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threat-modeling.md

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Threat Model Analysis for v2ray/v2ray-core

Threat: Traffic Fingerprinting and Identification

  • Description: A passive network adversary analyzes traffic patterns (packet sizes, timing, frequency, etc.) even when encrypted, to identify that v2ray-core is being used. They might use machine learning or other statistical techniques to distinguish v2ray-core traffic from other encrypted traffic. The adversary may not be able to decrypt the content, but they can identify the use of v2ray-core.
    • Impact:
      • Loss of anonymity: Users can be identified as using a circumvention tool.
      • Service blocking: The adversary can selectively block or throttle connections.
      • Metadata collection: The adversary can gather information about user activity.
    • Affected v2ray-core Component:
      • All transport protocols (VMess, VLESS, Shadowsocks, Trojan, etc.).
      • The transport layer and its configuration (streamSettings).
      • Obfuscation mechanisms (TLS, WebSocket) within the transport layer.
    • Risk Severity: High
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Use protocols designed for strong obfuscation (VLESS + XTLS, Trojan).
      • Configure TLS with realistic certificates and ciphers.
      • Use WebSocket transport with appropriate path and host settings.
      • Avoid default ports or easily guessable configurations.
      • Regularly update v2ray-core.
      • Consider traffic padding (if supported).
      • Use bridges or relays.

Threat: Active Probing and Blocking

  • Description: An active network adversary sends probe packets to the suspected v2ray-core server or client to elicit responses that reveal the presence of v2ray-core or specific protocols. Based on the responses, the adversary can block the connection.
    • Impact:
      • Denial of service: Users are unable to connect.
      • Circumvention failure.
    • Affected v2ray-core Component:
      • All inbound and outbound connection handlers.
      • The specific protocol implementation (VMess, VLESS, Shadowsocks, etc.).
      • The transport layer and its configuration.
    • Risk Severity: High
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Use protocols and configurations resistant to known probing techniques (VLESS + XTLS, Trojan).
      • Configure streamSettings to use TLS with strong ciphers and certificate verification.
      • Implement fallback mechanisms (switch protocols/servers).
      • Use domain fronting (with caution).
      • Regularly update v2ray-core.

Threat: Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack

  • Description: An adversary intercepts the connection between the client and server, presenting a fake certificate, decrypting traffic, potentially modifying it, and re-encrypting it.
    • Impact:
      • Complete loss of confidentiality.
      • Data modification.
      • Loss of integrity.
      • Potential for further attacks.
    • Affected v2ray-core Component:
      • TLS implementation within the transport layer (streamSettings).
      • Certificate verification logic.
      • Protocols that rely on TLS for security.
    • Risk Severity: Critical
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Always use TLS with strong ciphers and certificate verification.
      • Ensure the client verifies the server's certificate against a trusted CA. Do not disable certificate verification.
      • Use protocols with strong authentication (VLESS + XTLS, Trojan).
      • Consider mutual TLS (mTLS).
      • Regularly update v2ray-core.
      • Use a secure channel to initially exchange configuration information.

Threat: Configuration Error Leading to Leakage

  • Description: A misconfigured v2ray-core instance allows traffic to bypass the tunnel or leak identifying information due to incorrect routing rules, DNS settings, or security parameters.
    • Impact:
      • Loss of anonymity: User's real IP address or DNS requests may be exposed.
      • Circumvention failure.
      • Potential for data leakage.
    • Affected v2ray-core Component:
      • routing configuration.
      • inbounds and outbounds configurations.
      • DNS settings within v2ray-core or the OS.
      • policy configuration (if used).
    • Risk Severity: High
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Thoroughly review and test the configuration.
      • Use a configuration validation tool (if available).
      • Provide clear and secure configuration instructions.
      • Use a secure method for distributing configurations.
      • Configure DNS to use a trusted resolver over TLS/HTTPS through the tunnel.
      • Use "full tunnel" configurations.
      • Regularly audit the configuration.

Threat: Exploitation of v2ray-core Vulnerability

  • Description: A security vulnerability (e.g., buffer overflow, RCE) is discovered in the v2ray-core code. An attacker crafts a malicious payload to exploit it, gaining control of the process or system.
    • Impact:
      • Complete system compromise.
      • Data theft.
      • Denial of service.
      • Use as a botnet.
    • Affected v2ray-core Component:
      • Potentially any part of the v2ray-core codebase.
    • Risk Severity: Critical
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Keep v2ray-core updated to the latest stable version. This is crucial.
      • Monitor security advisories.
      • Temporarily disable v2ray-core or use an alternative if a patch isn't available.
      • Run v2ray-core with least privileges.
      • Consider sandboxing.

Threat: Upstream Dependency Vulnerability Exploitation

  • Description: A vulnerability is discovered in a library that v2ray-core depends on. An attacker exploits this vulnerability to compromise v2ray-core.
    • Impact: Similar to a direct v2ray-core vulnerability, this could lead to system compromise, data theft, or denial of service.
    • Affected v2ray-core Component: The component that uses the vulnerable dependency. This is difficult to predict without knowing the specific vulnerability.
    • Risk Severity: Critical (depending on the vulnerability in the dependency)
    • Mitigation Strategies:
      • Keep v2ray-core updated. v2ray-core updates often include updates to its dependencies.
      • Monitor security advisories for v2ray-core and its major dependencies.
      • Consider using a software composition analysis (SCA) tool to identify and track vulnerabilities in dependencies.