threat-modeling.md

Threat Model Analysis for spatie/laravel-permission

Threat: Role Escalation via Direct Database Manipulation

• Description: An attacker gains access to the database (e.g., through a separate SQL injection vulnerability or compromised credentials) and directly modifies the model_has_roles or role_has_permissions tables to assign themselves a higher-privilege role (like "Admin"). This bypasses the package's intended authorization flow.
• Impact: The attacker gains full administrative control over the application, potentially able to access sensitive data, modify user accounts, or even take the application offline.
• Affected Component: Database tables: model_has_roles, role_has_permissions, roles. While the package doesn't directly cause this, it relies on the integrity of these tables.
• Risk Severity: Critical
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Database Security: Implement strong database security measures (firewalls, intrusion detection, strong passwords, least-privilege database user accounts). This is paramount as the package relies on a secure database.
  • SQL Injection Prevention: Prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities throughout the entire application (not just the parts using this package).
  • Database Auditing: Regularly audit database access logs for suspicious activity.
  • Data Backups: Maintain regular, secure backups to allow for recovery in case of a successful attack.

Threat: Permission Escalation via Direct Database Manipulation

• Description: Similar to role escalation, but the attacker directly modifies the model_has_permissions table to grant themselves specific permissions without needing to change their role. This bypasses the package's intended authorization flow.
• Impact: The attacker gains access to specific functionalities or data protected by the assigned permissions, potentially bypassing intended role-based restrictions.
• Affected Component: Database table: model_has_permissions. The package relies on the integrity of this table.
• Risk Severity: High
• Mitigation Strategies: (Same as Role Escalation via Direct Database Manipulation)
  • Database Security: Implement strong database security measures.
  • SQL Injection Prevention: Prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities.
  • Database Auditing: Regularly audit database access logs.
  • Data Backups: Maintain regular, secure backups.

Threat: Wildcard Permission Abuse

• Description: A developer uses the wildcard character (*) in givePermissionTo too broadly (e.g., $role->givePermissionTo('*')), granting a role access to all existing and future permissions. This is a direct misuse of a package feature.
• Impact: A role unintentionally gains access to a wide range of functionalities, potentially including sensitive operations, as new permissions are added to the system. This can lead to unintended privilege escalation over time.
• Affected Component: The givePermissionTo method and the way permissions are assigned to roles within the package's API.
• Risk Severity: High
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Avoid Wildcards: Avoid using wildcards when assigning permissions unless absolutely necessary and fully understood.
  • Explicit Permissions: Explicitly define and assign individual permissions to roles.
  • Regular Review: If wildcards are used, regularly review them to ensure they remain appropriate and haven't become overly permissive.

Threat: Package Vulnerability Exploitation

• Description: An attacker exploits a newly discovered vulnerability in the spatie/laravel-permission package itself. This is a direct threat to the package.
• Impact: The impact depends on the specific vulnerability, but could range from information disclosure to complete system compromise.
• Affected Component: The spatie/laravel-permission package itself.
• Risk Severity: Variable (depends on the vulnerability), potentially Critical.
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Keep Updated: Keep the package updated to the latest version. Regularly check for security updates and apply them promptly.
  • Monitor Advisories: Monitor security advisories and community forums related to the package.
  • Dependency Management: Use a dependency management tool (like Composer) to track and manage package versions.