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Okay, let's create a design document for Rocket.Chat based on the provided GitHub repository.

BUSINESS POSTURE

Rocket.Chat is an open-source team communication platform, positioning itself as a competitor to Slack. Its business priorities revolve around:

  • Providing a secure and reliable communication platform.
  • Offering a customizable and extensible solution for diverse organizational needs.
  • Maintaining a vibrant open-source community and ecosystem.
  • Offering both self-hosted and cloud-hosted deployment options.
  • Attracting and retaining users through a feature-rich experience.
  • Monetizing through enterprise features, support, and cloud hosting.

Key business risks that need to be addressed:

  • Data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive communications.
  • Service disruptions and downtime impacting user productivity.
  • Reputational damage due to security vulnerabilities or privacy concerns.
  • Loss of user trust due to inadequate data protection measures.
  • Competition from established players in the communication platform market.
  • Supply chain attacks that can compromise Rocket.Chat instances.
  • Compliance violations related to data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).

SECURITY POSTURE

Based on the repository and general knowledge of similar applications, here's an assessment of Rocket.Chat's likely security posture:

  • security control: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to manage user permissions. (Implemented in the core application logic).
  • security control: End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for private conversations (optional feature, implemented using client-side and server-side cryptography).
  • security control: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to enhance account security. (Implemented as an option for users).
  • security control: Integration with external authentication providers (e.g., LDAP, SAML). (Implemented through plugins and configuration).
  • security control: Audit logging to track user activity and system events. (Implemented in the server-side logging mechanisms).
  • security control: Regular security updates and vulnerability patching. (Evidenced by the release cycle and security advisories in the repository).
  • security control: Input validation to prevent common web vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, CSRF). (Implemented in the server-side and client-side code).
  • security control: Use of HTTPS for secure communication between clients and servers. (Enforced through server configuration and client-side code).
  • security control: Content Security Policy (CSP) to mitigate XSS attacks. (Implemented through HTTP headers).
  • security control: Rate limiting to prevent brute-force attacks and denial-of-service. (Implemented in the server-side API layer).
  • accepted risk: Reliance on third-party libraries and dependencies, which may introduce vulnerabilities.
  • accepted risk: Potential for misconfiguration by administrators, leading to security weaknesses.
  • accepted risk: The inherent complexity of a large codebase, increasing the likelihood of undiscovered vulnerabilities.

Recommended security controls (high priority):

  • Implement a comprehensive Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) management system to track and manage dependencies.
  • Integrate Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) into the CI/CD pipeline.
  • Conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments by independent security experts.
  • Implement a robust secrets management solution to protect API keys, passwords, and other sensitive credentials.
  • Enhance data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities to prevent sensitive data from leaving the platform.

Security Requirements:

  • Authentication:
    • Support for strong passwords and password complexity rules.
    • Secure storage of passwords using industry-standard hashing algorithms (e.g., bcrypt).
    • Protection against brute-force attacks and account lockout mechanisms.
    • Secure session management with appropriate timeouts and token invalidation.
    • Support for multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Authorization:
    • Fine-grained access control based on roles and permissions.
    • Ability to define custom roles and permissions.
    • Enforcement of least privilege principle.
    • Regular review and auditing of user permissions.
  • Input Validation:
    • Strict validation of all user inputs on both the client-side and server-side.
    • Use of whitelisting and input sanitization techniques.
    • Protection against common web vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, SQL injection, CSRF).
    • Secure handling of file uploads.
  • Cryptography:
    • Use of strong, industry-standard cryptographic algorithms and protocols.
    • Secure key management practices.
    • Protection of data in transit using TLS/SSL.
    • Optional end-to-end encryption for sensitive conversations.
    • Regular review and updates of cryptographic libraries.

DESIGN

C4 CONTEXT

graph LR
    subgraph Rocket.Chat System
        RocketChat["Rocket.Chat"]
    end
    User["User"]
    EmailSystem["Email System"]
    LDAP["LDAP/AD"]
    SAML["SAML Provider"]
    PushNotificationService["Push Notification Service"]
    ExternalApps["External Apps/Integrations"]

    User -- "Uses" --> RocketChat
    RocketChat -- "Sends emails via" --> EmailSystem
    RocketChat -- "Authenticates against" --> LDAP
    RocketChat -- "Authenticates against" --> SAML
    RocketChat -- "Sends push notifications via" --> PushNotificationService
    RocketChat -- "Integrates with" --> ExternalApps
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Element Descriptions:

  • Element:

    • Name: User
    • Type: Person
    • Description: A person who uses Rocket.Chat to communicate with others.
    • Responsibilities: Sending messages, participating in channels, managing their profile, etc.
    • Security controls: Password authentication, 2FA, session management.

  • Element:

    • Name: Rocket.Chat
    • Type: Software System
    • Description: The core Rocket.Chat application.
    • Responsibilities: Managing users, channels, messages, and other communication features.
    • Security controls: RBAC, input validation, audit logging, etc.

  • Element:

    • Name: Email System
    • Type: External System
    • Description: An external email system used for sending notifications and other emails.
    • Responsibilities: Delivering emails to users.
    • Security controls: TLS/SSL for communication, spam filtering.

  • Element:

    • Name: LDAP/AD
    • Type: External System
    • Description: An external LDAP or Active Directory server for user authentication.
    • Responsibilities: Authenticating users and providing user information.
    • Security controls: Secure communication with Rocket.Chat, password policies.

  • Element:

    • Name: SAML Provider
    • Type: External System
    • Description: An external SAML provider for single sign-on (SSO).
    • Responsibilities: Authenticating users and providing user information.
    • Security controls: Secure communication with Rocket.Chat, SAML protocol security.

  • Element:

    • Name: Push Notification Service
    • Type: External System
    • Description: A service for sending push notifications to mobile and desktop clients.
    • Responsibilities: Delivering push notifications to users.
    • Security controls: Secure communication with Rocket.Chat, API key authentication.

  • Element:

    • Name: External Apps/Integrations
    • Type: External System
    • Description: Third-party applications and integrations that extend Rocket.Chat's functionality.
    • Responsibilities: Providing specific features and integrations.
    • Security controls: API key authentication, OAuth, secure communication.

C4 CONTAINER

graph LR
    subgraph Rocket.Chat System
        WebApp["Web App\n(Browser-based UI)"]
        MobileApp["Mobile App\n(iOS, Android)"]
        DesktopApp["Desktop App\n(Electron-based)"]
        APIServer["API Server\n(Node.js/Meteor)"]
        Database["Database\n(MongoDB)"]
        RealtimeEngine["Realtime Engine\n(WebSockets)"]

        WebApp -- "Makes API calls to" --> APIServer
        MobileApp -- "Makes API calls to" --> APIServer
        DesktopApp -- "Makes API calls to" --> APIServer
        APIServer -- "Reads/writes data from/to" --> Database
        APIServer -- "Uses" --> RealtimeEngine
		RealtimeEngine -- "Sends/receives data to/from" --> WebApp
		RealtimeEngine -- "Sends/receives data to/from" --> MobileApp
		RealtimeEngine -- "Sends/receives data to/from" --> DesktopApp
    end

    User["User"] --> WebApp
    User --> MobileApp
    User --> DesktopApp
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Element Descriptions:

  • Element:

    • Name: Web App
    • Type: Web Application
    • Description: The browser-based user interface for Rocket.Chat.
    • Responsibilities: Providing the user interface, handling user interactions, making API calls.
    • Security controls: Input validation, XSS protection, CSP.

  • Element:

    • Name: Mobile App
    • Type: Mobile Application
    • Description: Native mobile applications for iOS and Android.
    • Responsibilities: Providing the user interface, handling user interactions, making API calls.
    • Security controls: Secure storage of credentials, platform-specific security features.

  • Element:

    • Name: Desktop App
    • Type: Desktop Application
    • Description: Electron-based desktop application.
    • Responsibilities: Providing the user interface, handling user interactions, making API calls.
    • Security controls: Secure storage of credentials, code signing.

  • Element:

    • Name: API Server
    • Type: Server-side Application
    • Description: The core server-side application built with Node.js and Meteor.
    • Responsibilities: Handling API requests, business logic, user authentication, data access.
    • Security controls: RBAC, input validation, authentication, authorization, rate limiting.

  • Element:

    • Name: Database
    • Type: Database
    • Description: MongoDB database for storing application data.
    • Responsibilities: Storing and retrieving data.
    • Security controls: Access control, encryption at rest (if configured), regular backups.

  • Element:

    • Name: Realtime Engine
    • Type: Server-side component
    • Description: Component responsible for real-time communication using WebSockets.
    • Responsibilities: Managing WebSocket connections, pushing updates to clients.
    • Security controls: Authentication, authorization, secure WebSocket communication.

DEPLOYMENT

Rocket.Chat can be deployed in several ways:

  1. Self-Hosted (Manual Installation): Installing Rocket.Chat directly on a server using the source code and manual configuration.
  2. Self-Hosted (Docker): Using Docker and Docker Compose to deploy Rocket.Chat containers.
  3. Self-Hosted (Snaps): Using Snap packages for simplified installation and updates.
  4. Cloud-Hosted (Rocket.Chat Cloud): Using Rocket.Chat's official cloud hosting service.
  5. One-Click Deployments: Using pre-configured deployments on cloud providers like DigitalOcean, AWS, or Heroku.

We'll describe the Docker Compose deployment in detail, as it's a common and recommended approach.

graph LR
    subgraph Deployment Environment (e.g., Cloud Server, On-Premise Server)
        Internet["Internet"]
        LoadBalancer["Load Balancer\n(e.g., Nginx, HAProxy)"]
        DockerHost["Docker Host"]
        RocketChatContainer["Rocket.Chat Container\n(Node.js/Meteor)"]
        MongoDBContainer["MongoDB Container"]
        MongoReplicaSet1["MongoDB Replica Set Member 1"]
        MongoReplicaSet2["MongoDB Replica Set Member 2"]
        MongoReplicaSet3["MongoDB Replica Set Member 3"]

        Internet -- "HTTPS" --> LoadBalancer
        LoadBalancer -- "HTTP" --> RocketChatContainer
        RocketChatContainer -- "MongoDB Protocol" --> MongoDBContainer
        subgraph MongoDB Replica Set
            MongoDBContainer --> MongoReplicaSet1
            MongoDBContainer --> MongoReplicaSet2
            MongoDBContainer --> MongoReplicaSet3
        end
    end
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Element Descriptions:

  • Element:

    • Name: Internet
    • Type: Network
    • Description: The public internet.
    • Responsibilities: Routing traffic to the deployment environment.
    • Security controls: Firewall, DDoS protection (typically provided by the hosting provider).

  • Element:

    • Name: Load Balancer
    • Type: Network Appliance/Software
    • Description: A load balancer (e.g., Nginx, HAProxy) that distributes traffic across multiple Rocket.Chat instances.
    • Responsibilities: Distributing traffic, SSL termination, health checks.
    • Security controls: SSL/TLS configuration, firewall rules.

  • Element:

    • Name: Docker Host
    • Type: Server
    • Description: The server that hosts the Docker engine and runs the containers.
    • Responsibilities: Running Docker containers.
    • Security controls: Operating system security, Docker security best practices.

  • Element:

    • Name: Rocket.Chat Container
    • Type: Docker Container
    • Description: The container running the Rocket.Chat application.
    • Responsibilities: Running the Rocket.Chat application.
    • Security controls: Container security best practices, minimal base image, regular updates.

  • Element:

    • Name: MongoDB Container
    • Type: Docker Container
    • Description: The container running the MongoDB database.
    • Responsibilities: Running the MongoDB database.
    • Security controls: Container security best practices, access control, data encryption (if configured).

  • Element:

    • Name: Mongo Replica Set Member 1/2/3
    • Type: Database Instance
    • Description: Instances of MongoDB that provide redundancy and high availability.
    • Responsibilities: Data replication and failover.
    • Security controls: Authentication, authorization, network security.

BUILD

Rocket.Chat's build process involves several steps, from development to creating deployable artifacts. While the specifics vary depending on the development environment and CI/CD setup, a typical process looks like this:

  1. Development: Developers write code and commit changes to the Git repository (GitHub).
  2. Continuous Integration (CI): A CI system (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins) automatically triggers builds on code commits.
  3. Dependency Management: Dependencies are managed using npm (Node Package Manager). package.json and package-lock.json define the project's dependencies.
  4. Linting: Code linters (e.g., ESLint) check for code style and potential errors.
  5. Static Analysis: Static analysis tools (e.g., SonarQube) can be integrated to identify potential security vulnerabilities and code quality issues.
  6. Testing: Automated tests (unit tests, integration tests) are executed.
  7. Building: The application is built, which typically involves compiling code, bundling assets, and creating a production-ready distribution.
  8. Docker Image Creation: A Docker image is created, packaging the application and its dependencies into a deployable unit.
  9. Image Scanning: The Docker image is scanned for known vulnerabilities using container security tools (e.g., Trivy, Clair).
  10. Artifact Storage: The built artifacts (e.g., Docker image) are stored in a registry (e.g., Docker Hub, private registry).
graph LR
    Developer["Developer"]
    GitRepository["Git Repository\n(GitHub)"]
    CIServer["CI Server\n(e.g., GitHub Actions)"]
    Linters["Linters\n(e.g., ESLint)"]
    SAST["SAST Tools\n(e.g., SonarQube)"]
    Tests["Automated Tests"]
    Build["Build Process"]
    DockerImage["Docker Image"]
    ImageScanner["Image Scanner\n(e.g., Trivy)"]
    ArtifactRegistry["Artifact Registry\n(e.g., Docker Hub)"]

    Developer -- "Commits code" --> GitRepository
    GitRepository -- "Triggers build" --> CIServer
    CIServer -- "Runs" --> Linters
    CIServer -- "Runs" --> SAST
    CIServer -- "Runs" --> Tests
    CIServer -- "Executes" --> Build
    Build -- "Creates" --> DockerImage
    CIServer -- "Runs" --> ImageScanner
    ImageScanner -- "Scans" --> DockerImage
    DockerImage -- "Stored in" --> ArtifactRegistry
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Security Controls in the Build Process:

  • security control: Dependency vulnerability scanning (using tools like npm audit or Snyk).
  • security control: Static Application Security Testing (SAST).
  • security control: Container image vulnerability scanning.
  • security control: Code signing (for desktop applications).
  • security control: Secure build environment (e.g., isolated CI runners).
  • security control: Least privilege access to build tools and resources.

RISK ASSESSMENT

  • Critical Business Processes:

    • Real-time communication and collaboration between users.
    • Secure storage and retrieval of messages and files.
    • User authentication and authorization.
    • Integration with external systems (e.g., LDAP, SAML).
    • Maintaining service availability and reliability.

  • Data Sensitivity:

    • Messages: Can range from low sensitivity (public channels) to high sensitivity (private conversations, direct messages). May contain personally identifiable information (PII), confidential business information, or intellectual property.
    • Files: Similar to messages, files can vary in sensitivity. May contain PII, confidential documents, or sensitive data.
    • User Data: Includes usernames, email addresses, profile information, and potentially authentication credentials (if not using external authentication). This data is considered PII and requires protection.
    • Configuration Data: Includes server settings, API keys, and other configuration information. This data is highly sensitive and must be protected from unauthorized access.
    • Logs: Contain information about system activity, user actions, and potential security events. Log data can be sensitive and should be protected and monitored.

QUESTIONS & ASSUMPTIONS

  • Questions:

    • What specific compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2) apply to Rocket.Chat deployments?
    • What is the current process for handling security incidents and vulnerabilities?
    • What are the specific threat models that have been considered for Rocket.Chat?
    • What level of penetration testing and vulnerability assessments are regularly conducted?
    • Are there any specific security configurations or hardening guidelines provided to administrators?
    • What is the process for managing and rotating secrets (e.g., API keys, database credentials)?
    • What are the specific data retention policies for messages, files, and logs?

  • Assumptions:

    • BUSINESS POSTURE: Rocket.Chat prioritizes security and data protection, but also needs to balance security with usability and feature development.
    • SECURITY POSTURE: The security controls mentioned are implemented to a reasonable degree, but there may be gaps or areas for improvement.
    • DESIGN: The design diagrams represent a typical deployment, but specific configurations may vary. The build process is automated to some extent, but may not include all the recommended security checks.
    • The organization has a basic incident response plan.
    • Administrators are responsible for configuring and maintaining the security of their Rocket.Chat instances.
    • Users are aware of basic security best practices (e.g., strong passwords, phishing awareness).
    • Third-party dependencies are regularly updated, but there may be a delay in patching vulnerabilities.