Attack Tree Analysis for mybatis/mybatis-3

Objective: Compromise Application using MyBatis-3 by exploiting its weaknesses.

Attack Tree Visualization

Root Goal (Attacker): Compromise Application via MyBatis-3 Exploitation [CRITICAL]

Exploit SQL Injection Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL]
- Unparameterized Queries [CRITICAL]
  - Directly Inject SQL via String Concatenation [CRITICAL]
- Vulnerable Dynamic SQL Construction [CRITICAL]
- Improper Use of ${} (Substitution) Instead of #{} (Parameterization) [CRITICAL]
Exploit XML Configuration Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL]
- XML External Entity (XXE) Injection in MyBatis Configuration Files [CRITICAL]
  - External Entity Declaration in mybatis-config.xml [CRITICAL]
  - External Entity Declaration in Mapper XML Files [CRITICAL]
Exploit MyBatis Configuration Misconfigurations
- Verbose Logging Exposing Sensitive Information
  - Logging SQL Queries with Sensitive Data
- Insecure Database Connection Configuration [CRITICAL]
  - Hardcoded Credentials in Configuration Files [CRITICAL]
Exploit Vulnerabilities in MyBatis Dependencies (Indirect)
- Vulnerable Libraries Used by MyBatis (e.g., XML Parsers, Logging Libraries)
  - Exploiting Known Vulnerabilities in Dependencies

Attack Vector: Attackers inject malicious SQL code into application inputs that are processed by MyBatis and executed against the database.
Critical Nodes:
- Exploit SQL Injection Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL]: This is the overarching category of high-risk attacks.
- Unparameterized Queries [CRITICAL]: The root cause of many SQL injection vulnerabilities in MyBatis applications.
- Directly Inject SQL via String Concatenation [CRITICAL]: The most basic and common form of SQL injection, occurring when user input is directly concatenated into SQL strings.
- Vulnerable Dynamic SQL Construction [CRITICAL]: SQL injection arising from flaws in how dynamic SQL is built using MyBatis's <if>, <choose>, etc. tags.
- Improper Use of ${} (Substitution) Instead of #{} (Parameterization) [CRITICAL]: Using ${} for user inputs instead of #{} bypasses prepared statements and leads to direct SQL injection.
Impact: Critical - Data Breach, Data Manipulation, Privilege Escalation, Code Execution on the database server.
Mitigation:
- Always use parameterized queries (#{}): This is the primary defense.
- Avoid string concatenation for SQL construction.
- Carefully review and test dynamic SQL queries.
- Educate developers on the difference between #{} and ${} and enforce correct usage.
- Implement input validation as a defense-in-depth measure.
- **Use least privilege database accounts.

Attack Vector: Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in XML parsing of MyBatis configuration files (mybatis-config.xml, mapper XMLs), specifically XML External Entity (XXE) injection.
Critical Nodes:
- Exploit XML Configuration Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL]: The category of attacks targeting XML processing in MyBatis configuration.
- XML External Entity (XXE) Injection in MyBatis Configuration Files [CRITICAL]: The specific vulnerability where attackers inject malicious XML to exploit insecure XML parsing.
- External Entity Declaration in mybatis-config.xml [CRITICAL]: XXE attacks targeting the main MyBatis configuration file.
- External Entity Declaration in Mapper XML Files [CRITICAL]: XXE attacks targeting mapper XML files.
Impact: High - Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), Local File Disclosure, Denial of Service.
Mitigation:
- Disable external entity processing in the XML parser used by MyBatis. This is the most effective mitigation.
- Securely configure the XML parser (e.g., using setFeature in Java XML parsers).
- Regularly review configuration files for suspicious external entity declarations.
- Restrict access to configuration files to prevent unauthorized modification.

Attack Vector: Attackers exploit insecure configurations of MyBatis, leading to information disclosure or unauthorized access.
High-Risk Paths:
- Verbose Logging Exposing Sensitive Information:
  - Logging SQL Queries with Sensitive Data: Overly verbose logging in production can expose sensitive data in log files.
- Insecure Database Connection Configuration [CRITICAL]:
  - Hardcoded Credentials in Configuration Files [CRITICAL]: Storing database credentials directly in configuration files makes them vulnerable to theft.
Critical Nodes:
- Insecure Database Connection Configuration [CRITICAL]: A critical misconfiguration leading to potential database compromise.
- Hardcoded Credentials in Configuration Files [CRITICAL]: A severe security flaw in configuration management.
Impact:
- Verbose Logging: Medium - Information Disclosure (Credentials, PII, Business Logic).
- Hardcoded Credentials: High - Credential Theft, Unauthorized Database Access.
Mitigation:
- Configure logging levels appropriately for production (less verbose).
- Sanitize sensitive data in logs if verbose logging is necessary.
- Securely store and access log files.
- Externalize database credentials using environment variables or secrets management systems.
- Avoid hardcoding sensitive information in configuration files.
- Securely store and manage configuration files.

Attack Vector: Attackers exploit known vulnerabilities in libraries that MyBatis depends on (e.g., XML parsers, logging libraries).
High-Risk Path:
- Vulnerable Libraries Used by MyBatis (e.g., XML Parsers, Logging Libraries):
  - Exploiting Known Vulnerabilities in Dependencies: Leveraging publicly known vulnerabilities in MyBatis's dependencies.
Impact: Varies depending on the vulnerability - potentially Critical (RCE, DoS, Information Disclosure).
Mitigation:
- Regularly update MyBatis and all its dependencies to the latest versions.
- Implement dependency scanning to identify known vulnerabilities in project dependencies.
- Monitor security advisories for MyBatis and its dependencies to stay informed about new vulnerabilities and updates.