Source codename compromised partially mitigated

THREAT74 · Partially mitigated: Some controls are in place, but the risk is still too high. · Defined in catalog.py:1303

Risk: High impact × Low likelihood = 6 medium
After mitigations: High impact × Low likelihood = 6 medium (unchanged)

How statuses and scores work

An attacker obtains a source's codename to then impersonate them (e.g. through physical surveillance)

Threat actors: Any

Mitigations

Mitigation	Status
Source codename is 7 word diceware passphrase MITIG45	implemented
Source interface describes that the source should memorize the codename MITIG121	implemented
Source codenames stored hashed in the database MITIG122	implemented
Source account does not display their submitted documents MITIG44	implemented

Possible further mitigations

2FA for source accounts MITIG123 proposed

Residual risk

Codename may be obtained through the source (e.g. via physical surveillance). It's worth noting that the source first would need to be identified before this is possible.

Where it applies

Applies to 1 component in 1 scenario.

Source environment Source Area

Source discovery and OPSEC · Source environment

digraph tm {
    graph [
        fontname = Arial;
        fontsize = 14;
    ]
    node [
        fontname = Arial;
        fontsize = 14;
    ]
    edge [
        fontname = Arial;
        fontsize = 12;
    ]
    nodesep = 1;

    subgraph cluster_boundary_External_Services {
        graph [
            fontsize = 10;
            fontcolor = black;
            style = dashed;
            color = firebrick2;
            label = <<i>External Services</i>>;
        ]

        component_Landing_page_External_Services [
            shape = circle;
            color = black;
            fontcolor = black;
            label = "Landing page";
            URL = "component_Landing_page.html";
            tooltip = "Landing page";
            margin = 0.02;
        ]

        component_SecureDrop_org_directory_External_Services [
            shape = circle;
            color = black;
            fontcolor = black;
            label = "SecureDrop.org\ndirectory";
            URL = "component_SecureDrop_org_directory.html";
            tooltip = "SecureDrop.org directory";
            margin = 0.02;
        ]

    }

    subgraph cluster_boundary_SecureDrop_Area {
        graph [
            fontsize = 10;
            fontcolor = black;
            style = dashed;
            color = firebrick2;
            label = <<i>SecureDrop Area</i>>;
        ]

        component_Dedicated_Hardware_Firewall_SecureDrop_Area [
            shape = circle;
            color = black;
            fontcolor = black;
            label = "Dedicated\nHardware\nFirewall";
            URL = "component_Dedicated_Hardware_Firewall.html";
            tooltip = "Dedicated Hardware Firewall";
            margin = 0.02;
        ]

    }

    subgraph cluster_boundary_Source_Area {
        graph [
            fontsize = 10;
            fontcolor = black;
            style = dashed;
            color = firebrick2;
            label = <<i>Source Area</i>>;
        ]

        actor_Source_Source_Area [
            shape = square;
            color = black;
            fontcolor = black;
            label = "Source";
            URL = "component_Source.html";
            tooltip = "Source";
            margin = 0.02;
        ]

        component_Source_Tor_Browser_Source_Area [
            shape = circle;
            color = black;
            fontcolor = black;
            label = "Source Tor\nBrowser";
            URL = "component_Source_Tor_Browser.html";
            tooltip = "Source Tor Browser";
            margin = 0.02;
        ]

        component_Source_environment_Source_Area [
            shape = circle;
            color = black;
            fontcolor = black;
            label = "Source\nenvironment";
            URL = "component_Source_environment.html";
            tooltip = "Source environment";
            margin = 0.02;

            style = "filled";

            fillcolor = "#c0392b";

            fontcolor = "white";

            class = "highlighted";
        ]

    }

    actor_Source_Source_Area -> component_Source_environment_Source_Area [        color = black;        fontcolor = black;        dir = forward;        label = "1. Research / browse";    ]
    component_Source_environment_Source_Area -> component_SecureDrop_org_directory_External_Services [        color = black;        fontcolor = black;        dir = forward;        label = "2. Check directory";    ]
    component_Source_environment_Source_Area -> component_Landing_page_External_Services [        color = black;        fontcolor = black;        dir = forward;        label = "3. Visit landing\npage";    ]
    actor_Source_Source_Area -> component_Source_Tor_Browser_Source_Area [        color = black;        fontcolor = black;        dir = forward;        label = "4. Open Tor Browser";    ]
    component_Source_Tor_Browser_Source_Area -> component_Dedicated_Hardware_Firewall_SecureDrop_Area [        color = black;        fontcolor = black;        dir = forward;        label = "5. Connect to onion";    ]
}

Notes

Existing mitigations: Source codenames are 7 words long by default and cannot be changed (MITIG45). Source interface suggests write/memorize/destroy (MITIG121). Source codenames are hashed in the database using scrypt (MITIG122). Source account does not display their submitted documents (MITIG44). Further mitigations: Enable TOTP-based 2-fa for sources, though should their device be compromised, metadata (e.g. 2FA app contents on phone) may link the Source to SecureDrop instance (MITIG123). Automated test for mitigation: No.

How this threat is matched

Listed for these components. A boundary covers every component inside it.