threat-modeling.md

Threat Model Analysis for faker-ruby/faker

Threat: Faker Library Vulnerabilities

• Description: An attacker could exploit a critical security vulnerability within the faker-ruby/faker library. This could potentially lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE) if a vulnerability allows for arbitrary code injection through crafted locale data or input processing within Faker. An attacker might attempt to trigger this by providing malicious input that is processed by Faker, although the attack vector is highly dependent on the specific vulnerability.
• Impact: Critical. Full application compromise, including data breaches, system takeover, and denial of service, depending on the nature of the vulnerability.
• Affected Faker Component: Any component of the faker-ruby/faker library containing the vulnerability, including core functions, locale data parsing, or specific data generation modules.
• Risk Severity: Critical (if RCE or similar high-impact vulnerability is present)
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Immediately update the faker-ruby/faker library to the latest version upon release of security patches.
  • Proactively monitor security advisories and vulnerability databases specifically for faker-ruby/faker and its dependencies.
  • Implement automated dependency scanning in the development pipeline to detect known vulnerabilities in Faker and other libraries.
  • In case of a discovered vulnerability with no immediate patch, consider temporarily removing or isolating Faker usage until a fix is available, if feasible.

Threat: Supply Chain Attack on Faker Library

• Description: A sophisticated attacker could compromise the faker-ruby/faker library's distribution infrastructure (e.g., RubyGems.org, GitHub repository) or the development/release process. By injecting malicious code into the library, attackers could distribute a compromised version to developers. If developers unknowingly use this compromised Faker version in their applications, the malicious code could execute within their applications, potentially granting the attacker persistent access, allowing data exfiltration, or enabling other malicious activities.
• Impact: Critical. Widespread application compromise affecting all applications using the compromised Faker version. Potential for massive data breaches, supply chain disruption, and long-term damage.
• Affected Faker Component: Entire faker-ruby/faker library distribution and potentially the systems of applications using it.
• Risk Severity: Critical (due to potential for widespread and severe impact)
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Utilize package managers with strong integrity checking mechanisms (e.g., bundler with checksum verification) to ensure downloaded dependencies are authentic and untampered with.
  • Closely monitor dependency updates and be highly cautious of unexpected changes in library versions, maintainers, or release processes. Investigate any anomalies thoroughly.
  • Consider using a private gem repository or dependency mirroring to have greater control over the source and integrity of dependencies, allowing for internal vetting before wider deployment.
  • Implement software composition analysis (SCA) tools that can detect not only known vulnerabilities but also potentially suspicious code changes in dependencies.
  • Practice secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) principles, including code reviews and security testing, even for development dependencies.