attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for juliangarnier/anime

Objective: Anime.js Threat Model - High-Risk Sub-tree

Attack Tree Visualization

                                     [[Attacker's Goal: Execute Arbitrary JavaScript]]
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[[Sub-Goal 1: Inject Malicious Code]]                                                  
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[[1a: Target Property]]  [[1b: Callback]]
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[[1a1: Untrusted Input]] [[1b1: Untrusted]]
[[to Target Property]]  [[Input to Callback]]

Attack Tree Path: [[Attacker's Goal: Execute Arbitrary JavaScript]]

• Description: The ultimate objective of the attacker is to run arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of a user's browser session on the vulnerable application. This allows for a wide range of malicious activities.
  • Impact: Very High. Successful execution can lead to:
    • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
    • Data exfiltration (stealing cookies, session tokens, user data)
    • Session hijacking
    • Website defacement
    • Redirection to malicious websites
    • Installation of malware (though less common via client-side JS)
  • Likelihood: Dependent on the success of sub-goals.
  • Effort: Variable, depends on the success of sub-goals.
  • Skill Level: Variable, depends on the exploited vulnerability.
  • Detection Difficulty: Variable, depends on the exploited vulnerability and implemented security measures.

Attack Tree Path: [[Sub-Goal 1: Inject Malicious Code]]

• Description: The attacker aims to insert malicious JavaScript code into parameters or callbacks that are used by the anime.js library within the application. This is the primary and most direct attack vector.
  • Impact: Very High (as it directly leads to the main goal).
  • Likelihood: Medium to High (depending on the application's implementation and security awareness of the developers).
  • Effort: Generally Low to Medium.
  • Skill Level: Intermediate.
  • Detection Difficulty: Medium.

Attack Tree Path: [[1a: Target Property Injection]]

• Description: The attacker exploits a vulnerability where user-supplied input directly controls which DOM element properties are animated by anime.js. By injecting a property name that can execute JavaScript (e.g., onmouseover, or by manipulating innerHTML), the attacker triggers code execution.
  • Impact: High.
  • Likelihood: Medium.
  • Effort: Low.
  • Skill Level: Intermediate.
  • Detection Difficulty: Medium.

Attack Tree Path: [[1a1: Untrusted Input to Target Property]]

• Description: This is the specific vulnerability enabling 1a. The application uses user-provided data without proper sanitization or validation to determine the target property of an anime.js animation.
  • Example:

    let userProperty = getUserInput(); // Attacker provides "innerHTML" or "onmouseover"
    anime({
      targets: '.element',
      [userProperty]: '<img src=x onerror=alert(1)>' // Or any other malicious JS
    });

  • Impact: High.
  • Likelihood: Medium.
  • Effort: Low.
  • Skill Level: Intermediate.
  • Detection Difficulty: Medium.

Attack Tree Path: [[1b: Callback Injection]]

• Description: The attacker exploits a vulnerability where user-supplied input directly controls or influences the callback functions (e.g., begin, update, complete) used by anime.js. This allows the attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the callback's context.
  • Impact: Very High.
  • Likelihood: Medium.
  • Effort: Low.
  • Skill Level: Intermediate.
  • Detection Difficulty: Medium.

Attack Tree Path: [[1b1: Untrusted Input to Callback]]

• Description: This is the specific vulnerability enabling 1b. The application uses user-provided data without proper sanitization or validation to define or modify the callback functions of an anime.js animation.
  • Example:

    let userCallback = getUserInput(); // Attacker provides "alert('XSS')"
    anime({
      targets: '.element',
      translateX: 250,
      complete: new Function(userCallback) // Or eval(userCallback), or any other unsafe way to use the input
    });

    Or, even without eval or new Function, if the attacker can control which function is called:

    let userCallbackName = getUserInput(); // Attacker provides "maliciousFunction"
    let callbacks = {
        safeFunction: function() { /* ... */ },
        maliciousFunction: function() { alert('XSS'); }
    };
    anime({
        targets: '.element',
        translateX: 250,
        complete: callbacks[userCallbackName] // Vulnerable if userCallbackName is not validated
    });

  • Impact: Very High.
  • Likelihood: Medium.
  • Effort: Low.
  • Skill Level: Intermediate.
  • Detection Difficulty: Medium.