attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for wailsapp/wails

Objective: Execute Arbitrary Code on Host (RCE) [CRITICAL]

Attack Tree Visualization

                                      Execute Arbitrary Code on Host (RCE) [CRITICAL]
                                                    |
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          |                                               |
  Exploit Go-Side Vulnerabilities              Exploit Frontend-Backend Bridge (IPC)
          |                                               |
  -----------------------                 ---------------------------------------
          |                                 |                     |
   Custom Go Code                   Wails Runtime        Message Tampering
   Vulnerabilities                  Binding              [HIGH RISK]
   [HIGH RISK]                      Vulnerabilities
                                    [HIGH RISK]
          |                                 |                     |
          ...                               ...                   ...
   (Further Breakdown)              (Further Breakdown)    (Further Breakdown)
   (e.g., Command Injection,        (e.g., Flaws in       (e.g., Missing Input
    Path Traversal,                  Serialization)        Validation,
    Insecure Deserialization)                                 Incorrect Data Type
                                                                Handling)
                                     |                     |
                                     -----------------------
                                                    |
                                             Message Injection
                                             [HIGH RISK]
                                                    |
                                                    ...
                                             (Further Breakdown)
                                             (e.g., Sending crafted
                                              messages, Bypassing
                                              authentication/authorization)

Attack Tree Path: Execute Arbitrary Code on Host (RCE) [CRITICAL]

• Description: The ultimate objective of the attacker, granting them complete control over the system running the Wails application.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Go-Side Vulnerabilities

• Custom Go Code Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK]
  • Description: Vulnerabilities introduced by the application developer within the Go code. This is the most common source of exploitable weaknesses.
  • Specific Attack Vectors:
    • Command Injection:
      • The attacker injects operating system commands into input fields that are then executed by the Go application.
      • Example: If the application takes a filename as input and uses it in a os.Exec call without proper sanitization, the attacker could inject commands.
    • Path Traversal:
      • The attacker manipulates file paths provided as input to access files or directories outside the intended scope.
      • Example: If the application reads files based on user input, the attacker could use "../" sequences to access sensitive system files.
    • Insecure Deserialization:
      • The application deserializes untrusted data without proper validation, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code.
      • Example: If the application uses Go's gob package to deserialize data from the frontend, an attacker could craft a malicious payload.
    • SQL Injection (If applicable):
      • If the application interacts with a database, the attacker injects SQL code into input fields to manipulate database queries.
    • Other Vulnerabilities: This category also includes other common Go vulnerabilities like integer overflows, race conditions, and improper error handling that could lead to exploitable behavior.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Frontend-Backend Bridge (IPC)

• Wails Runtime Binding Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK]

  • Description: Vulnerabilities within the core mechanism that Wails uses to facilitate communication between the Go backend and the JavaScript frontend.
  • Specific Attack Vectors:
    • Flaws in Serialization/Deserialization:
      • Exploiting vulnerabilities in how data is converted between Go and JavaScript representations. This could involve type confusion or buffer overflows.
    • Bypassing Security Checks:
      • Finding ways to circumvent any security checks implemented within the Wails binding layer (e.g., authentication, authorization).
    • Exploiting Internal Wails Functions:
      • Gaining access to internal Wails functions that are not intended to be exposed to the frontend.

• Message Tampering [HIGH RISK]

  • Description: The attacker intercepts and modifies messages sent between the frontend and backend.
  • Specific Attack Vectors:
    • Missing Input Validation:
      • The Go backend fails to properly validate the data received from the frontend, allowing the attacker to send malicious values.
    • Incorrect Data Type Handling:
      • The Go backend expects a specific data type but doesn't enforce it, leading to unexpected behavior when the attacker sends a different type.
    • Parameter Manipulation:
      • Changing the values of parameters within a message to trigger unintended actions or bypass security checks.

• Message Injection [HIGH RISK]

  • Description: The attacker injects entirely new messages into the communication stream.
  • Specific Attack Vectors:
    • Sending Crafted Messages:
      • Creating messages that are not expected by the Go backend, potentially triggering vulnerabilities or unexpected code paths.
    • Bypassing Authentication/Authorization:
      • Injecting messages that bypass authentication or authorization checks, allowing the attacker to perform actions they shouldn't be allowed to.
    • Replay Attacks (If applicable):
      • Replaying previously valid messages to trigger actions multiple times or out of sequence.