attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for pestphp/pest

Objective: Execute Arbitrary Code or Leak Sensitive Information on the Server Running Pest Tests

Attack Tree Visualization

Goal: Execute Arbitrary Code or Leak Sensitive Information on the Server Running Pest Tests ├── 1. Execute Arbitrary Code │ ├── 1.1 Exploit Pest's artisan() Helper [CRITICAL] │ │ ├── 1.1.1 Inject Malicious Artisan Commands │ │ │ ├── 1.1.1.1 Via Test Input (if artisan() input is not sanitized) [HIGH RISK] │ │ │ └── 1.1.1.2 Via Environment Variables (if artisan() uses unsanitized env vars) [HIGH RISK] │ ├── 1.2 Exploit Pest's Dataset Feature │ │ ├── 1.2.1 Inject Malicious Code into Dataset Values (if datasets are not properly escaped) [HIGH RISK] │ ├── 1.3 Exploit Pest's Plugin System [CRITICAL] │ └── 1.4 Exploit Pest's Underlying PHPUnit Dependencies [CRITICAL] ├── 2. Leak Sensitive Information ├── 2.1 Access Sensitive Data Through Unintentional Exposure in Tests │ ├── 2.1.1 Dump Environment Variables in Test Output [HIGH RISK] │ └── 2.1.4 Expose Sensitive Data via dump() or dd() [HIGH RISK]

Attack Tree Path: 1. Execute Arbitrary Code

• 1.1 Exploit Pest's artisan() Helper [CRITICAL]
  • Description: The artisan() helper in Pest allows tests to execute Laravel Artisan commands. This is a powerful capability, and if misused or exploited, it can lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
  • Why Critical: Artisan commands can perform a wide range of actions, including database modifications, file system operations, and even running shell commands. Compromising this helper gives an attacker significant control over the application and potentially the server.
  • Sub-Vectors:
    • 1.1.1 Inject Malicious Artisan Commands
      • 1.1.1.1 Via Test Input (if artisan() input is not sanitized) [HIGH RISK]
        • Description: If the test code passes user-supplied or externally-influenced data directly to the artisan() helper without proper sanitization, an attacker could inject malicious Artisan commands or command options.
        • Example: test('vulnerable test', function () { $userInput = $_GET['command']; artisan($userInput); });
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: High (RCE)
        • Effort: Low
        • Skill Level: Low
        • Detection Difficulty: Medium
        • Mitigation: Implement strict input validation and sanitization for any data passed to artisan(). Use whitelisting of allowed commands and options, rather than blacklisting.
      • 1.1.1.2 Via Environment Variables (if artisan() uses unsanitized env vars) [HIGH RISK]
        • Description: If the artisan() helper uses environment variables that can be controlled or influenced by an attacker, and these variables are not properly sanitized, it can lead to command injection.
        • Example: test('vulnerable test', function () { artisan('some:command --option=' . env('VULNERABLE_ENV')); }); (If VULNERABLE_ENV can be set by the attacker)
        • Likelihood: Medium
        • Impact: High (RCE)
        • Effort: Low
        • Skill Level: Low
        • Detection Difficulty: Medium
        • Mitigation: Sanitize environment variables used within artisan() calls in tests. Avoid directly using user-supplied or externally-influenced environment variables in sensitive commands.

Attack Tree Path: 1.2 Exploit Pest's Dataset Feature

• 1.2.1 Inject Malicious Code into Dataset Values (if datasets are not properly escaped) [HIGH RISK]
  • Description: Pest's dataset feature allows tests to be run with multiple sets of data. If these dataset values are used in contexts where code execution is possible (e.g., within eval(), shell commands, or database queries) without proper escaping, an attacker could inject malicious code.
  • Example: test('vulnerable test', function ($data) { eval($data); })->with(['malicious php code']);
  • Likelihood: Medium
  • Impact: High (RCE)
  • Effort: Low
  • Skill Level: Low
  • Detection Difficulty: Medium
  • Mitigation: Ensure that dataset values are properly escaped and sanitized before being used in any context where code execution is possible. Avoid using eval() or similar constructs with user-supplied data.

Attack Tree Path: 1.3 Exploit Pest's Plugin System [CRITICAL]

• Description: Pest plugins can extend the functionality of Pest. A malicious or compromised plugin could introduce vulnerabilities that lead to RCE or other security issues.
  • Why Critical: Plugins have access to the Pest testing environment and can potentially execute arbitrary code.
  • Mitigation: Carefully vet any third-party Pest plugins before installing them. Review the plugin's source code for potential vulnerabilities. Use a dependency management system (like Composer) to manage plugin versions and ensure they are up-to-date. Regularly update Pest plugins.

Attack Tree Path: 1.4 Exploit Pest's Underlying PHPUnit Dependencies [CRITICAL]

• Description: Pest is built on top of PHPUnit. Vulnerabilities in PHPUnit can therefore impact Pest.
  • Why Critical: PHPUnit is a fundamental component of Pest's testing infrastructure. Vulnerabilities in PHPUnit could allow an attacker to bypass Pest's security mechanisms.
  • Mitigation: Keep PHPUnit and its dependencies up-to-date. Monitor security advisories for PHPUnit.

Attack Tree Path: 2. Leak Sensitive Information

• 2.1 Access Sensitive Data Through Unintentional Exposure in Tests
  • 2.1.1 Dump Environment Variables in Test Output [HIGH RISK]
    • Description: Developers might accidentally print environment variables (which often contain secrets like API keys or database credentials) to the test output for debugging purposes.
    • Example: test('debug env', function () { dump($_ENV); });
    • Likelihood: Medium
    • Impact: Medium to High (Depends on the sensitivity of the variables)
    • Effort: Very Low
    • Skill Level: Very Low
    • Detection Difficulty: Low
    • Mitigation: Avoid printing sensitive environment variables or configuration values in test output. Use Pest's debugging features carefully and only in controlled environments.
  • 2.1.4 Expose Sensitive Data via dump() or dd() [HIGH RISK]
    • Description: Similar to dumping environment variables, developers might use dump() or dd() to inspect variables during debugging, potentially exposing sensitive data in the test output.
    • Example: test('debug data', function () { dd($sensitiveData); });
    • Likelihood: Medium
    • Impact: Medium to High (Depends on the data dumped)
    • Effort: Very Low
    • Skill Level: Very Low
    • Detection Difficulty: Low
    • Mitigation: Avoid using dump() or dd() with sensitive data in tests that might be run in less secure environments (e.g., CI/CD). Remove or comment out these debugging statements before committing code.