Threat Model Analysis for presidentbeef/brakeman

Threat: Supply Chain Attack via Compromised Gem

Threat: Supply Chain Attack via Compromised Gem
- Description: An attacker compromises the Brakeman gem on RubyGems or a mirror. Developers unknowingly install the malicious gem. The compromised gem could contain code that introduces vulnerabilities into the development environment, steals credentials, or performs other malicious actions. While less likely, it could theoretically inject malicious code into the application being scanned, although this is not Brakeman's primary function.
- Impact: Compromise of the development environment, potential data theft, and, in a worst-case scenario, introduction of vulnerabilities into the application.
- Affected Brakeman Component: The entire Brakeman gem package (brakeman-*.gem).
- Risk Severity: Critical
- Mitigation Strategies:
  - Use a Gemfile.lock to pin the Brakeman version to a known-good version.
  - Regularly update dependencies, but review changes carefully.
  - Consider using gem signing to verify the authenticity of the gem.
  - Monitor security advisories for RubyGems and Brakeman.
  - Use a Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool.
  - Use a private gem repository with strict access controls.

Threat: False Negatives Leading to Undetected Vulnerabilities

Threat: False Negatives Leading to Undetected Vulnerabilities
- Description: An attacker exploits a vulnerability that Brakeman should have detected but didn't. This could be due to a limitation in Brakeman's rules, a new type of vulnerability not yet covered, or a complex code pattern that evades detection. The attacker might use a known exploit or develop a zero-day based on the missed vulnerability. This is a direct threat because it relates to Brakeman's core functionality failing.
- Impact: The application is compromised, leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, denial of service, or other negative consequences.
- Affected Brakeman Component: Potentially any of Brakeman's analysis modules (e.g., lib/brakeman/checks/, specific checkers like CheckCrossSiteScripting, CheckSQLInjection, etc.). The issue is a lack of a rule or an inadequate rule.
- Risk Severity: High
- Mitigation Strategies:
  - Supplement Brakeman with other security testing methods (DAST, IAST, manual code review, penetration testing).
  - Educate developers on secure coding practices.
  - Regularly update Brakeman.
  - Contribute to Brakeman by reporting false negatives.
  - Use multiple static analysis tools.

Threat: Using an Outdated Brakeman Version

Threat: Using an Outdated Brakeman Version
- Description: Developers continue to use an old version of Brakeman. Attackers exploit vulnerabilities that would have been detected by a newer version of Brakeman, as the old version lacks the necessary checks. This is a direct threat as it's a failure to utilize Brakeman's updated capabilities.
- Impact: The application is vulnerable to attacks that could have been prevented by updating Brakeman.
- Affected Brakeman Component: All analysis modules (lib/brakeman/checks/) are potentially affected, as new checks and updates are missed.
- Risk Severity: High
- Mitigation Strategies:
  - Implement a process for regularly updating Brakeman.
  - Automate updates within the CI/CD pipeline, with appropriate testing.
  - Subscribe to Brakeman's release announcements or changelog.
  - Use dependency management tools to enforce minimum version requirements.