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threat-modeling.md

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Threat Model Analysis for etcd-io/etcd

Threat: Unauthenticated Access to etcd

  • Description: An attacker gains network access to etcd and interacts with the API without credentials, allowing read, write, and delete operations on etcd data.
  • Impact: Critical. Complete data compromise, data corruption, denial of service, unauthorized access to secrets.
  • Affected etcd component: API Server, Authentication Module
  • Risk Severity: Critical
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Enable TLS client certificate authentication.
    • Enable username/password authentication over TLS.
    • Restrict network access to etcd.

Threat: Weak Authentication Mechanisms

  • Description: An attacker compromises weak authentication credentials (e.g., sniffed basic auth over non-TLS, brute-forced weak passwords).
  • Impact: High. Unauthorized etcd access, data breaches, data corruption, denial of service.
  • Affected etcd component: Authentication Module, API Server
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Use TLS client certificates for authentication.
    • If using passwords, enforce TLS and strong password policies.

Threat: Authorization Bypass or Misconfiguration

  • Description: An attacker bypasses or exploits misconfigured etcd RBAC, gaining unauthorized access to data or operations.
  • Impact: High. Data breaches, unauthorized data modification, privilege escalation within the data layer.
  • Affected etcd component: Authorization Module, RBAC System
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Implement strict RBAC policies following least privilege.
    • Regularly audit and test RBAC configurations.

Threat: Credential Compromise

  • Description: An attacker obtains legitimate etcd client credentials (certificates, passwords) through phishing, insider threats, or other means.
  • Impact: Critical. Unauthorized access with compromised credentials' privileges, data breaches, data manipulation, denial of service, full control over application state.
  • Affected etcd component: Authentication Module, API Server
  • Risk Severity: Critical
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Securely manage etcd credentials using secret management solutions.
    • Implement credential rotation and short-lived credentials.
    • Monitor for suspicious credential usage.

Threat: Data Breach at Rest

  • Description: An attacker gains physical access to etcd server/storage and reads unencrypted data files.
  • Impact: High. Exposure of confidential data stored in etcd.
  • Affected etcd component: Storage Engine, Disk Subsystem
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Enable etcd encryption at rest.
    • Securely manage encryption keys.
    • Physically secure etcd servers and backups.

Threat: Data Breach in Transit (Man-in-the-Middle Attacks)

  • Description: An attacker intercepts unencrypted network traffic between etcd clients/peers, exposing sensitive data.
  • Impact: High. Exposure of confidential data in transit, potential data manipulation.
  • Affected etcd component: Network Communication, gRPC layer
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Enforce TLS encryption for all client-to-etcd communication.
    • Enforce TLS encryption for all peer-to-peer communication.

Threat: Data Corruption or Loss

  • Description: Bugs, storage failures, or operational errors corrupt or lose etcd data.
  • Impact: High. Application malfunction, service disruption, potential permanent data loss.
  • Affected etcd component: Storage Engine, WAL, Snapshotting, Data Replication
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Implement regular automated backups.
    • Utilize etcd's data integrity features (WAL, checksums).
    • Monitor etcd health and storage.
    • Implement disaster recovery procedures.

Threat: Unauthorized Data Modification

  • Description: An attacker with unauthorized access modifies critical application data in etcd.
  • Impact: High. Application state corruption, denial of service, security breaches in application logic.
  • Affected etcd component: API Server, Data Storage, Authorization Module
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Enforce strict authorization policies (RBAC).
    • Implement audit logging of data modifications.
    • Consider data validation in the application.

Threat: Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks

  • Description: An attacker overwhelms etcd with requests, causing unresponsiveness or crashes.
  • Impact: High. Application unavailability, service disruption.
  • Affected etcd component: API Server, Request Handling, Network Communication
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Implement rate limiting and request throttling.
    • Deploy etcd behind load balancers and firewalls.
    • Monitor etcd performance and resource usage.

Threat: Misconfiguration of etcd

  • Description: Incorrect etcd configuration (insecure ports, weak settings, inadequate limits) creates vulnerabilities.
  • Impact: High. Security breaches, performance problems, instability, potential data loss.
  • Affected etcd component: Configuration Management, Deployment, Security Settings
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Follow etcd security best practices and hardening guidelines.
    • Use configuration management tools for consistent secure configurations.
    • Regularly audit configurations.

Threat: Insecure Secret Management

  • Description: Improper handling of etcd secrets (plain text passwords, insecure key storage) leads to credential compromise.
  • Impact: High. Unauthorized access, data compromise, potential system compromise.
  • Affected etcd component: Secret Management, Configuration, Deployment
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Use secure secret management solutions (Vault, Kubernetes Secrets).
    • Avoid storing secrets in configuration files or code.

Threat: Inadequate Backup and Recovery Procedures

  • Description: Lack of backups leads to permanent data loss in case of failures or incidents.
  • Impact: High. Data loss, prolonged service outages, business disruption.
  • Affected etcd component: Backup and Restore, Operational Procedures
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Implement regular automated backups.
    • Test backup and recovery procedures.
    • Store backups securely and offsite.

Threat: Running Outdated etcd Version

  • Description: Using outdated etcd with known vulnerabilities exposes the application to exploitation.
  • Impact: High. Exploitation of vulnerabilities, data breaches, denial of service.
  • Affected etcd component: All etcd components, Software Version
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Keep etcd updated to the latest stable version with security patches.
    • Subscribe to security advisories and apply updates promptly.

Threat: Exploitable Bugs in etcd Code

  • Description: Undiscovered vulnerabilities in etcd code are exploited by attackers.
  • Impact: Critical to High. Data breaches, denial of service, privilege escalation, system compromise.
  • Affected etcd component: All etcd components, Codebase
  • Risk Severity: Critical to High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches.
    • Participate in security testing and vulnerability scanning.

Threat: Dependency Vulnerabilities

  • Description: Vulnerabilities in etcd dependencies are exploited, indirectly affecting etcd security.
  • Impact: High. Data breaches, denial of service, other security incidents.
  • Affected etcd component: Dependencies, Third-party Libraries
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Regularly scan dependencies for vulnerabilities.
    • Update dependencies to patched versions.
    • Monitor security advisories for dependencies.