attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for kong/insomnia

Objective: Compromise Application via Insomnia Exploitation

Attack Tree Visualization

Compromise Application via Insomnia [CRITICAL NODE]
├───[AND] Exploit Insomnia Features to Attack Target Application [CRITICAL NODE]
│   ├───[OR] 1. Malicious Request Crafting & Sending via Insomnia [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   ├─── 1.1. Leverage Stored Requests/Collections [HIGH-RISK PATH]
│   │   │    └─── 1.1.1. Inject Malicious Payloads into Stored Requests [HIGH-RISK PATH]
│   │   │         └─── 1.1.1.1. Exploit Vulnerabilities in Target App via Injected Payloads (e.g., XSS, SQLi, Command Injection) [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   ├───[OR] 2. Data Exfiltration via Insomnia Features [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   ├─── 2.1. Export Insomnia Data (Collections, Environments) [HIGH-RISK PATH]
│   │   │    └─── 2.1.1. Export Sensitive Data (API Keys, Tokens, Credentials) [HIGH-RISK PATH]
│   │   │         ├─── 2.1.1.1. Accidental Exposure of Exported Data (e.g., committing to public repo) [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   │         └─── 2.1.1.2. Malicious Export & Sharing of Data [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   ├─── 2.2. Sync Feature Data Leakage (If Enabled) [HIGH-RISK PATH]
│   │   │    └─── 2.2.1. Compromise Insomnia Sync Account [HIGH-RISK PATH]
│   │   │         └─── 2.2.1.1. Credential Stuffing/Phishing for Sync Account [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
├───[AND] Exploit User Misconfiguration or Unsafe Practices with Insomnia [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   ├───[OR] 5. Insecure Storage of Sensitive Data within Insomnia [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   ├─── 5.1. Plain Text Storage of Credentials [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   │    └─── 5.1.1. Store API Keys, Tokens, Passwords in Environment Variables or Request Headers in Plain Text [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   │         └─── 5.1.1.1. Local Access to Insomnia Data Reveals Credentials [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   ├───[OR] 6. Misconfiguration of Security Settings in Insomnia [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   ├─── 6.1. Disabling SSL Verification [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   │    └─── 6.1.1. Disable SSL Certificate Verification in Insomnia Settings [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]
│   │   │         └─── 6.1.1.1. Man-in-the-Middle Attack Becomes Easier to Intercept API Traffic [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]

Attack Tree Path: 1. Malicious Request Crafting & Sending via Insomnia [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]:

• Attack Vector: Attackers leverage Insomnia's core functionality to craft and send malicious requests to the target application. This is facilitated by Insomnia's features for request building, parameterization, and storage.
• Focus Area:
  • Leverage Stored Requests/Collections [HIGH-RISK PATH]: Insomnia allows saving requests and collections. Attackers can modify existing stored requests or create new ones within a compromised Insomnia environment.
    • Inject Malicious Payloads into Stored Requests [HIGH-RISK PATH]: Attackers inject malicious payloads (e.g., XSS, SQLi, Command Injection) into request parameters, headers, or bodies within stored requests.
      • Exploit Vulnerabilities in Target App via Injected Payloads (e.g., XSS, SQLi, Command Injection) [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: When these modified stored requests are sent through Insomnia to the target application, the injected payloads trigger vulnerabilities in the application's processing logic. This can lead to:
        • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting malicious scripts that execute in users' browsers, potentially stealing session cookies or performing actions on behalf of the user.
        • SQL Injection (SQLi): Injecting malicious SQL code that manipulates database queries, potentially leading to data breaches, data modification, or denial of service.
        • Command Injection: Injecting operating system commands that execute on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise.

Attack Tree Path: 2. Data Exfiltration via Insomnia Features [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]:

• Attack Vector: Attackers misuse Insomnia's features designed for data management and collaboration to exfiltrate sensitive information related to the target application.
• Focus Area:
  • Export Insomnia Data (Collections, Environments) [HIGH-RISK PATH]: Insomnia allows exporting collections and environments as files. These files can contain sensitive data like API keys, tokens, and credentials.
    • Export Sensitive Data (API Keys, Tokens, Credentials) [HIGH-RISK PATH]: Attackers target the export functionality to extract sensitive data stored within Insomnia.
      • Accidental Exposure of Exported Data (e.g., committing to public repo) [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: Developers might unintentionally commit exported Insomnia files containing sensitive data to public repositories (e.g., Git).
      • Malicious Export & Sharing of Data [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: Malicious insiders or attackers who have compromised a developer's machine can intentionally export Insomnia data and share it with unauthorized parties.
  • Sync Feature Data Leakage (If Enabled) [HIGH-RISK PATH]: If Insomnia's sync feature is enabled, it introduces a new avenue for data leakage.
    • Compromise Insomnia Sync Account [HIGH-RISK PATH]: Attackers target the Insomnia sync account itself.
      • Credential Stuffing/Phishing for Sync Account [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: Attackers use credential stuffing (using leaked credentials from other breaches) or phishing techniques to gain access to a legitimate user's Insomnia sync account. Once compromised, they can access all synced Insomnia data, including sensitive API configurations and credentials.

Attack Tree Path: 5. Insecure Storage of Sensitive Data within Insomnia [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]:

• Attack Vector: Users may store sensitive data insecurely within Insomnia's settings or configurations, making it vulnerable to local access.
• Focus Area:
  • Plain Text Storage of Credentials [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: Users might mistakenly or unknowingly store API keys, tokens, and passwords in plain text within Insomnia's environment variables, request headers, or other configuration settings.
    • Store API Keys, Tokens, Passwords in Environment Variables or Request Headers in Plain Text [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: This insecure practice directly exposes credentials.
      • Local Access to Insomnia Data Reveals Credentials [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: If an attacker gains local access to the machine where Insomnia is installed (e.g., through malware, physical access, or compromised user account), they can easily retrieve the plain text credentials stored within Insomnia's data files or settings.

Attack Tree Path: 6. Misconfiguration of Security Settings in Insomnia [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]:

• Attack Vector: Users may misconfigure Insomnia's security settings, weakening the overall security posture and making attacks easier.
• Focus Area:
  • Disabling SSL Verification [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: Insomnia allows users to disable SSL certificate verification for requests. This is often done for testing purposes but can be left disabled unintentionally or maliciously.
    • Disable SSL Certificate Verification in Insomnia Settings [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: The action of disabling SSL verification in Insomnia settings.
      • Man-in-the-Middle Attack Becomes Easier to Intercept API Traffic [HIGH-RISK PATH] [CRITICAL NODE]: When SSL verification is disabled, Insomnia will not validate the server's SSL certificate. This makes Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks significantly easier to execute. Attackers can intercept network traffic between Insomnia and the target API server, potentially stealing sensitive data, including credentials and API responses.

This focused attack tree and detailed breakdown highlight the most critical and likely attack vectors related to using Insomnia. By understanding these high-risk paths, development and security teams can prioritize mitigation efforts and implement targeted security controls.