attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for flutter/packages

Objective: Compromise application using Flutter packages by exploiting package-related weaknesses.

Attack Tree Visualization

• [AND] Exploit Vulnerability in a Directly Used Package [HIGH RISK PATH]
  • [OR] Exploit Known Vulnerability in Package Code [HIGH RISK PATH]
    • [AND] Trigger Vulnerability in Application Context [CRITICAL NODE]
      • [Action] Craft Input to Trigger Vulnerable Code Path [CRITICAL NODE]
      • [Action] Exploit Vulnerable API Usage within Application [CRITICAL NODE]
• [AND] Supply Chain Attack on Package [HIGH RISK PATH]
  • [OR] Compromise Package Maintainer Account [HIGH RISK PATH]
    • [AND] Phishing or Social Engineering Maintainer [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • [Action] Target Maintainer with Phishing Attacks [CRITICAL NODE]
    • [AND] Account Takeover of Maintainer Account [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • [Action] Exploit Weak Credentials or Account Security [CRITICAL NODE]
• [AND] Outdated Package Usage [HIGH RISK PATH]
  • [OR] Exploit Known Vulnerabilities in Outdated Packages [HIGH RISK PATH]
    • [AND] Exploit Vulnerability Present in Outdated Version [CRITICAL NODE]
      • [Action] Leverage Known Exploits for Outdated Package Version [CRITICAL NODE]
    • [AND] Exploit Vulnerability Present in Outdated Version [CRITICAL NODE]
      • [Action] Leverage Known Exploits for Outdated Package Version [CRITICAL NODE]

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Vulnerability in a Directly Used Package -> Exploit Known Vulnerability in Package Code [HIGH RISK PATH]

Attack Vector: This path focuses on exploiting publicly known vulnerabilities present in packages directly included in the Flutter application's pubspec.yaml file. Attackers leverage existing knowledge of weaknesses in specific package versions.

• Trigger Vulnerability in Application Context [CRITICAL NODE]:
  • Attack Vector: Simply identifying a vulnerable package version is not enough. The attacker must find a way to trigger the vulnerability within the context of the target application. This means understanding how the application uses the vulnerable package and crafting an attack that interacts with the application in a way that activates the vulnerable code.
  • [Action] Craft Input to Trigger Vulnerable Code Path [CRITICAL NODE]:
    • Attack Vector: The attacker analyzes the known vulnerability (often described in CVEs or security advisories). They then study the vulnerable package's code and identify the specific input or conditions required to reach the vulnerable code path. They then craft malicious input (e.g., specific API requests, crafted data payloads, manipulated user inputs) that, when processed by the application and passed to the vulnerable package, will trigger the vulnerability. This could be anything from buffer overflows, injection flaws, or logic errors within the package.
  • [Action] Exploit Vulnerable API Usage within Application [CRITICAL NODE]:
    • Attack Vector: The application might be using a specific API of the vulnerable package in a way that directly exposes the vulnerability. For example, if a package has a vulnerability in its data parsing function, and the application directly uses this function with user-supplied data, the attacker can exploit this direct usage. The attacker focuses on understanding how the application interacts with the vulnerable package's APIs and targets those interactions to trigger the known vulnerability.

Attack Tree Path: Supply Chain Attack on Package -> Compromise Package Maintainer Account [HIGH RISK PATH]

Attack Vector: This path targets the package supply chain by compromising the accounts of package maintainers. By gaining control of a maintainer's account, an attacker can publish malicious versions of legitimate packages, affecting all applications that depend on those packages.

• Compromise Package Maintainer Account -> Phishing or Social Engineering Maintainer [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vector: Attackers use social engineering tactics, primarily phishing, to trick package maintainers into revealing their account credentials. This relies on human error and manipulation rather than technical exploits against the package repository itself.
  • [Action] Target Maintainer with Phishing Attacks [CRITICAL NODE]:
    • Attack Vector: The attacker crafts convincing phishing emails or messages that appear to be legitimate communications from package repositories (like pub.dev), organizations, or trusted individuals. These messages often create a sense of urgency or authority, prompting the maintainer to click on malicious links or enter their credentials on fake login pages controlled by the attacker. The goal is to steal the maintainer's username and password.
• Compromise Package Maintainer Account -> Account Takeover of Maintainer Account [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vector: This path focuses on directly compromising the maintainer's account through technical means or by exploiting weak account security practices.
  • [Action] Exploit Weak Credentials or Account Security [CRITICAL NODE]:
    • Attack Vector: Attackers attempt to gain access to the maintainer's account by exploiting weaknesses in their account security. This can include:
      • Password Cracking: If the maintainer uses a weak or easily guessable password, attackers can use password cracking techniques (dictionary attacks, brute-force attacks) to guess the password.
      • Credential Stuffing/Password Reuse: Attackers may try using credentials leaked from other breaches (if the maintainer reuses passwords across multiple services) to log into the package repository account.
      • Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If the maintainer does not enable MFA on their account, it becomes significantly easier for attackers to gain access with just a username and password.
      • Session Hijacking (less common for package repositories but possible): In some scenarios, attackers might attempt to hijack a maintainer's active session if security measures are weak.

Attack Tree Path: Outdated Package Usage -> Exploit Known Vulnerabilities in Outdated Packages [HIGH RISK PATH]

Attack Vector: This path exploits the common vulnerability of applications using outdated packages that contain known, publicly disclosed security flaws. Developers often fail to update dependencies regularly, leaving their applications vulnerable to exploits targeting these known weaknesses.

• Exploit Known Vulnerabilities in Outdated Packages -> Exploit Vulnerability Present in Outdated Version [CRITICAL NODE]:
  • Attack Vector: Once outdated packages are identified (often through vulnerability scanning), attackers leverage the publicly available information about the vulnerabilities present in those specific outdated versions. This information is usually found in CVE databases, security advisories, and package changelogs.
  • [Action] Leverage Known Exploits for Outdated Package Version [CRITICAL NODE]:
    • Attack Vector: For many known vulnerabilities, especially in popular packages, exploit code or detailed exploitation techniques are often publicly available. Attackers search for and utilize these existing exploits to target applications using the vulnerable outdated package versions. If ready-made exploits are not available, the attacker can use the vulnerability information to develop their own exploit, which is often easier for well-documented and known vulnerabilities. The attacker then deploys this exploit against the target application, aiming to compromise it by leveraging the known weakness in the outdated package.