Firestore Database Security Rules

Overview

This document outlines the updated security rules for our Firestore Database, aligning with our new collection structure and security needs. These rules are crafted to safeguard data integrity and security, while facilitating appropriate access for various user interactions.

Updated Security Rules

rules_version = '2';
service cloud.firestore {
  match /databases/{database}/documents {

    // Accounts Collection
    match /accounts/{accountId} {
      
      // Account ownership verification
      function isAccountOwner() {
        return request.auth != null && request.auth.uid == accountId;
      }

      // Access for friends
      function isAcceptedFriend() {
        return request.auth != null && 
               exists(/databases/$(database)/documents/accounts/$(accountId)/relatedAccounts/$(request.auth.uid)) &&
               get(/databases/$(database)/documents/accounts/$(accountId)/relatedAccounts/$(request.auth.uid)).data.status == 'accepted' &&
               get(/databases/$(database)/documents/accounts/$(accountId)/relatedAccounts/$(request.auth.uid)).data.relationship == 'friend';
      }

      // Access for group members
      function isAcceptedGroupMember() {
        return request.auth != null &&
               exists(/databases/$(database)/documents/accounts/$(accountId)/relatedAccounts/$(request.auth.uid)) &&
               get(/databases/$(database)/documents/accounts/$(accountId)/relatedAccounts/$(request.auth.uid)).data.status == 'accepted' &&
               get(/databases/$(database)/documents/accounts/$(accountId)/relatedAccounts/$(request.auth.uid)).data.relationship == 'member';
      }

      // Public access for groups
      function isPublicGroup() {
        return resource.data.privacy == 'public' && resource.data.type == 'group';
      }

      // Public access for users
      function isPublicUser() {
        return resource.data.privacy == 'public' && resource.data.type == 'user';
      }

      // Read permissions
      allow read: if isAccountOwner() || isAcceptedFriend() || isAcceptedGroupMember() || isPublicGroup() || isPublicUser();

      // Write permissions
      allow write: if isAccountOwner();
    }

    // RelatedAccounts Collection
    match /accounts/{accountId}/relatedAccounts/{relatedAccountId} {
      allow create, read, update, delete: if request.auth.uid == accountId || request.auth.uid == relatedAccountId;
    }
    
    // Feedback Collection
    match /feedback/{accountId} {
      
      // Account ownership verification for feedback
      function isAccountOwner() {
        return request.auth.uid == accountId;
      }

      // Feedback permissions
      allow create: if isAccountOwner();
      allow read, update: if request.auth.uid != null; // Authenticated users can read and update feedback
      allow delete: if isAccountOwner(); // Only the owner can delete their feedback
    }
  }
}

Key Changes and Considerations

• Accounts Collection: Centralized rules for user and group accounts, supporting nuanced access based on relationships and privacy settings.
• RelatedAccounts Subcollection: Customized rules for managing relationships, providing tailored access for creating, reading, updating, and deleting relationship entries.
• Feedback Collection: Adjusted to accommodate account-based feedback, ensuring that only account owners can create and delete their feedback, while authenticated users can read and update.

Recommendations

• Utilize the Firebase Console's "Rules Playground" for testing and validation.
• Continually revisit and refine these rules to adapt to new application features or data structures.
• Implement additional granular rules for specific fields or documents as necessary.

Security Audits and Best Practices

• Regular security audits are essential for identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities.
• Stay informed about Firebase's security best practices and incorporate them into your development process.
• Educate your team about the importance of these security rules and encourage adherence to best practices.

Conclusion

Maintaining stringent security rules is crucial for protecting user data and ensuring that our Firestore Database operates within the desired access control parameters. As our application grows, these rules will be instrumental in safeguarding our data and providing a secure environment for our users.