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Mitigation Strategies Analysis for lewagon/setup

Mitigation Strategy: Thorough Code Review and Vetting of setup Scripts

  • Description:

    1. Obtain the Scripts: Before execution, obtain a local copy of the lewagon/setup repository's shell scripts (.sh files).
    2. Open in a Text Editor: Use a text editor or IDE with syntax highlighting.
    3. Line-by-Line Analysis: Examine each line, focusing on:
      • External Commands: (curl, wget, apt-get, gem install).
      • URLs and Sources: Verify URLs are official and trusted.
      • Hardcoded Values: Look for (and remove) any hardcoded credentials.
      • System Modifications: Identify commands that modify system settings.
      • Unknown Commands: Research any unfamiliar commands.
    4. Document Findings: Note any potential issues.
    5. Collaborative Review (Recommended): Have another developer review.
    6. Address Concerns: Modify scripts or contact maintainers before execution.

  • List of Threats Mitigated:

    • Supply Chain Attacks (High Severity): Reduces risk of executing malicious code.
    • Configuration Errors (Medium Severity): Identifies potentially insecure configurations.
    • Exposure of Sensitive Information (High Severity): Prevents hardcoded credentials.
    • Execution of Unintended Commands (Medium Severity): Ensures only intended commands are run.

  • Impact:

    • Supply Chain Attacks: Significantly reduces risk.
    • Configuration Errors: Moderately reduces risk.
    • Exposure of Sensitive Information: Eliminates risk of hardcoded credentials.
    • Execution of Unintended Commands: Eliminates risk.

  • Currently Implemented:

    • Partially implemented (depends on individual developer habits).

  • Missing Implementation:

    • No formal code review process is mandated or documented in lewagon/setup. A checklist/guide would help.

Mitigation Strategy: Pinning Dependencies and Using Checksums (within the Scripts)

  • Description:

    1. Fork or Copy: Fork the repository or copy relevant script sections.
    2. Identify Dependencies: Analyze scripts to list all software being installed.
    3. Determine Specific Versions: Research desired, stable versions of each dependency.
    4. Modify Installation Commands: Update commands to specify exact versions:
      • apt-get install ruby=2.7.4-1 (not apt-get install ruby)
      • gem install rails -v 6.1.4 (not gem install rails)
    5. Obtain Checksums: Get official checksums (SHA256, etc.) for downloaded files.
    6. Integrate Checksum Verification: Add commands to verify checksums before installation: 
      wget https://example.com/somefile.tar.gz
echo "expected_checksum  somefile.tar.gz" | sha256sum -c -
    7. Test Thoroughly: Test modified scripts in an isolated environment.

  • List of Threats Mitigated:

    • Supply Chain Attacks (High Severity): Prevents installation of compromised packages.
    • Outdated Components (Medium Severity): Uses known-good versions.
    • Inconsistent Environments (Low Severity): Promotes reproducible environments.

  • Impact:

    • Supply Chain Attacks: Significantly reduces risk.
    • Outdated Components: Eliminates risk (if pinned versions are chosen well).
    • Inconsistent Environments: Greatly improves consistency.

  • Currently Implemented:

    • Not implemented in the base lewagon/setup repository.

  • Missing Implementation:

    • lewagon/setup scripts install latest versions without specifying versions or checksums. This needs to be added to a forked/modified version.

Mitigation Strategy: Modify Scripts for Secure Environment Variable Handling

  • Description:

    1. Identify Sensitive Variables: Find all environment variables in the scripts containing sensitive data.
    2. Remove Hardcoded Values: Delete any instances where sensitive values are directly written in the scripts.
    3. Replace with Variable References: Use standard environment variable syntax (e.g., $API_KEY, ${DATABASE_PASSWORD}) in place of the hardcoded values.
    4. Document Required Variables: Create clear documentation (e.g., a README section or comments within the scripts) listing all the required environment variables and their purpose. This documentation should not include the actual values.
    5. Provide Instructions for Setting Variables: Clearly explain how users should set these variables (using .env files, system environment, or a secrets manager – outside of the scripts themselves). Emphasize not committing .env files.

  • List of Threats Mitigated:

    • Exposure of Sensitive Information (High Severity): Prevents credentials from being stored in the scripts.

  • Impact:

    • Exposure of Sensitive Information: Eliminates the risk of hardcoded credentials within the setup scripts.

  • Currently Implemented:

    • Partially implemented. lewagon/setup mentions .env files, but doesn't fully enforce their use within the scripts themselves.

  • Missing Implementation:

    • The scripts should be refactored to completely remove any hardcoded sensitive values and rely entirely on environment variables, with clear documentation on how to set those variables securely outside the scripts.

Mitigation Strategy: Minimize Installed Software (within the Scripts)

  • Description:

    1. Review Installation Commands: Examine all apt-get install, gem install, etc., commands in the scripts.
    2. Identify Project-Specific Needs: Determine which packages are absolutely essential for your project.
    3. Comment Out/Remove Unnecessary Installations: In your forked/copied scripts, comment out or delete the installation commands for any packages you don't need.
    4. Test After Modification: Thoroughly test the modified scripts to ensure your development environment still works.
    5. Document Changes: Keep notes on what was removed and why.

  • List of Threats Mitigated:

    • Attack Surface Reduction (Medium Severity): Reduces potential vulnerabilities.

  • Impact:

    • Attack Surface Reduction: Moderately reduces risk.

  • Currently Implemented:

    • Not implemented in lewagon/setup.

  • Missing Implementation:

    • The scripts install a broad set of tools. Users need to actively customize the scripts (in a fork/copy) to remove unnecessary components. The documentation could encourage this.

Mitigation Strategy: Regularly Audit and Update Forked/Copied Scripts

  • Description:

    1. Establish a Schedule: Determine a regular schedule (e.g., monthly).
    2. Monitor Original Repository: Check the original lewagon/setup repository for updates.
    3. Review Changes: Carefully review changes, paying attention to:
      • Security Patches
      • New Dependencies
      • Script Improvements
    4. Merge Relevant Changes: Carefully merge relevant changes into your forked/copied version.
    5. Test After Merging: Thoroughly test the updated scripts.
    6. Document Updates: Keep a record of updates.

  • List of Threats Mitigated:

    • Outdated Components (Medium Severity): Keeps the environment up-to-date.
    • New Vulnerabilities (Medium Severity): Addresses potential vulnerabilities.

  • Impact:

    • Outdated Components: Significantly reduces risk.
    • New Vulnerabilities: Moderately reduces risk.

  • Currently Implemented:

    • Not implemented as a formal process.

  • Missing Implementation:

    • Documentation should emphasize ongoing maintenance and updating of forked scripts.