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Attack Tree Analysis for elastic/elasticsearch

Objective: To gain unauthorized access to sensitive application data or disrupt application services by exploiting vulnerabilities or misconfigurations within the Elasticsearch component.

Attack Tree Visualization

Attack Goal: Compromise Application via Elasticsearch [HIGH RISK PATH]

+--[1] Exploit Elasticsearch Directly [HIGH RISK PATH] | +--[1.1] Gain Unauthorized Access to Elasticsearch [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH] | | +--[1.1.1] Exploit Unauthenticated Access [HIGH RISK PATH] | | | +--[1.1.1.1] Elasticsearch Exposed Without Authentication [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK] | | +--[1.1.2] Exploit Weak Authentication [HIGH RISK PATH] | | | +--[1.1.2.1] Default Credentials [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK] | +--[1.2] Exploit Elasticsearch Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH] | | +--[1.2.1] Exploit Known Elasticsearch Vulnerabilities (CVEs) [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH] | | | +--[1.2.1.1] Unpatched Elasticsearch Version [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK] | | | +--[1.2.1.2] Publicly Available Exploits [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK] | +--[1.3] Exploit Elasticsearch Configuration Misconfigurations [HIGH RISK PATH] | | +--[1.3.1] Insecure Defaults [HIGH RISK PATH] | | | +--[1.3.1.2] Disabled Security Features [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

+--[2] Indirect Exploitation via Elasticsearch Interaction [HIGH RISK PATH] | +--[2.2] Application Logic Exploitation via Elasticsearch API Abuse [HIGH RISK PATH] | | +--[2.2.1] Query Injection [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH] | | | +--[2.2.1.1] Exploiting Lack of Input Sanitization in Application Queries [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK] | +--[2.3] Information Disclosure via Elasticsearch [HIGH RISK PATH] | +--[2.3.1] Data Leakage from Elasticsearch [HIGH RISK PATH] | | +--[2.3.1.1] Sensitive Data Exposed in Elasticsearch Indices [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

Attack Tree Path: 1. [1.1.1.1] Elasticsearch Exposed Without Authentication [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

  • Attack Vector:
    • Network Scanning: Attacker uses network scanning tools (e.g., Nmap, Masscan) to identify open ports, specifically Elasticsearch's default ports (9200, 9300).
    • Direct Access via Browser/API Client: Once an open port is found, the attacker directly accesses Elasticsearch via a web browser or API client (like curl or Postman) using the Elasticsearch HTTP API endpoint (e.g., http://<elasticsearch-ip>:9200).
    • API Exploration: Without authentication, the attacker has full access to Elasticsearch APIs and can explore indices, data, cluster settings, and perform administrative actions.

Attack Tree Path: 2. [1.1.2.1] Default Credentials [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

  • Attack Vector:
    • Credential Guessing: Attacker attempts to log in to Elasticsearch using default usernames and passwords. Common default credentials for Elasticsearch (though often disabled now in newer versions) might include elastic/changeme, kibana/changeme, or similar.
    • Brute-Force with Default Lists: Attackers may use automated tools that try lists of common default credentials against the Elasticsearch login interface.
    • API Authentication Bypass (if applicable): In older versions or misconfigurations, default credentials might grant access to administrative APIs or bypass intended authentication mechanisms.

Attack Tree Path: 3. [1.2.1.1] Unpatched Elasticsearch Version [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

  • Attack Vector:
    • Version Detection: Attacker identifies the Elasticsearch version running (e.g., by accessing the / endpoint which often reveals version information, or through banner grabbing).
    • CVE Database Lookup: Attacker searches public CVE databases (like NIST NVD, Mitre CVE) for known vulnerabilities associated with the identified Elasticsearch version.
    • Exploit Acquisition: If vulnerabilities are found, the attacker searches for publicly available exploits (e.g., on Exploit-DB, GitHub, security blogs).
    • Exploit Execution: Attacker executes the exploit against the unpatched Elasticsearch instance to gain unauthorized access, achieve remote code execution, or cause denial of service.

Attack Tree Path: 4. [1.2.1.2] Publicly Available Exploits [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

  • Attack Vector:
    • Vulnerability Scanning: Attacker uses vulnerability scanners (e.g., Nessus, OpenVAS) that include checks for known Elasticsearch vulnerabilities.
    • Manual Vulnerability Testing: Attacker manually tests for known vulnerabilities using techniques described in public vulnerability reports or proof-of-concept exploits.
    • Exploit Execution: Once a vulnerability is confirmed, the attacker uses publicly available exploits to compromise the Elasticsearch instance. This could involve remote code execution, data exfiltration, or denial of service.

Attack Tree Path: 5. [1.3.1.2] Disabled Security Features [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

  • Attack Vector:
    • Configuration Analysis: Attacker analyzes the Elasticsearch configuration (e.g., elasticsearch.yml) if accessible (through misconfiguration or access to the server).
    • API Exploration (Security API): Attacker uses Elasticsearch's Security API (if accessible without authentication due to disabled security features) to confirm that security features like authentication, authorization, or TLS/SSL are disabled.
    • Exploitation of Unprotected Services: With security features disabled, the attacker can leverage any of the direct exploitation methods described in points 1 and 2 (unauthenticated access, default credentials if they happen to work, etc.) and potentially other vulnerabilities that are normally mitigated by security features.

Attack Tree Path: 6. [2.2.1.1] Exploiting Lack of Input Sanitization in Application Queries [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

  • Attack Vector:
    • Input Point Identification: Attacker identifies application input points that are used to construct Elasticsearch queries (e.g., search forms, API parameters).
    • Query Injection Payload Crafting: Attacker crafts malicious input payloads designed to manipulate the Elasticsearch query structure. This might involve injecting Elasticsearch query DSL syntax (JSON) into input fields.
    • Query Injection Execution: Attacker submits the crafted input to the application. If the application doesn't properly sanitize or parameterize the input, the malicious payload is incorporated into the Elasticsearch query.
    • Exploitation of Query Injection: The injected query can be used to:
      • Bypass Access Controls: Retrieve data that the user should not have access to.
      • Exfiltrate Data: Extract sensitive data from Elasticsearch indices.
      • Modify Data (if write access is possible): Inject or modify data in Elasticsearch.
      • Cause Denial of Service: Craft resource-intensive queries to overload Elasticsearch.

Attack Tree Path: 7. [2.3.1.1] Sensitive Data Exposed in Elasticsearch Indices [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK]

  • Attack Vector:
    • Unauthorized Access (via any of the direct exploitation methods above): Attacker first gains unauthorized access to Elasticsearch through methods like exploiting unauthenticated access, default credentials, or vulnerabilities.
    • Index and Data Exploration: Once inside Elasticsearch, the attacker explores indices and data to identify indices that contain sensitive information. This might involve looking at index names, field names, or sampling data.
    • Data Exfiltration: Attacker extracts the sensitive data from the identified indices. This can be done using Elasticsearch's API to query and download data, or by using tools to dump entire indices.
    • Data Breach: The exfiltrated sensitive data can then be used for malicious purposes, leading to a data breach.