Objective: Gain Unauthorized Access/Control of User Secrets {CRITICAL}
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| Gain Unauthorized Access/Control of User Secrets | {CRITICAL}
+-----------------------------------------------------+
|
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
+------------------------+ +------------------------+
| Compromise Server | | **Authentication Bypass** | [HIGH RISK] {CRITICAL}
| Infrastructure/Hosting | | **/Weaknesses** |
+------------------------+ +------------------------+
| |
| +-----------------+
+-----------------+ | Exploit |
| Exploit | | 2FA Bypass |
| Vulnerabilities| [HIGH RISK] | Mechanisms |
| in Dependencies| +-----------------+
+-----------------+ |
+-----------------+
| Session |
| Hijacking/ |
| Fixation |
+-----------------+
|
+-----------------+
| **Brute-Force/** | [HIGH RISK]
| **Credential** |
| **Stuffing** |
+-----------------+
|
+-----------------+
| Exploit |
| Rate Limiting |
| Weaknesses |
+-----------------+
|
+-----------------+
| Exploit |
| Account |
| Recovery |
| Flaws |
+-----------------+
|
+-----------------+
| Exploit |
| Email |
| Verification |
| Flaws |
+-----------------+
|
+-----------------+
| Exploit |
| Organization |
| Management |
| Flaws |
+-----------------+
|
|
+-----------------+
| Direct Database | {CRITICAL}
| Access |
+-----------------+
Attack Tree Path: 1. Gain Unauthorized Access/Control of User Secrets {CRITICAL}
- Description: This is the overarching objective of a malicious actor targeting a Bitwarden instance. It represents the complete compromise of the system's primary purpose: protecting user secrets.
- Impact: Catastrophic. Loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of user data. Severe reputational damage, potential legal and financial consequences.
- Why Critical: This is the ultimate failure state for a password manager.
Attack Tree Path: 2. Compromise Server Infrastructure/Hosting:
-
2.a. Exploit Vulnerabilities in Dependencies [HIGH RISK]
- Description: Attackers target known vulnerabilities in third-party libraries, frameworks, or the operating system used by the Bitwarden server. This is a common attack vector because dependencies are often less scrutinized than the core application code.
- Likelihood: Medium (Dependencies are a common attack vector, but regular patching reduces this)
- Impact: High to Very High (Could lead to full server compromise, allowing access to the database and all user data)
- Effort: Medium to High (Requires finding and exploiting a vulnerability; exploit availability varies)
- Skill Level: Medium to High (Requires vulnerability research and exploit development skills, or the ability to use existing exploits)
- Detection Difficulty: Medium (Good logging and intrusion detection can help, but zero-days are harder; vulnerability scanners can detect known issues)
- Mitigation:
- Implement a robust vulnerability scanning and patching process for all server components.
- Use a Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool.
- Prioritize patching based on severity and exploitability.
- Regularly update all dependencies.
Attack Tree Path: 3. Authentication Bypass/Weaknesses [HIGH RISK] {CRITICAL}
-
Description: This category encompasses all attacks that aim to circumvent the authentication mechanisms protecting the Bitwarden server. Successful authentication bypass grants the attacker access as if they were a legitimate user.
-
Impact: Very High (Direct access to user data and administrative functions)
-
Why Critical: Authentication is the primary defense against unauthorized access. Bypassing it is a direct path to the attacker's goal.
-
3.a. Exploit 2FA Bypass Mechanisms:
- Description: Attackers attempt to bypass two-factor authentication through flaws in its implementation (e.g., improper validation, timing attacks, replay attacks).
- Mitigation: Thoroughly test 2FA implementation, including edge cases. Ensure codes cannot be reused. Implement robust rate-limiting. Consider a dedicated 2FA library.
-
3.b. Session Hijacking/Fixation:
- Description: Attackers steal a valid user session or force a user to use a known session ID, allowing them to impersonate the user.
- Mitigation: Use strong, randomly generated session IDs. Implement HSTS. Use secure, HTTP-only cookies. Invalidate sessions on logout and inactivity. Consider session binding (with privacy considerations).
-
3.c. Brute-Force/Credential Stuffing [HIGH RISK]:
- Description: Attackers try to guess passwords (brute-force) or use credentials leaked from other breaches (credential stuffing).
- Likelihood: Medium to High (Common and automated attack)
- Impact: Medium to High (Depends on success rate and value of compromised accounts)
- Effort: Low to Medium (Can be easily automated)
- Skill Level: Low (Many automated tools available)
- Detection Difficulty: Low to Medium (Rate limiting and account lockouts should trigger alerts)
- Mitigation: Enforce strong password policies. Implement robust rate limiting and account lockouts. Monitor for suspicious login activity. Consider integrating with "Have I Been Pwned."
-
3.d. Exploit Rate Limiting Weaknesses:
- Description: Attackers find ways to bypass or circumvent rate limits, enabling them to perform brute-force attacks more effectively.
- Mitigation: Test rate-limiting thoroughly. Use a tiered approach. Use CAPTCHAs.
-
3.e. Exploit Account Recovery Flaws:
- Description: Attackers exploit weaknesses in the account recovery process (e.g., predictable security questions, weak reset tokens) to take over accounts.
- Mitigation: Use strong, unpredictable security questions. Implement multi-factor authentication for account recovery. Use time-limited, cryptographically secure reset tokens. Send notifications to the primary email.
-
3.f. Exploit Email Verification Flaws:
- Description: Attackers exploit weaknesses in email verification to create accounts with unverified emails or hijack existing accounts.
- Mitigation: Ensure verification links are unique, time-limited, and cryptographically secure. Prevent account activation until verified.
-
3.g. Exploit Organization Management Flaws:
- Description: If organization features are used, attackers exploit vulnerabilities in user management, role assignment, or sharing to gain unauthorized access.
- Mitigation: Implement robust access controls and permissions. Regularly audit roles and permissions. Implement strong authentication/authorization for organization administrators.
-
Attack Tree Path: 4. Direct Database Access {CRITICAL}
- Description: Attackers gain direct access to the database server, bypassing application-level security controls. This could be through a compromised server, weak database credentials, or a network misconfiguration.
- Impact: Very High (Direct access to all stored, potentially unencrypted, user data)
- Why Critical: This bypasses all application-level security and provides complete access to the sensitive data.
- Mitigation:
- Use strong, unique passwords for the database user.
- Restrict database access to only necessary application servers (network segmentation).
- Implement database auditing and monitoring.
- Consider database encryption at rest and in transit.
- Use the principle of least privilege for database user accounts.
- Regularly review and update firewall rules.