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Attack Tree Analysis for rust-lang/mdbook

Objective: Compromise mdbook Application

Attack Tree Visualization

[CRITICAL NODE] Compromise mdbook Application ├───[OR]─► [CRITICAL NODE] Exploit mdbook Core Vulnerabilities │ ├───[OR]─► [CRITICAL NODE] Input Manipulation Vulnerabilities │ │ ├───[AND]─► [HIGH RISK PATH] Malicious Markdown Injection │ │ │ ├───► 1. [HIGH RISK PATH] Inject Malicious HTML/JavaScript via Markdown │ │ │ │ └───► [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Exploit XSS in Application (if application processes mdbook output unsafely) │ └───[OR]─► [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Dependency Vulnerabilities │ ├───► 1. [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Exploit Vulnerabilities in mdbook's Dependencies (e.g., pulldown-cmark, handlebars, etc.) └───[OR]─► [CRITICAL NODE] Exploit mdbook Ecosystem Vulnerabilities (Themes & Plugins) ├───[OR]─► [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Theme Vulnerabilities │ ├───► 1. [HIGH RISK PATH] Malicious Theme Installation │ │ └───► 2. [HIGH RISK PATH] Theme Vulnerabilities (XSS, etc.) in legitimate themes └───[OR]─► [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Plugin Vulnerabilities ├───► 1. [HIGH RISK PATH] Malicious Plugin Installation └───► 2. [HIGH RISK PATH] Plugin Vulnerabilities (RCE, XSS, etc.) in legitimate plugins

Attack Tree Path: [CRITICAL NODE] Compromise mdbook Application

This is the root goal of the attacker. Success means gaining unauthorized control or causing significant damage to the application using mdbook.

Attack Tree Path: [CRITICAL NODE] Exploit mdbook Core Vulnerabilities

Attackers aim to exploit vulnerabilities within the core mdbook software itself, excluding themes and plugins.

Attack Tree Path: [CRITICAL NODE] Input Manipulation Vulnerabilities

This focuses on vulnerabilities arising from how mdbook processes input, primarily Markdown content and potentially configuration files.

Attack Tree Path: [HIGH RISK PATH] Malicious Markdown Injection

Attackers inject malicious content directly into Markdown files that are processed by mdbook. This is a high-risk path because Markdown allows embedding raw HTML, which can be exploited if not handled carefully.

  • Attack Vectors:
    • 1. [HIGH RISK PATH] Inject Malicious HTML/JavaScript via Markdown:

      • Attackers embed HTML tags, including <script> tags, within Markdown content.

      • When mdbook generates HTML from this Markdown, the malicious HTML is included in the output.

      • If the application serving the mdbook output does not properly sanitize or use Content Security Policy (CSP), this injected JavaScript can execute in users' browsers.

      • Result: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability.

      • [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Exploit XSS in Application (if application processes mdbook output unsafely):

        • Successful exploitation of the injected JavaScript.
        • Impact: Full XSS vulnerability, allowing attackers to:
          • Steal user session cookies and credentials.
          • Deface the application.
          • Redirect users to malicious websites.
          • Perform actions on behalf of the user.
          • Potentially gain further access to backend systems if the application is not properly isolated.

Attack Tree Path: [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Dependency Vulnerabilities

Attackers target vulnerabilities in the external libraries (dependencies) that mdbook relies upon. This is a high-risk path because dependencies are often numerous and can contain undiscovered or unpatched vulnerabilities.

* **Attack Vectors:**
    * **1. [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Exploit Vulnerabilities in mdbook's Dependencies (e.g., `pulldown-cmark`, `handlebars`, etc.):**
        * Identify known vulnerabilities in the versions of dependencies used by mdbook.
        * Leverage publicly available exploits or develop custom exploits for these vulnerabilities.
        * **Impact:** Depending on the specific vulnerability, attackers could achieve:
            * **Remote Code Execution (RCE):** Gain complete control over the server or build environment.
            * **Denial of Service (DoS):** Crash the application or build process.
            * **Information Disclosure:** Access sensitive data.

Attack Tree Path: [CRITICAL NODE] Exploit mdbook Ecosystem Vulnerabilities (Themes & Plugins)

Attackers target vulnerabilities within the mdbook ecosystem, specifically themes and plugins, which are extensions to the core functionality.

Attack Tree Path: [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Theme Vulnerabilities

Themes customize the appearance of mdbook and can include JavaScript and CSS. Vulnerabilities in themes, especially XSS, are a high risk.

* **Attack Vectors:**
    * **1. [HIGH RISK PATH] Malicious Theme Installation:**
        * If the application allows installation of themes from untrusted sources, attackers can provide a malicious theme.
        * The malicious theme contains JavaScript code designed to exploit vulnerabilities.
        * **Impact:** Primarily XSS vulnerabilities, similar to Markdown injection XSS.

    * **2. [HIGH RISK PATH] Theme Vulnerabilities (XSS, etc.) in legitimate themes:**
        * Even themes from seemingly legitimate sources might contain unintentional vulnerabilities, such as XSS flaws in their JavaScript code.
        * Attackers can discover and exploit these existing vulnerabilities.
        * **Impact:** XSS vulnerabilities, as described above.

Attack Tree Path: [CRITICAL NODE, HIGH RISK PATH] Plugin Vulnerabilities

Plugins extend mdbook's functionality and can execute arbitrary code during the build process. Vulnerabilities in plugins, especially RCE, are a significant high risk.

* **Attack Vectors:**
    * **1. [HIGH RISK PATH] Malicious Plugin Installation:**
        * If the application allows installation of plugins from untrusted sources, attackers can provide a malicious plugin.
        * The malicious plugin contains code designed to compromise the build environment or the application.
        * **Impact:**
            * **Remote Code Execution (RCE) during build process:** Gain control over the build server.
            * **Data Exfiltration during build process:** Steal sensitive data from the build environment.
            * **Supply Chain Attacks:** Compromise the built mdbook output to affect users.

    * **2. [HIGH RISK PATH] Plugin Vulnerabilities (RCE, XSS, etc.) in legitimate plugins:**
        * Even plugins from seemingly legitimate sources might contain unintentional vulnerabilities, including RCE or XSS flaws in their code.
        * Attackers can discover and exploit these existing vulnerabilities.
        * **Impact:** RCE, XSS, Data Exfiltration, depending on the specific plugin vulnerability.