attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for hibernate/hibernate-orm

Objective: Compromise application using Hibernate ORM by exploiting Hibernate-specific weaknesses.

Attack Tree Visualization

Attack Goal: Compromise Application via Hibernate ORM [HIGH RISK PATH]
├─── AND 1: Exploit Hibernate-Specific Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   ├─── OR 1.1: Exploit Known Hibernate Vulnerabilities (CVEs) [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   └─── ACTION 1.1.1: Identify and Exploit Publicly Disclosed CVEs in Hibernate ORM [CRITICAL NODE]
│   └─── OR 1.3: Exploit Hibernate Configuration Weaknesses [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│       ├─── OR 1.3.1: Insecure Database Credentials Management [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│       │   └─── ACTION 1.3.1.a: Extract Database Credentials from Hibernate Configuration Files [CRITICAL NODE]
├─── AND 2: Exploit SQL Injection via Hibernate ORM [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   ├─── OR 2.1: Hibernate Query Language (HQL/JPQL) Injection [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   └─── ACTION 2.1.1: Inject Malicious HQL/JPQL into Application Input [CRITICAL NODE]
│   └─── OR 2.3: Native SQL Injection via Hibernate [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   └─── ACTION 2.3.1: Inject Malicious SQL into Native SQL Queries Executed via Hibernate [CRITICAL NODE]
└─── AND 5: Data Exposure via Hibernate Logging/Error Messages [HIGH RISK PATH]
    └─── OR 5.1: Sensitive Data Leakage in Hibernate Logs [HIGH RISK PATH]
        └─── ACTION 5.1.1: Analyze Hibernate Logs for Sensitive Information [HIGH RISK PATH]

Attack Tree Path: 1. Attack Goal: Compromise Application via Hibernate ORM [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Description: This is the overall objective of the attacker. It is considered a high-risk path because there are multiple viable attack vectors related to Hibernate that can lead to application compromise.
• Attack Vectors (Summarized):
  • Exploiting known Hibernate vulnerabilities (CVEs).
  • Exploiting insecure Hibernate configurations, especially database credentials.
  • Exploiting SQL Injection vulnerabilities in HQL/JPQL or Native SQL queries.
  • Exploiting data exposure through Hibernate logging.
• Potential Impact: Full application compromise, data breach, data manipulation, service disruption, potential for Remote Code Execution (RCE).
• Mitigation: Implement all mitigations listed in the full attack tree, with a strong focus on patching, secure configuration, SQL injection prevention, and secure logging.

Attack Tree Path: 2. AND 1: Exploit Hibernate-Specific Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Description: This path focuses on exploiting weaknesses directly within the Hibernate ORM library or its configuration. It's high-risk because successful exploitation can bypass application-level security controls.
• Attack Vectors:
  • OR 1.1: Exploit Known Hibernate Vulnerabilities (CVEs) [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • ACTION 1.1.1: Identify and Exploit Publicly Disclosed CVEs in Hibernate ORM [CRITICAL NODE]:
      • Description: Attackers search for and exploit publicly known vulnerabilities (CVEs) in the specific version of Hibernate ORM used by the application. Public exploits are often available, making this a relatively easy path for attackers if the application is not patched.
      • Potential Impact: RCE, Data Breach, Denial of Service (DoS), depending on the specific CVE.
      • Mitigation:
        • Vulnerability Management: Regularly monitor Hibernate security advisories and CVE databases (NVD, etc.).
        • Patching: Ensure Hibernate ORM library is updated to the latest patched version promptly.
  • OR 1.3: Exploit Hibernate Configuration Weaknesses [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • OR 1.3.1: Insecure Database Credentials Management [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]:
      • ACTION 1.3.1.a: Extract Database Credentials from Hibernate Configuration Files [CRITICAL NODE]:
        • Description: Attackers attempt to extract database credentials that are insecurely stored in Hibernate configuration files (e.g., hibernate.cfg.xml, persistence.xml, application properties) or hardcoded in application code related to Hibernate configuration.
        • Potential Impact: Full database access, bypassing application logic and security controls, leading to data breach, data manipulation, and potentially further system compromise.
        • Mitigation:
          • Secure Credential Storage: Never store database credentials in plaintext in configuration files or code.
          • Environment Variables/Secret Management: Use environment variables or dedicated secret management solutions to store and retrieve credentials.
          • Access Control: Restrict access to configuration files and application code to authorized personnel only.

Attack Tree Path: 3. AND 2: Exploit SQL Injection via Hibernate ORM [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Description: This path focuses on exploiting SQL Injection vulnerabilities that arise when using Hibernate ORM to interact with the database. SQL Injection is a critical vulnerability with potentially devastating consequences.
• Attack Vectors:
  • OR 2.1: Hibernate Query Language (HQL/JPQL) Injection [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • ACTION 2.1.1: Inject Malicious HQL/JPQL into Application Input [CRITICAL NODE]:
      • Description: Attackers inject malicious code into HQL or JPQL queries when these queries are dynamically constructed using user-controlled input without proper sanitization or parameterization.
      • Potential Impact: Data breach (reading sensitive data), data manipulation (modifying or deleting data), bypassing authorization controls, and in some database configurations, potentially Remote Code Execution (RCE).
      • Mitigation:
        • Parameterized Queries: Always use parameterized queries (named parameters or ? placeholders) when constructing HQL/JPQL queries with user input.
        • Input Validation: Implement robust input validation to sanitize user input before using it in queries, even with parameterized queries as a defense-in-depth measure.
        • Code Review: Regularly review code for potential HQL/JPQL injection vulnerabilities.
  • OR 2.3: Native SQL Injection via Hibernate [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • ACTION 2.3.1: Inject Malicious SQL into Native SQL Queries Executed via Hibernate [CRITICAL NODE]:
      • Description: Attackers inject malicious SQL code into native SQL queries that are executed via Hibernate (using session.createNativeQuery() or similar methods) when these queries are constructed using user-controlled input without proper sanitization or parameterization.
      • Potential Impact: Similar to HQL/JPQL injection: Data breach, data manipulation, bypassing authorization, and potential RCE.
      • Mitigation:
        • Avoid Native SQL with User Input: If possible, avoid using native SQL queries with user input. Prefer HQL/JPQL or Criteria API.
        • Parameterized Queries (Native SQL): If native SQL is necessary, still use parameterized queries even in the native SQL context.
        • Input Validation: Implement robust input validation for user input used in native SQL queries.

Attack Tree Path: 4. AND 5: Data Exposure via Hibernate Logging/Error Messages [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Description: This path focuses on unintentional data leakage through Hibernate's logging mechanisms or verbose error messages. While not always a direct compromise, it can provide valuable information to attackers for further attacks.
• Attack Vectors:
  • OR 5.1: Sensitive Data Leakage in Hibernate Logs [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • ACTION 5.1.1: Analyze Hibernate Logs for Sensitive Information [HIGH RISK PATH]:
      • Description: Attackers analyze Hibernate logs to find sensitive information that might be inadvertently logged, such as SQL queries with sensitive data, database schema details, internal paths, or error messages revealing internal application workings.
      • Potential Impact: Information disclosure, which can aid in further attacks (e.g., understanding database structure for SQL injection, identifying internal paths for other vulnerabilities).
      • Mitigation:
        • Secure Logging Configuration: Configure Hibernate logging to an appropriate level for production environments (e.g., WARN or ERROR). Avoid DEBUG or TRACE levels in production.
        • Log Sanitization: Sanitize or mask sensitive data in logs before writing them.
        • Secure Log Storage: Store logs securely and restrict access to authorized personnel only.