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attack-surface.md

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Attack Surface Analysis for pestphp/pest

Attack Surface: Malicious Test Files

  • Description: Attackers inject or modify test files to execute arbitrary PHP code.
  • Pest Contribution: Pest provides the execution environment for these malicious test files. The framework's purpose is to run code, making it a direct enabler. This is the most direct and dangerous aspect.
  • Example: An attacker gains write access to the tests/ directory and creates a file tests/EvilTest.php containing: <?php system('rm -rf /'); ?>. Running Pest executes this command.
  • Impact: Complete system compromise, data loss, data exfiltration, denial of service.
  • Risk Severity: Critical
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Strict Codebase Access Control: Limit write access to the repository and tests/ directory.
    • Rigorous Code Review: Mandatory code review for all changes, including test files.
    • Secure CI/CD Pipeline: Automate security checks within the CI/CD pipeline, including static analysis of test files.
    • Isolated Test Execution Environment: Run tests in a sandboxed environment (e.g., Docker container) with minimal privileges.
    • File Integrity Monitoring: Implement FIM to detect unauthorized changes to test files.

Attack Surface: Compromised Test Dependencies

  • Description: A dependency used only within tests is compromised, leading to code execution during test runs.
  • Pest Contribution: Pest's test runner executes code that relies on these dependencies. Pest's execution is the direct vector.
  • Example: A test uses a mocking library that has a vulnerability. An attacker exploits this vulnerability during a Pest test run to gain control.
  • Impact: Code execution within the test environment, potentially leading to further compromise.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Regular Dependency Audits: Use tools like composer audit or Dependabot.
    • Separate Lock File (Optional): Consider a separate composer.lock for test dependencies.
    • Careful Dependency Selection: Choose well-maintained testing libraries.
    • Vulnerability Scanning: Integrate vulnerability scanning into the CI/CD pipeline.

Attack Surface: Unsafe Dynamic Code Execution in Tests

  • Description: Developers use eval(), assert() with string arguments, etc., within tests, and attacker-controlled data reaches these.
  • Pest Contribution: Pest provides the environment where this unsafe code is executed. Pest is the direct execution context.
  • Example: A test uses eval('$result = ' . $_GET['input'] . ';');, and an attacker provides malicious PHP code.
  • Impact: Code execution within the test environment.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Code Review: Prohibit or heavily scrutinize eval() and similar functions in tests.
    • Static Analysis: Use static analysis tools to detect dangerous functions.
    • Input Validation: Rigorously validate and sanitize any external input before use in dynamic code.

Attack Surface: Data Providers with Untrusted Input

  • Description: Pest's data providers source data from an untrusted external source.
  • Pest Contribution: Pest's dataset() feature facilitates the use of external data in tests, and Pest executes the tests using this data. This is a direct feature of Pest.
  • Example: A data provider reads from a CSV file an attacker can modify, injecting malicious data used in a database operation, leading to SQL injection.
  • Impact: Depends on data usage; could be SQL injection, XSS, or code execution.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Trusted Data Sources: Use only trusted data sources (e.g., hardcoded arrays).
    • Input Validation and Sanitization: Rigorously validate and sanitize external data before use.
    • Separate Test Data: Store test data securely with restricted access.

Attack Surface: Vulnerable Pest Plugins

  • Description: A malicious or vulnerable Pest plugin introduces security issues.
  • Pest Contribution: Pest's plugin architecture allows third-party code to extend its functionality, and Pest executes this plugin code. This is a direct feature of the Pest ecosystem.
  • Example: An attacker publishes a malicious Pest plugin that executes arbitrary code during test runs.
  • Impact: Code execution, data breaches, system compromise.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Careful Plugin Selection: Only use plugins from trusted sources.
    • Code Review (Plugins): Review the source code of plugins.
    • Keep Plugins Updated: Regularly update plugins.
    • Minimal Plugin Usage: Use only necessary plugins.