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attack-surface.md

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Attack Surface Analysis for stripe/stripe-python

Attack Surface: Secret Key Exposure

  • Description: Unauthorized access to the Stripe secret API key (sk_...).
  • How stripe-python Contributes: The library requires the secret key to perform actions on behalf of the Stripe account. The library is the mechanism through which the key is used, making its secure handling paramount. The library itself doesn't introduce the vulnerability in the sense of having a bug, but it's the tool that uses the key.
  • Example: A developer accidentally commits the secret key to a public GitHub repository.
  • Impact: Complete compromise of the Stripe account. An attacker can make charges, issue refunds, access all customer data, and change account settings.
  • Risk Severity: Critical
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Never hardcode the secret key in the application code.
    • Use environment variables, ensuring they are securely configured (restricted permissions, encryption where possible).
    • Employ a dedicated secrets management service (AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault, Azure Key Vault, Google Cloud Secret Manager).
    • Rotate API keys regularly (Stripe dashboard allows this).
    • Implement strict access controls on the server and development environments.
    • Use .gitignore (or equivalent) to prevent accidental commits of configuration files.
    • Conduct regular code reviews, focusing on secure key handling.
    • Use automated code scanning tools to detect exposed secrets.

Attack Surface: Webhook Signature Verification Failure

  • Description: Failure to verify the cryptographic signature of incoming webhook requests from Stripe.
  • How stripe-python Contributes: The library provides the stripe.Webhook.construct_event() function specifically for verifying webhook signatures. Failure to use this function correctly (or at all) is the direct cause of the vulnerability. This is a direct involvement because the library provides the intended secure mechanism, and the vulnerability arises from not using it.
  • Example: An attacker sends a forged webhook request claiming a payment was successful, and the application doesn't verify the signature, leading to fulfillment of an order without actual payment.
  • Impact: Fraudulent transactions, data inconsistencies, potential financial loss. The attacker can simulate any webhook event.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Always use stripe.Webhook.construct_event() to verify the signature of every incoming webhook request. This is the only reliable way to ensure the request originated from Stripe.
    • Obtain the webhook signing secret from the Stripe dashboard (webhook endpoint settings).
    • Handle exceptions raised by construct_event() appropriately (log the error, reject the request). Do not process the webhook if signature verification fails.
    • Implement a mechanism to prevent replay attacks (e.g., checking timestamps or using nonces, as provided by Stripe's webhook event structure).

Attack Surface: Using Outdated stripe-python Versions

  • Description: Using an old version of the library that contains known security vulnerabilities or lacks important security features.
  • How stripe-python Contributes: The vulnerability exists within the outdated library code itself. Newer versions often include security patches. This is a direct involvement because the vulnerable code is the stripe-python library.
  • Example: A vulnerability is discovered in an older version of stripe-python that allows an attacker to bypass certain security checks.
  • Impact: Varies depending on the specific vulnerability, but could range from data exposure to complete account compromise.
  • Risk Severity: High (depending on the vulnerability)
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Regularly update the stripe-python library to the latest stable version.
    • Use a dependency management tool (e.g., pip, Poetry) to track and manage dependencies.
    • Monitor security advisories and release notes for the stripe-python library.
    • Consider using automated dependency update tools (e.g., Dependabot).