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name: permissions-policy description: "Use when reviewing HTTP response headers for defense-in-depth security hardening on any web application." metadata: category: security priority: medium difficulty: intermediate estimatedTime: "15" source: frontendchecklist.io url: https://frontendchecklist.io/rules/security/permissions-policy

Set a Permissions-Policy header

A site compromised by XSS that has unrestricted camera and microphone access can silently record the user. Permissions-Policy limits which browser APIs are available, reducing attacker capabilities even after a successful injection.

Quick Reference

• Use Permissions-Policy to disable browser features your site does not use (camera, microphone, geolocation, payment)
• Syntax: Permissions-Policy: camera=(), microphone=(), geolocation=() — empty () means denied to all
• Previously called Feature-Policy — the old syntax is deprecated and only supported in older browsers
• Restricting unused features limits the blast radius if your site is compromised by XSS
• Third-party iframes inherit page restrictions unless you explicitly grant them permissions

Check

Check whether the server sends a Permissions-Policy header and review which browser features are allowed or denied. Identify any powerful features (camera, microphone, geolocation, payment, USB) that are enabled but not required by the application.

Fix

Add a Permissions-Policy header that disables all browser features your site does not use. Start with camera=(), microphone=(), geolocation=() and expand the list based on what the application actually needs.

Explain

Explain what the Permissions-Policy header does, how it restricts browser APIs like camera and geolocation, and why disabling unused features improves security.

Code Review

Review server config, headers, forms, and integration points related to Set a Permissions-Policy header. Flag exact responses, cookies, or browser behaviors that violate the rule, and verify them against the effective production-like response.

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For full implementation details, code examples, and framework-specific guidance, see references/rule.md.

Rule page: https://frontendchecklist.io/rules/security/permissions-policy