud IDEs, Wiz has you covered. Our industry-leading platform offers a comprehensive suite of security tools designed for cloud-native development, including Wiz Code.
Wiz Code was built to address growing risks by securing every stage of the software development lifecycle, from code and cloud to runtime. Wiz Code empowers developers with detection and fixes for their most critical security issues—directly within the code in cloud IDEs or locally via the Wiz CLI. And because Wiz has deep, contextualized insights into deployed environments, our platform is able to prioritize only the most critical issues with valid attack paths for developers to fix. This results in faster, more effective resolution of risk, right at the source.
Ready to see for yourself how Wiz can protect everything you build and run in the cloud? Schedule a demo today.
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