Threat: Malicious Commit Injection
Description: An attacker with write access to the Git repository pushes a commit containing malicious application manifests. Argo CD automatically synchronizes with the repository and deploys the compromised application to the Kubernetes cluster. Impact: Deployment of backdoored applications, unauthorized access to cluster resources, data exfiltration, denial of service. Affected Argo CD Component: Application Controller, Git Repository Integration Risk Severity: High Mitigation Strategies: * Implement strong access control on Git repositories (authentication, authorization). * Enforce code review and pull request workflows for all Git commits. * Utilize branch protection rules to prevent direct pushes to main branches. * Implement Git repository auditing and monitoring for suspicious activities. * Consider signed commits to verify commit integrity.
Threat: Git Repository Compromise
Description: An attacker gains full control of the Git repository (e.g., through compromised credentials or platform vulnerability). They can then modify application configurations and deploy malicious applications via Argo CD. Impact: Widespread compromise of applications across all managed clusters, complete control over deployed environments, significant data breach potential, system-wide denial of service. Affected Argo CD Component: Application Controller, Git Repository Integration Risk Severity: Critical Mitigation Strategies: * Implement robust security measures for the Git hosting platform (MFA, access logging, security updates). * Regularly perform security audits of the Git infrastructure. * Consider using dedicated Git hosting solutions with enhanced security features. * Implement incident response plans for Git repository compromise.
Description: Developers accidentally commit sensitive information like secrets, API keys, or database credentials directly into the Git repository in plaintext or weakly encrypted forms. Argo CD might deploy applications using these exposed secrets.
Impact: Exposure of sensitive data, unauthorized access to external services or databases, potential lateral movement within the infrastructure, application compromise.
Affected Argo CD Component: Git Repository Integration, Application Controller, Secrets Management (if secrets are directly used from Git)
Risk Severity: High
Mitigation Strategies:
* Establish strict policies against committing secrets directly to Git.
* Mandate the use of dedicated secret management solutions (HashiCorp Vault, Kubernetes Secrets with encryption at rest).
* Utilize Git pre-commit hooks or CI/CD pipelines to scan for and prevent secret commits (e.g., using tools like git-secrets, truffleHog).
* Educate developers on secure secrets management practices.
Threat: Argo CD Server Compromise
Description: An attacker exploits vulnerabilities in the Argo CD server application, underlying infrastructure, or through credential compromise to gain unauthorized access to the Argo CD server. Impact: Full control over all applications managed by Argo CD, access to Kubernetes cluster credentials, ability to deploy arbitrary workloads, data breaches, denial of service across managed clusters. Affected Argo CD Component: Argo CD Server (all modules) Risk Severity: Critical Mitigation Strategies: * Keep Argo CD server updated to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities. * Harden the underlying infrastructure hosting Argo CD (OS, network, firewalls). * Implement strong authentication and authorization for Argo CD access (SSO, RBAC, MFA). * Apply network segmentation to restrict access to the Argo CD server. * Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing of the Argo CD server.
Description: An attacker with limited Argo CD access (e.g., read-only user) exploits vulnerabilities or RBAC misconfigurations to gain higher privileges, potentially becoming an administrator. Impact: Ability to manage all applications, access sensitive information, potentially compromise Kubernetes clusters, bypass intended access controls. Affected Argo CD Component: Argo CD Server (RBAC module, API) Risk Severity: High Mitigation Strategies: * Implement and enforce robust Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) within Argo CD, following the principle of least privilege. * Regularly review and audit Argo CD RBAC configurations. * Minimize the number of users with administrative privileges. * Implement least privilege for service accounts used by Argo CD components.
Description: Argo CD stores credentials to access managed Kubernetes clusters. If these credentials are compromised (through Argo CD server compromise, information disclosure, or insecure storage), attackers gain direct access to the clusters. Impact: Full control over the Kubernetes clusters, ability to deploy arbitrary workloads, access sensitive data within the clusters, denial of service, cluster-wide compromise. Affected Argo CD Component: Argo CD Server (Secrets Management, Cluster Credentials Storage) Risk Severity: Critical Mitigation Strategies: * Securely store Kubernetes cluster credentials within Argo CD, utilizing built-in secrets management or external secret stores. * Implement strong access control for the Argo CD server to limit access to these credentials. * Regularly rotate Kubernetes cluster credentials used by Argo CD. * Monitor access to Kubernetes clusters for unauthorized activity. * Consider using short-lived credentials or workload identity where possible.
Description: An attacker, having compromised Git or Argo CD server, uses Argo CD's intended functionality to deploy malicious applications to Kubernetes clusters. This bypasses traditional deployment security checks as it leverages the trusted deployment pipeline. Impact: Deployment of compromised applications, unauthorized resource access within Kubernetes, data breaches, denial of service, cluster instability, bypass of security controls. Affected Argo CD Component: Application Controller, Git Repository Integration, Sync Engine Risk Severity: High Mitigation Strategies: * Implement security scanning and vulnerability assessments of application manifests and container images before they are committed to Git or deployed by Argo CD. * Enforce resource quotas and limits within Kubernetes namespaces to restrict the impact of malicious applications. * Implement network policies to segment applications and limit lateral movement within the cluster. * Regularly audit deployed applications and Kubernetes cluster configurations. * Implement admission controllers in Kubernetes to enforce security policies during deployment.
Description: Argo CD is configured with weak or default authentication mechanisms (e.g., default passwords, no MFA), making it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the Argo CD UI and API. Impact: Unauthorized access to Argo CD server, potential for privilege escalation, system compromise, unauthorized application deployments. Affected Argo CD Component: Argo CD Server (Authentication Module, UI, API) Risk Severity: High Mitigation Strategies: * Enforce strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Argo CD user accounts. * Integrate Argo CD with a robust identity provider (IdP) using protocols like OIDC or SAML. * Disable default or insecure authentication methods (e.g., local accounts if SSO is preferred). * Regularly audit user accounts and access permissions.
Description: Argo CD's internal secrets storage mechanism is compromised or found to be insecure (e.g., weak encryption, improper access controls), leading to exposure of sensitive information stored within Argo CD. Impact: Exposure of Kubernetes cluster credentials, Git repository credentials, and other sensitive data managed by Argo CD, potential for widespread compromise. Affected Argo CD Component: Argo CD Server (Secrets Management Module, Internal Secrets Storage) Risk Severity: Critical Mitigation Strategies: * Utilize Argo CD's built-in secrets management features securely (ensure encryption at rest is enabled and properly configured). * Preferably integrate Argo CD with external secrets management solutions (HashiCorp Vault, Kubernetes Secrets with encryption at rest) for enhanced security and control. * Regularly audit and review Argo CD's secrets management configuration and storage mechanisms.
Description: The Argo CD software itself is compromised during its development or distribution process (e.g., malicious code injected into source code, build pipeline, or release artifacts). Users deploying compromised Argo CD instances are then vulnerable. Impact: Widespread deployment of backdoored Argo CD instances, potentially affecting numerous organizations and their managed Kubernetes environments, large-scale compromise potential. Affected Argo CD Component: Argo CD Distribution, Argo CD Server (all modules) Risk Severity: Critical Mitigation Strategies: * Utilize official Argo CD releases and verify their integrity using checksums and signatures provided by the Argo CD project. * Monitor for security advisories and updates from the Argo CD project and apply them promptly. * Implement security scanning and vulnerability assessments of Argo CD components before deployment. * Consider using a trusted and reputable source for Argo CD deployments (official container images, trusted package repositories).
Description: Argo CD relies on third-party libraries and dependencies. Vulnerabilities in these dependencies can be exploited to compromise Argo CD itself. Impact: Argo CD server compromise, potential for privilege escalation, system compromise, exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely used libraries. Affected Argo CD Component: Argo CD Server (Dependencies, all modules relying on vulnerable dependencies) Risk Severity: High Mitigation Strategies: * Regularly update Argo CD and its dependencies to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities. * Utilize dependency scanning tools (e.g., Snyk, OWASP Dependency-Check) to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in Argo CD dependencies. * Monitor security advisories for Argo CD dependencies and take prompt action to address any identified issues. * Implement a vulnerability management process for Argo CD and its dependencies.