threat-modeling.md

Threat Model Analysis for golang-migrate/migrate

Threat: Tampering with Migration Files

Description: An attacker could gain unauthorized write access to the migration file storage location and modify migration files. When golang-migrate/migrate reads and executes these tampered files, it will apply the attacker's malicious changes to the database schema. This could involve injecting malicious SQL, altering schema in unintended and harmful ways, or disrupting the migration process leading to application instability. The attacker might compromise developer machines or version control systems to achieve this.

Impact: Database corruption, data manipulation, denial of service, application downtime, potential for unauthorized access if malicious schema changes are introduced that create backdoors or expose data.

Affected Component: Migration File Loading (within golang-migrate/migrate core), Migration Files (as input to migrate)

Risk Severity: High

Mitigation Strategies:

• Store migration files in a secure version control system with robust access controls, limiting write access to authorized personnel only.
• Implement mandatory code review processes for all migration file changes before they are applied.
• Consider using checksums or digital signatures to verify the integrity of migration files before golang-migrate/migrate executes them.
• Restrict write access to the migration file directory in production environments to only the migration process itself, and ideally, only during controlled migration execution.
• Implement monitoring and alerting for unauthorized modifications to migration files in storage.

Threat: Exposure of Database Credentials

Description: golang-migrate/migrate requires database credentials to connect and perform migrations. If these credentials are exposed due to insecure configuration practices (e.g., hardcoding, insecure storage in configuration files), logging, or accidental leaks, an attacker can obtain them. With these credentials, the attacker can directly access the database, bypassing application security layers, and perform arbitrary database operations, including data exfiltration, modification, or deletion.

Impact: Database compromise, data exfiltration, data manipulation, denial of service, complete loss of data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected Component: Configuration Loading (within golang-migrate/migrate core), Database Connection (initiated by golang-migrate/migrate)

Risk Severity: Critical

Mitigation Strategies:

• Never hardcode database credentials directly in code or configuration files used by golang-migrate/migrate.
• Utilize environment variables or secure secret management systems (e.g., HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager, Kubernetes Secrets) to store and retrieve database credentials for golang-migrate/migrate.
• Implement strict access controls on configuration files and environment variable storage to prevent unauthorized access to credentials.
• Avoid logging database connection strings or credentials in application logs generated by golang-migrate/migrate or the application itself.
• Encrypt sensitive configuration data at rest and in transit where possible, especially when using configuration files.

Threat: Vulnerabilities in golang-migrate/migrate Library

Description: Security vulnerabilities might be discovered within the golang-migrate/migrate library itself. If exploited, these vulnerabilities could allow attackers to compromise the migration process or the application using migrate. Depending on the nature of the vulnerability, attackers could potentially achieve remote code execution during migration, bypass security controls enforced by migrate, or cause a denial of service by exploiting flaws in migrate's execution logic.

Impact: Range of impacts depending on the vulnerability, potentially including remote code execution on the migration execution environment, denial of service of the migration process or application, information disclosure related to migration process or database configuration, bypassing intended security mechanisms of migrate.

Affected Component: golang-migrate/migrate Library (Core modules, Parsing logic, Execution Engine, Dependency handling)

Risk Severity: High to Critical (depending on the specific vulnerability)

Mitigation Strategies:

• Keep the golang-migrate/migrate library updated to the latest version to ensure that known vulnerabilities are patched promptly.
• Monitor security advisories and vulnerability databases (e.g., GitHub Security Advisories, CVE databases) for reported issues in golang-migrate/migrate and its dependencies.
• Perform regular security testing and code audits of the application and its dependencies, including golang-migrate/migrate, to proactively identify potential vulnerabilities.
• Subscribe to security mailing lists or vulnerability notification services related to Go and relevant libraries to stay informed about potential security issues affecting golang-migrate/migrate.
• When choosing a specific version of golang-migrate/migrate, review release notes and changelogs for any mentioned security fixes or improvements.