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attack-surface.md

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Attack Surface Analysis for keepassxreboot/keepassxc

Attack Surface: Database File Compromise

  • Description: Unauthorized access to the .kdbx database file, potentially leading to decryption and exposure of all stored credentials.
    • KeePassXC Contribution: The .kdbx file is KeePassXC's core data storage mechanism; its compromise is the primary attack goal.
    • Example: An attacker gains access to a user's computer and copies the .kdbx file.
    • Impact: Complete compromise of all credentials and secrets stored within the database.
    • Risk Severity: Critical
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Users:
        • Choose a strong, unique master password.
        • Utilize a key file stored securely and separately from the database file.
        • Consider using a YubiKey or other hardware security key for challenge-response authentication.
        • Avoid storing the database file in unencrypted cloud storage or shared folders.
        • Regularly back up the database file to a secure, offline location.

Attack Surface: Weak Master Password/Key File

  • Description: Use of an easily guessable or brute-forceable master password, or an insecurely stored key file, allowing attackers to decrypt the database.
    • KeePassXC Contribution: KeePassXC's security relies entirely on the strength of the master password and/or key file.
    • Example: A user chooses "Password123" as their master password. Or, a user stores their key file in a plain text file on their desktop.
    • Impact: Complete compromise of all credentials and secrets stored within the database.
    • Risk Severity: Critical
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Users:
        • Use a long, complex, and randomly generated master password. A password manager (separate from KeePassXC) can help.
        • Store key files on secure, encrypted media, separate from the database file. Consider offline storage.
        • Never share the master password or key file.

Attack Surface: Memory Scraping

  • Description: An attacker with sufficient system privileges gains access to the computer's memory while KeePassXC is running and the database is unlocked, potentially extracting decrypted credentials.
    • KeePassXC Contribution: While KeePassXC has memory protection, decrypted data must reside in memory while the database is open. This is an inherent risk of using any password manager.
    • Example: Malware running with administrator privileges extracts the decrypted contents of the KeePassXC database from RAM.
    • Impact: Exposure of credentials currently in use or recently accessed within KeePassXC.
    • Risk Severity: High
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Users:
        • Keep the operating system and security software up-to-date.
        • Avoid running untrusted software.
        • Use KeePassXC's auto-lock features (after inactivity, on screen lock, etc.).
        • Lock the KeePassXC database when not actively using it.
        • Consider using a virtual machine or sandboxed environment for KeePassXC in high-security scenarios.

Attack Surface: Auto-Type Exploitation

  • Description: An attacker crafts a malicious window or application to trick KeePassXC's Auto-Type feature into entering credentials into the wrong location.
    • KeePassXC Contribution: Auto-Type is a KeePassXC feature that automates credential entry; its reliance on window title matching creates this vulnerability.
    • Example: A phishing website mimics a legitimate login page, and Auto-Type enters credentials into the attacker's form.
    • Impact: Credentials are sent to the attacker instead of the legitimate application.
    • Risk Severity: High
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Users:
        • Use Auto-Type with caution.
        • Carefully configure Auto-Type sequences with specific window title matching. Use the most restrictive matching possible.
        • Visually verify the target window before initiating Auto-Type.
        • Consider disabling Auto-Type if it's not absolutely necessary.

Attack Surface: KeePassXC Software Vulnerabilities

  • Description: Exploitable bugs within the KeePassXC application itself (e.g., buffer overflows, format string bugs) that could lead to arbitrary code execution or data leakage. * KeePassXC Contribution: This is a direct risk stemming from potential flaws in the KeePassXC codebase. * Example: A zero-day vulnerability in KeePassXC's database parsing code allows an attacker to craft a malicious .kdbx file that executes code when opened. * Impact: Varies depending on the vulnerability, but could range from denial-of-service to complete system compromise (and thus, database compromise). * Risk Severity: High * Mitigation Strategies:
    • Users: * Regularly update to the latest stable version of KeePassXC. Enable automatic updates if available. * Monitor the KeePassXC website and security mailing lists for announcements of vulnerabilities.