# Database Security Fix - Password Configuration

## Issue Summary
The system contains hardcoded database passwords in Kubernetes configuration files, which poses a security risk.

## Current Issues
1. **Hardcoded passwords**: `k8s/01-secrets.yaml` and `k8s/gcp/01-secrets.yaml` contain hardcoded password `"<POSTGRES_PASSWORD>"`
2. **Missing environment configuration**: `.env.example` was missing database password configuration (now fixed)

## Security Recommendations

### 1. Immediate Actions Required

#### For Kubernetes Deployment
Replace hardcoded secrets with environment variables or use Kubernetes secrets management:

```bash
# Create secrets from environment variables (recommended)
kubectl create secret generic momo-secrets \
  --from-literal=POSTGRES_USER=momo \
  --from-literal=POSTGRES_PASSWORD=$POSTGRES_PASSWORD \
  --from-literal=POSTGRES_DB=momo_analytics \
  --namespace=momo

# Or use sealed-secrets for better security
```

#### For Docker/Local Development
Update your `.env` file with a strong password:
```bash
# Generate a strong password
openssl rand -base64 32

# Add to .env file
POSTGRES_PASSWORD=your_generated_strong_password_here
```

### 2. Configuration File Updates

#### Update Kubernetes Secrets Files
Replace hardcoded values in:
- `k8s/01-secrets.yaml`
- `k8s/gcp/01-secrets.yaml`

**Before (INSECURE):**
```yaml
stringData:
  POSTGRES_PASSWORD: "<POSTGRES_PASSWORD>"
```

**After (SECURE):**
```yaml
stringData:
  POSTGRES_PASSWORD: "${POSTGRES_PASSWORD}"
```

### 3. Best Practices

#### Password Requirements
- Minimum 16 characters
- Include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters
- Rotate passwords quarterly
- Use different passwords for different environments

#### Environment-Specific Passwords
- **Development**: Use simple passwords for local testing
- **Staging**: Use strong, unique passwords
- **Production**: Use the strongest passwords with regular rotation

#### Monitoring and Auditing
- Enable database connection logging
- Monitor failed login attempts
- Set up alerts for suspicious database activity

### 4. Implementation Steps

1. **Generate new strong passwords** for each environment
2. **Update all configuration files** to use environment variables
3. **Update deployment scripts** to inject secrets properly
4. **Test database connectivity** with new passwords
5. **Update documentation** with new security procedures
6. **Rotate existing passwords** in production

### 5. Files Requiring Updates

- [ ] `k8s/01-secrets.yaml`
- [ ] `k8s/gcp/01-secrets.yaml`
- [ ] `docker-compose.yml` (if using PostgreSQL)
- [ ] Any deployment scripts that reference database passwords

### 6. Verification

After implementing the fix, verify:
- [ ] Database connects successfully with new password
- [ ] No hardcoded passwords remain in configuration files
- [ ] Environment variables are properly loaded
- [ ] Application starts without authentication errors

## Additional Security Measures

1. **Enable SSL/TLS** for database connections
2. **Implement connection pooling** with proper authentication
3. **Use database-specific user accounts** instead of shared credentials
4. **Enable row-level security** for sensitive data
5. **Regular security audits** of database access patterns

## Contact

For questions about this security fix, contact your system administrator or security team.
