threat-modeling.md

Threat Model Analysis for elastic/elasticsearch-php

Threat: Elasticsearch Query Injection

• Threat: Elasticsearch Query Injection
• Description:
  • An attacker crafts malicious input that is incorporated into Elasticsearch queries constructed using elasticsearch-php without proper sanitization or parameterization.
  • The attacker can manipulate the query logic to bypass intended access controls, retrieve unauthorized data, modify or delete data, or cause denial of service by crafting resource-intensive queries.
• Impact:
  • Data breach: Unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in Elasticsearch.
  • Data manipulation: Modification or deletion of data within Elasticsearch.
  • Denial of Service (DoS): Overloading Elasticsearch with malicious queries, making it unavailable.
• Affected Elasticsearch-php Component:
  • Query DSL building functions (e.g., search(), count(), update(), delete(), and their associated query body construction).
  • Potentially any function that allows constructing and sending raw queries if string concatenation is used insecurely.
• Risk Severity: High to Critical
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Use Parameterized Queries/Query DSL: Always utilize the elasticsearch-php Query DSL to construct queries programmatically. Avoid string concatenation of user input directly into query bodies.
  • Input Validation and Sanitization: Validate and sanitize all user-supplied input before using it in Elasticsearch queries, even when using the Query DSL.
  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant Elasticsearch users used by the application only the necessary permissions.

Threat: Insufficient Authentication Configuration

• Threat: Insufficient Authentication Configuration
• Description:
  • The application is configured using elasticsearch-php to connect to Elasticsearch with weak or no authentication.
  • Or, the authentication method configured in elasticsearch-php does not match the security requirements of the Elasticsearch cluster.
• Impact:
  • Unauthorized Elasticsearch Access: Anyone who can reach the Elasticsearch endpoint can access and potentially control it.
  • Data Breach, Data Manipulation, DoS: Consequences of unauthorized access.
• Affected Elasticsearch-php Component:
  • Client initialization and configuration options related to authentication (e.g., setBasicAuthentication(), API key configuration).
• Risk Severity: Critical
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Enforce Strong Authentication: Always configure strong authentication when initializing the elasticsearch-php client, using methods like API keys or username/password with TLS.
  • Match Elasticsearch Security Policies: Ensure the authentication method configured in elasticsearch-php strictly adheres to the security policies of the Elasticsearch cluster.
  • Regular Security Audits: Periodically audit the authentication configuration of the application and Elasticsearch.

Threat: Library Vulnerabilities

• Threat: Library Vulnerabilities
• Description:
  • The elasticsearch-php library code might contain undiscovered security vulnerabilities.
  • Exploitation of these vulnerabilities could lead to various impacts.
• Impact:
  • Varies widely depending on the vulnerability. Potential for Remote Code Execution, Denial of Service, etc.
• Affected Elasticsearch-php Component:
  • Potentially any part of the elasticsearch-php library code, depending on the specific vulnerability.
• Risk Severity: Varies (Potential for High to Critical depending on the vulnerability)
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Keep elasticsearch-php Updated: Always use the latest stable version of the elasticsearch-php library and update regularly.
  • Monitor Security Advisories: Subscribe to security advisories and announcements related to elasticsearch-php.
  • Security Audits (for critical applications): For highly critical applications, consider periodic security audits of elasticsearch-php usage.