attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for spring-projects/spring-framework

Objective: Compromise Application via Spring Framework Vulnerabilities

Attack Tree Visualization

High-Risk Sub-Tree:

• Compromise Application via Spring Framework Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE]
  • Exploit Spring Framework Vulnerabilities (Directly) [CRITICAL NODE]
    • Exploit Known Spring Framework Vulnerabilities (CVEs) [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Remote Code Execution (RCE) Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • SpEL Injection Vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE-2022-22965, CVE-2023-34040) [HIGH RISK PATH]
          • Leverage SpEL injection in request parameters, headers, or data binding to execute arbitrary code on the server. [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Exposure of sensitive configuration details (e.g., through Actuator endpoints if not secured) [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Access sensitive configuration information via exposed endpoints. [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Authentication/Authorization Bypass Vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Spring Security misconfigurations leading to authentication bypass [HIGH RISK PATH]
          • Exploit flaws in Spring Security configuration to bypass authentication checks. [HIGH RISK PATH]
  • Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
    • Insecure Actuator Endpoint Exposure [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Unauthenticated access to sensitive Actuator endpoints (e.g., /env, /beans, /mappings) [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Access sensitive environment variables, bean definitions, and request mappings to gain information or potentially manipulate the application. [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Actuator endpoints enabled in production without proper security [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Exploit default configurations that leave Actuator endpoints vulnerable. [HIGH RISK PATH]
    • Misconfigured Spring Security [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Weak or missing CSRF protection [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Launch Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Insecure CORS configuration allowing cross-origin attacks [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Exploit Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) misconfigurations to bypass same-origin policy. [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Inadequate input validation leading to injection vulnerabilities (even if Spring provides tools) [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Exploit lack of proper input validation despite Spring's validation framework. [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Misconfigured authentication mechanisms (e.g., weak password policies, insecure authentication protocols) [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Exploit weaknesses in authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access. [HIGH RISK PATH]
    • Dependency Management Issues [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Using vulnerable versions of Spring Framework dependencies [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Exploit known vulnerabilities in transitive dependencies of Spring Framework. [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Outdated Spring Framework version with known vulnerabilities [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Exploit known vulnerabilities in older versions of Spring Framework. [HIGH RISK PATH]
  • Exploit Spring Framework Features for Malicious Purposes
    • Expression Language (SpEL) Injection (beyond CVEs, focusing on developer misuse) [HIGH RISK PATH]
      • Using user-controlled input directly in SpEL expressions without sanitization [HIGH RISK PATH]
        • Inject malicious SpEL expressions through user input to execute arbitrary code. [HIGH RISK PATH]

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Known Spring Framework Vulnerabilities (CVEs) -> Remote Code Execution (RCE) Vulnerabilities -> SpEL Injection Vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE-2022-22965, CVE-2023-34040) -> Leverage SpEL injection in request parameters, headers, or data binding to execute arbitrary code on the server.

• Attack Vector: SpEL Injection leading to RCE via known CVEs.
• Description: Attackers exploit known vulnerabilities in Spring Expression Language (SpEL) that allow them to inject malicious expressions. When these expressions are evaluated by the Spring Framework, they can execute arbitrary code on the server. This is often achieved by manipulating request parameters, headers, or data binding inputs to inject the SpEL payload.
• Likelihood: Medium (Known CVEs exist, but requires vulnerable application and exploitable input)
• Impact: High (Full system compromise, data breach, service disruption)
• Effort: Medium (Exploits often available, but might require adaptation)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of web requests, SpEL injection)
• Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected with WAFs and input validation, but might be missed if not properly configured)
• Mitigation:
  • Patch Regularly: Keep Spring Framework and dependencies up-to-date to address known CVEs.
  • Input Validation: Sanitize and validate all user inputs to prevent SpEL injection.
  • Avoid SpEL with User Input: Minimize or eliminate the use of SpEL with user-controlled input. If necessary, use secure alternatives or very strict sanitization.
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a WAF to detect and block SpEL injection attempts.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Known Spring Framework Vulnerabilities (CVEs) -> Exposure of sensitive configuration details (e.g., through Actuator endpoints if not secured) -> Access sensitive configuration information via exposed endpoints.

• Attack Vector: Unsecured Actuator endpoints leading to information disclosure.
• Description: Spring Actuator endpoints provide monitoring and management capabilities. If not properly secured (e.g., authentication and authorization), attackers can access these endpoints to retrieve sensitive information like environment variables, bean definitions, and configuration details. This information can be used to understand the application's architecture, find vulnerabilities, or obtain credentials.
• Likelihood: Medium (Common misconfiguration, especially if Actuator is enabled in production without security)
• Impact: Medium (Information disclosure, sensitive credentials, configuration details)
• Effort: Low (Simple web requests to Actuator endpoints)
• Skill Level: Low (Basic web browsing skills)
• Detection Difficulty: Low (Easy to detect with security audits and endpoint enumeration)
• Mitigation:
  • Disable Actuator in Production (if not needed): If Actuator is not required in production, disable it completely.
  • Secure Actuator Endpoints: Implement strong authentication and authorization for Actuator endpoints using Spring Security.
  • Restrict Access: Limit access to Actuator endpoints to only authorized users or IP ranges.
  • Regular Audits: Regularly audit Actuator endpoint configurations to ensure they are properly secured.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Known Spring Framework Vulnerabilities (CVEs) -> Authentication/Authorization Bypass Vulnerabilities -> Spring Security misconfigurations leading to authentication bypass -> Exploit flaws in Spring Security configuration to bypass authentication checks.

• Attack Vector: Spring Security Misconfigurations leading to Authentication Bypass.
• Description: Spring Security is a powerful framework for securing Spring applications. However, misconfigurations in Spring Security can lead to vulnerabilities that allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms. This can include flaws in filter chains, authentication providers, or access control rules, enabling unauthorized access to protected resources.
• Likelihood: Low-Medium (Requires specific misconfigurations in Spring Security, but common if security is not properly implemented)
• Impact: High (Unauthorized access to application, data breach, full compromise)
• Effort: Medium (Requires analyzing Spring Security configuration, identifying weaknesses)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of Spring Security, authentication mechanisms)
• Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected with security audits and penetration testing, but might be missed if configuration is complex)
• Mitigation:
  • Secure Configuration Review: Thoroughly review and test Spring Security configurations to ensure they are correctly implemented and secure.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Implement the principle of least privilege in authorization rules, granting only necessary permissions.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and fix Spring Security misconfigurations.
  • Follow Best Practices: Adhere to Spring Security best practices and security guidelines.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations -> Insecure Actuator Endpoint Exposure -> Unauthenticated access to sensitive Actuator endpoints (e.g., /env, /beans, /mappings) -> Access sensitive environment variables, bean definitions, and request mappings to gain information or potentially manipulate the application.

• Attack Vector: Unauthenticated Actuator Endpoint Access.
• Description: This is a more specific instance of the previous Actuator vulnerability. Attackers directly exploit the lack of authentication on Actuator endpoints to gain access to sensitive information. This is often due to default configurations or developers forgetting to secure these endpoints in production.
• Likelihood: Medium (Common misconfiguration, especially in development/staging environments leaking into production)
• Impact: Medium (Information disclosure, potential for further exploitation)
• Effort: Low (Simple web request)
• Skill Level: Low (Basic web browsing skills)
• Detection Difficulty: Low-Medium (Should be detected by security audits and monitoring, but might be missed if not actively looked for)
• Mitigation: (Same as "Exposure of sensitive configuration details through Actuator endpoints" above)

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations -> Insecure Actuator Endpoint Exposure -> Actuator endpoints enabled in production without proper security -> Exploit default configurations that leave Actuator endpoints vulnerable.

• Attack Vector: Exploiting Default Insecure Actuator Configuration.
• Description: This highlights the risk of relying on default Spring Actuator configurations, which are often not secure for production environments. Attackers exploit these default settings to access Actuator endpoints without any security measures in place.
• Likelihood: Medium (Default configurations might not be secure, and developers might forget to secure Actuator in production)
• Impact: Medium (Information disclosure, potential for further exploitation)
• Effort: Low (Simple web request)
• Skill Level: Low (Basic web browsing skills)
• Detection Difficulty: Low-Medium (Should be detected by security audits and configuration reviews)
• Mitigation: (Same as "Exposure of sensitive configuration details through Actuator endpoints" above)

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations -> Misconfigured Spring Security -> Weak or missing CSRF protection -> Launch Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.

• Attack Vector: Missing or Weak CSRF Protection.
• Description: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks exploit the trust a website has in a user's browser. If CSRF protection is weak or missing in Spring Security configuration, attackers can craft malicious web pages or links that, when visited by an authenticated user, trigger unauthorized actions on the application on behalf of that user.
• Likelihood: Medium (CSRF is a common vulnerability if not explicitly addressed, especially in older applications)
• Impact: Medium (Unauthorized actions on behalf of users, data manipulation)
• Effort: Low-Medium (Requires crafting malicious requests, understanding CSRF)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of CSRF vulnerabilities, web requests)
• Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected with CSRF testing and security audits, but might be missed if not actively looked for)
• Mitigation:
  • Enable CSRF Protection: Ensure CSRF protection is enabled in Spring Security configuration. Spring Security provides built-in CSRF protection that should be enabled by default.
  • Validate CSRF Tokens: Properly validate CSRF tokens on the server-side for all state-changing requests.
  • Security Headers: Implement security headers like X-Frame-Options and Content-Security-Policy to further mitigate CSRF risks.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations -> Misconfigured Spring Security -> Insecure CORS configuration allowing cross-origin attacks -> Exploit Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) misconfigurations to bypass same-origin policy.

• Attack Vector: Insecure CORS Configuration.
• Description: Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) controls which origins are allowed to access resources from a web application. Misconfigurations in CORS policies in Spring Security can allow attackers from malicious origins to bypass the same-origin policy. This can lead to cross-site scripting (XSS) like attacks, data theft, and session hijacking.
• Likelihood: Medium (CORS misconfigurations are common, especially when developers are not fully familiar with CORS)
• Impact: Medium (Cross-site scripting (XSS) like attacks, data theft, session hijacking)
• Effort: Low-Medium (Requires understanding CORS, crafting malicious JavaScript)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of CORS, JavaScript, web security)
• Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected with CORS testing and security audits, but might be missed if configuration is complex)
• Mitigation:
  • Restrictive CORS Policy: Configure CORS policies to be as restrictive as possible, allowing only trusted origins.
  • Avoid Wildcards: Avoid using wildcard (*) in Access-Control-Allow-Origin header in production.
  • Validate Origin: Carefully validate and sanitize origins in CORS configurations.
  • Regular CORS Testing: Regularly test CORS configurations to ensure they are secure and working as intended.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations -> Misconfigured Spring Security -> Inadequate input validation leading to injection vulnerabilities (even if Spring provides tools) -> Exploit lack of proper input validation despite Spring's validation framework.

• Attack Vector: Inadequate Input Validation leading to Injection Vulnerabilities.
• Description: Even though Spring Framework provides validation tools, developers might still fail to implement proper input validation. This lack of validation can lead to various injection vulnerabilities like SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), command injection, and others. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities by injecting malicious code or data through user inputs that are not properly sanitized or validated.
• Likelihood: High (Input validation is often overlooked or implemented incorrectly, even with frameworks)
• Impact: High (SQL injection, XSS, command injection, etc., leading to full compromise)
• Effort: Low-Medium (Depends on the type of injection, but basic injection attacks are often easy)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of injection vulnerabilities, web requests)
• Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected with input validation testing and security audits, but might be missed if not actively looked for)
• Mitigation:
  • Implement Input Validation: Implement robust input validation for all user inputs, both on the client-side and server-side.
  • Sanitize Inputs: Sanitize user inputs to remove or encode potentially malicious characters before processing them.
  • Use Parameterized Queries/Prepared Statements: For database interactions, use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection.
  • Output Encoding: Encode outputs properly to prevent XSS vulnerabilities.
  • Regular Security Testing: Conduct regular security testing, including penetration testing and SAST/DAST, to identify input validation vulnerabilities.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations -> Misconfigured Spring Security -> Misconfigured authentication mechanisms (e.g., weak password policies, insecure authentication protocols) -> Exploit weaknesses in authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.

• Attack Vector: Weak or Insecure Authentication Mechanisms.
• Description: Misconfigurations in authentication mechanisms within Spring Security can weaken the application's security. This includes using weak password policies (e.g., short passwords, no complexity requirements), insecure authentication protocols (e.g., basic authentication over HTTP), or flawed authentication logic. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to user accounts or the application itself.
• Likelihood: Medium (Weak password policies and insecure protocols are still common in some applications)
• Impact: High (Unauthorized access, account compromise, data breach)
• Effort: Low-Medium (Password cracking, protocol downgrade attacks, etc.)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of authentication mechanisms, password cracking)
• Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected with authentication testing and security audits, but might be missed if not actively monitored)
• Mitigation:
  • Enforce Strong Password Policies: Implement and enforce strong password policies, including password complexity, length, and rotation requirements.
  • Use Secure Authentication Protocols: Use secure authentication protocols like OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, or SAML instead of basic authentication over HTTP.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.
  • Regular Authentication Testing: Regularly test authentication mechanisms for weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations -> Dependency Management Issues -> Using vulnerable versions of Spring Framework dependencies -> Exploit known vulnerabilities in transitive dependencies of Spring Framework.

• Attack Vector: Vulnerable Dependencies.
• Description: Spring Framework applications rely on numerous dependencies, including transitive dependencies. If vulnerable versions of these dependencies are used, attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities in these libraries to compromise the application. This is often due to outdated dependency versions or lack of proper dependency management.
• Likelihood: Medium (Dependencies are often overlooked, and vulnerable versions might be used unknowingly)
• Impact: Varies (Can range from low to high depending on the vulnerability in the dependency)
• Effort: Low-Medium (Requires dependency scanning tools, exploiting known vulnerabilities)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of dependency management, vulnerability scanning)
• Detection Difficulty: Low-Medium (Can be detected with dependency scanning tools and vulnerability management processes)
• Mitigation:
  • Dependency Scanning: Regularly scan application dependencies for known vulnerabilities using tools like OWASP Dependency-Check or Snyk.
  • Dependency Updates: Keep dependencies updated to the latest secure versions.
  • Dependency Management Tools: Use dependency management tools like Maven or Gradle to manage and track dependencies.
  • Vulnerability Management Process: Implement a vulnerability management process to track, prioritize, and remediate dependency vulnerabilities.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Misconfigurations -> Dependency Management Issues -> Outdated Spring Framework version with known vulnerabilities -> Exploit known vulnerabilities in older versions of Spring Framework.

• Attack Vector: Outdated Spring Framework Version.
• Description: Using an outdated version of Spring Framework exposes the application to known vulnerabilities that have been patched in newer versions. Attackers can exploit these known vulnerabilities, often with readily available exploits, to compromise the application.
• Likelihood: Medium-High (Many applications run on older versions and patching is often delayed)
• Impact: High (Potentially RCE or other critical impacts depending on the vulnerabilities in the outdated version)
• Effort: Low-Medium (Exploits for known vulnerabilities are often readily available)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of web requests, exploit usage)
• Detection Difficulty: Low-Medium (Should be detected by vulnerability scanning and security audits, but might be missed if patching is not prioritized)
• Mitigation:
  • Regular Updates: Keep Spring Framework updated to the latest stable and secure version.
  • Patch Management Process: Implement a robust patch management process to promptly apply security patches and updates.
  • Vulnerability Scanning: Regularly scan the application for known vulnerabilities, including those in the Spring Framework itself.
  • Stay Informed: Monitor Spring Security advisories and security news to stay informed about new vulnerabilities and updates.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Spring Framework Features for Malicious Purposes -> Expression Language (SpEL) Injection (beyond CVEs, focusing on developer misuse) -> Using user-controlled input directly in SpEL expressions without sanitization -> Inject malicious SpEL expressions through user input to execute arbitrary code.

• Attack Vector: Developer Misuse of SpEL leading to Injection.
• Description: Even without known CVEs, developers can introduce SpEL injection vulnerabilities by directly using user-controlled input in SpEL expressions without proper sanitization or validation. This allows attackers to inject malicious SpEL code through user inputs, leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
• Likelihood: Low-Medium (Developers should be aware of SpEL injection risks, but mistakes can happen, especially in complex applications)
• Impact: High (Full system compromise, RCE)
• Effort: Medium (Requires identifying SpEL injection points, crafting malicious expressions)
• Skill Level: Medium (Understanding of SpEL, web requests)
• Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected with code reviews and SAST tools, but might be missed if SpEL usage is complex)
• Mitigation:
  • Avoid User Input in SpEL: Never use user-controlled input directly in SpEL expressions.
  • Secure Alternatives: If possible, use alternative approaches that avoid SpEL when dealing with user input.
  • Strict Sanitization (if SpEL is necessary): If SpEL is absolutely necessary with user input, implement extremely strict sanitization and validation of the input before using it in SpEL expressions.
  • Code Reviews and SAST: Conduct thorough code reviews and use Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools to identify potential SpEL injection points.