Objective: Execute Arbitrary Code OR Exfiltrate Sensitive Data via Faraday Exploitation
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| Attacker's Goal: Execute Arbitrary Code OR |
| Exfiltrate Sensitive Data via Faraday Exploitation |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
|
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| |
+-------------------------+ +---------------------------------+
| 1. Middleware Exploits | | 3. Core Faraday Vulnerabilities |
+-------------------------+ +---------------------------------+
| |
+---------------------+---------------------+ +---------------------+
| 1.a. Custom | 1.b. Known | | 3.b. Response |
| Middleware | Middleware | | Processing |
| Vulnerability | Vulnerability | | Vulnerability |
+---------------------+---------------------+ +---------------------+
| | |
+---------+---------+ +---------+---------+ +---------+
| 1.a.1. | 1.a.2. | | 1.b.1. | | | 3.b.1. |
| RCE | Data | | CVE in | | | Unsafe |
| via | Leakage | | popular | | | Deserial|
| custom | via | | MW | | | ization |
| MW | custom | | (e.g., | | | |
| [CRITI- | MW | | Rack) | | | [CRITI- |
| CAL] | [HIGH | | [HIGH | | | CAL] |
| | RISK] | | RISK] | | | |
+---------+---------+ +---------+---------+ +---------+
Attack Tree Path: 1. Middleware Exploits
1. Middleware Exploits
Attack Tree Path: 1.a. Custom Middleware Vulnerability
- 1.a. Custom Middleware Vulnerability
Attack Tree Path: 1.a.1. RCE via Custom MW [CRITICAL]
* **1.a.1. RCE via Custom MW [CRITICAL]**
* **Description:** An attacker exploits a vulnerability in custom-written Faraday middleware to execute arbitrary code on the server. This could be due to flaws like command injection, unsafe evaluation of user input, or insecure handling of file uploads.
* **Likelihood:** Medium (Depends heavily on the quality of custom code)
* **Impact:** Very High (Full server compromise)
* **Effort:** Medium (Requires finding and exploiting the vulnerability)
* **Skill Level:** Intermediate to Advanced
* **Detection Difficulty:** Medium to Hard (Depends on logging and intrusion detection systems)
* **Mitigation:**
* Rigorous code review of all custom middleware.
* Static analysis to identify potential vulnerabilities.
* Dynamic analysis (fuzzing) to test for unexpected behavior.
* Follow secure coding practices, avoiding dangerous functions and validating all input.
* Principle of least privilege: Ensure middleware operates with minimal necessary permissions.
Attack Tree Path: 1.a.2. Data Leakage via Custom MW [HIGH RISK]
* **1.a.2. Data Leakage via Custom MW [HIGH RISK]**
* **Description:** Sensitive data is unintentionally exposed through the custom middleware. This could happen through error messages, logging of sensitive information, or insecure data handling practices.
* **Likelihood:** Medium (Accidental exposure is common)
* **Impact:** Medium to High (Depends on the sensitivity of the leaked data)
* **Effort:** Low to Medium (May be as simple as observing error messages)
* **Skill Level:** Novice to Intermediate
* **Detection Difficulty:** Easy to Medium (May be visible in logs or responses)
* **Mitigation:**
* Carefully review error handling to avoid exposing sensitive information.
* Implement strict data sanitization and validation.
* Avoid logging sensitive data. If necessary, use secure logging practices and redact sensitive information.
* Enforce data access controls within the middleware.
Attack Tree Path: 1.b. Known Middleware Vulnerability
- 1.b. Known Middleware Vulnerability
Attack Tree Path: 1.b.1. CVE in Popular MW (e.g., Rack) [HIGH RISK]
* **1.b.1. CVE in Popular MW (e.g., Rack) [HIGH RISK]**
* **Description:** An attacker exploits a publicly known vulnerability (CVE) in a popular Faraday middleware gem (or a gem used *as* middleware, like Rack).
* **Likelihood:** Low to Medium (If using outdated versions; High if unpatched after CVE release)
* **Impact:** High to Very High (Depends on the specific CVE)
* **Effort:** Low (Public exploits often available)
* **Skill Level:** Novice to Intermediate (Script kiddies can use public exploits)
* **Detection Difficulty:** Easy to Medium (Signature-based detection, vulnerability scanners)
* **Mitigation:**
* Keep all middleware gems up-to-date.
* Use dependency checking tools (e.g., `bundler-audit`, Dependabot) to identify and remediate known vulnerabilities.
* Regularly review the middleware stack for unnecessary or outdated components.
* Implement a robust patching process to quickly address newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Attack Tree Path: 3. Core Faraday Vulnerabilities
- 3. Core Faraday Vulnerabilities
Attack Tree Path: 3.b. Response Processing Vulnerability
- 3.b. Response Processing Vulnerability
Attack Tree Path: 3.b.1. Unsafe Deserialization [CRITICAL]
* **3.b.1. Unsafe Deserialization [CRITICAL]**
* **Description:** Faraday (or, more likely, a middleware) uses an unsafe deserialization method (like `YAML.load` in Ruby) on untrusted data received in a response. This allows an attacker to inject malicious objects that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
* **Likelihood:** Low (If developers follow best practices; Medium if they don't)
* **Impact:** Very High (RCE)
* **Effort:** Low to Medium (Exploits are often straightforward)
* **Skill Level:** Intermediate
* **Detection Difficulty:** Medium (Can be detected with static analysis and dynamic testing)
* **Mitigation:**
* **Absolutely avoid unsafe deserialization methods.**
* Use safe alternatives: `JSON.parse` for JSON, `YAML.safe_load` for YAML.
* If you *must* use a potentially unsafe deserialization method, implement strict whitelisting of allowed classes and thoroughly validate the input before deserialization.
* Consider using a more secure serialization format if possible.