1 Executive Summary
This report presents the results of our engagement with Protocol Labs to review their FilSnap MetaMask Snap.
The review was conducted over two weeks, from August 14, 2023, to August 18, 2023, by Dominik Muhs. A total of five person-days were spent.
Most notably, two critical issues have been identified regarding displaying Markdown-rendered dialogues and the programmatic handling of private key information. Furthermore, two major findings present security considerations for the configuration functionality and the user signature confirmation dialogue lacking origin information.
A follow-up assessment has been conducted from October 2, 2023 to October 3, 2023 by Dominik Muhs. A total of two person-days were spent.
2 Scope
Our review initially focused on the commit hash 5c5e6ad523d198d12bdd2057028dad429435bc6f
. In the follow-up assessment, the fixes were verified against the commit hash 8374e6aea59941d98bf29ca5e902df9eebf919f0
. The list of files in scope for both engagements can be found in the Appendix.
One day after the scheduled verification deadline, the development team submitted commit 6ddb227738ed3aa041c18131eee65a98e17acdf4
, fixing issue 4.4 completely. This change has been added to the report.
2.1 Objectives
Together with the Protocol Labs team, we identified the following priorities for our review:
- Correctness of the implementation, consistent with the intended functionality and without unintended edge cases.
- Identify vulnerabilities particular to the MetaMask Snaps SDK integration in coherence with the MetaMask Snap Threat Model describing a Snap as an extension of the MetaMask Wallet Trust Module.
3 System Overview
4 Findings
Each issue has an assigned severity:
- Minor issues are subjective in nature. They are typically suggestions around best practices or readability. Code maintainers should use their own judgment as to whether to address such issues.
- Medium issues are objective in nature but are not security vulnerabilities. These should be addressed unless there is a clear reason not to.
- Major issues are security vulnerabilities that may not be directly exploitable or may require certain conditions in order to be exploited. All major issues should be addressed.
- Critical issues are directly exploitable security vulnerabilities that need to be fixed.
4.1 Markdown and Control Character Injection Critical ✓ Fixed
Resolution
Configuration values reflected in the confirmation prompt are implicitly validated by getting user consent on config changes through the fil_configure
RPC call. Furthermore, confirmation dialogue values have been (mostly) displayed using the copyable
function, resulting in escaped output.
This issue has been addressed in revision 1a8715f42cfc9f721e8faab8a7a2610f53592f94
.
Description
The snap uses MetaMask’s Snaps UI package to present dialogs to users for data verification and action confirmations. While these dialogs ensure dapps don’t silently execute operations without user consent, some UI components have vulnerabilities. For instance, the text()
component can render Markdown or be susceptible to control character injections. Specifically, in FilSnap’s context, when users are prompted to sign a message showing a gas cost estimate if the message contains Markdown-renderable text, the user might unintentionally sign an inaccurate message. It’s critical to note that the variable ctx.config
in the provided code snippet could contain untrusted data, potentially altering the context of the displayed message. Malicious manipulation of the snap context is outlined in issue 4.3.
packages/snap/src/rpc/sign-message.ts:L68-L89
const conf = await snapDialog(ctx.snap, {
type: 'confirmation',
content: panel([
heading(`Send ${Token.fromAttoFIL(message.value).toFIL().toString()} to`),
copyable(message.to),
divider(),
heading('Details'),
text(
`Gas _(estimated)_: **${gas.toFIL().toFormat({
decimalPlaces: ctx.config.unit?.decimals,
suffix: ` ${ctx.config.unit?.symbol}`,
})}**`
),
text(
`Total _(amount + gas)_: **${total.toFIL().toFormat({
decimalPlaces: ctx.config.unit?.decimals,
suffix: ` ${ctx.config.unit?.symbol}`,
})}**`
),
]),
})
Recommendation
Prioritize input validation. Encode data securely when presenting it to users. Display original data within an escaped pre-text or code block that prevents rendering non-standard characters or Markdown. Subsequently, add any derived or decoded data to offer users a comprehensive understanding.
4.2 Directly Exposed Private Key Export Critical ✓ Fixed
Resolution
While the exportPrivateKey
function is still present and exposed via the fil_exportPrivateKey
RPC call, it now displays a warning and only surfaces the user’s private key in a secured dialogue. This is analogous to MetaMask’s approach and will make users consider their actions carefully. Automated attacks without user intervention are no longer possible since users must copy-paste their keys.
This issue has been addressed in commit c88a9ee1359e9a35735ce5d7b18b4cfcd2de0326
.
Description
The snap can access the BIP44 entropy for Filecoin’s private keys, granting it considerable power over MetaMask’s private keys. Specifically, the fil_exportPrivateKey
command lets dapps obtain the private key programmatically, pending user consent. However, there’s a heightened risk of users indiscriminately granting this permission. To maintain MetaMask’s security integrity, the snap should mirror the same rigorous security standards to mitigate the effect of phishing attacks and malicious dapps.
packages/snap/src/rpc/export-private-key.ts:L19-L34
export async function exportPrivateKey(
ctx: SnapContext
): Promise<ExportPrivateKeyResponse> {
const conf = await snapDialog(ctx.snap, {
type: 'confirmation',
content: panel([heading(`Do you want to export your private key?`)]),
})
if (conf) {
return {
result: base64pad.encode(ctx.account.privateKey),
error: null,
}
}
return serializeError('User denied private key export')
}
Recommendation
The development team should reconsider providing such a sensitive functionality. Instead of programmatically exposing the private key, use a dialog that prompts users to copy the private key manually. This approach, consistent with MetaMask’s default, encourages users to deliberate their actions more thoroughly.
4.3 fil_configure
Allows Anyone to Change the Snap’s Configuration Major Partially Addressed
Resolution
This issue has been partially addressed and practically fixed. While it is still possible for any site to change the snap’s configuration, its values are now maintained under the origin site’s namespace. Furthermore, when connecting to a site, the user must manually confirm the proposed configuration values.
This issue has been fixed in 1a8715f42cfc9f721e8faab8a7a2610f53592f94
.
Description
The fil_configure
command, accessible by any dapp, accepts parameters of type ConfigureParams
. This allows for modifying key configuration details like the derivation path, RPC details, network state, and unit data:
type ConfigureParams = {
derivationPath?: string | undefined;
rpc?: {
url: string;
token: string;
} | undefined;
network?: "mainnet" | "testnet" | undefined;
unit?: {
symbol: string;
decimals: number;
image?: string | undefined;
customViewUrl?: string | undefined;
} | undefined;
}
An attacker exploiting this open access can manipulate elements such as the network state or RPC URL, which could mislead users when signing messages. Furthermore, given the shared instance nature of the snap across multiple pages, a malicious dapp can influence the behavior of the snap in other dapps.
The MetaMask Snaps team has responded to this particular issue by stating that they will soon add a mutex to the SDKs state object to mitigate the problem partially. Nonetheless, even with a mutex in place, it’s important to remember that business logic can still execute in an outdated state.
Recommendation
Evaluate the necessity of exposing specific configuration options through fil_configure
. If it doesn’t offer significant utility, consider removing it entirely, favoring a hardcoded configuration approach. This would ensure that critical token data and RPC URLs are modifiable only through controlled snap updates.
4.4 Lack of Signature Dialog Context and RPC Origin Major ✓ Fixed
Resolution
1a8715f42cfc9f721e8faab8a7a2610f53592f94
and 6ddb227738ed3aa041c18131eee65a98e17acdf4
.
Description
The FilSnap signing dialog doesn’t indicate which user account is used for signing. This omission can be exploited by malicious dapps, leading users to believe they’re signing with one account when in fact, another is being used. Such transparency gaps, especially in an environment integrating multiple dapps and accounts, can mislead users into providing unintended signatures.
For reference, MetaMask displays these details during its signing requests, a practice FilSnap should adopt.
packages/snap/src/rpc/sign-message.ts:L68-L88
const conf = await snapDialog(ctx.snap, {
type: 'confirmation',
content: panel([
heading(`Send ${Token.fromAttoFIL(message.value).toFIL().toString()} to`),
copyable(message.to),
divider(),
heading('Details'),
text(
`Gas _(estimated)_: **${gas.toFIL().toFormat({
decimalPlaces: ctx.config.unit?.decimals,
suffix: ` ${ctx.config.unit?.symbol}`,
})}**`
),
text(
`Total _(amount + gas)_: **${total.toFIL().toFormat({
decimalPlaces: ctx.config.unit?.decimals,
suffix: ` ${ctx.config.unit?.symbol}`,
})}**`
),
]),
})
Recommendation
Display the user account used for signing and the origin domain of the RPC call during the signing dialog, ensuring users have full context before confirming any transactions.
4.5 Missing Address Protection Medium ✓ Fixed
Resolution
1a8715f42cfc9f721e8faab8a7a2610f53592f94
. Before an origin site can access the snap’s RPC calls, it has to call the fil_configure
RPC call, which requires manual user confirmation of the connection.
Description
While MetaMask hides wallet addresses by default, requiring users to expose them to dapps manually, the snap’s fil_getAddress
and fil_getAccountInfo
RPC endpoints always disclose the current address to any connected dapp, even if that address has not been connected to the page. This allows potentially untrusted dapps to silently retrieve all user addresses, bypassing MetaMask’s intentional security design.
Recommendation
Adopt security protocols similar to MetaMask’s main wallet. Let users select which addresses they share with dapps and prevent automatic exposure of non-allowlisted wallet addresses without explicit user permission.
4.6 Missing Timeout in RPC.call
Medium ✓ Fixed
Resolution
iso-filecoin
dependency in e1908f9ea05e309c7f1d260ecc18584503155cb4
addressing this issue.
Description
Within the dependency iso-filecoin
, there’s an oversight in the RPC class. Specifically, the call
method lacks a timeout parameter. Due to this missing timeout, the snap execution can experience delays, which could lead to an aborted request. The code excerpt provided shows the missing timeout in the fetch call.
const res = await this.fetch(this.api, {
method: 'POST',
headers: this.headers,
body: JSON.stringify({
jsonrpc: '2.0',
method,
params,
id: 1,
}),
})
Recommendation
To mitigate potential delays and ensure smoother operation, it’s recommended to introduce a timeout to this call
method. Implementing a timeout can prevent prolonged waits and enhance the resilience of the method against unexpected delays.
4.7 Unnecessary Distribution of Private Key Information Minor ✓ Fixed
Resolution
1a8715f42cfc9f721e8faab8a7a2610f53592f94
the account
field has been removed from the snap context and is only exposed selectively in RPC handlers that require user account data. These handlers all explicitly call the getAccount
function.
Description
The snap context includes an account
field containing the private key. This context houses sensitive data and is distributed across all request handlers. Due to this setup, redundant access to the private key is provided to several functions, e.g.:
fil_getAccountInfo
,fil_getBalance
,fil_getMessages
,fil_sendMessage
, andfil_getGasForMessage
.
packages/snap/src/index.ts:L42-L47
const context: SnapContext = {
config,
rpc,
account,
snap,
}
Recommendation
It’s essential to ensure the security and privacy of critical user data. As such, access to private key data should be restricted, particularly for handler functions. Adjust the implementation by adding another SnapContext
type that holds the account’s private key information and only pass it to handler functions that immediately need to handle it. Alternatively, add a lazy-loading object into the existing SnapContext
that only loads the private key when called by an authorized function.
Appendix 1 - Files in Scope
This audit covered the following files:
File | SHA-1 hash |
---|---|
packages/adapter-react/src/index.js | 7cb10cd1a5f2846ec5d93a9af9d1f0b8f40046fb |
packages/adapter-react/src/types.ts | f5d4de1f30866a08d6717e02bb3c23d3aaef3b58 |
packages/adapter/playwright.config.js | 127128e1dd77c43d38ade5987bda3f8bc12dfe41 |
packages/adapter/src/index.ts | ec58446915c69cd542545e3f482a86e7fe318b1c |
packages/adapter/src/snap.ts | cf03e24ea5837de305cad98e353b21eae598a6ff |
packages/snap/filecoin-logo.svg | 373e116f01cacb07ea72f87fdb59bb5a877c56f1 |
packages/snap/playwright.config.js | d151c3d356214691ce588ebb097e99d58977157c |
packages/snap/rollup.config.js | 2d8f81146be8fcbd347c1fefff22a58510a3b10a |
packages/snap/src/constants.ts | ad936358af4539e673d11ba3ecf6f9bdfda28e1f |
packages/snap/src/filforwarder-metadata.ts | 011922ebd42f81914ce14bee35fa3cca7b1a99a4 |
packages/snap/src/index.ts | 26c449212b5016a4ccf396152f9cc407f6d62ccc |
packages/snap/src/keypair.ts | fece5b1dfdb051b67f7c46f8848d123f6e631efd |
packages/snap/src/rpc/configure.ts | ce9335e4c4957f2d62617e7c5a8d1611768f3cc5 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/export-private-key.ts | 06424760aacf6d2d79feac05112a29738f3a758f |
packages/snap/src/rpc/gas-for-message.ts | f89ac0f4011b5317f99b504e8fd2998ee2bc4283 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/get-account.ts | 75a512fc96208a3d48e836d3f5060e0333cbdcf6 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/get-balance.ts | 75f8816f6764209cf854406973c6b45dfb0467d7 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/get-messages.ts | 16464c8d665a0f95e5d1d64a4c561f2cd3cbb70f |
packages/snap/src/rpc/send-message.ts | e2781fd63f39755fb8b31d1e31919142064e4a00 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/sign-message.ts | 9993ecccb8a960f3635b583cac881a78da0b4505 |
packages/snap/src/schemas.ts | 922e0f796ef01f65a359165c70299895e519f3bd |
packages/snap/src/transaction-insight.ts | d09b6e69a7655e98de2309b02e7798914e87dd23 |
packages/snap/src/types.ts | 84062ecce25bb979e1ec8d2aa6bbc66abbf7bdc8 |
packages/snap/src/utils.ts | 6da080f958d479e22386d09ef5c3c02704cb09e4 |
The follow-up assessment covered the following files:
File | SHA-1 hash |
---|---|
packages/snap/src/account.ts | 32305836618332b58b57a8e7fa65e11444b216b3 |
packages/snap/src/constants.ts | 5637a4484774bd8748b86aeeeab98a19f6ebcb1a |
packages/snap/src/filforwarder.ts | 011922ebd42f81914ce14bee35fa3cca7b1a99a4 |
packages/snap/src/index.ts | b19eb8e5ea1dbde19e9185e65535ccd9010c9b00 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/configure.ts | 923a405201ba6cb9603203d778e2dc63f8a04880 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/export-private-key.ts | 58caa4c7758e8581725e06713d34f122ef01a854 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/gas-for-message.ts | 55f414d91e0bf861e53a54117c2223282b4a6f56 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/get-account.ts | 78f611f8c6ca391355f89113311ac0ec9a61845a |
packages/snap/src/rpc/get-balance.ts | 73a4654f982f16390afed7f11ce51b6a52cd5cb2 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/send-message.ts | ac5acacdd650bd3f34a6872eb3d7dfec2e7047f9 |
packages/snap/src/rpc/sign-message.ts | 8487093bbcd2fbdae3e5a50119729bb78d55b9ce |
packages/snap/src/schemas.ts | c56fc4148f92b28c9e2264aef1f06b55444f633b |
packages/snap/src/state.ts | 40a874834bcfd2c9512c624883a411c844b47c6a |
packages/snap/src/transaction-insight.ts | 80786c6008b6180ebc11d6212923083df659dfe3 |
packages/snap/src/types.ts | 2dda17a8850b6d1cba8d411e8a1c6406109c5040 |
packages/snap/src/utils.ts | 121fa94b320d2e1d930e84149b20e8c18530aaf6 |
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