threat-modeling.md

Threat Model Analysis for dominictarr/rc

Threat: Configuration Injection and Override

Description: An attacker might manipulate application configuration by injecting or overriding configuration values. They exploit rc's configuration precedence, targeting sources like command-line arguments, environment variables, or configuration files in predictable locations. The goal is to make malicious configuration values take precedence over intended secure settings, leveraging rc's loading mechanism. Impact: Application misconfiguration, bypassing security controls (authentication, authorization), privilege escalation, and potential data breaches due to exposed sensitive data or access to sensitive resources. Affected rc component: Core rc module - configuration loading and merging logic, specifically the precedence mechanism. Risk Severity: High Mitigation Strategies:

• Clearly define and document intended configuration sources and their precedence.
• Implement robust input validation and sanitization for all configuration values, especially from environment variables and user-controlled files.
• Restrict rc configuration sources in production to trusted locations.
• Enforce strong access controls on configuration files and environment variables.

Threat: Path Traversal and File Access Vulnerabilities via Configuration Files

Description: Attackers can exploit path traversal by injecting malicious path sequences into configuration values loaded by rc. If application code uses these configuration values to construct file paths without validation, attackers can gain unauthorized access to files or directories outside intended paths. rc facilitates loading these potentially malicious path values from configuration sources. Impact: Unauthorized reading of sensitive server files, potential writing to arbitrary files, and potentially code execution when combined with other vulnerabilities. Affected rc component: Indirectly rc - as it loads configuration values. Directly, application code using rc loaded configuration for file path construction without validation. Risk Severity: High Mitigation Strategies:

• Thoroughly validate and sanitize configuration values used for file paths to prevent path traversal (e.g., block ../).
• Use secure file path handling practices: absolute paths, canonicalization, chroot environments.
• Apply least privilege to application file system access.

Threat: Command Injection Vulnerabilities via Configuration Values

Description: Attackers can inject malicious commands into configuration values loaded by rc. If application code uses these configuration values in shell commands or system calls without sanitization, attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the server. rc provides the mechanism to load these potentially dangerous values into the application. Impact: Remote code execution, full system compromise, data breaches, data manipulation, and denial of service. Affected rc component: Indirectly rc - as it loads configuration values. Directly, application code using rc loaded configuration in shell commands without sanitization. Risk Severity: Critical Mitigation Strategies:

• Avoid using configuration values directly in shell commands.
• Use parameterized commands or safer alternatives to shell execution.
• Strictly validate and sanitize configuration values before using them in command execution contexts.
• Implement least privilege for the application's execution environment.