When we think about securing our networks, we often focus on protecting the parts that are visible to the outside world, like websites and email servers. But what about the parts of our network that aren’t public-facing? As a Cyber Security Expert, I want to explain why it’s just as important to defend the internal systems within your network. First we’ll go through why this is important, and then I have two scenarios to show you how an attacker thinks and works. First is technical, second has similar steps but is written as a non-technical piece in a medieval scenario with a castle.
Protecting the internal parts of your network is just as important as securing the parts that are public-facing. These internal systems are the backbone of your organization and must be defended to ensure smooth operations and protect sensitive information. By implementing strong security measures, monitoring for threats, and educating employees, you can safeguard your network from both internal and external threats.
By focusing on these strategies, organizations can build a robust defense system, ensuring the core of their network remains secure against various threats.
Introduction
As an ethical hacker, it’s crucial to understand how malicious hackers operate to better protect our networks. Let’s walk through a scenario where a hacker targets a company’s server and eventually reaches the crown jewels of the company’s data.
Step 1: Initial Compromise
The hacker starts by targeting a public-facing web server using a vulnerability in outdated software. They exploit this vulnerability to gain access to the server. Once inside, they establish a foothold by installing a backdoor, allowing them to return to the compromised server whenever they want.
Step 2: Establishing Persistence
With initial access, the hacker ensures they can maintain their presence on the server. They create hidden user accounts and install malware that provides remote access even if the server is restarted or security patches are applied.
Step 3: Reconnaissance
Now, the hacker begins to map the internal network. They use tools to identify other devices, open ports, and running services within the network. This reconnaissance helps them understand the layout and identify valuable targets.
Step 4: Privilege Escalation
To move further within the network, the hacker needs higher privileges. They exploit another vulnerability or misconfiguration on the compromised server to escalate their privileges to an administrative level. With administrative access, they can access more sensitive parts of the network.
Step 5: Lateral Movement
Using the credentials obtained from the compromised server, the hacker moves laterally across the network. They use stolen credentials to log into other servers and workstations. Each move gives them more information and access, allowing them to hop from one system to another.
Step 6: Data Exfiltration
During lateral movement, the hacker identifies the location of the company’s most sensitive data – the crown jewels. This could be customer databases, intellectual property, financial records, or any other valuable information. They carefully exfiltrate data, using encrypted channels to avoid detection by security monitoring tools.
Step 7: Covering Tracks
As they move through the network, the hacker takes steps to cover their tracks. They delete logs, use stealthy malware, and sometimes even patch the vulnerabilities they used to avoid detection and future exploitation by others.
Conclusion
In this scenario, the hacker successfully compromised a public-facing server, escalated privileges, moved laterally through the network, and eventually accessed and exfiltrated the company’s most sensitive data. Understanding these steps helps ethical hackers and security professionals implement stronger defenses at each stage of the attack.
Introduction
As an ethical hacker, it’s crucial to understand how malicious hackers operate to better protect our networks. Let’s walk through a scenario where a hacker targets a company’s internal network, using a medieval castle siege as an analogy.
Step 1: Breaching the Outer Wall
The attacker starts by identifying a weak spot in the castle’s outer wall, such as an old, crumbling section or an unguarded gate. They use this vulnerability to breach the wall and enter the castle. Once inside, they establish a foothold by hiding in a secluded area, allowing them to plan their next moves without being detected by the guards.
Step 2: Establishing a Base
With initial access, the attacker ensures they can stay hidden within the castle. They find a secure room in a quiet corner and set up a base. They create hidden passages and secret doors, ensuring they can move around the castle without being noticed by the patrolling guards.
Step 3: Scouting the Castle
Now, the attacker begins to explore the castle. They move quietly through the corridors, mapping out the layout and identifying other valuable areas, such as the armory, the treasury, and the towers. This scouting helps them understand the structure and pinpoint the location of the throne room, where the crown jewels are kept.
Step 4: Gaining Higher Access
To move further within the castle, the attacker needs higher access. They disguise themselves as a trusted member of the court, using a stolen uniform or forged documents. This allows them to move more freely and access restricted areas.
Step 5: Moving Through the Castle
Using their new identity, the attacker moves through the castle, from one tower to the next. Each move gives them more information and access, allowing them to get closer to the throne room. They might unlock secret doors, climb hidden staircases, or bribe a few guards along the way.
Step 6: Reaching the Throne Room
During their movement, the attacker finally identifies the entrance to the throne room, where the crown jewels are kept. They carefully pick the lock or use a stolen key to enter, ensuring they avoid triggering any alarms. Once inside, they take the crown jewels and hide them in a secure container for easy transportation.
Step 7: Covering Their Tracks
As they move through the castle, the attacker takes steps to cover their tracks. They erase their footprints, close secret doors, and sometimes even repair the weak spot in the outer wall to avoid detection and future exploitation by others.
Conclusion
In this scenario, the attacker successfully breached the outer wall, gained higher access, moved through the castle, and eventually reached and stole the crown jewels. Understanding these steps helps ethical hackers and security professionals implement stronger defenses at each stage of the attack.