It's not clear to me that this is always the safest option.

Let's be specific - you're worried that an attacker could collect CC numbers by intercepting or viewing traffic between the browser and the client. You propose to reduce this risk by storing CC numbers in the database.

This strikes me as a poor security trade-off. It reduces a rather unlikely threat (you are using SSL right?) in exchange for greatly increasing the value of your database to an attacker.

Also, make sure you consider whether you're allowed to keep those card numbers on file. There are FTC rules about this and the CC processors have rules as well. It's quite likely that what you're suggesting is in violation of those rules. I'm sure there's a way to do this which is in compliance but I doubt it involves keeping CC numbers in the clear in your database. Perhaps the CC processors offer a reusable token?

-sam

In reply to Re^3: Paranoid about web application security by samtregar
in thread Paranoid about web application security by perleager

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