Exploit Public-Facing Application
Adversaries may attempt to take advantage of a weakness in an Internet-facing computer or program using software, data, or commands in order to cause unintended or unanticipated behavior. The weakness in the system can be a bug, a glitch, or a design vulnerability. These applications are often websites, but can include databases (like SQL)[1], standard services (like SMB[2] or SSH), network device administration and management protocols (like SNMP and Smart Install[3][4]), and any other applications with Internet accessible open sockets, such as web servers and related services.[5] Depending on the flaw being exploited this may include Exploitation for Defense Evasion.
If an application is hosted on cloud-based infrastructure, then exploiting it may lead to compromise of the underlying instance. This can allow an adversary a path to access the cloud APIs or to take advantage of weak identity and access management policies.
For websites and databases, the OWASP top 10 and CWE top 25 highlight the most common web-based vulnerabilities.[6][7]
Procedure Examples
Name | Description |
---|---|
APT28 |
APT28 has conducted SQL injection attacks against organizations' external websites.[8] |
APT29 |
APT29 has exploited CVE-2019-19781 for Citrix, CVE-2019-11510 for Pulse Secure VPNs, CVE-2018-13379 for FortiGate VPNs, and CVE-2019-9670 in Zimbra software to gain access.[9] |
APT39 | |
APT41 |
APT41 exploited CVE-2020-10189 against Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central, and CVE-2019-19781 to compromise Citrix Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) and gateway devices.[11] |
Axiom |
Axiom has been observed using SQL injection to gain access to systems.[12][13] |
BlackTech |
BlackTech has exploited a buffer overflow vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0, CVE-2017-7269, in order to establish a new HTTP or command and control (C2) server.[14] |
Blue Mockingbird |
Blue Mockingbird has gained initial access by exploiting CVE-2019-18935, a vulnerability within Telerik UI for ASP.NET AJAX.[15] |
GOLD SOUTHFIELD |
GOLD SOUTHFIELD has exploited Oracle WebLogic vulnerabilities for initial compromise.[16] |
Havij | |
Night Dragon |
Night Dragon has performed SQL injection attacks of extranet web servers to gain access.[18] |
Rocke |
Rocke exploited Apache Struts, Oracle WebLogic (CVE-2017-10271), and Adobe ColdFusion (CVE-2017-3066) vulnerabilities to deliver malware.[19][20] |
Soft Cell |
Soft Cell exploited a publicly-facing server to gain access to the network.[21] |
SoreFang |
SoreFang can gain access by exploiting a Sangfor SSL VPN vulnerability that allows for the placement and delivery of malicious update binaries.[22] |
sqlmap |
sqlmap can be used to automate exploitation of SQL injection vulnerabilities.[23] |
UNC2452 |
UNC2452 exploited CVE-2020-0688 against the Microsoft Exchange Control Panel to regain access to a network.[24] |
Mitigations
Mitigation | Description |
---|---|
Application Isolation and Sandboxing |
Application isolation will limit what other processes and system features the exploited target can access. |
Exploit Protection |
Web Application Firewalls may be used to limit exposure of applications to prevent exploit traffic from reaching the application. |
Network Segmentation |
Segment externally facing servers and services from the rest of the network with a DMZ or on separate hosting infrastructure. |
Privileged Account Management |
Use least privilege for service accounts will limit what permissions the exploited process gets on the rest of the system. |
Update Software |
Regularly scan externally facing systems for vulnerabilities and establish procedures to rapidly patch systems when critical vulnerabilities are discovered through scanning and through public disclosure. |
Vulnerability Scanning |
Regularly scan externally facing systems for vulnerabilities and establish procedures to rapidly patch systems when critical vulnerabilities are discovered through scanning and through public disclosure.[6] |
Detection
Monitor application logs for abnormal behavior that may indicate attempted or successful exploitation. Use deep packet inspection to look for artifacts of common exploit traffic, such as SQL injection. Web Application Firewalls may detect improper inputs attempting exploitation.
References
- National Vulnerability Database. (2017, February 2). CVE-2016-6662 Detail. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- CIS. (2017, May 15). Multiple Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows SMB Server Could Allow for Remote Code Execution. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- US-CERT. (2018, April 20). Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Targeting Network Infrastructure Devices. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- Omar Santos. (2020, October 19). Attackers Continue to Target Legacy Devices. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- National Vulnerability Database. (2017, September 24). CVE-2014-7169 Detail. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- OWASP. (2018, February 23). OWASP Top Ten Project. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- Christey, S., Brown, M., Kirby, D., Martin, B., Paller, A.. (2011, September 13). 2011 CWE/SANS Top 25 Most Dangerous Software Errors. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- Brady, S . (2018, October 3). Indictment - United States vs Aleksei Sergeyevich Morenets, et al.. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
- National Cyber Security Centre. (2020, July 16). Advisory: APT29 targets COVID-19 vaccine development. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- Symantec. (2018, February 28). Chafer: Latest Attacks Reveal Heightened Ambitions. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- Glyer, C, et al. (2020, March). This Is Not a Test: APT41 Initiates Global Intrusion Campaign Using Multiple Exploits. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- Novetta. (n.d.). Operation SMN: Axiom Threat Actor Group Report. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- Esler, J., Lee, M., and Williams, C.. (2014, October 14). Threat Spotlight: Group 72. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- Bermejo, L., et al. (2017, June 22). Following the Trail of BlackTech’s Cyber Espionage Campaigns. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- Lambert, T. (2020, May 7). Introducing Blue Mockingbird. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- Counter Threat Unit Research Team. (2019, September 24). REvil/Sodinokibi Ransomware. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- Ganani, M. (2015, May 14). Analysis of the Havij SQL Injection tool. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- McAfee® Foundstone® Professional Services and McAfee Labs™. (2011, February 10). Global Energy Cyberattacks: “Night Dragon”. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- Liebenberg, D.. (2018, August 30). Rocke: The Champion of Monero Miners. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- Xingyu, J.. (2019, January 17). Malware Used by Rocke Group Evolves to Evade Detection by Cloud Security Products. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- Cybereason Nocturnus. (2019, June 25). Operation Soft Cell: A Worldwide Campaign Against Telecommunications Providers. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- CISA. (2020, July 16). MAR-10296782-1.v1 – SOREFANG. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- Damele, B., Stampar, M. (n.d.). sqlmap. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- Cash, D. et al. (2020, December 14). Dark Halo Leverages SolarWinds Compromise to Breach Organizations. Retrieved December 29, 2020.