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attack-surface.md

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Attack Surface Analysis for go-sql-driver/mysql

Attack Surface: SQL Injection via Unsanitized User Input

  • Description: Application fails to sanitize user input when constructing SQL queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code executed by MySQL.
  • MySQL Contribution: MySQL executes the injected SQL, leading to unauthorized data access or manipulation within the database.
  • Example: Login bypass by injecting SQL into a username field, allowing access without proper authentication.
  • Impact: Data breaches, data manipulation, authentication bypass, potential remote code execution on the database server.
  • Risk Severity: Critical
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Mandatory Parameterized Queries/Prepared Statements: Always use db.Prepare() and stmt.Exec() to separate SQL code from user data, preventing MySQL from interpreting user input as code.
    • Strict Input Validation: Validate all user inputs against expected formats before using them in any SQL query to limit injection possibilities.

Attack Surface: SQL Injection via Vulnerable Stored Procedures

  • Description: Application utilizes stored procedures in MySQL that are themselves vulnerable to SQL injection, even if the application uses parameterized queries elsewhere.
  • MySQL Contribution: MySQL executes the vulnerable stored procedure code, enabling exploitation of injection flaws within the database logic itself.
  • Example: A stored procedure that dynamically builds SQL queries using string concatenation of parameters, making it susceptible to injection.
  • Impact: Data breaches, data manipulation, authentication bypass, potential remote code execution on the database server (depending on stored procedure privileges).
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Secure Stored Procedure Design: Develop stored procedures using parameterized queries within the stored procedure code itself.
    • Regular Stored Procedure Audits: Conduct security code reviews and audits specifically for stored procedures to identify and fix injection vulnerabilities.

Attack Surface: Weak MySQL User Credentials

  • Description: MySQL database users, especially those used by the application, are configured with weak or default passwords.
  • MySQL Contribution: MySQL's authentication relies on these credentials. Weak passwords allow attackers to easily gain direct access to the MySQL server.
  • Example: Using common passwords like "password" or "123456" for the application's database user, making brute-force attacks feasible.
  • Impact: Unauthorized database access, data breaches, data manipulation, denial of service.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Enforce Strong Passwords: Implement and enforce strong password policies for all MySQL users, including application-specific users.
    • Password Complexity and Rotation: Require complex passwords and consider regular password rotation.

Attack Surface: Overly Permissive MySQL User Privileges

  • Description: Application database users are granted excessive MySQL privileges beyond what is strictly necessary for the application to function.
  • MySQL Contribution: MySQL's privilege system controls access. Excessive privileges amplify the potential damage if the application or its database user is compromised.
  • Example: Granting SUPERUSER or GRANT privileges to the application's user when only SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE are required.
  • Impact: Significant data breaches, complete database takeover, potential system-wide compromise if SUPERUSER privileges are abused.
  • Risk Severity: Critical
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Strict Principle of Least Privilege: Grant only the absolute minimum MySQL privileges required for the application user to perform its intended tasks.
    • Role-Based Access Control: Utilize MySQL roles to manage permissions efficiently and apply least privilege principles.
    • Regular Privilege Reviews: Periodically audit and review database user privileges to ensure they remain minimal and appropriate.

Attack Surface: Insecure Connection String Management Exposing MySQL Credentials

  • Description: MySQL connection strings, containing sensitive credentials, are stored insecurely, making them easily accessible to attackers.
  • MySQL Contribution: Connection strings provide the necessary information to access the MySQL server. Exposure directly compromises MySQL access control.
  • Example: Hardcoding MySQL username and password directly in application code or configuration files committed to version control.
  • Impact: Direct unauthorized access to the MySQL database, data breaches, data manipulation, denial of service.
  • Risk Severity: Critical
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Environment Variables for Credentials: Store MySQL credentials exclusively in environment variables, separate from application code and configuration files.
    • Secure Secrets Management: Utilize dedicated secrets management systems (e.g., HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager) to securely store and retrieve MySQL credentials.

Attack Surface: Exploiting Known MySQL Server Vulnerabilities

  • Description: Running outdated MySQL server versions with publicly known and exploitable security vulnerabilities.
  • MySQL Contribution: The MySQL server software itself contains the vulnerabilities. Outdated versions are directly susceptible to attacks targeting these flaws.
  • Example: Using an old MySQL version vulnerable to a remote code execution exploit, allowing attackers to gain control of the MySQL server.
  • Impact: Remote code execution on the MySQL server, denial of service, data breaches, complete system compromise.
  • Risk Severity: Critical to High (depending on the specific vulnerability)
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Proactive Patching and Updates: Maintain a rigorous schedule for patching and updating the MySQL server to the latest stable versions and security patches.
    • Automated Vulnerability Scanning: Implement automated vulnerability scanning to regularly check the MySQL server for known vulnerabilities.

Attack Surface: Critical MySQL Server Misconfiguration

  • Description: MySQL server is misconfigured in ways that introduce high-severity security vulnerabilities, deviating from security best practices.
  • MySQL Contribution: MySQL server configuration directly dictates its security posture. Critical misconfigurations create significant weaknesses.
  • Example: Leaving default administrative accounts enabled with default passwords, disabling crucial security features, or misconfiguring authentication mechanisms.
  • Impact: Unauthorized access, data breaches, denial of service, potential remote code execution depending on the specific misconfiguration.
  • Risk Severity: High to Critical (depending on the misconfiguration severity)
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Strict MySQL Hardening: Implement comprehensive MySQL server hardening based on established security guidelines and best practices.
    • Regular Configuration Audits: Conduct frequent security audits of MySQL server configurations to identify and remediate any misconfigurations.

Attack Surface: High-Impact Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks against MySQL Server

  • Description: Attackers intentionally overload the MySQL server with requests or exploit resource-intensive operations, leading to service disruption and application unavailability with significant impact.
  • MySQL Contribution: MySQL server is the direct target of DoS attacks. Its availability is essential for application functionality, and its failure leads to high impact.
  • Example: Launching a large-scale connection flood attack against the MySQL server, or crafting highly inefficient SQL queries to exhaust server resources.
  • Impact: Prolonged application downtime, significant service disruption, potential data loss or corruption in severe DoS scenarios.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Robust Rate Limiting and Throttling: Implement aggressive rate limiting and request throttling at the application and infrastructure levels to mitigate connection floods.
    • Connection and Resource Limits: Configure appropriate connection limits and resource quotas within MySQL to prevent resource exhaustion.
    • Query Optimization and Monitoring: Optimize SQL queries for performance and implement monitoring to detect and respond to unusual query patterns or resource consumption.
    • Infrastructure-Level DDoS Protection: Employ network-level DDoS mitigation services and infrastructure to protect the MySQL server from large-scale attacks.