threat-modeling.md

Threat Model Analysis for milostosic/mtuner

Threat: Accidental Exposure of Sensitive Data in Profiling Output

• Description: During memory profiling, mtuner might capture and include sensitive data residing in the application's memory within its profiling output (logs, reports, etc.). If this output is not properly secured or reviewed, sensitive user data, API keys, or other confidential information could be exposed to unauthorized parties. This is a direct consequence of mtuner's memory inspection capabilities.
• Impact: Information Disclosure, Data Breach. Leakage of sensitive data can lead to privacy violations, compliance breaches, reputational damage, and potential financial losses. The impact is High if the application processes highly sensitive data (PII, financial data, credentials).
• Affected mtuner Component: Data Collection Module, Output/Reporting Module
• Risk Severity: High
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Data Sanitization: Implement robust data sanitization or masking techniques within the application before memory profiling to prevent sensitive data from being captured by mtuner.
  • Output Review: Mandatory review of all mtuner profiling outputs for sensitive data before storage or sharing, especially in environments handling sensitive information.
  • Restrict Profiling Scope: Limit profiling to specific code sections or memory regions that are less likely to contain sensitive data.
  • Non-Production Environments: Primarily use mtuner in non-production environments with synthetic or anonymized data.

Threat: Vulnerability in mtuner Leading to Crash or Code Execution

• Description: mtuner itself, being a software library, could contain bugs or security vulnerabilities (e.g., memory corruption, buffer overflows, injection flaws). If exploited by an attacker, these vulnerabilities could lead to the profiled application crashing (DoS) or, in more severe cases, allow for arbitrary code execution within the context of the application or the system running mtuner. This is a direct risk stemming from the quality and security of the mtuner codebase.
• Impact: Denial of Service, Code Execution. Application crash leading to unavailability (DoS). Remote Code Execution (RCE) if a critical vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full system compromise. The impact is Critical if RCE is possible.
• Affected mtuner Component: Core Library, any module with vulnerabilities
• Risk Severity: Critical (if code execution is possible), High (if only DoS is likely)
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Keep mtuner Updated: Vigilantly monitor for and apply updates to the mtuner library to patch known vulnerabilities.
  • Security Audits of mtuner Integration: Conduct security audits and penetration testing specifically focusing on the application's integration with mtuner to identify potential vulnerabilities.
  • Static/Dynamic Analysis: Utilize static and dynamic analysis security tools to scan mtuner and the application's code for potential vulnerabilities.
  • Isolate Profiling Environment: If possible, run mtuner in an isolated environment with limited privileges to contain the impact of a potential exploit.

Threat: Insufficient Input Validation in mtuner Configuration Leading to Code Execution

• Description: If mtuner's configuration parsing or handling logic lacks proper input validation, an attacker who can control configuration parameters (e.g., through command-line arguments, configuration files, or environment variables if mtuner reads them) could inject malicious inputs. This could lead to command injection or other code execution vulnerabilities within mtuner itself, which could then impact the profiled application. This is a direct vulnerability in how mtuner processes its configuration.
• Impact: Code Execution. Successful injection can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system running mtuner and the profiled application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The impact is Critical due to the potential for arbitrary code execution.
• Affected mtuner Component: Configuration Handling, Input Processing
• Risk Severity: Critical
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Robust Input Validation: Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all configuration parameters accepted by mtuner.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Run mtuner with the minimum necessary privileges to limit the impact of potential command injection vulnerabilities.
  • Secure Configuration Practices: Avoid accepting configuration parameters from untrusted sources. If external configuration is necessary, ensure it is securely managed and validated.
  • Code Review of Configuration Handling: Thoroughly review the mtuner code responsible for configuration parsing and handling to identify and fix potential injection vulnerabilities.