UK cybersecurity experts have recently issued a warning regarding the increasing trend of threat actors targeting insecure self-hosted products at the corporate network perimeter. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) emphasized the need for network defenders to enhance their defense mechanisms in response to these evolving threats.

In a blog post released by the NCSC, the agency’s technical director for platforms research, David C, highlighted the vulnerability of perimeter-exposed products that are not inherently secure. These products lack robust logging capabilities, making them attractive entry points for attackers seeking to exploit network vulnerabilities. Additionally, the absence of effective forensic investigation tools in these products further complicates the detection and mitigation of security breaches.

The emergence of zero-day vulnerabilities in various self-hosted products, such as file transfer applications, firewalls, and VPNs, has raised concerns among cybersecurity experts. David C noted that while discovering new vulnerabilities may seem like a complex task, many of these vulnerabilities are easily exploitable due to well-understood web vulnerability classes. Furthermore, once a vulnerability is identified, multiple threat actors often engage in mass exploitation, amplifying the security risks associated with these products.

A recent joint advisory from the Five Eyes intelligence partnership underscored the widespread exploitation of vulnerabilities in Ivanti Connect Secure and Ivanti Policy Secure gateways. This global exploitation campaign signifies a concerning trend in the cybersecurity landscape, where attackers are increasingly targeting perimeter products to gain unauthorized access to corporate networks.

The evolving nature of cyber threats has prompted a shift in attackers’ strategies, reminiscent of the early days of the internet when simple vulnerabilities in perimeter products were commonly exploited. As organizations bolstered their perimeter defenses, attackers pivoted towards targeting user devices and leveraging phishing attacks to infiltrate networks. The cybersecurity community responded by incorporating defense-in-depth measures and secure-by-design principles into client software, leading to a resurgence in perimeter-focused attacks.

To mitigate the risks associated with insecure perimeter products, the NCSC recommended four key steps for network defenders. Firstly, organizations should prioritize secure-by-design products from vendors and consider cloud-hosted alternatives if vendors cannot guarantee robust security measures. For essential self-hosted perimeter products, risk can be minimized by disabling unnecessary interfaces and services, or blocking them at the firewall. Additionally, organizations should ensure that any in-house developed perimeter products adhere to secure design principles to enhance overall network security.

In conclusion, the landscape of cybersecurity threats is constantly evolving, necessitating a proactive approach to perimeter security. The NCSC emphasized the importance of implementing stringent security measures and conducting regular assessments to safeguard corporate networks from malicious actors. By adopting a comprehensive security strategy that addresses both perimeter vulnerabilities and internal threats, organizations can mitigate the risks posed by insecure self-hosted products and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.

Source link