Objective: [[Gain Unauthorized Access/Modify Application Behavior via Viper]]
[[Attacker's Goal: Gain Unauthorized Access/Modify Application Behavior via Viper]] | [[Manipulate Configuration Source]] | ==Modify Config File== | [[FS Access]] | [ACLs Weak] -> [[Permissions (RWX)]]
Attack Tree Path: [[Manipulate Configuration Source]]
Description: This is the overarching critical node representing the attacker's attempt to alter the configuration data that Viper uses. It's the primary entry point for the high-risk path. Why Critical: Compromising the configuration source gives the attacker direct control over how the application behaves, making it a highly valuable target.
Attack Tree Path: ==Modify Config File==
Description: This high-risk path involves directly changing the contents of the application's configuration file (e.g., YAML, JSON, TOML). Why High-Risk: This is a common and often successful attack vector due to misconfigurations, weak permissions, or vulnerabilities that allow file system access.
Attack Tree Path: [[FS Access]]
Description: This critical node represents the attacker gaining unauthorized access to the file system where the configuration file resides. Why Critical: This is a prerequisite for modifying the configuration file. Without file system access, the attacker cannot directly alter the file's contents. Attack Methods: * Exploiting operating system vulnerabilities. * Leveraging weak user account passwords. * Exploiting other application vulnerabilities that allow file system access (e.g., path traversal). * Social engineering to gain access to credentials.
Attack Tree Path: [ACLs Weak] -> [[Permissions (RWX)]]
Description: This represents the exploitation of weak Access Control Lists (ACLs) leading to overly permissive file permissions (Read, Write, Execute). The arrow indicates that weak ACLs result in exploitable permissions. [[Permissions (RWX)]] is the critical node because it's the direct enabler of the file modification.
Why Critical (Permissions (RWX)): If the configuration file has write permissions for unauthorized users or groups, the attacker can directly modify it without needing to exploit further vulnerabilities.
Attack Methods:
* Directly modifying the file if the attacker already has the necessary permissions (e.g., the file is world-writable).
* Exploiting a process running with higher privileges that has write access to the file.
Why Weak ACLs are important:
* ACLs are often misconfigured, especially in development or testing environments.
* Even if the immediate user doesn't have write access, a misconfigured ACL might grant it to a group the user belongs to, or to "everyone."
Mitigation:
* Principle of Least Privilege: The configuration file should only be readable by the application process and, ideally, only writable during deployment by a dedicated deployment user/process.
* Regular Audits: Regularly audit file permissions and ACLs to ensure they are configured correctly.
* Use a dedicated user: Run the application under a dedicated user account with minimal privileges.