threat-modeling.md

Threat Model Analysis for mattermost/mattermost-server

Threat: Privilege escalation via RBAC bypass

• Description: An attacker with low-level privileges exploits a vulnerability in Mattermost's Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) system to gain higher privileges, such as system administrator. This could involve manipulating API calls, exploiting flaws in permission checks, or leveraging misconfigurations within Mattermost's RBAC implementation.
• Impact: Full system compromise, unauthorized access to all data within Mattermost, ability to modify system settings, potential denial of service, data breach.
• Affected Component: RBAC module, Permission management, API endpoints.
• Risk Severity: High
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Regularly audit and review RBAC configurations within Mattermost.
  • Implement thorough input validation and sanitization on API endpoints related to user roles and permissions in Mattermost.
  • Conduct security testing specifically focused on RBAC and privilege escalation within Mattermost.
  • Follow least privilege principles when assigning roles in Mattermost.
  • Keep Mattermost server updated to patch known RBAC vulnerabilities.

Threat: Data breach exposing messages and user data

• Description: An attacker gains unauthorized access to the Mattermost database or file storage directly through vulnerabilities in Mattermost or its configuration. This could be achieved through exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities in Mattermost, server misconfigurations related to Mattermost's data access, or gaining access to underlying infrastructure due to Mattermost-related weaknesses. Once accessed, they can extract sensitive data including messages, user profiles, and files managed by Mattermost.
• Impact: Confidentiality breach, exposure of sensitive communications within Mattermost, reputational damage, legal and regulatory consequences.
• Affected Component: Database, File storage, Data access layer.
• Risk Severity: Critical
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Implement strong database security measures specifically for the Mattermost database (access control, firewalls).
  • Encrypt data at rest in the database and file storage used by Mattermost.
  • Regularly patch and update Mattermost server and its dependencies.
  • Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on Mattermost's data security.
  • Implement robust access control to the database and file storage used by Mattermost.
  • Minimize data exposure by following data minimization principles within Mattermost usage.

Threat: Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in messages

• Description: An attacker injects malicious JavaScript code into a message, username, channel name, or other user-generated content within Mattermost. This content is stored in the Mattermost database. When other users view this content through Mattermost, the malicious script is executed in their browsers, potentially allowing the attacker to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on their behalf within the Mattermost application.
• Impact: Account takeover within Mattermost, data theft from Mattermost users, defacement of Mattermost interface, spread of malware through Mattermost.
• Affected Component: Message rendering module, Input sanitization, User interface.
• Risk Severity: High
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Implement robust input sanitization and output encoding for all user-generated content within Mattermost.
  • Use a Content Security Policy (CSP) within Mattermost to restrict the sources from which the browser can load resources, mitigating the impact of XSS.
  • Regularly scan Mattermost for and patch XSS vulnerabilities.
  • Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or content within Mattermost.

Threat: Command injection via slash commands

• Description: An attacker crafts a malicious slash command that, when executed by a user in Mattermost, allows them to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the Mattermost server or backend systems. This is possible if slash command processing within Mattermost is not properly sanitized and validated.
• Impact: Remote code execution on the Mattermost server, full server compromise, data breach, denial of service.
• Affected Component: Slash command processing module, Command execution, Backend integrations.
• Risk Severity: Critical
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Thoroughly sanitize and validate all input to slash commands within Mattermost.
  • Avoid executing shell commands directly based on user input in Mattermost slash command processing.
  • Use parameterized queries or prepared statements when slash commands interact with databases or external systems.
  • Implement strict input validation and whitelisting for allowed characters and commands in Mattermost slash command handling.
  • Regularly audit and review slash command implementations in Mattermost for security vulnerabilities.

Threat: Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in Mattermost server code

• Description: A critical vulnerability exists in the Mattermost server application code itself that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the server. This could be exploited remotely without authentication, or through authenticated access depending on the vulnerability. Exploitation would directly target flaws in Mattermost's codebase.
• Impact: Full server compromise, data breach, denial of service, complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Mattermost instance.
• Affected Component: Core Mattermost server application code, potentially various modules depending on the vulnerability.
• Risk Severity: Critical
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Keep Mattermost server updated to the latest version with security patches provided by Mattermost.
  • Implement a robust vulnerability management program specifically for Mattermost and its dependencies.
  • Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in the Mattermost deployment.
  • Follow secure coding practices during any custom development or plugin creation for Mattermost.
  • Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to monitor and protect the Mattermost server.

Threat: Malicious plugin installation

• Description: An administrator installs a plugin into Mattermost from an untrusted source or a plugin that contains malicious code. The malicious plugin, once installed within Mattermost, can then perform unauthorized actions within Mattermost, access sensitive data managed by Mattermost, or compromise the Mattermost server itself.
• Impact: Data breach within Mattermost, server compromise, denial of service of Mattermost, introduction of backdoors into the Mattermost system.
• Affected Component: Plugin system, Plugin API, Server core.
• Risk Severity: High
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Only install plugins from trusted and verified sources, preferably the official Mattermost marketplace or reputable developers.
  • Review plugin code before installation if possible, especially for community plugins.
  • Implement plugin vetting and security review processes before allowing plugin installations in Mattermost.
  • Restrict plugin installation permissions to authorized administrators only within Mattermost.
  • Monitor plugin activity for suspicious behavior within Mattermost.
  • Keep plugins updated to the latest versions with security patches.

Threat: Insecure deployment configuration (default credentials)

• Description: Mattermost is deployed using default credentials for administrative accounts or database access. Attackers can easily find these default credentials and use them to gain unauthorized administrative access to the Mattermost system. This is a direct misconfiguration of the Mattermost deployment.
• Impact: Full system compromise of Mattermost, data breach, denial of service, unauthorized modifications to Mattermost settings and data.
• Affected Component: Deployment configuration, Installation process, Administrative accounts.
• Risk Severity: High
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Change all default passwords immediately upon Mattermost installation.
  • Use strong and unique passwords for all administrative accounts and database access related to Mattermost.
  • Follow secure deployment guidelines and best practices specifically for Mattermost.
  • Regularly review and audit deployment configurations for Mattermost for security weaknesses.