Objective: Compromise Grails Application by Exploiting Grails-Specific Weaknesses
Root: Compromise Grails Application (via Grails-Specific Weaknesses) [CRITICAL NODE] ├── 1. Exploit Grails Framework Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE] │ └── 1.1. Exploit Known Grails CVEs [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 1.1.1. Identify Publicly Disclosed CVEs │ ├── 1.1.2. Develop/Obtain Exploit for CVE [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 1.1.3. Target Application Running Vulnerable Grails Version [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── 2. Exploit Grails Plugin Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 2. Exploit Grails Plugin Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 2.1. Identify Vulnerable Grails Plugin [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 2.1.2. Search for Known Vulnerabilities in Used Plugins [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ └── 2.1.3. Perform Static/Dynamic Analysis of Plugin Code [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 2.2. Exploit Vulnerability in Identified Plugin [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 2.2.1. Develop/Obtain Exploit for Plugin Vulnerability [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 2.2.2. Target Application Using Vulnerable Plugin Functionality [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── 3. Exploit Groovy Server Pages (GSP) Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 3.1. Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) in GSP [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 3.1.1. Identify GSP Pages with User-Controlled Input Rendered Directly [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 3.1.2. Inject Malicious Groovy Code into Input Parameters [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 3.1.3. Execute Arbitrary Code on Server [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── 4. Exploit Data Binding Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 4.1. Mass Assignment Vulnerability [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 4.1.1. Identify Controllers/Actions Using Data Binding without Whitelisting [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 4.1.2. Manipulate Request Parameters to Modify Sensitive Model Attributes [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 4.1.3. Gain Unauthorized Access or Modify Data [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── 5. Exploit Configuration and Deployment Weaknesses Specific to Grails [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 5. Exploit Configuration and Deployment Weaknesses Specific to Grails [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 5.1. Exposed Development Endpoints/Tools in Production [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 5.1.1. Identify Enabled Development Plugins in Production (e.g., Console, Codehaus) [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 5.1.2. Access Development Endpoints without Authentication [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ └── 5.1.3. Execute Arbitrary Code via Development Tools [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 5.2. Misconfigured Security Settings (Grails/Spring Security) [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 5.2.1. Identify Weak or Default Security Configurations [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ │ ├── 5.2.1.1. Insecure Spring Security Configuration [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ │ └── 5.2.1.2. Default Credentials for Admin Panels (if any, plugin-related) [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ └── 5.2.2. Bypass Authentication/Authorization Mechanisms [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── 6. Dependency Vulnerabilities Introduced via Grails Dependency Management [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 6. Dependency Vulnerabilities Introduced via Grails Dependency Management [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 6.1. Vulnerable Transitive Dependencies [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 6.1.1. Analyze Grails Application's Dependency Tree [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ ├── 6.1.2. Identify Vulnerable Transitive Dependencies (e.g., using dependency-check tools) [HIGH RISK PATH] │ │ └── 6.1.3. Exploit Vulnerabilities in Transitive Dependencies [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 6.2. Outdated Dependencies Due to Delayed Grails Upgrades [HIGH RISK PATH] │ ├── 6.2.1. Identify Outdated Dependencies in Grails Application [HIGH RISK PATH] │ └── 6.2.2. Exploit Known Vulnerabilities in Outdated Dependencies [HIGH RISK PATH]
Attack Tree Path: Critical Node: Root - Compromise Grails Application (via Grails-Specific Weaknesses)
This is the ultimate goal of the attacker. Success at any of the child nodes can lead to achieving this root goal.
Attack Vector: Targeting vulnerabilities within the core Grails framework itself. * Breakdown: * 1.1. Exploit Known Grails CVEs [HIGH RISK PATH]: * Attackers search for publicly disclosed vulnerabilities (CVEs) affecting the Grails framework. * If the target application uses a vulnerable Grails version, attackers can leverage existing exploits or develop new ones. * Successful exploitation can lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE) and full system compromise. * Mitigation: Maintain up-to-date Grails versions and promptly apply security patches. Monitor Grails security advisories.
Attack Tree Path: Critical Node & High-Risk Path: 2. Exploit Grails Plugin Vulnerabilities
Attack Vector: Targeting vulnerabilities within Grails plugins used by the application. * Breakdown: * 2. Identify Vulnerable Grails Plugin [HIGH RISK PATH]: * Attackers analyze the application's plugin dependencies to identify used plugins. * They then search for known vulnerabilities in these plugins or perform their own security analysis (code review, fuzzing). * 2. Exploit Vulnerability in Identified Plugin [HIGH RISK PATH]: * Once a vulnerable plugin is found, attackers exploit the specific vulnerability. * This can range from Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) to Remote Code Execution (RCE), depending on the vulnerability. * Mitigation: Maintain a plugin inventory, regularly update plugins, and perform security reviews of plugins before and during use. Consider using static analysis tools on plugin code.
Attack Tree Path: Critical Node & High-Risk Path: 3. Exploit Groovy Server Pages (GSP) Vulnerabilities
Attack Vector: Exploiting vulnerabilities in Groovy Server Pages (GSP), the templating engine used by Grails. * Breakdown: * 3.1. Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) in GSP [HIGH RISK PATH]: * If user-controlled input is directly embedded into GSP templates without proper sanitization, attackers can inject malicious Groovy code. * This injected code is executed on the server, leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE) and full system compromise. * Mitigation: Avoid directly embedding user input into GSP templates. Use proper escaping and encoding mechanisms provided by GSP. Implement input validation and sanitization.
Attack Tree Path: High-Risk Path: 4. Exploit Data Binding Vulnerabilities
Attack Vector: Exploiting vulnerabilities related to Grails' data binding feature, specifically Mass Assignment.
* Breakdown:
* 4.1. Mass Assignment Vulnerability [HIGH RISK PATH]:
* If controllers use data binding without proper whitelisting of allowed attributes, attackers can manipulate request parameters.
* This allows them to modify sensitive model attributes that were not intended to be directly modifiable, potentially bypassing security checks or escalating privileges.
* Mitigation: Use allowedAttributes or bindData with explicit whitelisting in controllers. Implement proper authorization checks to control data modification.
Attack Tree Path: Critical Node & High-Risk Path: 5. Exploit Configuration and Deployment Weaknesses Specific to Grails
Attack Vector: Exploiting misconfigurations or insecure deployment practices specific to Grails applications. * Breakdown: * 5. Exposed Development Endpoints/Tools in Production [HIGH RISK PATH]: * If development-related plugins or endpoints (e.g., console, code reloading) are left enabled in production, attackers can access them. * These tools often provide direct access to the application's runtime environment, allowing for Remote Code Execution (RCE). * Mitigation: Ensure development-specific plugins and features are disabled in production builds. Properly configure deployment environments to restrict access to development endpoints. * 5.2. Misconfigured Security Settings (Grails/Spring Security) [HIGH RISK PATH]: * Weak or default security configurations in Spring Security or Grails security settings can create vulnerabilities. * This includes insecure authentication/authorization rules, weak password policies, or default credentials. * Attackers can exploit these misconfigurations to bypass security mechanisms and gain unauthorized access. * Mitigation: Follow security best practices when configuring Spring Security. Implement strong password policies, principle of least privilege, and regularly review security configurations.
Attack Tree Path: Critical Node & High-Risk Path: 6. Dependency Vulnerabilities Introduced via Grails Dependency Management
Attack Vector: Exploiting vulnerabilities in dependencies, both direct and transitive, managed by Grails' dependency management system. * Breakdown: * 6. Vulnerable Transitive Dependencies [HIGH RISK PATH]: * Grails applications rely on a complex dependency tree, including transitive dependencies. * Vulnerabilities in these transitive dependencies can indirectly affect the Grails application. * Mitigation: Use dependency scanning tools to identify vulnerabilities in transitive dependencies. Regularly update dependencies to patched versions. * 6.2. Outdated Dependencies Due to Delayed Grails Upgrades [HIGH RISK PATH]: * Delaying Grails framework upgrades often leads to using outdated versions of Grails and its dependencies. * These outdated dependencies may contain known vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. * Mitigation: Establish a process for regularly updating Grails framework and its dependencies. Stay informed about security updates and prioritize security updates in the upgrade process.