attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for preactjs/preact

Objective: Execute Arbitrary JavaScript (XSS) in User's Context via Preact

Attack Tree Visualization

Goal: Execute Arbitrary JavaScript (XSS) in User's Context via Preact

├── 1. Exploit Vulnerabilities in Preact Core │ ├── 1.1 Unpatched CVEs in Preact │ │ ├── 1.1.1 Identify and exploit a known, unpatched vulnerability in the specific Preact version used. [CRITICAL] │ ├── 1.2 Misuse of dangerouslySetInnerHTML or Similar Features [HIGH RISK] │ │ ├── 1.2.1 Application improperly sanitizes user input before passing it to dangerouslySetInnerHTML. [CRITICAL] │ ├── 2. Exploit Vulnerabilities in Third-Party Preact Components [HIGH RISK] │ ├── 2.1 Unpatched CVEs in Third-Party Components │ │ ├── 2.1.1 Identify and exploit a known vulnerability in a third-party Preact component used by the application. [CRITICAL] │ ├── 2.2 Improper Input Sanitization in Third-Party Components │ │ ├── 2.2.1 A third-party component fails to sanitize user input before rendering it, leading to XSS. [CRITICAL] │ └── 3. Exploit Preact-Specific Development Mistakes [HIGH RISK] ├── 3.1 Incorrect Usage of Hooks │ ├── 3.1.1 Improperly handling user input within useEffect or other hooks. [CRITICAL] ├── 3.2 Misunderstanding of Preact's Rendering Model │ ├── 3.2.1 Assuming that Preact automatically sanitizes all input, leading to XSS vulnerabilities. [CRITICAL]

Attack Tree Path: 1. Exploit Vulnerabilities in Preact Core

• 1.1 Unpatched CVEs in Preact

  • 1.1.1 Identify and exploit a known, unpatched vulnerability in the specific Preact version used. [CRITICAL]
    • Description: The attacker identifies a publicly disclosed vulnerability (CVE) in the specific version of Preact used by the application. They then craft an exploit targeting this vulnerability, typically resulting in XSS.
    • Likelihood: Low / Very Low (Dependent on update frequency)
    • Impact: High to Very High (Full XSS, potential account takeover, data exfiltration)
    • Effort: Low to Medium (Depends on the complexity of the CVE)
    • Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
    • Detection Difficulty: Medium (May be detected by intrusion detection systems or security audits)
    • Mitigation: Keep Preact updated to the latest version.

• 1.2 Misuse of dangerouslySetInnerHTML or Similar Features [HIGH RISK]

  • 1.2.1 Application improperly sanitizes user input before passing it to dangerouslySetInnerHTML. [CRITICAL]
    • Description: The application takes user-provided input and directly injects it into the DOM using dangerouslySetInnerHTML without proper sanitization. This allows an attacker to inject malicious HTML and JavaScript.
    • Likelihood: Medium (Common mistake)
    • Impact: High to Very High (Full XSS)
    • Effort: Low
    • Skill Level: Intermediate
    • Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected by code review or dynamic analysis)
    • Mitigation: Avoid dangerouslySetInnerHTML if possible. If unavoidable, use a robust sanitization library like DOMPurify before passing any user input.

Attack Tree Path: 2. Exploit Vulnerabilities in Third-Party Preact Components [HIGH RISK]

• 2.1 Unpatched CVEs in Third-Party Components

  • 2.1.1 Identify and exploit a known vulnerability in a third-party Preact component used by the application. [CRITICAL]
    • Description: Similar to 1.1.1, but the vulnerability exists in a third-party Preact component rather than Preact itself.
    • Likelihood: Low to Medium (Depends on component popularity and update frequency)
    • Impact: Medium to Very High (Depends on the vulnerability and component's role)
    • Effort: Low to Medium
    • Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
    • Detection Difficulty: Medium (May be detected by vulnerability scanners)
    • Mitigation: Keep all third-party components updated. Vet components before use.

• 2.2 Improper Input Sanitization in Third-Party Components

  • 2.2.1 A third-party component fails to sanitize user input before rendering it, leading to XSS. [CRITICAL]
    • Description: A third-party component takes user input (directly or indirectly) and renders it without proper sanitization, creating an XSS vulnerability.
    • Likelihood: Low to Medium (Depends on the component's quality)
    • Impact: High to Very High (Full XSS)
    • Effort: Low to Medium
    • Skill Level: Intermediate
    • Detection Difficulty: Medium to Hard (Requires understanding the component's internals)
    • Mitigation: Vet components thoroughly. Consider sandboxing or isolating third-party components.

Attack Tree Path: 3. Exploit Preact-Specific Development Mistakes [HIGH RISK]

• 3.1 Incorrect Usage of Hooks

  • 3.1.1 Improperly handling user input within useEffect or other hooks. [CRITICAL]
    • Description: User input is used within a hook (like useEffect, useState, etc.) in a way that allows for XSS or other vulnerabilities. This often involves directly rendering user input or using it to construct HTML without sanitization.
    • Likelihood: Medium (Common mistake with complex state management)
    • Impact: Medium to High (Depends on the specific vulnerability)
    • Effort: Low to Medium
    • Skill Level: Intermediate
    • Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected by code review or dynamic analysis)
    • Mitigation: Carefully review hook usage. Sanitize user input before using it in any rendering logic within hooks.

• 3.2 Misunderstanding of Preact's Rendering Model

  • 3.2.1 Assuming that Preact automatically sanitizes all input, leading to XSS vulnerabilities. [CRITICAL]
    • Description: Developers incorrectly believe that Preact provides automatic XSS protection, leading them to omit necessary input sanitization.
    • Likelihood: Medium (Common misconception)
    • Impact: High to Very High (Full XSS)
    • Effort: Low
    • Skill Level: Novice to Intermediate
    • Detection Difficulty: Medium (Can be detected by code review or dynamic analysis)
    • Mitigation: Developer education. Emphasize that Preact does not automatically sanitize input and that developers are responsible for this.