ModSecurity’s End-of-Life: Implications for Peakhour and Customers

Adam Cassar

Co-Founder, Chief Security Researcher

ModSecurity's End-of-Life: Evolution Towards Modern Application Security Platforms

The end-of-life of ModSecurity on 1 July 2024 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of application security. For DevOps, SRE, and DevSecOps professionals, this transition highlights the industry's shift towards comprehensive Application Security Platforms that extend far beyond traditional Web Application Firewall (WAF) capabilities.

Modern Application Security Platforms integrate Web Application and API Protection (WAAP) as a core component of comprehensive edge security. Peakhour's Application Security Platform delivers advanced threat protection that extends beyond traditional WAF capabilities to include bot management, API security, DDoS mitigation, and account protection - all whilst maintaining optimal performance through our global CDN infrastructure.

The bedrock of a WAF lies in two main components:

• WAF Engine: Charged with the comprehensive inspection and assessment of web traffic.
• WAF Rules: Guidelines that direct the engine's traffic scrutiny process.

Peakhour's Application Security Platform has leveraged ModSecurity as part of our comprehensive WAAP solution, integrating it with advanced threat detection capabilities, behavioural analysis, and the proven OWASP ModSecurity Core Rule Set (CRS) for comprehensive application protection.

For two decades, ModSecurity has been a cornerstone in the realm of web security. However, its acquisition by Trustwave led to a sunset announcement in 2021, with the EOL set for July 2024.

Deciphering the EOL for ModSecurity

With the EOL, Trustwave will cease its commercial support and updates for ModSecurity. Yet, the importance of ModSecurity hasn't waned. It has consistently been in a 'maintenance mode', with Trustwave channeling its efforts towards rectifying bugs and rolling out security patches.

Despite this change, ModSecurity continues to enjoy robust community support. Every month sees a surge of tutorials and discussions centered around ModSecurity and CRS. Moreover, entities like Atomicorp have pledged to extend their support to ModSecurity beyond its EOL, ensuring its sustained presence in the market.

Other WAF engines are emerging as potential contenders. The Coraza WAF engine, crafted in Go, is steadily carving its niche. Additionally, the public Azure repository boasts their ModSecurity fork, while the Edg.IO repository highlights Waflz, marking its significance in the WAF ecosystem.

Recent players, such as OpenAppSec by Checkpoint, are also entering the scene. Positioned as an open-source ML-based WAF, OpenAppSec has publicly advised businesses to commence their migration strategies and views itself as a viable migration path.

Peakhour's Application Security Platform Evolution

The ModSecurity transition aligns perfectly with Peakhour's evolution towards a comprehensive Application Security Platform. Our strategic approach encompasses:

Immediate Continuity

• Seamless Operation: ModSecurity continues to function effectively within our platform, supported by active community development
• Zero Disruption: Our customers experience no service interruption as we implement next-generation capabilities
• Enhanced Integration: Existing ModSecurity capabilities are enhanced through integration with our advanced threat detection systems

Advanced Platform Development

Peakhour is implementing cutting-edge security technologies that extend far beyond traditional WAF capabilities:

• Machine Learning Integration: AI-powered threat detection that adapts to emerging attack patterns
• Behavioural Analysis: Advanced algorithms that identify sophisticated threats including residential proxy attacks and anti-detect browser usage
• API-Native Security: Comprehensive protection designed for modern API-first architectures
• Real-Time Threat Intelligence: Dynamic rule updates based on global threat landscape analysis

Future-Ready Architecture

Our Application Security Platform roadmap includes:

• Multi-Engine Approach: Evaluation of next-generation engines including Coraza, Waflz, and custom ML-based solutions
• Edge-Native Protection: Security processing at our global CDN edge locations for optimal performance
• DevSecOps Integration: API-first architecture enabling seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines and security automation
• Comprehensive WAAP: Integration of WAF, API protection, bot management, and DDoS mitigation in a unified platform

The Future of Application Security

ModSecurity's end-of-life represents more than a technical transition - it marks the evolution from traditional point solutions to comprehensive Application Security Platforms. For DevOps, SRE, and DevSecOps teams, this shift enables:

Enhanced Security Posture

• Unified Threat Protection: Comprehensive WAAP capabilities that protect applications, APIs, and users through a single platform
• Advanced Threat Detection: Machine learning and behavioural analysis that identifies sophisticated attack vectors
• Real-Time Adaptation: Dynamic security policies that evolve with the threat landscape

Operational Excellence

• Performance Integration: Security processing at the edge ensures protection without compromising application performance
• DevSecOps Compatibility: API-first architecture enables seamless security automation and CI/CD integration
• Global Scalability: Edge-native protection that scales with application growth and user distribution

Strategic Advantages

• Future-Proof Investment: Platform approach that evolves with emerging threats and technologies
• Comprehensive Coverage: Single-pane-of-glass management for application security, performance, and availability
• Compliance Alignment: Built-in reporting and monitoring capabilities that support regulatory requirements

The transition from ModSecurity represents an opportunity for organisations to modernise their application security posture. By adopting comprehensive Application Security Platforms, teams can achieve superior protection whilst maintaining the performance and scalability required for modern applications.

Discover how Peakhour's Application Security Platform provides comprehensive protection for your web applications and APIs. Our platform combines advanced WAAP capabilities with global CDN performance, bot management, and real-time threat intelligence. Contact our security team to learn how we can enhance your application security posture whilst maintaining optimal performance.