attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for puppetlabs/puppet

Objective: Execute Arbitrary Code on Target System(s) Managed by Puppet

Attack Tree Visualization

Attack Goal: Execute Arbitrary Code on Target System(s) Managed by Puppet

└── OR Compromise Puppet Master Server [CRITICAL NODE] ├── OR Exploit Puppet Master Software Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Exploit Known CVEs in Puppet Server [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Exploit Vulnerabilities in Master's Dependencies (e.g., Ruby, OS) [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── OR Gain Unauthorized Access to Puppet Master Server [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Credential Theft (Admin/API) [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Phishing attacks targeting Puppet administrators. [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Password reuse or weak passwords for admin accounts. [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Exploit Web Server Vulnerabilities (if Master UI is exposed) [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Common web application vulnerabilities (misconfigurations in webserver serving Puppet UI). [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Exploit OS/Infrastructure Vulnerabilities on Master Server [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Social Engineering against Puppet Administrators [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── OR Malicious Module Injection/Modification [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Compromise Puppet Forge Account (if used) [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Direct Modification of Modules on Master Filesystem [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Supply Chain Attack via Compromised Modules [HIGH RISK PATH] └── OR Exploit Misconfigurations in Puppet Setup [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── OR Weak Access Controls in Puppet Enterprise (if used) [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Inadequate Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Default Credentials or Weak Passwords for Puppet Enterprise Components [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── OR Insecure Module Sources [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Using Untrusted or Unverified Module Sources [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Lack of Module Signing and Verification [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── OR Overly Permissive Manifests [HIGH RISK PATH] ├── Manifests with Excessive Privileges (e.g., running as root unnecessarily) [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Manifests with Insecure Code Practices [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Manifests containing insecure coding practices (e.g., command injection vulnerabilities in exec resources, insecure file permissions). [HIGH RISK PATH] └── OR Insecure Secrets Management [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Hardcoding Secrets in Manifests [HIGH RISK PATH] └── Storing sensitive information (passwords, API keys) directly in Puppet manifests, making them easily accessible. [HIGH RISK PATH]

Attack Tree Path: Compromise Puppet Master Server [CRITICAL NODE]

This is the most critical node because compromising the Puppet Master allows an attacker to control the configuration of all managed nodes, leading to widespread compromise.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Puppet Master Software Vulnerabilities [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Exploit Known CVEs in Puppet Server [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vectors:
    • Researching publicly disclosed vulnerabilities (CVEs) for the specific Puppet Server version in use.
    • Utilizing publicly available exploits or developing custom exploits to target these vulnerabilities.
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities in exposed Puppet Server interfaces or APIs.
• Exploit Vulnerabilities in Master's Dependencies (e.g., Ruby, OS) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vectors:
    • Identifying vulnerable dependencies used by Puppet Server (e.g., Ruby version, operating system libraries).
    • Researching and exploiting known CVEs in these dependencies.
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities in the underlying operating system or infrastructure hosting the Puppet Master.

Attack Tree Path: Gain Unauthorized Access to Puppet Master Server [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Credential Theft (Admin/API) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Phishing attacks targeting Puppet administrators [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Attack Vectors:
      • Crafting targeted phishing emails or messages designed to trick Puppet administrators into revealing their credentials.
      • Creating fake login pages or websites that mimic Puppet Master interfaces to steal credentials.
  • Password reuse or weak passwords for admin accounts [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Attack Vectors:
      • Exploiting password reuse by administrators across different systems.
      • Using password cracking techniques (brute-force, dictionary attacks) against weak or default passwords.
      • Compromising other systems where administrators use the same credentials.
• Exploit Web Server Vulnerabilities (if Master UI is exposed) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Common web application vulnerabilities (misconfigurations in webserver serving Puppet UI) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Attack Vectors:
      • Exploiting common web application vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), or insecure direct object references in the Puppet Master UI.
      • Exploiting misconfigurations in the web server (e.g., Apache, Nginx) hosting the Puppet Master UI.
• Exploit OS/Infrastructure Vulnerabilities on Master Server [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vectors:
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities in the operating system running on the Puppet Master server.
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities in network services running on the Puppet Master server.
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities in the virtualization platform or cloud infrastructure hosting the Puppet Master.
• Social Engineering against Puppet Administrators [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vectors:
    • Tricking administrators into installing malicious software on the Puppet Master server.
    • Manipulating administrators into granting unauthorized access to the Puppet Master.
    • Using social engineering tactics to gain information that can be used to compromise the Puppet Master.

Attack Tree Path: Malicious Module Injection/Modification [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Compromise Puppet Forge Account (if used) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vectors:
    • Credential theft of Puppet Forge account holders through phishing or other methods.
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities in the Puppet Forge platform itself to gain unauthorized access.
    • Uploading malicious modules to the Puppet Forge under a compromised account.
• Direct Modification of Modules on Master Filesystem [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vectors:
    • Gaining unauthorized access to the Puppet Master server's filesystem.
    • Directly modifying existing modules on the Master server to inject malicious code.
    • Replacing legitimate modules with malicious ones.
• Supply Chain Attack via Compromised Modules [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Attack Vectors:
    • Creating seemingly legitimate but malicious Puppet modules and publishing them on the Puppet Forge or other module repositories.
    • Compromising legitimate module maintainers or repositories to inject malicious code into existing modules.
    • Utilizing publicly available modules that already contain backdoors or vulnerabilities.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Misconfigurations in Puppet Setup [HIGH RISK PATH]

• Weak Access Controls in Puppet Enterprise (if used) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Inadequate Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Attack Vectors:
      • Exploiting overly permissive RBAC configurations to gain unauthorized access to Puppet resources and actions.
      • Escalating privileges within Puppet Enterprise due to misconfigured RBAC rules.
  • Default Credentials or Weak Passwords for Puppet Enterprise Components [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Attack Vectors:
      • Utilizing default credentials for Puppet Enterprise console, databases, or other components.
      • Exploiting weak or easily guessable passwords for Puppet Enterprise components.
• Insecure Module Sources [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Using Untrusted or Unverified Module Sources [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Attack Vectors:
      • Relying on module sources that are not officially vetted or known to be secure.
      • Downloading and using modules from unknown or untrusted repositories.
  • Lack of Module Signing and Verification [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Attack Vectors:
      • Exploiting the absence of module signing and verification to easily modify or replace modules without detection.
      • Distributing tampered modules that appear legitimate due to lack of signature verification.
• Overly Permissive Manifests [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Manifests with Excessive Privileges (e.g., running as root unnecessarily) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Attack Vectors:
      • Exploiting vulnerabilities within manifests that run with elevated privileges (e.g., root).
      • Leveraging excessive privileges to perform unauthorized actions on managed nodes.
  • Manifests with Insecure Code Practices [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Manifests containing insecure coding practices (e.g., command injection vulnerabilities in exec resources, insecure file permissions) [HIGH RISK PATH]:
      • Attack Vectors:
        • Exploiting command injection vulnerabilities in exec resources within Puppet manifests.
        • Manipulating file permissions insecurely through Puppet manifests.
        • Injecting malicious code into manifests that is executed on managed nodes.
• Insecure Secrets Management [HIGH RISK PATH]:
  • Hardcoding Secrets in Manifests [HIGH RISK PATH]:
    • Storing sensitive information (passwords, API keys) directly in Puppet manifests, making them easily accessible [HIGH RISK PATH]:
      • Attack Vectors:
        • Scanning Puppet manifests for hardcoded secrets (passwords, API keys, etc.).
        • Extracting secrets from publicly accessible or compromised Puppet repositories.
        • Using exposed secrets to gain unauthorized access to systems and data.