attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for milvus-io/milvus

Objective: To gain unauthorized access to sensitive application data or disrupt application services by exploiting Milvus vulnerabilities.

Attack Tree Visualization

Compromise Application via Milvus Exploitation [CRITICAL NODE] ├── 1. Exploit Milvus Server Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE] │ ├── 1.1. Exploit Known Milvus Vulnerabilities [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE] │ │ ├── 1.1.1. Identify Publicly Disclosed CVEs [HIGH-RISK PATH] │ ├── 1.2. Configuration Weaknesses [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE] │ │ ├── 1.2.1. Default Credentials [HIGH-RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 1.2.2. Insecure Network Configuration [HIGH-RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 1.2.3. Insufficient Access Controls (Authorization) [HIGH-RISK PATH] ├── 2. Abuse Milvus API & Features [CRITICAL NODE] │ ├── 2.1. API Input Validation Vulnerabilities [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE] │ │ ├── 2.1.1. Injection Attacks (e.g., NoSQL Injection in query parameters) [HIGH-RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 2.1.2. API Rate Limiting & Abuse [HIGH-RISK PATH] ├── 3. Data Manipulation within Milvus [CRITICAL NODE] │ ├── 3.1. Data Injection/Poisoning [CRITICAL NODE] │ │ ├── 3.1.1. Injecting Malicious Vectors [HIGH-RISK PATH] │ ├── 3.2. Data Exfiltration [CRITICAL NODE] │ │ ├── 3.2.1. Unauthorized Data Access via API [HIGH-RISK PATH] ├── 4. Denial of Service (DoS) against Milvus [CRITICAL NODE] │ ├── 4.1. Resource Exhaustion Attacks [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE] │ │ ├── 4.1.1. Query Bomb Attacks [HIGH-RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 4.1.2. Storage Exhaustion Attacks [HIGH-RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 4.1.3. Connection Exhaustion Attacks [HIGH-RISK PATH]

Attack Tree Path: 1. Compromise Application via Milvus Exploitation [CRITICAL NODE]

Description: This is the root goal of the attacker - to compromise the application by exploiting vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the Milvus vector database system it utilizes.

Milvus Specifics: Focuses on threats directly related to Milvus components, API, data handling, and configuration, excluding general web application vulnerabilities.

Potential Impact: Ranges from data breaches and data manipulation to denial of service and potentially full system compromise, depending on the specific attack vector and exploited vulnerability.

Actionable Insights: Implement a comprehensive security strategy encompassing vulnerability management, secure configuration, API security, data integrity measures, and DoS prevention.

Risk Estimations:

• Likelihood: Medium to High (depending on overall security posture)
• Impact: High
• Effort: Low to High (depending on the chosen attack path)
• Skill Level: Basic to Expert (depending on the chosen attack path)
• Detection Difficulty: Low to High (depending on the chosen attack path and monitoring capabilities)

Attack Tree Path: 2. Exploit Milvus Server Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE]

Description: Directly target vulnerabilities within the Milvus server software itself, including its core components like coordinators, worker nodes, and storage engine.

Milvus Specifics: Exploits are specific to Milvus codebase and architecture.

Potential Impact: Remote Code Execution (RCE), Data Breach, Denial of Service (DoS), depending on the nature of the vulnerability.

Actionable Insights:

• Regularly update Milvus to the latest stable version.
• Implement a robust vulnerability scanning process.
• Harden the Milvus server environment (OS, network).
• Deploy Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS).

Risk Estimations:

• Likelihood: Medium

• Impact: High

• Effort: Low to High (depending on vulnerability type - known vs. zero-day)

• Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert (depending on vulnerability type)

• Detection Difficulty: Medium to High (depending on exploit type and logging)

  • 2.1. Exploit Known Milvus Vulnerabilities [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]

    • Description: Leverage publicly disclosed vulnerabilities (CVEs) affecting the deployed version of Milvus.

    • Milvus Specifics: Relies on known weaknesses in specific Milvus versions.

    • Potential Impact: RCE, Data Breach, DoS.

    • Actionable Insights:

      • Implement a rigorous patch management process for Milvus.
      • Subscribe to Milvus security advisories.
      • Use vulnerability scanners to identify known CVEs.

    • Risk Estimations:

      • Likelihood: Medium
      • Impact: High
      • Effort: Low
      • Skill Level: Intermediate
      • Detection Difficulty: Medium

    • 2.1.1. Identify Publicly Disclosed CVEs [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: The attacker's initial step is to actively search for and identify publicly available CVEs that are relevant to the specific version of Milvus being used by the target application.
      • Milvus Specifics: Focuses on researching vulnerability databases and Milvus-specific security announcements.
      • Potential Impact: Sets the stage for exploiting known vulnerabilities, leading to RCE, Data Breach, or DoS.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Maintain an inventory of Milvus versions in use.
        • Proactively monitor vulnerability databases and security feeds for Milvus CVEs.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: High (for attackers targeting known vulnerabilities)
        • Impact: Sets stage for High Impact attacks
        • Effort: Very Low
        • Skill Level: Basic
        • Detection Difficulty: Not directly detectable, precursor to other attacks.

  • 2.2. Configuration Weaknesses [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]

    • Description: Exploit common misconfigurations in Milvus server setup, making it vulnerable.

    • Milvus Specifics: Targets weaknesses arising from improper deployment and configuration of Milvus.

    • Potential Impact: Unauthorized access, data breach, service disruption.

    • Actionable Insights:

      • Follow Milvus security hardening guidelines.
      • Regularly audit Milvus configurations.
      • Implement infrastructure-as-code for consistent and secure deployments.

    • Risk Estimations:

      • Likelihood: Medium
      • Impact: Medium to High
      • Effort: Low
      • Skill Level: Basic
      • Detection Difficulty: Low to Medium

    • 2.2.1. Default Credentials [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Attacker attempts to log in using default usernames and passwords that might be present in Milvus installations if not changed by administrators.
      • Milvus Specifics: Relies on the possibility of default credentials existing in Milvus components or management interfaces.
      • Potential Impact: Unauthorized administrative access to Milvus, leading to full control.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Immediately change all default credentials upon Milvus deployment.
        • Enforce strong password policies.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: High
        • Effort: Very Low
        • Skill Level: Basic
        • Detection Difficulty: Low

    • 2.2.2. Insecure Network Configuration [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Milvus services are exposed on the network without proper network segmentation or firewall rules, allowing unauthorized access.
      • Milvus Specifics: Exploits network exposure of Milvus components.
      • Potential Impact: Unauthorized access to Milvus services, data interception, lateral movement.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Implement network segmentation to isolate Milvus.
        • Use firewalls to restrict access to Milvus ports.
        • Encrypt network communication with TLS/SSL.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: Medium
        • Effort: Low
        • Skill Level: Basic
        • Detection Difficulty: Medium

    • 2.2.3. Insufficient Access Controls (Authorization) [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Milvus's built-in access control mechanisms (if available and used) are not properly configured, allowing unauthorized users to perform actions or access data they shouldn't.
      • Milvus Specifics: Targets misconfiguration or bypass of Milvus's authorization features.
      • Potential Impact: Data breach, data manipulation, unauthorized operations.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Thoroughly configure Milvus's role-based access control (RBAC) or similar features.
        • Apply the principle of least privilege.
        • Regularly audit access control configurations.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: Medium
        • Effort: Low
        • Skill Level: Intermediate
        • Detection Difficulty: Medium

Attack Tree Path: 3. Abuse Milvus API & Features [CRITICAL NODE]

Description: Exploit the intended functionalities of the Milvus API in unintended or malicious ways to compromise the application or Milvus itself.

Milvus Specifics: Focuses on vulnerabilities arising from how the Milvus API is designed and implemented, and how the application interacts with it.

Potential Impact: Data breach, data manipulation, Denial of Service (DoS), potentially Remote Code Execution (RCE) if API processing is flawed.

Actionable Insights:

• Implement robust input validation and sanitization for all API requests.
• Apply API rate limiting and abuse detection mechanisms.
• Secure API access and prevent direct exposure to untrusted networks.

Risk Estimations:

• Likelihood: Medium

• Impact: Medium to High

• Effort: Low to Medium

• Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

• Detection Difficulty: Medium

  • 3.1. API Input Validation Vulnerabilities [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]

    • Description: Exploit weaknesses in how the Milvus API validates and sanitizes input data, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads or cause unexpected behavior.

    • Milvus Specifics: Targets vulnerabilities in Milvus API's input handling logic.

    • Potential Impact: Data breach, data manipulation, DoS, potentially RCE.

    • Actionable Insights:

      • Thoroughly validate and sanitize all input to the Milvus API.
      • Use parameterized queries or prepared statements if supported.
      • Implement input length and data type validation.

    • Risk Estimations:

      • Likelihood: Medium
      • Impact: Medium to High
      • Effort: Medium
      • Skill Level: Intermediate
      • Detection Difficulty: Medium

    • 3.1.1. Injection Attacks (e.g., NoSQL Injection in query parameters) [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Craft malicious input within API requests (e.g., in query parameters) to inject commands or queries that are executed by Milvus, bypassing intended logic.
      • Milvus Specifics: While not SQL, similar injection vulnerabilities can exist in how Milvus processes API requests, especially in query parameters or metadata filters.
      • Potential Impact: Data breach, data manipulation, DoS, potentially RCE.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Sanitize and validate all input data rigorously.
        • Use parameterized queries or prepared statements if Milvus API supports them.
        • Implement strict input data type and length validation.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: Medium to High
        • Effort: Medium
        • Skill Level: Intermediate
        • Detection Difficulty: Medium

    • 3.1.2. API Rate Limiting & Abuse [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Lack of or insufficient rate limiting on the Milvus API allows attackers to send a flood of requests, overwhelming the server and causing a Denial of Service.
      • Milvus Specifics: Targets API endpoints for vector insertion, search, and management that can be resource-intensive.
      • Potential Impact: Denial of service, application unavailability.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Implement rate limiting on the application side for requests to Milvus API.
        • Configure server-side rate limiting in Milvus if available.
        • Monitor API request rates and set up alerts for anomalies.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: Medium
        • Effort: Low
        • Skill Level: Basic
        • Detection Difficulty: Low

Attack Tree Path: 4. Data Manipulation within Milvus [CRITICAL NODE]

Description: Attacks focused on manipulating the data stored within Milvus, either by injecting malicious data, exfiltrating sensitive information, or corrupting/deleting data.

Milvus Specifics: Targets the data layer of Milvus, including vector data and associated metadata.

Potential Impact: Data breach, data corruption, data loss, application logic errors, misleading search results.

Actionable Insights:

• Implement strong access controls for data modification and retrieval operations.
• Validate and sanitize data before insertion.
• Implement data integrity checks and monitoring.
• Secure the underlying storage infrastructure.
• Implement data backup and recovery mechanisms.

Risk Estimations:

• Likelihood: Medium

• Impact: Medium to High

• Effort: Low to High (depending on the specific attack)

• Skill Level: Basic to Advanced (depending on the specific attack)

• Detection Difficulty: Medium to High (depending on the attack type and monitoring)

  • 4.1. Data Injection/Poisoning [CRITICAL NODE]

    • Description: Inject malicious or crafted data into Milvus collections to compromise data integrity and application logic.

    • Milvus Specifics: Targets the vector and metadata insertion process in Milvus.

    • Potential Impact: Application logic errors, misleading search results, manipulation of application decisions.

    • Actionable Insights:

      • Strictly validate and sanitize vector and metadata before insertion.
      • Implement data integrity checks and anomaly detection.
      • Restrict access to data insertion API functions.

    • Risk Estimations:

      • Likelihood: Medium
      • Impact: Medium
      • Effort: Medium
      • Skill Level: Intermediate
      • Detection Difficulty: High

    • 4.1.1. Injecting Malicious Vectors [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Insert specifically crafted vectors into Milvus collections that are designed to skew search results or influence application behavior in a malicious way.
      • Milvus Specifics: Exploits the nature of vector databases where search results are based on vector similarity.
      • Potential Impact: Application logic errors, misleading search results, manipulation of application decisions based on vector similarity.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Implement strict validation and sanitization of vector data before insertion.
        • Consider using data integrity checks or anomaly detection mechanisms to identify potentially poisoned vectors.
        • Implement access controls to restrict who can insert data into Milvus collections.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: Medium
        • Effort: Medium
        • Skill Level: Intermediate
        • Detection Difficulty: High

  • 4.2. Data Exfiltration [CRITICAL NODE]

    • Description: Unauthorized extraction of sensitive data stored in Milvus, including vector data and metadata.

    • Milvus Specifics: Targets data retrieval mechanisms in Milvus, primarily the API and potentially direct storage access.

    • Potential Impact: Data breach, exposure of sensitive information.

    • Actionable Insights:

      • Implement strong authentication and authorization for API access.
      • Audit API access logs for suspicious data retrieval.
      • Consider data masking or anonymization for sensitive data.
      • Secure the underlying storage infrastructure.

    • Risk Estimations:

      • Likelihood: Medium
      • Impact: High
      • Effort: Low to Medium
      • Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate
      • Detection Difficulty: Medium

    • 4.2.1. Unauthorized Data Access via API [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Gain unauthorized access to the Milvus API and use it to query and extract sensitive vector data or metadata.
      • Milvus Specifics: Exploits weak API access controls to retrieve data.
      • Potential Impact: Data breach, exposure of sensitive information.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Implement strong authentication and authorization for Milvus API access.
        • Audit API access logs to detect suspicious data retrieval activities.
        • Consider data masking or anonymization techniques for sensitive data stored in Milvus if applicable.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: High
        • Effort: Low to Medium
        • Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate
        • Detection Difficulty: Medium

Attack Tree Path: 5. Denial of Service (DoS) against Milvus [CRITICAL NODE]

Description: Disrupt the availability of Milvus service, making the application that relies on it unavailable or degraded.

Milvus Specifics: Targets Milvus server resources and API endpoints to cause service disruption.

Potential Impact: Application unavailability, service disruption, business impact.

Actionable Insights:

• Implement rate limiting and resource quotas.
• Monitor Milvus server resource utilization.
• Optimize Milvus performance and query strategies.
• Deploy DoS mitigation techniques (e.g., WAF, traffic shaping).

Risk Estimations:

• Likelihood: Medium

• Impact: Medium

• Effort: Low

• Skill Level: Basic

• Detection Difficulty: Low

  • 5.1. Resource Exhaustion Attacks [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]

    • Description: Overwhelm Milvus server resources (CPU, memory, storage, connections) to cause service degradation or failure.

    • Milvus Specifics: Targets resource-intensive operations in Milvus, like vector search and data insertion.

    • Potential Impact: Milvus server slowdown or crash, application unavailability.

    • Actionable Insights:

      • Implement resource limits and quotas.
      • Monitor resource utilization and set up alerts.
      • Optimize Milvus configuration and resource allocation.

    • Risk Estimations:

      • Likelihood: Medium
      • Impact: Medium
      • Effort: Low to Medium
      • Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate
      • Detection Difficulty: Low

    • 5.1.1. Query Bomb Attacks [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Send complex or resource-intensive queries to Milvus that consume excessive server resources, leading to slowdown or crash.
      • Milvus Specifics: Vector similarity search can be computationally expensive. Malicious queries can exploit this.
      • Potential Impact: Milvus server slowdown or crash, application unavailability.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Implement query complexity limits and timeouts on the application side.
        • Monitor Milvus server resource utilization (CPU, memory, disk I/O) and set up alerts for anomalies.
        • Optimize Milvus indexing and query strategies for performance.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: Medium
        • Effort: Low
        • Skill Level: Basic
        • Detection Difficulty: Low

    • 5.1.2. Storage Exhaustion Attacks [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Flood Milvus with large amounts of data to fill up storage space, causing service disruption and data insertion failures.
      • Milvus Specifics: Vector data can consume significant storage. Uncontrolled data insertion can lead to storage exhaustion.
      • Potential Impact: Milvus service failure, application unavailability, data insertion failures.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Implement storage quotas and limits for Milvus collections.
        • Monitor Milvus storage usage and set up alerts for approaching capacity limits.
        • Implement data retention policies and data purging mechanisms.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Low to Medium
        • Impact: Medium
        • Effort: Medium
        • Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate
        • Detection Difficulty: Low

    • 5.1.3. Connection Exhaustion Attacks [HIGH-RISK PATH]

      • Description: Open a large number of connections to the Milvus server to exhaust connection resources, making it unresponsive to legitimate requests.
      • Milvus Specifics: Milvus server has limits on concurrent connections.
      • Potential Impact: Milvus server becomes unresponsive, application connection failures.
      • Actionable Insights:
        • Implement connection limits on the application side and in Milvus server configuration (if available).
        • Use connection pooling in the application to efficiently manage connections to Milvus.
        • Monitor Milvus connection metrics and set up alerts for high connection counts.
      • Risk Estimations:
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: Medium
        • Effort: Low
        • Skill Level: Basic
        • Detection Difficulty: Low