attack-surface.md

Attack Surface Analysis for isaacs/inherits

Attack Surface: Dependency Supply Chain Attacks

• Description: Malicious actors compromise the inherits package on npmjs.com or its distribution channels to inject malicious code.
• How inherits contributes to the attack surface: Applications declare a direct dependency on inherits in their package.json. If a compromised version is published and installed, the malicious code becomes part of the application build and runtime environment.
• Example: A compromised inherits package is published. Developers installing or updating dependencies fetch this malicious version. The injected code could execute during installation scripts or be triggered when inherits is used within the application, leading to data exfiltration or system compromise.
• Impact: Full compromise of applications using the compromised inherits package. This can result in data breaches, service disruption, and severe reputational damage.
• Risk Severity: Critical
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Utilize Package Lock Files: Commit package-lock.json or yarn.lock to ensure consistent dependency versions and prevent automatic updates to potentially compromised versions.
  • Implement Regular Dependency Audits: Use npm audit or yarn audit frequently to identify known vulnerabilities in dependencies, including inherits, and update promptly.
  • Employ Dependency Scanning Tools: Integrate automated tools that continuously monitor dependencies for vulnerabilities and malicious updates throughout the development lifecycle.
  • Consider Subresource Integrity (SRI) for CDN Delivery (If Applicable): If inherits or bundled code containing it is delivered via CDN, explore using SRI to ensure the integrity of fetched files (though less common for backend dependencies).
  • Maintain Awareness of Package Reputation: Be mindful of the package maintainer's reputation and any unusual changes in package details on npmjs.com.

Attack Surface: Insecure Inheritance Hierarchies Created Using inherits Leading to Vulnerabilities

• Description: Developers, using inherits to establish inheritance, design insecure class hierarchies that unintentionally expose sensitive functionality or data, or create complex structures prone to security flaws.
• How inherits contributes to the attack surface: inherits is the mechanism used to create these inheritance relationships. While not inherently flawed, it enables developers to build structures that can become attack vectors if not designed securely. Incorrect use of inherits directly leads to the creation of these potentially vulnerable hierarchies.
• Example: A base class, intended for internal logic, contains methods for privileged operations. A derived class, meant for handling user requests, incorrectly inherits these privileged methods through inherits. This could allow an attacker to indirectly access and exploit privileged functionality through the publicly accessible derived class.
• Impact: Unauthorized access to sensitive functionality, potential for privilege escalation, information disclosure, and logic flaws that can be exploited to compromise application security.
• Risk Severity: High
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Apply Secure Inheritance Design Principles: Adhere to principles of least privilege and encapsulation when designing inheritance structures. Carefully control which methods and properties are inherited and accessible in derived classes.
  • Conduct Thorough Code Reviews Focusing on Inheritance: Specifically review inheritance hierarchies created with inherits to identify potential unintended exposure of sensitive functionality or data.
  • Favor Composition Over Inheritance Where Possible: Consider using composition instead of inheritance to achieve code reuse and flexibility. Composition often provides better control over access and reduces the risk of unintended exposure through inheritance.
  • Ensure Clear Documentation and Developer Training: Provide clear documentation of inheritance structures and train developers on secure inheritance practices to prevent misuse of inherits and the creation of insecure hierarchies.