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Mitigation Strategies Analysis for lewagon/setup

Mitigation Strategy: Verify Repository Integrity

  • Mitigation Strategy: Verify Repository Integrity
  • Description:
    1. Access the lewagon/setup GitHub repository: Navigate to https://github.com/lewagon/setup.
    2. Examine Commit History: Click on "Commits" to view the commit history.
    3. Review Recent Commits: Carefully inspect the titles and descriptions of recent commits, especially those from unknown contributors or those making significant changes to core scripts.
    4. Compare with Known Good State (Optional): If you have previously used a specific commit hash that was considered secure, compare the current state with that older commit using Git diff tools.
    5. Fork the Repository (Optional - for enhanced control): Fork the lewagon/setup repository to your own GitHub account. This allows you to independently review and control changes before merging them into your local setup process.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Supply Chain Attack (High Severity)
    • Unauthorized Code Modification (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Supply Chain Attack (High Impact)
    • Unauthorized Code Modification (Medium Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Partially Implemented: GitHub provides commit history and diff tools, enabling manual verification.
    • Location: GitHub repository itself (https://github.com/lewagon/setup).
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Automated Verification
    • Signature Verification

Mitigation Strategy: Pin to Specific Commit Hash

  • Mitigation Strategy: Pin to Specific Commit Hash
  • Description:
    1. Identify a Stable Commit: Choose a specific commit hash of lewagon/setup that you have verified and tested to be stable and secure.
    2. Modify Setup Command: When using lewagon/setup, instead of referencing the main branch or latest version, specify the commit hash in your command. 
      curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/lewagon/setup/<COMMIT_HASH>/install.sh | bash
      Replace <COMMIT_HASH> with the chosen commit hash.
    3. Document the Commit Hash: Clearly document the commit hash used in your setup process.
    4. Regularly Review and Update (Controlled): Periodically review the lewagon/setup repository for updates and test them before updating the pinned commit hash.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Supply Chain Attack (Medium Severity)
    • Unexpected Changes (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Supply Chain Attack (Medium Impact)
    • Unexpected Changes (High Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Not Implemented in Script: Script itself doesn't enforce commit pinning.
    • User Responsibility: Users are responsible for manual implementation.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Guidance in Documentation
    • Script Enhancement (Optional)

Mitigation Strategy: Code Review the Script

  • Mitigation Strategy: Code Review the Script
  • Description:
    1. Download the Script: Download the install.sh script (or relevant setup script).
    2. Open in Text Editor: Open the downloaded script in a text editor or IDE.
    3. Step-by-Step Analysis: Read through the script line by line, understanding each command.
    4. Focus on Critical Sections: Pay close attention to sections that download code, install packages, modify system configurations, or use sudo.
    5. Identify Potential Risks: Look for unclear code, commands from untrusted sources, excessive sudo usage, privilege escalation potential, hardcoded secrets, or unnecessary installations.
    6. Seek Expert Review (Optional): Consider having a security expert review the script.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Malicious Code Execution (High Severity)
    • Unintended Vulnerabilities (Medium Severity)
    • Privilege Escalation (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Malicious Code Execution (High Impact)
    • Unintended Vulnerabilities (Medium Impact)
    • Privilege Escalation (Medium Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Not Implemented in Script: Code review is a manual process.
    • User Responsibility: Users are responsible for performing code reviews.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Automated Static Analysis (Potential Enhancement)
    • Checklist/Guidance for Review

Mitigation Strategy: Monitor for Repository Changes

  • Mitigation Strategy: Monitor for Repository Changes
  • Description:
    1. GitHub Watch Feature: Use GitHub's "Watch" feature to receive notifications for repository updates.
    2. Third-Party Monitoring Tools: Utilize third-party tools to monitor GitHub repositories for changes.
    3. Regular Manual Checks: Periodically visit the repository and check the commit history.
    4. Review Changes Upon Notification: Promptly review changes to understand their impact and security implications.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Supply Chain Attack (Medium Severity)
    • Unexpected Changes (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Supply Chain Attack (Medium Impact)
    • Unexpected Changes (Medium Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Not Implemented in Script: Repository monitoring is external to the script.
    • GitHub Features Available: GitHub provides built-in "Watch" feature.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Automated Notifications within Setup Process (Optional, Complex)
    • Clear Communication of Updates

Mitigation Strategy: Review Dependency Sources

  • Mitigation Strategy: Review Dependency Sources
  • Description:
    1. Identify Package Managers Used: Analyze the install.sh script to determine package managers used.
    2. List Dependency Sources: Identify configured package sources or repositories for each package manager.
    3. Verify Source Trustworthiness: Research and verify the trustworthiness and security of each dependency source.
    4. Investigate Unfamiliar Sources: Thoroughly investigate unfamiliar or less reputable sources.
    5. Minimize External Sources (Optional): Customize setup to rely on minimal, official, and well-vetted sources.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Dependency Confusion/Substitution Attack (Medium Severity)
    • Compromised Package Repository (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Dependency Confusion/Substitution Attack (Medium Impact)
    • Compromised Package Repository (Medium Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Not Implemented in Script: Dependency source review is manual.
    • Implicitly Relies on Standard Sources: Likely uses standard package manager configurations.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Documentation of Sources
    • Source Verification within Script (Complex)

Mitigation Strategy: Checksum Verification

  • Mitigation Strategy: Checksum Verification
  • Description:
    1. Analyze Download Commands: Review the install.sh script for download commands.
    2. Look for Checksum Verification: Check if the script verifies checksums of downloaded files.
    3. Verify Checksum Source: Ensure checksum values are from a trusted and secure source.
    4. Implement Checksum Verification (If Missing): Modify the script to include checksum verification for critical downloads if missing.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Man-in-the-Middle Attack (Medium Severity)
    • Download Corruption (Low Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Man-in-the-Middle Attack (Medium Impact)
    • Download Corruption (Low Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Likely Partially Implemented: Needs script analysis to verify.
    • Implementation Location: Within the install.sh script in download sections.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Comprehensive Checksum Verification
    • Clear Indication of Verification in Logs

Mitigation Strategy: Minimize Installed Software

  • Mitigation Strategy: Minimize Installed Software
  • Description:
    1. Review Installed Packages: Analyze the install.sh script to identify installed software.
    2. Assess Necessity: Evaluate if each installed item is strictly necessary for your workflow.
    3. Customize Setup (If Possible): Use customization options to deselect or skip unnecessary components.
    4. Fork and Modify (If Customization Limited): Fork and modify the script to remove installation of unwanted packages.
    5. Document Customizations: Document any customizations made to the setup process.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Increased Attack Surface (Medium Severity)
    • Resource Consumption (Low Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Increased Attack Surface (Medium Impact)
    • Resource Consumption (Low Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Likely Limited Customization: Designed for a specific curriculum.
    • Customization Options (Check Documentation): Users should check documentation.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Granular Customization Options
    • Modular Script Design

Mitigation Strategy: Version Pinning for Dependencies

  • Mitigation Strategy: Version Pinning for Dependencies
  • Description:
    1. Analyze Package Installation Commands: Examine the install.sh script for package installation commands.
    2. Check for Version Specification: Determine if the script specifies explicit versions for packages.
    3. Implement Version Pinning (If Missing): Modify the script to pin specific, known-secure versions of dependencies if missing.
    4. Regularly Review and Update Versions (Controlled): Periodically review and update versions after testing.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Vulnerable Dependencies (Medium Severity)
    • Dependency Conflicts/Breakage (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Vulnerable Dependencies (Medium Impact)
    • Dependency Conflicts/Breakage (Medium Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Likely Inconsistent Implementation: Might be implemented for some but not all.
    • Implementation Location: Within package installation commands in install.sh.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Consistent Version Pinning
    • Dependency Management File (Optional)

Mitigation Strategy: Minimize sudo Usage

  • Mitigation Strategy: Minimize sudo Usage
  • Description:
    1. Identify sudo Commands: Review install.sh and identify all sudo commands.
    2. Analyze Necessity: Analyze if elevated privileges are truly necessary for each sudo command.
    3. Explore Alternatives: Investigate alternatives that don't require sudo.
    4. Remove Unnecessary sudo: Remove sudo from commands where it's not strictly required.
    5. Isolate sudo Commands (If Unavoidable): Isolate necessary sudo commands to specific script sections.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities (Medium Severity)
    • Accidental System Damage (Low Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities (Medium Impact)
    • Accidental System Damage (Low Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Likely Necessary sudo for System-Wide Installations: Required for system-level changes.
    • Implementation Location: Throughout install.sh for system changes.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Justification for sudo Usage in Documentation
    • User Guidance on Reducing sudo

Mitigation Strategy: Principle of Least Privilege (Execution)

  • Mitigation Strategy: Principle of Least Privilege (Execution)
  • Description:
    1. Create Dedicated User (Optional, Enhanced Security): Consider creating a dedicated user for running the script.
    2. Run Script as Standard User: Execute install.sh as a standard user, without sudo for the entire script.
    3. Isolate sudo Prompts (If Necessary): Allow sudo prompts only when needed, not for the entire script.
    4. Avoid Running as Root User: Never run the script directly as root.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities (High Severity)
    • Accidental System Damage (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Privilege Escalation Vulnerabilities (High Impact)
    • Accidental System Damage (Medium Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • User Responsibility: Users are responsible for appropriate execution.
    • Script Prompts for sudo (Likely): Prompts when needed, not full root requirement.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Explicit Guidance in Documentation
    • Script Enforcement (Optional, Complex)

Mitigation Strategy: Sandbox or Virtualized Environment (Testing)

  • Mitigation Strategy: Sandbox or Virtualized Environment (Testing)
  • Description:
    1. Choose Virtualization Technology: Select virtualization or sandboxing technology.
    2. Create Isolated Environment: Set up an isolated virtual machine or sandbox.
    3. Run lewagon/setup in Isolated Environment: Execute the script within the isolated environment.
    4. Observe Behavior and Changes: Monitor script execution and system changes in isolation.
    5. Test and Validate: Test the installed environment in isolation.
    6. Apply to Primary System (After Validation): Apply setup to primary system only after validation in isolation.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Unintended System Modifications (Medium Severity)
    • Script Errors/Breakage (Medium Severity)
    • Malicious Activity Detection (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Unintended System Modifications (Medium Impact)
    • Script Errors/Breakage (Medium Impact)
    • Malicious Activity Detection (Medium Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Not Implemented in Script: Sandboxing/virtualization is external.
    • User Responsibility: Users are responsible for using isolated environments.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Documentation Recommendation
    • Pre-built VM Image (Optional, Complex)

Mitigation Strategy: Review System Configuration Changes

  • Mitigation Strategy: Review System Configuration Changes
  • Description:
    1. Document Expected Changes (Before Setup): Understand expected changes by reviewing script and documentation.
    2. Backup System (Highly Recommended): Create a system backup before running lewagon/setup.
    3. Monitor Changes During Setup (Optional, Advanced): Use system monitoring tools to observe changes during script execution.
    4. Post-Setup Review: Manually review system configuration files, environment variables, user permissions, etc., after setup.
    5. Compare with Expected Changes: Compare actual changes with expected changes to identify unexpected modifications.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Unintended System Modifications (Medium Severity)
    • Malicious Configuration Changes (Medium Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Unintended System Modifications (Medium Impact)
    • Malicious Configuration Changes (Medium Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Not Implemented in Script: System configuration review is manual.
    • User Responsibility: Users are responsible for reviewing system changes.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Detailed Documentation of Changes
    • Automated Change Logging (Optional, Complex)

Mitigation Strategy: Avoid Hardcoding Secrets

  • Mitigation Strategy: Avoid Hardcoding Secrets
  • Description:
    1. Script Code Review (Focus on Secrets): Review install.sh for hardcoded secrets.
    2. Identify Secret Handling Mechanisms: Determine how the script handles required secrets.
    3. Verify Secure Secret Handling: Ensure script uses secure methods like environment variables or user input prompts.
    4. Report Hardcoded Secrets (If Found): Report hardcoded secrets to maintainers and avoid using the script until resolved.
  • Threats Mitigated:
    • Secret Exposure in Code (High Severity)
    • Version Control Leakage (High Severity)
  • Impact:
    • Secret Exposure in Code (High Impact)
    • Version Control Leakage (High Impact)
  • Currently Implemented:
    • Likely Good Practice (Assumption): Assumed maintainers avoid hardcoding secrets.
    • Verification Required: Code review is needed to confirm.
  • Missing Implementation:
    • Automated Secret Scanning (Potential Enhancement)
    • Documentation on Secret Handling