mitigations.md

Mitigation Strategies Analysis for sharkdp/fd

Mitigation Strategy: Restrict Search Scope

Description:

1. Identify the Target Directory: Before running fd, pinpoint the most specific directory that contains the files you need.
2. Use Absolute or Relative Paths: When specifying the directory as an argument to fd, use either an absolute path (e.g., fd . /home/user/project/data) or a relative path (e.g., fd . data/) that clearly defines the starting point.
3. Avoid Defaulting to Broad Searches: Do not rely on fd's default behavior of searching the current directory if no path is provided, unless you are absolutely certain. Explicitly provide a path argument.

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Unintentional Exposure of Sensitive Files/Directories (Severity: High): Reduces the likelihood of fd accessing and revealing confidential data.
• Denial of Service (DoS) via Resource Exhaustion (Severity: Medium): Limits the amount of data fd needs to process.

Impact:

• Unintentional Exposure: Significantly reduces the risk.
• DoS: Moderately reduces the risk.

Currently Implemented: (Example - Replace with your project's specifics)

Missing Implementation: (Example - Replace with your project's specifics)

Mitigation Strategy: Precise Wildcards and Regular Expressions

Description:

1. Understand fd's Pattern Matching: Use fd's glob patterns (default) or regular expressions (-e or --regex) consciously.
2. Avoid Overly Broad Patterns: Refrain from using * or .* at the beginning of a pattern passed to fd unless absolutely necessary.
3. Use Specific File Extensions: Include file extensions in the pattern (e.g., fd '*.txt', fd -e '^config\.yaml$').
4. Anchor Regular Expressions: When using -e, use anchors (^ and $) to prevent unintended matches.
5. Escape Special Characters: Escape characters with special meaning in patterns passed to fd.
6. Prefer Glob Patterns: If possible, use glob patterns instead of regular expressions with fd.

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Unintentional Exposure of Sensitive Files/Directories (Severity: High):
• Denial of Service (DoS) via Resource Exhaustion (Severity: Medium):

Impact:

• Unintentional Exposure: High impact.
• DoS: Medium impact.

Currently Implemented: (Example)

Missing Implementation: (Example)

Mitigation Strategy: Explicitly Exclude Sensitive Directories

Description:

1. Identify Sensitive Directories: Create a list of directories to exclude.
2. Use -E or --exclude: Use the -E or --exclude option with fd to explicitly exclude these directories. Example: fd . -E .git -E .ssh.
3. Multiple Exclusions: Use multiple -E options or comma-separated values.

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Unintentional Exposure of Sensitive Files/Directories (Severity: High):

Impact:

• Unintentional Exposure: High impact.

Currently Implemented: (Example)

Missing Implementation: (Example)

Mitigation Strategy: Avoid -H and -I Unless Necessary

Description:

1. Understand the Risks: -H (or --hidden) and -I (or --no-ignore) bypass ignore files.
2. Justify Use: Only use these fd options when strictly required.
3. Double-Check: If using -H or -I, re-evaluate the search scope and exclusions.

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Unintentional Exposure of Sensitive Files/Directories (Severity: High):

Impact:

• Unintentional Exposure: High impact.

Currently Implemented: (Example)

Missing Implementation: (Example)

Mitigation Strategy: Avoid -x and -X with Untrusted Input

Description:

1. Strongly Discourage: Avoid using -x or --exec and -X or --exec-batch fd options with untrusted input.
2. Explore Alternatives: Consider alternatives to these fd options.

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Command Injection via fd's -x / --exec and -X / --exec-batch Options (Severity: Critical):

Impact:

• Command Injection: Eliminates the risk (if untrusted input is avoided).

Currently Implemented: (Example)

Missing Implementation: (Example)

Mitigation Strategy: Use a Whitelist of Allowed Commands (for -x and -X)

Description:

1. Define Allowed Commands: Create a whitelist for commands used with fd's -x or -X options.
2. Validate: Check if the command passed to -x or -X is in the whitelist.

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Command Injection via fd's -x / --exec and -X / --exec-batch Options (Severity: Critical):

Impact:

• Command Injection: Significantly reduces the risk.

Currently Implemented: (Example)

Missing Implementation: (Example)

Mitigation Strategy: Parameterize Commands (for -x and -X)

Description:

1. Use Placeholders: Use placeholders (like {}) within the command string passed to fd's -x or -X.
2. Let fd Handle Substitution: Rely on fd to substitute placeholders. Example: fd -x mycommand {}.
3. Avoid String Concatenation: Do not build the command string manually.

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Command Injection via fd's -x / --exec and -X / --exec-batch Options (Severity: Critical):

Impact:

• Command Injection: Significantly reduces the risk.

Currently Implemented: (Example)

Missing Implementation: (Example)

Mitigation Strategy: Limit Search Depth

Description:

1. Assess Maximum Depth: Determine the maximum directory depth needed.
2. Use -d or --max-depth: Use the -d or --max-depth fd option. Example: fd -d 3 ..

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Denial of Service (DoS) via Resource Exhaustion (Severity: Medium):
• Unintentional Exposure of Sensitive Files/Directories (Severity: Low):

Impact:

• DoS: Medium impact.
• Unintentional Exposure: Low impact.

Currently Implemented: (Example)

Missing Implementation: (Example)

Mitigation Strategy: Disable Symlink Following When Unnecessary

Description:

1. Assess Need: Determine if symlink following is required.
2. Use -L or --no-follow-symlinks: Use the -L or --no-follow-symlinks fd option to disable it.

List of Threats Mitigated:

• Symlink Following Issues (Severity: Medium):
• Unintentional Exposure of Sensitive Files/Directories (Severity: Medium):

Impact:

• Symlink Following Issues: High impact.
• Unintentional Exposure: Medium impact.

Currently Implemented: (Example)

Missing Implementation: (Example)