attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for reactivex/rxandroid

Objective: Compromise Application Using RxAndroid by exploiting vulnerabilities introduced by the library itself or through its misuse.

Attack Tree Visualization

Root Goal: Compromise Application Using RxAndroid [CRITICAL NODE]
├───[1.0] Exploit RxAndroid API Misuse [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   ├───[1.1] Incorrect Threading Management [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   ├───[1.1.1] Blocking Main Thread Operations [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   │   └───[1.1.1.1] Perform long-running tasks on AndroidSchedulers.mainThread() [CRITICAL NODE]
│   ├───[1.1.3] Context Leaks due to Incorrect Schedulers [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   └───[1.1.3.1] Holding Activity/Context references in long-lived Observables scheduled on inappropriate schedulers [CRITICAL NODE]
│   ├───[1.2] Improper Error Handling in Reactive Streams [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   ├───[1.2.1] Error Suppression [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   │   └───[1.2.1.1] Ignoring errors in `onError` handlers or using `onErrorResumeNext` without proper logging/handling [CRITICAL NODE]
│   ├───[1.3] Resource Leaks due to Subscription Management [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   ├───[1.3.1] Unsubscribing Issues [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   │   └───[1.3.1.1] Failing to unsubscribe from Observables when components are destroyed (e.g., Activity/Fragment onDestroy) [CRITICAL NODE]
├───[2.2] Deadlocks (Less likely in typical RxAndroid usage, but possible in complex scenarios) [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   ├───[2.2.1] Improper Use of Schedulers and Blocking Operations [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   └───[2.2.1.1] Creating circular dependencies or blocking operations within reactive streams that lead to deadlocks [CRITICAL NODE]
├───[3.0] Exploit Vulnerabilities in Underlying RxJava Dependency (Indirectly related to RxAndroid) [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   ├───[3.1] Known RxJava Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   ├───[3.1.1] Exploiting publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in the RxJava library that RxAndroid depends on [HIGH RISK PATH]
│   │   │   └───[3.1.1.1] Using outdated versions of RxAndroid/RxJava with known security flaws [CRITICAL NODE]
└───[4.0] Denial of Service (DoS) through RxAndroid Misuse [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
    ├───[4.1] Resource Exhaustion [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
    │   ├───[4.1.1] Unbounded Observable Streams [HIGH RISK PATH]
    │   │   └───[4.1.1.1] Creating Observables that emit data indefinitely without proper termination or backpressure, leading to memory exhaustion [CRITICAL NODE]

Attack Tree Path: 1.0 Exploit RxAndroid API Misuse [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Attack Vector: This is a broad category encompassing vulnerabilities arising from developers not using RxAndroid APIs correctly or securely. It's a high-risk path because API misuse is a common source of vulnerabilities in any software library.
• Detailed Breakdown:
  • Incorrect threading, resource leaks, and improper error handling are all sub-categories within API misuse that can be exploited.
  • Attackers can leverage developer mistakes in using RxAndroid to cause application instability, resource exhaustion, or information leaks.

Attack Tree Path: 1.1 Incorrect Threading Management [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Attack Vector: Mismanaging threads in RxAndroid applications, particularly related to the main UI thread and background threads. This is a high-risk path because incorrect threading is a frequent mistake in Android development and can lead to noticeable application issues.
• Detailed Breakdown:
  • 1.1.1 Blocking Main Thread Operations [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • 1.1.1.1 Perform long-running tasks on AndroidSchedulers.mainThread() [CRITICAL NODE]:
      • Attack Vector: Developers mistakenly perform time-consuming operations (network requests, heavy computations) directly on the main thread using AndroidSchedulers.mainThread().
      • Impact: Application Not Responding (ANR) errors, UI freezes, poor user experience, application becomes unusable.
      • Actionable Insight: Offload long-running tasks to background threads using Schedulers.io() or Schedulers.computation().
  • 1.1.3 Context Leaks due to Incorrect Schedulers [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • 1.1.3.1 Holding Activity/Context references in long-lived Observables scheduled on inappropriate schedulers [CRITICAL NODE]:
      • Attack Vector: Developers unintentionally hold references to Activities or Contexts within long-lived Observables that are scheduled on schedulers like Schedulers.io() or Schedulers.computation(). These schedulers can outlive the Activity/Context, preventing garbage collection.
      • Impact: Memory leaks, gradual performance degradation, potential OutOfMemoryError crashes over time.
      • Actionable Insight: Use appropriate schedulers based on task duration and lifecycle. Manage subscription lifecycles carefully, using takeUntil() or dispose() to prevent leaks.

Attack Tree Path: 1.2 Improper Error Handling in Reactive Streams [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Attack Vector: Developers fail to implement robust error handling in their RxJava/RxAndroid reactive streams. This is a high-risk path because inadequate error handling can mask critical issues and lead to unexpected application behavior.
• Detailed Breakdown:
  • 1.2.1 Error Suppression [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • 1.2.1.1 Ignoring errors in onError handlers or using onErrorResumeNext without proper logging/handling [CRITICAL NODE]:
      • Attack Vector: Developers either leave onError handlers empty or use operators like onErrorResumeNext or onErrorReturn to silently swallow errors without proper logging or handling.
      • Impact: Critical errors are masked, application might continue in an incorrect state, debugging becomes difficult, potential for missed security failures.
      • Actionable Insight: Implement robust error handling in onError blocks. Log errors for debugging and monitoring. Provide user-friendly error messages. Avoid silently ignoring errors.

Attack Tree Path: 1.3 Resource Leaks due to Subscription Management [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Attack Vector: Developers fail to properly manage subscriptions to Observables, leading to resource leaks, primarily memory leaks. This is a critical node and high-risk path because resource leaks are a common and impactful issue in Android applications, especially those using reactive programming.
• Detailed Breakdown:
  • 1.3.1 Unsubscribing Issues [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • 1.3.1.1 Failing to unsubscribe from Observables when components are destroyed (e.g., Activity/Fragment onDestroy) [CRITICAL NODE]:
      • Attack Vector: Developers forget to unsubscribe from Observables when Activities or Fragments are destroyed (e.g., in onDestroy method). This means the Observable might continue emitting events and holding references to the destroyed component.
      • Impact: Memory leaks, performance degradation, potential OutOfMemoryError crashes over time.
      • Actionable Insight: Implement proper subscription management using CompositeDisposable. Dispose of the CompositeDisposable in the appropriate lifecycle method (e.g., onDestroy) to unsubscribe from all managed subscriptions.

Attack Tree Path: 2.2 Deadlocks (Less likely in typical RxAndroid usage, but possible in complex scenarios) [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Attack Vector: In complex RxAndroid applications, especially those with intricate threading logic or custom operators, improper use of Schedulers and blocking operations can lead to deadlocks. While less common than other issues, deadlocks are a high-risk path due to their severe impact.
• Detailed Breakdown:
  • 2.2.1 Improper Use of Schedulers and Blocking Operations [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • 2.2.1.1 Creating circular dependencies or blocking operations within reactive streams that lead to deadlocks [CRITICAL NODE]:
      • Attack Vector: Developers might inadvertently create circular dependencies in their reactive streams or introduce blocking operations within operators, especially when combined with specific scheduler choices. This can lead to situations where threads are blocked indefinitely, waiting for each other, resulting in a deadlock.
      • Impact: Application freeze, complete unresponsiveness, Denial of Service (DoS).
      • Actionable Insight: Carefully design reactive streams to avoid blocking operations within operators. Understand the threading implications of different schedulers. Avoid creating dependencies that can lead to circular waits and deadlocks.

Attack Tree Path: 3.0 Exploit Vulnerabilities in Underlying RxJava Dependency (Indirectly related to RxAndroid) [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Attack Vector: RxAndroid depends on RxJava. If there are known vulnerabilities in RxJava, applications using RxAndroid can be indirectly vulnerable. This is a critical node and high-risk path because exploiting known vulnerabilities can have severe security consequences.
• Detailed Breakdown:
  • 3.1 Known RxJava Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • 3.1.1 Exploiting publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in the RxJava library that RxAndroid depends on [HIGH RISK PATH]:
      • 3.1.1.1 Using outdated versions of RxAndroid/RxJava with known security flaws [CRITICAL NODE]:
        • Attack Vector: Developers fail to update RxAndroid and its RxJava dependency, leaving the application vulnerable to publicly known security exploits in RxJava.
        • Impact: Depending on the specific vulnerability in RxJava, potential impacts can range from Denial of Service (DoS) to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
        • Actionable Insight: Regularly update RxAndroid and RxJava dependencies to the latest stable versions. Monitor security advisories for RxJava and apply security patches promptly.

Attack Tree Path: 4.0 Denial of Service (DoS) through RxAndroid Misuse [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Attack Vector: Misusing RxAndroid, particularly in ways that lead to resource exhaustion, can result in a Denial of Service (DoS) condition. This is a critical node and high-risk path because DoS attacks can make the application unavailable to legitimate users.
• Detailed Breakdown:
  • 4.1 Resource Exhaustion [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • 4.1.1 Unbounded Observable Streams [HIGH RISK PATH]:
      • 4.1.1.1 Creating Observables that emit data indefinitely without proper termination or backpressure, leading to memory exhaustion [CRITICAL NODE]:
        • Attack Vector: Developers create Observables that emit data continuously without proper termination mechanisms or backpressure handling. If the consumer cannot keep up with the data stream, it can lead to buffer overflows and memory exhaustion.
        • Impact: OutOfMemoryError crashes, application becomes unresponsive, Denial of Service (DoS).
        • Actionable Insight: Ensure Observables are properly terminated using operators like take, takeUntil, first, or custom termination logic. Implement backpressure strategies if dealing with potentially unbounded data streams.