ARCHITECTURE_SECURITY.md

(AI Generated) Architecture Threat Model

Data flow 1: Meal Planner -> API Gateway (Uses for AI content generation, HTTPS/REST)

Threat Id	Component name	Threat Name	STRIDE category	Explanation	How threat is already mitigated in architecture	Mitigations	Risk severity
1	API Gateway	Attacker bypasses weak authentication and gains unauthorized access to API Gateway	Spoofing	If the authentication mechanism between the Meal Planner application and the API Gateway is weak or improperly implemented, an attacker could potentially bypass it and gain unauthorized access to the API Gateway.	Partially mitigated. The architecture description states: "Authentication with Meal Planner applications - each has individual API key." This indicates that authentication is implemented using API keys. However, the strength and security of the API key mechanism are not specified.	Ensure strong authentication mechanisms are in place, such as using secure and properly implemented API keys or OAuth tokens. Regularly rotate and revoke API keys. Implement rate limiting and monitoring to detect and prevent brute-force attempts.	High
2	API Gateway	Attacker tampers with data sent from Meal Planner to API Gateway	Tampering	If the communication channel between the Meal Planner application and the API Gateway is not properly secured, an attacker could intercept and modify the data being sent, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications or injection of malicious content.	Mitigated. The architecture description states: "network traffic between Meal Planner applications and API Gateway is encrypted using TLS." This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the data in transit.	Ensure proper implementation of TLS encryption for all communication between the Meal Planner application and the API Gateway. Use strong encryption algorithms and keep the TLS certificates up to date.	Medium
3	API Gateway	Attacker floods API Gateway with requests, causing denial of service	Denial of Service	If the API Gateway does not have proper rate limiting or protection against excessive requests, an attacker could flood it with a large number of requests, overwhelming its resources and causing a denial of service.	Partially mitigated. The architecture description mentions "rate limiting" as one of the responsibilities of the API Gateway. However, the specific implementation details and effectiveness of the rate limiting mechanism are not provided.	Implement robust rate limiting mechanisms in the API Gateway to restrict the number of requests per client or IP address. Set appropriate thresholds and configure alerts for abnormal traffic patterns. Use cloud-based DDoS protection services for additional layer of defense.	Medium
4	API Gateway	Attacker exploits vulnerabilities in API Gateway to gain unauthorized access or elevate privileges	Elevation of Privilege	If the API Gateway itself has vulnerabilities or misconfigurations, an attacker could potentially exploit them to gain unauthorized access to the system or elevate their privileges.	Not implemented. The architecture description does not provide information about the security measures implemented to protect the API Gateway itself from vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.	Regularly update and patch the API Gateway components. Perform security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities. Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles for administrative access to the API Gateway.	High

Data flow 2: API Gateway -> API Application (Uses for AI content generation, HTTPS/REST)

Threat Id	Component name	Threat Name	STRIDE category	Explanation	How threat is already mitigated in architecture	Mitigations	Risk severity
1	API Gateway	Attacker bypasses API Gateway authentication and gains unauthorized access to API Application	Spoofing	If the API Gateway authentication mechanism is weak or misconfigured, an attacker could potentially bypass it and gain unauthorized access to the API Application, allowing them to make requests and access sensitive data.	Partially mitigated. The architecture description mentions that the API Gateway performs authentication using API keys for each Meal Planner application. However, it does not provide details on the strength and security of the API key mechanism.	Ensure that the API Gateway implements strong authentication mechanisms, such as using secure API keys or OAuth tokens. Regularly rotate and manage API keys securely. Implement rate limiting and monitoring to detect and prevent brute-force attempts.	High
2	API Application	Attacker exploits vulnerabilities in the API Application to gain unauthorized access or manipulate data	Tampering	If the API Application contains vulnerabilities, such as injection flaws or insecure deserialization, an attacker could exploit them to manipulate data, execute unauthorized actions, or gain unauthorized access to the system.	Not implemented. The architecture description does not provide information about security measures implemented in the API Application to prevent vulnerabilities.	Implement secure coding practices and perform regular security code reviews to identify and fix vulnerabilities in the API Application. Use parameterized queries and input validation to prevent injection attacks. Implement proper error handling and avoid exposing sensitive information in error messages.	High
3	API Application	Attacker intercepts and tampers with data in transit between the API Gateway and API Application	Tampering	If the communication between the API Gateway and API Application is not properly secured, an attacker could intercept and modify the data in transit, leading to data tampering and potentially compromising the integrity of the system.	Mitigated. The architecture description states that "network traffic between Meal Planner applications and API Gateway is encrypted using TLS." This suggests that the communication between the API Gateway and API Application is also encrypted, protecting the data in transit from tampering.	Ensure that the communication between the API Gateway and API Application is always encrypted using strong encryption protocols like TLS. Properly validate and verify the server certificates to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.	Medium
4	API Application	Attacker gains unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in the API Application or API Database	Information Disclosure	If the API Application or API Database lacks proper access controls or has misconfigurations, an attacker could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, such as dietitians' content samples or user information.	Not implemented. The architecture description does not provide information about access controls or security measures implemented to protect sensitive data in the API Application or API Database.	Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive data. Use encryption to protect sensitive data at rest in the API Database. Regularly monitor and audit access to sensitive data to detect and respond to any suspicious activities.	High
5	API Application	Attacker launches a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack against the API Application, making it unavailable	Denial of Service	If the API Application is not adequately protected against DoS attacks, an attacker could flood it with a large volume of requests, overwhelming its resources and making it unavailable to legitimate users.	Partially mitigated. The architecture description mentions that the API Gateway performs rate limiting, which can help mitigate some types of DoS attacks. However, it does not provide details on the effectiveness of the rate limiting or if there are additional DoS protection measures in place.	Implement robust DoS protection mechanisms, such as rate limiting, traffic filtering, and load balancing, to detect and mitigate DoS attacks. Use cloud-based DoS mitigation services if available. Regularly monitor traffic patterns and set up alerts to detect and respond to potential DoS attacks promptly.	Medium
6	API Application	Attacker exploits a vulnerability to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions	Elevation of Privilege	If the API Application has vulnerabilities or misconfigurations in its access control mechanisms, an attacker could potentially exploit them to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to administrative functions or sensitive resources.	Not implemented. The architecture description does not provide information about access control mechanisms or privilege separation within the API Application.	Implement strict access control mechanisms based on the principle of least privilege. Regularly review and update user roles and permissions. Conduct thorough security testing and code reviews to identify and fix any vulnerabilities that could lead to privilege escalation. Implement multi-factor authentication for administrative access.	High

Data flow 3: Administrator -> Web Control Plane (Configure system properties)

Threat Id	Component name	Threat Name	STRIDE category	Explanation	How threat is already mitigated in architecture	Mitigations	Risk severity
1	Web Control Plane	Attacker gains unauthorized access to Web Control Plane by stealing administrator credentials	Spoofing	If an attacker manages to steal the administrator's credentials, they could gain unauthorized access to the Web Control Plane and make malicious changes to the system configuration.	Not implemented. The architecture description does not mention any specific authentication or access control mechanisms for the administrator role.	Implement strong authentication mechanisms for the administrator role, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and enforce strong password policies. Regularly monitor and audit administrator activities.	High
2	Web Control Plane	Attacker tampers with system configuration data sent from administrator to Web Control Plane	Tampering	If the communication channel between the administrator and the Web Control Plane is not properly secured, an attacker could intercept and modify the configuration data, leading to unauthorized changes in the system.	Not implemented. The architecture description does not specify if the communication between the administrator and the Web Control Plane is encrypted or protected against tampering.	Ensure that the communication channel between the administrator and the Web Control Plane is encrypted using secure protocols like HTTPS/TLS. Implement integrity checks and digital signatures to detect and prevent tampering of configuration data.	Medium
3	Web Control Plane	Administrator makes erroneous or malicious configuration changes, impacting system availability or security	Elevation of Privilege	The administrator has elevated privileges to make configuration changes in the Web Control Plane. If the administrator makes unintentional errors or deliberately misuses their privileges, it could lead to system misconfigurations or security vulnerabilities.	Not implemented. The architecture description does not mention any specific controls or approval processes for administrator actions.	Implement the principle of least privilege, ensuring that administrators have only the necessary permissions to perform their tasks. Establish an approval process for critical configuration changes. Regularly review and audit administrator actions. Provide training and guidelines for administrators to prevent errors and misconfigurations.	Medium

Data flow 4: API Application -> ChatGPT-3.5 (Utilizes ChatGPT for LLM-featured content creation, HTTPS/REST)

Threat Id	Component name	Threat Name	STRIDE category	Explanation	How threat is already mitigated in architecture	Mitigations	Risk severity
1	API Application	Attacker sends malicious input to ChatGPT-3.5 via API Application to manipulate or abuse the LLM	Tampering	If the API Application does not properly validate and sanitize the input sent to ChatGPT-3.5, an attacker could potentially inject malicious content to manipulate the LLM's behavior or generate harmful responses.	not implemented	Implement strict input validation and sanitization in the API Application to ensure only valid and safe content is sent to ChatGPT-3.5. Apply content filtering and security checks to detect and block any potentially malicious input.	High
2	API Application	Sensitive data exposure if API Application logs or stores ChatGPT-3.5 responses containing sensitive information	Information Disclosure	If the API Application logs or stores the responses received from ChatGPT-3.5 without proper security controls, sensitive information contained in the responses could be exposed if the logs or storage are compromised.	not implemented	Ensure that the API Application does not log or store sensitive information from ChatGPT-3.5 responses. If logging is necessary, apply data masking or redaction techniques to remove sensitive data before storing. Encrypt any stored data and restrict access to authorized personnel only.	Medium
3	ChatGPT-3.5	Unavailability of ChatGPT-3.5 service disrupts AI content generation in API Application	Denial of Service	If the ChatGPT-3.5 service becomes unavailable or experiences downtime, the API Application will not be able to generate AI-featured content, impacting the functionality of the AI Nutrition-Pro application.	not implemented	Implement error handling and fallback mechanisms in the API Application to gracefully handle scenarios where ChatGPT-3.5 is unavailable. Consider implementing caching or queuing mechanisms to store requests and process them when the service is back online. Monitor the availability of ChatGPT-3.5 and set up alerts for prompt notification of any issues.	Medium
4	API Application	Attacker intercepts or tampers with the communication between API Application and ChatGPT-3.5	Tampering	If the communication between the API Application and ChatGPT-3.5 is not properly secured, an attacker could intercept, modify, or inject malicious content into the data exchanged between the two components.	The architecture description mentions that network traffic is encrypted using TLS: 'network traffic between Meal Planner applications and API Gateway is encrypted using TLS.'	Ensure that the communication between the API Application and ChatGPT-3.5 is encrypted using secure protocols such as HTTPS/TLS. Verify the authenticity of the ChatGPT-3.5 service using certificates and implement proper certificate validation in the API Application.	Low

Data flow 5: Web Control Plane -> Control Plane Database (read/write data, TLS)

Threat Id	Component name	Threat Name	STRIDE category	Explanation	How threat is already mitigated in architecture	Mitigations	Risk severity
1	Web Control Plane	Attacker gains unauthorized access to Web Control Plane and modifies sensitive configuration data	Tampering	The Web Control Plane manages sensitive configuration data and stores it in the Control Plane Database. If an attacker gains unauthorized access to the Web Control Plane, they could modify this sensitive data.	Not explicitly mitigated in the architecture description. The architecture mentions authentication and authorization for Meal Planner applications, but not for the Web Control Plane specifically.	Implement strong authentication and authorization mechanisms for the Web Control Plane, such as multi-factor authentication and role-based access control. Regularly audit and monitor access to the Web Control Plane.	High
2	Control Plane Database	Attacker gains direct unauthorized access to Control Plane Database and exfiltrates sensitive data	Information Disclosure	The Control Plane Database stores sensitive data related to the control plane, tenants, and billing. If an attacker gains direct access to the database, they could exfiltrate this sensitive data.	Not explicitly mitigated in the architecture description. The architecture mentions that network traffic between the Web Control Plane and Control Plane Database uses TLS encryption, but does not address direct database access.	Ensure the Control Plane Database is not directly accessible from the internet. Implement strong authentication and access controls for the database. Encrypt sensitive data at rest. Regularly monitor database access and audit logs.	High
3	Web Control Plane	Attacker exploits a vulnerability in the Web Control Plane to gain unauthorized access	Elevation of Privilege	If the Web Control Plane contains vulnerabilities, an attacker could potentially exploit them to gain unauthorized access and elevate their privileges within the system.	Not explicitly mitigated in the architecture description.	Regularly perform vulnerability scans and penetration testing on the Web Control Plane. Keep all dependencies and libraries up to date. Implement secure coding practices and perform code reviews. Use automated security testing tools during development.	High
4	Web Control Plane	Attacker launches a denial-of-service attack against the Web Control Plane	Denial of Service	If an attacker can overwhelm the Web Control Plane with a high volume of requests, it could become unavailable and disrupt the management and configuration of the AI Nutrition-Pro system.	Not explicitly mitigated in the architecture description.	Implement rate limiting and throttling mechanisms to prevent excessive requests. Use load balancers and auto-scaling to handle increased traffic. Implement DDoS protection measures, such as traffic filtering and blocking of malicious IP addresses.	Medium

Data flow 6: API Application -> API Database (read/write data, TLS)

Threat Id	Component name	Threat Name	STRIDE category	Explanation	How threat is already mitigated in architecture	Mitigations	Risk severity
1	API Application	Attacker gains unauthorized access to API Application and manipulates data sent to API Database	Tampering	If an attacker gains unauthorized access to the API Application, they could manipulate the data being sent to the API Database, potentially corrupting or compromising the stored data.	Not explicitly mitigated in the provided architecture description.	Implement strong authentication and access controls for the API Application. Regularly monitor and audit access to the API Application. Validate and sanitize all data sent from the API Application to the API Database.	High
2	API Database	Attacker gains direct unauthorized access to API Database and exfiltrates sensitive data	Information Disclosure	If an attacker gains direct access to the API Database, they could potentially read and exfiltrate sensitive data stored in the database, such as user information and application data.	Not explicitly mitigated in the provided architecture description.	Ensure strong access controls and authentication mechanisms are in place for the API Database. Implement network segmentation to restrict direct access to the database. Encrypt sensitive data at rest.	High
3	Data flow	Eavesdropping on data flow between API Application and API Database	Information Disclosure	If the data flow between the API Application and API Database is not properly encrypted, an attacker could intercept and read sensitive data being transmitted.	The architecture description specifies that the data flow between the API Application and API Database uses TLS encryption.	Ensure that TLS encryption is properly implemented and configured for the data flow between the API Application and API Database. Use strong encryption algorithms and regularly update TLS certificates.	Low