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Chapter 2 Attacks, Concepts and Techniques (Analyzing a Cyberattack…

- - - - Security vulnerabilities are any kind of software or hardware defect
        
        After gaining knowledge of a vulnerability, malicious users attempt to exploit it.
        
        An exploit is the term used to describe a program written to take advantage of a known vulnerability. The act of using an exploit against a vulnerability is referred to as an attack.
        
        The goal of the attack is to gain access to a system, the data it hosts or to a specific resource.
        
        Software vulnerabilities
        
        Software vulnerabilities are usually introduced by errors in the operating system or application code
        
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        Hardware vulnerabilities
        
        Hardware vulnerabilities are often introduced by hardware design flaws
        
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  - - - Most software security vulnerabilities fall into one of the following categories:
        
        Buffer overflow – This vulnerability occurs when data is written beyond the limits of a buffer. By changing data beyond the boundaries of a buffer, the application accesses memory allocated to other processes. This can lead to a system crash, data compromise, or provide escalation of privileges.
        
        Non-validated input – Programs often work with data input. This data coming into the program could have malicious content, designed to force the program to behave in an unintended way. Consider a program that receives an image for processing. A malicious user could craft an image file with invalid image dimensions. The maliciously crafted dimensions could force the program to allocate buffers of incorrect and unexpected sizes.
        
        Race conditions – This vulnerability is when the output of an event depends on ordered or timed outputs. A race condition becomes a source of vulnerability when the required ordered or timed events do not occur in the correct order or proper timing.
        
        Weaknesses in security practices – Systems and sensitive data can be protected through techniques such as authentication, authorization, and encryption. Developers should not attempt to create their own security algorithms because it will likely introduce vulnerabilities. It is strongly advised that developers use security libraries that have already created, tested, and verified.
        
        Access-control problems – is the process of controlling who does what and ranges from managing physical access to equipment to dictating who has access to a resource, such as a file, and what they can do with it, such as read or change the file. Many security vulnerabilities are created by the improper use of access controls.
  - - - Short for Malicious Software, malware is any code that can be used to steal data, bypass access controls, or cause harm to, or compromise a system
        
        Spyware – This malware is design to track and spy on the user. Spyware often includes activity trackers, keystroke collection, and data capture. In an attempt to overcome security measures, spyware often modifies security settings. Spyware often bundles itself with legitimate software or with Trojan horses.
        
        Adware – Advertising supported software is designed to automatically deliver advertisements. Adware is often installed with some versions of software. Some adware is designed to only deliver advertisements but it is also common for adware to come with spyware.
        
        Bot – From the word robot, a bot is malware designed to automatically perform action, usually online. While most bots are harmless, one increasing use of malicious bots are botnets. Several computers are infected with bots which are programmed to quietly wait for commands provided by the attacker.
        
        Ransomware – This malware is designed to hold a computer system or the data it contains captive until a payment is made. Ransomware usually works by encrypting data in the computer with a key unknown to the user. Some other versions of ransomware can take advantage of specific system vulnerabilities to lock down the system. Ransomware is spread by a downloaded file or some software vulnerability.
        
        Scareware – This is a type of malware designed to persuade the user to take a specific action based on fear. Scareware forges pop-up windows that resemble operating system dialogue windows. These windows convey forged messages stating the system is at risk or needs the execution of a specific program to return to normal operation. In reality, no problems were assessed or detected and if the user agrees and clears the mentioned program to execute, his or her system will be infected with malware.
        
        Rootkit – This malware is designed to modify the operating system to create a backdoor. Attackers then use the backdoor to access the computer remotely. Most rootkits take advantage of software vulnerabilities to perform privilege escalation and modify system files. It is also common for rootkits to modify system forensics and monitoring tools, making them very hard to detect. Often, a computer infected by a rootkit must be wiped and reinstalled.
        
        Virus - A virus is malicious executable code that is attached to other executable files, often legitimate programs. Most viruses require end-user activation and can activate at a specific time or date. Viruses can be harmless and simply display a picture or they can be destructive, such as those that modify or delete data. Viruses can also be programmed to mutate to avoid detection. Most viruses are now spread by USB drives, optical disks, network shares, or email.
        
        Trojan horse - A Trojan horse is malware that carries out malicious operations under the guise of a desired operation. This malicious code exploits the privileges of the user that runs it. Often, Trojans are found in image files, audio files or games. A Trojan horse differs from a virus because it binds itself to non-executable files.
        
        Worms – Worms are malicious code that replicate themselves by independently exploiting vulnerabilities in networks. Worms usually slow down networks. Whereas a virus requires a host program to run, worms can run by themselves. Other than the initial infection, they no longer require user participation. After a host is infected, the worm is able to spread very quickly over the network. Worms share similar patterns. They all have an enabling vulnerability, a way to propagate themselves, and they all contain a payload.
        
        Worms are responsible for some of the most devastating attacks on the Internet. In 2001 the Code Red worm had infected 658 servers. Within 19 hours, the worm had infected over 300,000 servers
        
        Man-In-The-Middle (MitM) – MitM allows the attacker to take control over a device without the user’s knowledge. With that level of access, the attacker can intercept and capture user information before relaying it to its intended destination. MitM attacks are widely used to steal financial information. Many malware and techniques exist to provide attackers with MitM capabilities.
        
        Man-In-The-Mobile (MitMo) – A variation of man-in-middle, MitMo is a type of attack used to take control over a mobile device. When infected, the mobile device can be instructed to exfiltrate user-sensitive information and send it to the attackers. ZeuS, an example of an exploit with MitMo capabilities, allows attackers quietly to capture 2-step verification SMS messages sent to users.
  - - - Social engineering is an access attack that attempts to manipulate individuals into performing actions or divulging confidential information.
        
        Pretexting - This is when an attacker calls an individual and lies to them in an attempt to gain access to privileged data. An example involves an attacker who pretends to need personal or financial data in order to confirm the identity of the recipient.
        
        Tailgating - This is when an attacker quickly follows an authorized person into a secure location.
        
        Something for Something (Quid pro quo) - This is when an attacker requests personal information from a party in exchange for something, like a free gift.
    - - Wi-Fi password cracking is the process of discovering the password used to protect a wireless network.
        
        Social engineering – The attacker manipulates a person who knows the password into providing it.
        
        Brute-force attacks – The attacker tries several possible passwords in an attempt to guess the password. Because brute-force attacks take time, complex passwords take much longer to guess. A few password brute-force tools include Ophcrack, L0phtCrack, THC Hydra, RainbowCrack, and Medusa.
        
        Network sniffing – By listening and capturing packets sent on the network, an attacker may be able to discover the password if the password is being sent unencrypted (in plain text). If the password is encrypted, the attacker may still be able to reveal it by using a password cracking tool.
    - - Phishing is when a malicious party sends a fraudulent email disguised as being from a legitimate, trusted source.
        
        The message intent is to trick the recipient into installing malware on their device, or into sharing personal or financial information.
        
        Spear phishing is a highly targeted phishing attack. Spear phishing emails are customized to a specific person. The attacker researches the target’s interests before sending the email. For example, an attacker learns the target is interested in cars, and has been looking to buy a specific model of car. The attacker joins the same car discussion forum where the target is a member, forges a car sale offering and sends email to the target. The email contains a link for pictures of the car. When the target clicks on the link, malware is installed on the target’s computer.
    - - Exploiting vulnerabilities is another common method of infiltration. Attackers will scan computers to gain information about them.
        
        It consist of a multi-phase, long term, stealthy and advanced operation against a specific target.
  - - - A DoS attack results in some sort of interruption of network service to users, devices, or applications.
        
        Overwhelming Quantity of Traffic - This is when a network, host, or application is sent an enormous quantity of data at a rate which it cannot handle. This causes a slowdown in transmission or response, or a crash of a device or service.
        
        Maliciously Formatted Packets - This is when a maliciously formatted packet is sent to a host or application and the receiver is unable to handle it. For example, an attacker forwards packets containing errors that cannot be identified by the application, or forwards improperly formatted packets. This causes the receiving device to run very slowly or crash.
    - - A Distributed DoS Attack (DDoS) is similar to a DoS attack but originates from multiple, coordinated sources.
        
        An attacker builds a network of infected hosts, called a botnet. The infected hosts are called zombies. The zombies are controlled by handler systems.
        
        The zombie computers constantly scan and infect more hosts, creating more zombies. When ready, the hacker instructs handler systems to make the botnet of zombies carry out a DDoS attack.
    - - SEO, short for Search Engine Optimization, is a set of techniques used to improve a website’s ranking by a search engine.
        
        a malicious user could use SEO to make a malicious website appear higher in search results. This technique is called SEO poisoning.
        
        The most common goal of SEO poisoning is to increase traffic to malicious sites that may host malware or perform social engineering.
- - - - The most common type of blended attack uses spam email messages, instant messages or legitimate websites to distribute links where malware or spyware is secretly downloaded to the computer.
      - Another common blended attack uses DDoS combined with phishing emails. First, DDoS is used to take down a popular bank website and send emails to the bank's customers, apologizing for the inconvenience. The email also directs the users to a forged emergency site where their real login information can be stolen.
  - - - Communicate the issue. Internally employees should be informed of the problem and called to action. Externally, clients should be informed through direct communication and official announcements. Communication creates transparency, which is crucial in this type of situation.
      - Be sincere and accountable in case the company is at fault.
      - Provide details. Explain why the situation took place and what was compromised. It is also expected that the company take care of the costs of identity theft protection services for affected customers.
      - Understand what caused and facilitated the breach. If necessary, hire forensics experts to research and learn the details.
      - Apply what was learned from the forensics investigation to ensure similar breaches do not happen in the future.
      - Ensure all systems are clean, no backdoors were installed, and nothing else has been compromised. Attackers will often attempt to leave a backdoor to facilitate future breaches. Make sure this does not happen.
      - Educate employees, partners, and customers on how to prevent future breaches.