CAPEC Definitions / CAPEC-690
CAPEC-690: Metadata Spoofing
An adversary alters the metadata of a resource (e.g., file, directory, repository, etc.) to present a malicious resource as legitimate/credible.
Extended Description
One approach to this attack entails the adversary altering a maliciously modified resource's metadata in order to hide their malicious activity. Another approach involves altering the metadata of an adversary-created resource to make the source appear more credible. Adversaries may spoof a variety of metadata across a number of resources, such as the following: Authors of Version Control System (VCS) repository commits Open source package statistics File attributes, such as when a file was last update The ultimate goal of a Metadata Spoofing attack is to trick victims into believing the malicious resource being provided originates from a reputable source. However, the victim instead leverages the malicious resource, which could result in a number of negative technical impacts.
Mitigations
Validate metadata of resources such as authors, timestamps, and statistics.
Confirm the pedigree of open source packages and ensure the code being downloaded does not originate from another source.
Even if the metadata is properly checked and a user believes it to be legitimate, there may still be a chance that they've been duped. Therefore, leverage automated testing techniques to determine where malicious areas of the code may exist.
Relationships with other CAPECs
No related CAPECs found.
Prerequisites
Identification of a resource whose metadata is to be spoofed
Related Weaknesses
No related Weaknesses found.
