Objective: Unauthorized Access to Google Cloud Resources/Data !!!
| | [1. Compromise Credentials] !!! [2. Exploit Library Vulnerabilities] |
| | | | [1.1 Leakage] [1.2 Phishing/ [2.1 Dependency] [2.2 Input] [Configuration] [Social Eng.] [Vulnerabilities] [Validation] | | | | | | [2.1.1 Outdated] [2.2.1 Unescaped] [1.1.1 Hardcoded] [1.2.3 Credential] [Dependencies] [User Input] [Credentials] [Stuffing ] [Known Vulns] [Code/Config] | [1.1.2 Insecure] [Storage] [Credentials]
Attack Tree Path: 1. Compromise Credentials !!!
This is a critical node because it represents a major pathway to the attacker's goal. Compromising credentials often grants direct access to Google Cloud resources.
Attack Tree Path: 1.1 Leakage via Configuration
Attack Tree Path: 1.1.1 Hardcoded Credentials in Code/Config
Description: Developers mistakenly include sensitive credentials (API keys, service account keys, etc.) directly within the application's source code or configuration files.
Likelihood: Medium
Impact: High
Effort: Very Low
Skill Level: Novice
Detection Difficulty: Medium
Mitigation:
* Never store credentials in code or configuration files.
* Use environment variables or a secrets management service (e.g., Google Cloud Secret Manager).
* Implement pre-commit hooks and CI/CD pipeline checks to scan for potential secrets.
* Use tools like git-secrets to prevent accidental commits of secrets.
Attack Tree Path: 1.1.2 Insecure Storage of Credentials
Description: Credentials are stored in a manner that is easily accessible to unauthorized individuals, such as unencrypted files, databases with weak security, or shared storage locations. Likelihood: Medium Impact: High Effort: Low Skill Level: Novice Detection Difficulty: Medium Mitigation: * Always encrypt credentials at rest and in transit. * Use a dedicated secrets management service. * Restrict access to credential storage locations.
Attack Tree Path: 1.2 Phishing/Social Engineering
Attack Tree Path: 1.2.3 Credential Stuffing
Description: Attackers use lists of compromised usernames and passwords (obtained from other data breaches) to attempt to gain access to Google Cloud accounts. This relies on users reusing the same password across multiple services. Likelihood: High Impact: High Effort: Low Skill Level: Novice Detection Difficulty: Medium Mitigation: * Enforce strong password policies (length, complexity, uniqueness). * Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA). * Monitor login attempts for suspicious patterns (e.g., high failure rates from a single IP address). * Implement account lockout policies after a certain number of failed login attempts. * Use CAPTCHAs to deter automated attacks.
Attack Tree Path: 2. Exploit Library Vulnerabilities
Attack Tree Path: 2.1 Dependency Vulnerabilities
Attack Tree Path: 2.1.1 Outdated Dependencies with Known Vulnerabilities
Description: The google-api-php-client library, or one of its transitive dependencies, has a known security vulnerability that has not been patched. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access.
Likelihood: High
Impact: Medium to High (depends on the specific vulnerability)
Effort: Low (publicly known exploits are often available)
Skill Level: Intermediate
Detection Difficulty: Easy
Mitigation:
* Regularly update all dependencies, including the google-api-php-client and its transitive dependencies.
* Use dependency scanning tools (e.g., composer audit, Snyk, Dependabot) to automatically identify vulnerable packages.
* Implement a vulnerability management process to track and remediate identified vulnerabilities.
Attack Tree Path: 2.2 Input Validation
Attack Tree Path: 2.2.1 Unescaped User Input to API Calls
Description: The application takes user-provided input and passes it directly to the google-api-php-client without proper sanitization or validation. This can allow attackers to inject malicious code or manipulate API requests.
Likelihood: Medium
Impact: High
Effort: Low
Skill Level: Intermediate
Detection Difficulty: Medium
Mitigation:
* Always validate and sanitize all user input before using it in any API call.
* Use parameterized queries or prepared statements where applicable.
* Follow the principle of least privilege – only grant the application the minimum necessary permissions.
* Use a web application firewall (WAF) to filter malicious input.
* Implement input validation at multiple layers (client-side, server-side).