attack-tree.md

Attack Tree Analysis for realm/realm-cocoa

Objective: Compromise application using Realm-Cocoa by exploiting weaknesses or vulnerabilities within Realm-Cocoa itself or its integration.

Attack Tree Visualization

• Compromise Application Using Realm-Cocoa [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If Realm Encryption Not Used)
  • Gain Unauthorized Data Access [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If Realm Encryption Not Used)
    • Direct Realm File Access (Physical/Logical) [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If Realm Encryption Not Used)
      • Physical Device Access [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If User Device Security Weak)
        • [CRITICAL NODE] Exploit Device Security Flaws (e.g., weak passcode, jailbreak) [HIGH-RISK PATH]
        • [CRITICAL NODE] Access Realm File System Location (Known path or brute-force) [HIGH-RISK PATH]
    • Exploit API Misuse in Application Code [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If Application Code Has Flaws - Data Leakage)
    • Backup/Cloud Leakage of Realm Data [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If User Backup Security Weak)
      • [CRITICAL NODE] Application Backs Up Realm Data Insecurely [HIGH-RISK PATH] (Default OS Backups are often considered insecure if user accounts are compromised)
        • Default OS Backup Mechanisms (e.g., iCloud, iTunes Backup) [HIGH-RISK PATH]
      • [CRITICAL NODE] Attacker Gains Access to Backup Location [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If User Account Security Weak)
        • [CRITICAL NODE] Compromise User's Backup Account (e.g., iCloud credentials) [HIGH-RISK PATH]
    • Exploit API Misuse in Application Code [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If Application Code Has Flaws - Data Manipulation)
    • Exploit API Misuse in Application Code to Overload Realm [CRITICAL NODE] [HIGH-RISK PATH] (If Application Code Has Flaws - DoS)

Attack Tree Path: Compromise Application Using Realm-Cocoa (If Realm Encryption Not Used)

Attack Vectors: This is the overarching high-risk path. It encompasses all attacks that become significantly easier and more impactful if Realm's encryption at rest feature is not enabled. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Lack of Realm encryption at rest. This makes the Realm database file directly readable if accessed. Impact: If successful, any of the sub-attacks can lead to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, or denial of service, ultimately compromising the application's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Mitigation: * Enable Realm Encryption at Rest: This is the primary and most critical mitigation. Configure Realm with an encryption key during initialization.

Attack Tree Path: Gain Unauthorized Data Access (If Realm Encryption Not Used)

Attack Vectors: This path focuses on obtaining unauthorized access to the data stored within Realm. It becomes high-risk when encryption is absent. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Lack of Realm encryption combined with potential weaknesses in device security, application code, or backup practices. Impact: Exposure of sensitive data stored in Realm, leading to privacy violations, identity theft, financial loss, or reputational damage. Mitigation: * Enable Realm Encryption at Rest. * Implement strong device security practices. * Secure application code to prevent API misuse. * Secure backup processes.

Attack Tree Path: Direct Realm File Access (Physical/Logical) (If Realm Encryption Not Used)

Attack Vectors: Directly accessing the Realm database file from the device's file system, either through physical access or logical access (e.g., malware). Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Lack of Realm encryption at rest, combined with insufficient device security or malware infection. Impact: Full access to the unencrypted Realm database, allowing the attacker to read, modify, or delete all data. Mitigation: * Enable Realm Encryption at Rest. * Enforce strong device passcodes/biometrics. * Educate users about device security and malware risks. * Consider application-level file integrity checks (as a secondary defense).

Attack Tree Path: Physical Device Access (If User Device Security Weak)

Attack Vectors: Gaining physical possession of the user's device and exploiting weak device security to access the file system. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Weak device passcode, lack of biometric authentication, or jailbroken/rooted devices. Impact: Direct access to the device's file system, potentially leading to access to the Realm database file (if unencrypted). Mitigation: * Educate users about the importance of strong device passcodes and enabling biometric authentication. * Discourage users from jailbreaking/rooting their devices. * Implement remote wipe capabilities (if applicable and appropriate for the application).

Attack Tree Path: Exploit Device Security Flaws (e.g., weak passcode, jailbreak)

Attack Vectors: Actively bypassing or circumventing device security measures like passcodes or exploiting vulnerabilities introduced by jailbreaking/rooting. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Weak device passcodes, vulnerabilities in device security mechanisms, or security compromises introduced by jailbreaking/rooting. Impact: Gaining unauthorized access to the device and its file system, potentially leading to Realm data compromise (if unencrypted). Mitigation: * Educate users about strong passcodes and biometric authentication. * Encourage users to keep their devices updated with the latest security patches. * Application-level detection of jailbreaking/rooting and appropriate security responses (e.g., reduced functionality, warnings).

Attack Tree Path: Access Realm File System Location (Known path or brute-force)

Attack Vectors: Once physical or logical access to the device is gained, locating the Realm database file within the application's sandbox. The path is often predictable or can be brute-forced. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Predictable or discoverable file system location of the Realm database within the application's sandbox. Impact: Direct access to the Realm database file, enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion (if unencrypted). Mitigation: * Enable Realm Encryption at Rest (primary mitigation). * While less effective, consider obfuscating the Realm file path (though security by obscurity is not a strong defense). * Focus on preventing physical and logical device access in the first place.

Attack Tree Path: Exploit API Misuse in Application Code (Data Leakage, Data Manipulation, DoS)

Attack Vectors: Exploiting flaws in the application's code that incorrectly uses Realm APIs, leading to unintended data exposure, manipulation, or denial of service. This is not a vulnerability in Realm itself, but in how the application uses Realm. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Developer errors in application code when interacting with Realm APIs. Examples include: * Data Leakage: Unintentionally exposing sensitive data through poorly designed queries or data handling logic. * Data Manipulation: Allowing unauthorized modification of data due to insufficient input validation or access control in application logic. * DoS: Creating queries or operations that consume excessive resources or trigger crashes in Realm due to improper handling of user input or application logic. Impact: * Data Leakage: Exposure of sensitive information. * Data Manipulation: Corruption of data integrity, application logic bypass, potential privilege escalation. * DoS: Application becomes unavailable or unresponsive. Mitigation: * Secure Code Reviews: Thoroughly review application code that interacts with Realm, focusing on data handling, query construction, and error handling. * Static Analysis Security Testing (SAST): Use SAST tools to identify potential code vulnerabilities related to Realm API usage. * Input Validation: Implement robust input validation in the application to prevent malicious or unexpected data from being processed by Realm. * Principle of Least Privilege: Grant Realm access only to the necessary parts of the application and with the minimum required permissions. * Resource Limits and Error Handling: Implement application-level resource limits for Realm operations and robust error handling to prevent DoS and gracefully handle unexpected situations.

Attack Tree Path: Backup/Cloud Leakage of Realm Data (If User Backup Security Weak)

Attack Vectors: Compromising user backup accounts (e.g., iCloud, Google Drive) or intercepting backup traffic to access Realm data stored in backups. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Insecure user backup account credentials, lack of encryption for backups (less common now with default OS encryption), or vulnerabilities in backup mechanisms. Impact: Exposure of Realm data stored in backups, even if the Realm database on the device is encrypted. Mitigation: * Educate users about securing their backup accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. * Ensure device backups are encrypted (OS-level setting). * Consider excluding highly sensitive Realm data from backups if absolutely necessary and feasible (with careful consideration of data recovery implications).

Attack Tree Path: Application Backs Up Realm Data Insecurely (Default OS Backups)

Attack Vectors: Relying on default OS backup mechanisms (like iCloud or iTunes backup) which, while convenient, can become a point of vulnerability if user backup accounts are compromised. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Default OS backup behavior that includes application data, potentially without sufficient user awareness of backup security implications. Impact: Realm data is included in backups, making it vulnerable if the backup account is compromised. Mitigation: * Educate users about backup security. * Ensure device backups are encrypted (OS-level setting). * Consider excluding highly sensitive Realm data from backups if absolutely necessary and feasible (with careful consideration of data recovery implications).

Attack Tree Path: Attacker Gains Access to Backup Location (User Account Security Weak)

Attack Vectors: Compromising the user's backup account credentials (e.g., through phishing, credential stuffing, or account breaches) to gain access to backups stored in the cloud or locally. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Weak user passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication on backup accounts, or vulnerabilities in backup account providers' security. Impact: Access to all data stored in backups associated with the compromised account, including potentially Realm data. Mitigation: * Educate users about strong passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication for their backup accounts. * Application-level guidance or reminders to users about backup account security.

Attack Tree Path: Compromise User's Backup Account (e.g., iCloud credentials)

Attack Vectors: Actively attempting to compromise user backup accounts through various methods like phishing, credential stuffing, password guessing, or exploiting account recovery processes. Vulnerability/Weakness Exploited: Weak user passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication, vulnerabilities in account recovery mechanisms, or user susceptibility to phishing attacks. Impact: Full access to the user's backup account and all data stored within, including potentially Realm data. Mitigation: * Educate users about phishing and social engineering attacks. * Promote the use of strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication for all online accounts, especially backup accounts. * Implement account security monitoring and anomaly detection (if applicable to the application's backend services).