Skip to content

Latest commit

 

History

History
309 lines (238 loc) · 18.4 KB

sec-design.md

File metadata and controls

309 lines (238 loc) · 18.4 KB

Okay, let's create a design document for the Octopress project, keeping in mind its purpose and potential security considerations.

BUSINESS POSTURE

Octopress is a static site generator primarily used for blogging. It's designed to be simple, flexible, and appealing to developers comfortable with the command line and Git.

Priorities:

  • Ease of use for developers familiar with Git and Markdown.
  • Fast and efficient static site generation.
  • Customizable themes and layouts.
  • Extensible through plugins.
  • Reliable content generation and deployment.

Goals:

  • Provide a user-friendly blogging platform for technical users.
  • Enable easy creation and management of static websites.
  • Offer a customizable and extensible framework.

Business Risks:

  • Data loss: Loss of blog content (posts, pages, configuration) due to user error, system failure, or malicious activity.
  • Website defacement: Unauthorized modification of the website's appearance or content.
  • Plugin vulnerabilities: Security flaws in third-party plugins could expose the website to attacks.
  • Exposure of sensitive information: Accidental publication of draft content, API keys, or other sensitive data within the generated site or the repository.
  • Supply chain attacks: Compromised dependencies or build tools could introduce malicious code.

SECURITY POSTURE

Existing Security Controls:

  • security control: Static Site Generation: Inherently more secure than dynamic sites as there's no server-side code execution (e.g., PHP, databases) directly exposed to the internet. (Described in project documentation and inherent to the design).
  • security control: Version Control (Git): All content and configuration are typically stored in a Git repository, providing version history, backups, and collaboration features. (Described in project documentation and inherent to the workflow).
  • security control: User-Managed Deployment: Deployment is typically handled by the user, allowing them to choose secure hosting providers and deployment methods (e.g., Netlify, Vercel, AWS S3 + CloudFront). (Described in project documentation).
  • security control: Limited Attack Surface: The generated output is purely static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, minimizing the attack surface.

Accepted Risks:

  • accepted risk: User Responsibility for Security: The security of the generated website largely depends on the user's choices regarding hosting, deployment, and plugin usage.
  • accepted risk: Third-Party Plugin Risks: Users are responsible for vetting and managing the security of any third-party plugins they install.
  • accepted risk: Dependency Vulnerabilities: Octopress relies on external dependencies (Ruby gems), which could potentially contain vulnerabilities.

Recommended Security Controls:

  • security control: Implement a Content Security Policy (CSP): A CSP can help mitigate the impact of XSS vulnerabilities by controlling the resources the browser is allowed to load.
  • security control: Regularly Update Dependencies: Keep Ruby gems and other dependencies up to date to patch known vulnerabilities. Automated dependency management tools can help with this.
  • security control: Use a Static Analysis Tool: Integrate a static analysis tool (e.g., Brakeman for Ruby) into the development workflow to identify potential security issues in the Octopress codebase and custom plugins.
  • security control: Sanitize User Input in Plugins: If developing custom plugins that handle user input, ensure proper sanitization and validation to prevent XSS and other injection vulnerabilities.
  • security control: Secure Configuration Management: Provide clear guidance to users on securely storing API keys and other sensitive configuration data (e.g., using environment variables, not committing secrets to the repository).

Security Requirements:

  • Authentication: Not directly applicable to the static site generation process itself. Authentication may be relevant for deployment workflows (e.g., SSH keys for deploying to a server) or for accessing protected resources during development.
  • Authorization: Not directly applicable to the static site generation process. Authorization might be relevant for collaborative workflows (e.g., controlling who can push changes to the Git repository).
  • Input Validation: Crucial for any custom plugins that accept user input. Input should be validated and sanitized to prevent XSS, code injection, and other vulnerabilities. This applies to theme development as well.
  • Cryptography:
    • Use HTTPS for the deployed website. This is a user responsibility but should be strongly emphasized in documentation.
    • If handling sensitive data during the build process (e.g., API keys), use secure storage mechanisms (e.g., environment variables, encrypted configuration files).
    • Consider using cryptographic signing for plugins or releases to verify their integrity.

DESIGN

C4 CONTEXT

graph LR
    User["User (Blogger/Developer)"] -- Writes Markdown, configures Octopress, runs commands --> Octopress["Octopress (Static Site Generator)"]
    Octopress -- Generates static files --> WebServer["Web Server (e.g., Netlify, AWS S3, GitHub Pages)"]
    User -- Views website --> WebBrowser["Web Browser"]
    WebBrowser -- Requests static files --> WebServer
    Octopress -- Uses --> Ruby["Ruby Environment"]
    Octopress -- Uses --> Gems["Ruby Gems (Dependencies)"]
    Octopress -- Uses --> Plugins["Octopress Plugins (Optional)"]
    Octopress -- Uses --> Themes["Octopress Themes"]
    User -- Manages --> GitRepo["Git Repository (Source Code & Content)"]
    Octopress -- Reads/Writes --> GitRepo
Loading

Element Descriptions:

  • Name: User (Blogger/Developer)

    • Type: Person
    • Description: The person who writes content, configures Octopress, and manages the blog.
    • Responsibilities: Writing content in Markdown, configuring Octopress settings, running Octopress commands, managing the Git repository, deploying the generated website.
    • Security controls: Strong passwords, secure SSH keys (if used for deployment), awareness of phishing and social engineering attacks.

  • Name: Octopress (Static Site Generator)

    • Type: Software System
    • Description: The core Octopress application that processes Markdown files and generates static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
    • Responsibilities: Parsing Markdown, applying themes, executing plugins, generating static files.
    • Security controls: Input validation (within plugins and core code), secure handling of configuration data, regular updates to address vulnerabilities.

  • Name: Web Server (e.g., Netlify, AWS S3, GitHub Pages)

    • Type: Software System
    • Description: The server that hosts the generated static files and serves them to web browsers.
    • Responsibilities: Serving static files, handling HTTP requests, potentially providing HTTPS.
    • Security controls: HTTPS configuration, access controls, regular security updates, DDoS protection.

  • Name: Web Browser

    • Type: Software System
    • Description: The user's web browser used to view the generated website.
    • Responsibilities: Rendering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, making HTTP requests.
    • Security controls: Browser security updates, safe browsing practices.

  • Name: Ruby Environment

    • Type: Software System
    • Description: The Ruby runtime environment required to run Octopress.
    • Responsibilities: Executing Ruby code.
    • Security controls: Use a supported and updated Ruby version.

  • Name: Gems (Ruby Gems)

    • Type: Software System
    • Description: External Ruby libraries used by Octopress.
    • Responsibilities: Providing functionality to Octopress.
    • Security controls: Regularly update gems, vet gem sources, use a dependency management tool (Bundler).

  • Name: Plugins (Octopress Plugins)

    • Type: Software System
    • Description: Optional extensions that add functionality to Octopress.
    • Responsibilities: Extending Octopress features.
    • Security controls: Thoroughly vet third-party plugins, write secure custom plugins with proper input validation.

  • Name: Themes (Octopress Themes)

    • Type: Software System
    • Description: Templates that define the visual appearance of the website.
    • Responsibilities: Defining the website's layout and styling.
    • Security controls: Sanitize any user-provided data used within themes, avoid using inline JavaScript if possible.

  • Name: Git Repository (Source Code & Content)

    • Type: Software System
    • Description: The Git repository storing the blog's source code, content, and configuration.
    • Responsibilities: Version control, collaboration, backup.
    • Security controls: Secure access controls (e.g., SSH keys, strong passwords), regular backups.

C4 CONTAINER

In the case of Octopress, the container diagram is very similar to the context diagram, as Octopress itself is the primary "container."

graph LR
    User["User (Blogger/Developer)"] -- Writes Markdown, configures, runs commands --> Octopress["Octopress (Static Site Generator)"]
    Octopress -- Generates static files --> StaticFiles["Static Files (HTML, CSS, JS)"]
    Octopress -- Uses --> Ruby["Ruby Interpreter"]
    Octopress -- Uses --> Gems["Ruby Gems (Dependencies)"]
    Octopress -- Uses --> Plugins["Octopress Plugins (Optional)"]
    Octopress -- Uses --> Themes["Octopress Themes"]
    User -- Manages --> GitRepo["Git Repository"]
    Octopress -- Reads/Writes --> GitRepo
     StaticFiles -- Served by --> WebServer["Web Server"]
Loading

Element Descriptions:

  • Name: User (Blogger/Developer)

    • Type: Person
    • Description: The person who writes content, configures Octopress, and manages the blog.
    • Responsibilities: Writing content in Markdown, configuring Octopress settings, running Octopress commands, managing the Git repository, deploying the generated website.
    • Security controls: Strong passwords, secure SSH keys (if used for deployment), awareness of phishing and social engineering attacks.

  • Name: Octopress (Static Site Generator)

    • Type: Application
    • Description: The core Octopress application.
    • Responsibilities: Parsing Markdown, applying themes, executing plugins, generating static files.
    • Security controls: Input validation (within plugins and core code), secure handling of configuration data, regular updates to address vulnerabilities.

  • Name: Static Files (HTML, CSS, JS)

    • Type: Data
    • Description: The generated output of Octopress.
    • Responsibilities: Representing the website's content and structure.
    • Security controls: None directly applicable, but the content should be generated securely by Octopress.

  • Name: Ruby Interpreter

    • Type: Application
    • Description: The Ruby runtime.
    • Responsibilities: Executing Ruby code.
    • Security controls: Use a supported and updated Ruby version.

  • Name: Gems (Ruby Gems)

    • Type: Library
    • Description: External Ruby libraries.
    • Responsibilities: Providing functionality to Octopress.
    • Security controls: Regularly update gems, vet gem sources, use a dependency management tool (Bundler).

  • Name: Plugins (Octopress Plugins)

    • Type: Library
    • Description: Optional Octopress extensions.
    • Responsibilities: Extending Octopress features.
    • Security controls: Thoroughly vet third-party plugins, write secure custom plugins with proper input validation.

  • Name: Themes (Octopress Themes)

    • Type: Library
    • Description: Templates for website appearance.
    • Responsibilities: Defining the website's layout and styling.
    • Security controls: Sanitize any user-provided data used within themes, avoid using inline JavaScript if possible.

  • Name: Git Repository

    • Type: Data
    • Description: Stores source code, content, and configuration.
    • Responsibilities: Version control, collaboration, and backup.
    • Security controls: Secure access controls (SSH keys, strong passwords) and regular backups.

  • Name: Web Server

    • Type: Application
    • Description: Hosts and serves the static files.
    • Responsibilities: Serving static files, handling HTTP requests, and potentially providing HTTPS.
    • Security controls: HTTPS configuration, access controls, regular security updates, and DDoS protection.

DEPLOYMENT

Octopress generates static files, so deployment involves placing these files on a web server. Several options exist:

  1. Hosting Providers (Netlify, Vercel, AWS Amplify): These platforms offer continuous deployment, automatically building and deploying the site from a Git repository.
  2. Cloud Storage (AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage): Static files can be uploaded to cloud storage buckets and served directly or through a CDN (e.g., AWS CloudFront).
  3. Traditional Web Servers (Apache, Nginx): Files can be manually copied to a server via FTP, SCP, or other methods.
  4. GitHub Pages: A simple option for hosting directly from a GitHub repository.

Chosen Deployment Solution: Netlify (Continuous Deployment)

graph LR
    GitRepo["Git Repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)"] -- Push --> Netlify["Netlify"]
    Netlify -- Build & Deploy --> NetlifyCDN["Netlify CDN"]
    User["User"] -- HTTPS --> NetlifyCDN
Loading

Element Descriptions:

  • Name: Git Repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)

    • Type: Infrastructure
    • Description: The repository hosting the Octopress source code and content.
    • Responsibilities: Version control, collaboration.
    • Security controls: Secure access controls (SSH keys, strong passwords), branch protection rules.

  • Name: Netlify

    • Type: Platform
    • Description: The hosting platform that provides continuous deployment.
    • Responsibilities: Building the site from the Git repository, deploying to the CDN, managing SSL certificates.
    • Security controls: Netlify's built-in security features (HTTPS, DDoS protection), secure build environment.

  • Name: Netlify CDN

    • Type: Infrastructure
    • Description: Netlify's Content Delivery Network.
    • Responsibilities: Serving static files globally, caching content for performance.
    • Security controls: HTTPS, DDoS protection, WAF (optional).

  • Name: User

    • Type: Person
    • Description: The person accessing the website.
    • Responsibilities: Browsing the website.
    • Security controls: Using a secure browser, safe browsing practices.

BUILD

The build process involves running Octopress commands to generate the static website. While Octopress doesn't have a complex build system like some other frameworks, security considerations still apply.

graph LR
    Developer["Developer"] -- Writes code/content --> LocalMachine["Local Machine"]
    LocalMachine -- Runs Octopress commands --> Ruby["Ruby Environment"]
    Ruby -- Uses --> Gems["Ruby Gems"]
    Ruby -- Executes --> Octopress["Octopress Code"]
    Octopress -- Reads --> SourceFiles["Source Files (Markdown, config, etc.)"]
    Octopress -- Generates --> StaticFiles["Static Files (HTML, CSS, JS)"]
    Developer -- Pushes to --> GitRepo["Git Repository"]
    GitRepo -- Triggers build on --> DeploymentPlatform["Deployment Platform (e.g., Netlify)"]
    DeploymentPlatform -- Builds & Deploys --> CDN["CDN"]
Loading

Security Controls in Build Process:

  • Dependency Management: Use Bundler to manage Ruby gem dependencies and ensure consistent versions across environments. Regularly run bundle update to get the latest security patches.
  • Static Analysis: Integrate a static analysis tool (e.g., Brakeman) into the local development workflow and/or the CI/CD pipeline (if using one) to identify potential security vulnerabilities in the Octopress codebase or custom plugins.
  • Secure Configuration: Advise users to avoid committing sensitive information (API keys, passwords) directly to the Git repository. Recommend using environment variables or other secure configuration mechanisms.
  • Plugin Security: Emphasize the importance of vetting third-party plugins before installation. Provide guidance on writing secure custom plugins, including input validation and sanitization.
  • Deployment Platform Security: If using a continuous deployment platform (Netlify, Vercel, etc.), leverage its built-in security features (e.g., HTTPS, access controls).
  • Supply Chain Security: While Octopress itself is relatively small, it's still important to be aware of potential supply chain risks. Regularly review the dependencies and their security posture.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Critical Business Processes:

  • Content Creation and Publication: The ability to create, edit, and publish blog posts and other content.
  • Website Availability: Ensuring the website is accessible to visitors.
  • Brand Reputation: Maintaining a positive brand image, which can be damaged by website defacement or security breaches.

Data to Protect:

  • Blog Content (Posts, Pages): Sensitivity: Low to Medium (depending on the content). Loss of content can be disruptive, but most content is intended for public consumption.
  • Configuration Files: Sensitivity: Medium to High. May contain API keys, deployment credentials, or other sensitive information.
  • Draft Posts: Sensitivity: Medium. May contain unpublished or sensitive information.
  • User Data (if collected through plugins): Sensitivity: Varies depending on the data collected (e.g., comments, email addresses). Compliance with privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) is crucial.

QUESTIONS & ASSUMPTIONS

Questions:

  • Are there any specific compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) that need to be considered? This is primarily relevant if the blog collects user data through plugins or forms.
  • What is the expected level of technical expertise of the typical Octopress user? This helps tailor security recommendations and documentation.
  • Are there any plans to introduce new features that might have security implications (e.g., user authentication, commenting systems)?

Assumptions:

  • BUSINESS POSTURE: The primary goal is to provide a simple, secure, and customizable blogging platform for technical users.
  • SECURITY POSTURE: Users are responsible for the security of their chosen hosting environment and any third-party plugins they install. Octopress itself aims to minimize inherent security risks through its static nature.
  • DESIGN: The deployment model will typically involve a Git-based workflow and a static hosting provider (e.g., Netlify, AWS S3). The build process relies on Ruby and Bundler for dependency management.