Brute force attacks have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with their frequency reaching alarming levels in the first quarter of 2022. In fact, brute force attacks accounted for a staggering 51% of all attacks during this period. These attacks can have severe consequences for organizations, as they often pave the way for other types of threats and expose sensitive data and functionalities.
One area where brute force attacks have become particularly problematic is in the realm of APIs. APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, are interfaces that allow different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. They programmatically expose data, functionalities, and business logic, making them attractive targets for attackers.
To protect your digital assets from brute force attacks, it is crucial to take immediate action. This article will explore what brute force attacks are, why they are a significant concern for APIs, and provide effective strategies to secure your APIs, apps, and websites against these attacks.
So, what exactly is a brute force attack? In simple terms, it is a type of credential cracking or password guessing attack. The attacker systematically tries all possible combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols until they find the correct credentials to gain unauthorized access to systems, apps, APIs, and accounts.
When it comes to APIs, brute force attacks pose an even greater threat. APIs play a crucial role in modern software development by enabling applications to seamlessly interact with each other. However, this programmable nature also makes them vulnerable to brute force attacks. Attackers can leverage automated tools to continuously send requests to APIs, attempting to guess the correct combinations of credentials and gain unauthorized access.
It’s worth noting the distinction between brute force attacks and other cracking techniques. Unlike other methods that employ intellectual strategies or logic to crack credentials, brute force attacks rely on a simple, trial-and-error approach. Attackers systematically and exhaustively try different combinations until they find one that works. In contrast, credential stuffing attacks involve using stolen credentials to fool an API or app into believing that the attacker is a legitimate user.
There are several types of brute force attacks that attackers may employ. Simple brute force attacks involve a systematic approach to cracking credentials without relying on intellectual strategies or logic. Attackers use automated tools and scripts to automate the process of guessing credentials. Dictionary attacks, on the other hand, involve using a common database of words, strings, and phrases to try different combinations. Hybrid brute force attacks combine aspects of simple and dictionary attacks, using external logic to determine password variations that may have a higher probability of success.
Rainbow table attacks utilize precomputed tables or dictionaries of plaintext passwords and corresponding hash functions to reverse cryptographic hash functions. Reverse brute force attacks involve using known passwords or collections of passwords against possible usernames or account numbers. Password spraying attacks, on the other hand, involve using commonly used passwords across different accounts instead of trying different combinations. Finally, botnet brute force attacks leverage powerful bots to brute force APIs, apps, and networks, helping attackers overcome the challenges associated with cracking complex passwords.
So, how exactly do these brute force attacks work? Traditionally, attackers would use exhaustive manual efforts to crack credentials. However, with the advancements in technology and the increasing complexity of passwords, attackers now rely on automated tools, scripts, and botnets. These tools and bots can send a large volume of server requests and make hundreds of thousands of login attempts per hour, significantly reducing the time it takes to crack a password.
The process of a brute force attack typically involves three broad steps. First, the attacker identifies the target URLs of the APIs, apps, or sites they want to attack and preconfigures parameter values in the brute force tool. They then run the brute force processes using the tool or bot, which attempts to identify all valid credentials. Finally, upon identifying successful login credentials, the attackers gain unauthorized access to the system, app, or API and carry out their malicious activities.
There are several tools that attackers commonly use for brute forcing. THC-Hydra, for example, can run a large number of password combinations using simple or dictionary-based methods to crack network password protocols. Aircrack-ng utilizes a dictionary of widely used passwords to breach wireless networks. John the Ripper exhaustively runs possible combinations using a dictionary. Hashcat is a fast CPU-based cracking tool that supports simple brute force, rule-based, and hybrid attacks. Ncrack helps crack network authentication and supports various attack types. RainbowCrack is another high-speed cracking tool that leverages rainbow tables.
Brute force attacks are not just theoretical concepts; they pose real and significant risks. There have been numerous real-life examples of organizations falling victim to these attacks. For instance, the Canadian Revenue Agency experienced a brute force attack in 2020 that compromised 11,000 accounts. Attackers used previously stolen credentials to brute force their way into the agency’s systems. In 2018, the e-commerce platform Magneto was targeted by a brute force attack that exposed 1,000 account credentials on the dark web. The Northern Ireland Parliament was also a victim of brute force attacks in the same year, with hackers gaining access to the accounts of some members. In 2016, the Alibaba e-commerce site TaoBao experienced a brute force attack that compromised a staggering 21 million accounts.
Various factors contribute to the prevalence of brute force attacks. Poor password practices, such as using simple or generic passwords like “123456” or “admin,” make it easier for attackers to crack credentials. Additionally, many users reuse passwords across accounts, which means that if their credentials are stolen from one account, all their other accounts using the same credentials are at risk of exposure. Furthermore, organizations often use predictable patterns for login credentials, such as using an employee’s initial and last names followed by the company name. Storing credentials, API keys, and passwords in plaintext or poorly encrypted databases also leaves organizations vulnerable to brute force attacks. Organizations that rely solely on passwords or keys for authentication, without implementing multi-factor authentication or robust access control measures, are at greater risk.
Given the substantial risks associated with brute force attacks, it is crucial to take proactive steps to protect your APIs, apps, and websites. There are several effective strategies that organizations can implement to mitigate the risk of brute force attacks.
First and foremost, it is essential to have robust brute force attack detection mechanisms in place. These mechanisms can identify abnormal login attempts and flag them for further investigation. Access violations should be logged and monitored closely to identify potential brute force attacks. Additionally, organizations should implement strong password policies that require users to create complex and unique passwords, as well as enforce regular password updates. Multifactor authentication is another critical measure that can significantly enhance security. By requiring users to provide additional verification, such as a code sent to their mobile device, organizations can add an extra layer of protection against brute force attacks.
Implementing robust access control and authorization policies is also crucial. Organizations should carefully define user roles and permissions and ensure that access is granted on a need-to-know basis. This principle of least privilege can help minimize the potential damage in the event of a successful brute force attack. Account lockout policies are another effective measure. These policies lock user accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts, making it more challenging for attackers to crack credentials. Progressive delays can be introduced to thwart brute force attacks. By increasing the delay between successive login attempts, organizations can slow down attackers and make it more time-consuming to crack credentials.
CAPTCHA challenges can also be effective in preventing brute force attacks. By requiring users to complete a challenge, such as identifying and clicking on specific images, organizations can ensure that login attempts are performed by humans rather than automated tools. However, it is crucial to implement CAPTCHA challenges intelligently to strike a balance between security and user experience.
Using robust cryptographic hashing algorithms to secure passwords is another essential measure. Passwords should never be stored in plaintext or using weak encryption methods. Instead, organizations should use strong hashing algorithms, such as bcrypt or PBKDF2, to securely store and verify passwords. These algorithms make it computationally expensive for attackers to crack passwords, significantly increasing the difficulty of brute force attacks.
Finally, organizations should consider implementing bot mitigation measures. Botnets are commonly used in brute force attacks to overcome the challenges of cracking complex passwords. By deploying bot mitigation solutions, such as CAPTCHA challenges or behavioral analysis algorithms, organizations can effectively distinguish between human users and malicious bots, significantly reducing the risk of brute force attacks.
In conclusion, brute force attacks pose a significant threat to organizations, with their prevalence reaching alarming levels. APIs, in particular, are attractive targets for attackers due to their programmatically exposed data and functionalities. It is crucial for organizations to take immediate action to protect their digital assets from brute force attacks. By implementing robust brute force attack detection mechanisms, enforcing strong password policies and multifactor authentication, implementing robust access control and authorization policies, enforcing account lockout policies, introducing progressive delays, intelligently using CAPTCHA challenges, using secure hashing algorithms, and implementing bot mitigation measures, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture and mitigate the risks associated with brute force attacks. Taking these proactive steps will help ensure the security and integrity of APIs, apps, and websites, safeguarding sensitive data and functionalities against potential attackers.