The Attenuator acts as an intelligent filter that can analyze security events detected by Jibril and provide additional context.
New Feature!
Jibril
Jibril eBPF and Security DiscordGarnet Labs🐈‍⬛
  • Jibril
    • Jibril
      • New Era
      • Theory Behind
      • Architecture
      • Agent Dashboard
      • Compare
    • Install and Run
      • Requirements
      • Systemd Service
      • Command Line
      • Docker Container
      • Kubernetes
        • Kubernetes Script
      • Configuration File
      • Network Policy File
      • Systemd Config
    • Components
      • Features
      • Extensions
      • Plugins
      • Printers
      • Events
      • Network Policy
      • Attenuator
    • Mechanisms
      • File Access
      • Execution
      • File Access And Execution
      • Network Peers
      • Network eBPF Logic
      • Probes and Traces
      • Bigger eBPF Logic
      • Loader Interception
    • Detections
      • File Access
        • Auth Logs Tamper
        • Binary Self Deletion
        • Capabilities Modification
        • Code Modification Through Procfs
        • Core Pattern Access
        • CPU Fingerprint
        • Credentials Files Access
        • Crypto Miner Files
        • Environment Read From ProcFS
        • File Example
        • Filesystem Fingerprint
        • Global Shlib Modification
        • Java Debug Lib Load
        • Java Instrument Lib Load
        • Machine Fingerprint
        • OS Fingerprint
        • OS Network Fingerprint
        • OS Status Fingerprint
        • Package Repo Config Modification
        • PAM Config Modification
        • Sched Debug Access
        • Shell Config Modification
        • SSL Certificate Access
        • Sudoers Modification
        • Sysrq Access
        • Unprivileged Bpf Config Access
      • Execution
        • Binary Executed By Loader
        • Code On The Fly
        • Crypto Miner Execution
        • Data Encoder Exec
        • Denial Of Service Tools
        • Exec Example
        • Exec From Unusual Dir
        • File Attribute Change
        • Hidden Elf Exec
        • Interpreter Shell Spawn
        • Net Filecopy Tool Exec
        • Net MitM Tool Exec
        • Net Scan Tool Exec
        • Net Sniff Tool Exec
        • Net Suspicious Tool Exec
        • Net Suspicious Tool Shell
        • Passwd Usage
        • Runc Suspicious Exec
        • Webserver Exec
        • Webserver Shell Exec
      • Network Peers
        • Adult Domain Access
        • Badware Domain Access
        • Dynamic DNS Domain Access
        • Fake Domain Access
        • Gambling Domain Access
        • Peer Example
        • Piracy Domain Access
        • Plaintext Communication
        • Threat Domain Access
        • Tracking Domain Access
        • VPN Domain Access
    • Bugs and Requests
    • Banner
    • License
  • MITRE
    • Techniques
      • Reconnaissance
        • Active Scanning
          • Scanning IP Blocks
          • Vulnerability Scanning
          • Wordlist Scanning
        • Gather Victim Host Information
          • Hardware
          • Software
          • Firmware
          • Client Configurations
        • Gather Victim Identity Information
          • Credentials
          • Email Addresses
          • Employee Names
        • Gather Victim Network Information
          • Domain Properties
          • DNS
          • Network Trust Dependencies
          • Network Topology
          • IP Addresses
          • Network Security Appliances
        • Gather Victim Org Information
          • Determine Physical Locations
          • Business Relationships
          • Identify Business Tempo
          • Identify Roles
        • Phishing for Information
          • Spearphishing Service
          • Spearphishing Attachment
          • Spearphishing Link
          • Spearphishing Voice
        • Search Closed Sources
          • Threat Intel Vendors
          • Purchase Technical Data
        • Search Open Technical Databases
          • DNS/Passive DNS
          • WHOIS
          • Digital Certificates
          • CDNs
          • Scan Databases
        • Search Open Websites/Domains
          • Social Media
          • Search Engines
          • Code Repositories
        • Search Victim-Owned Websites
      • Resource Development
        • Acquire Access
        • Acquire Infrastructure
          • Domains
          • DNS Server
          • Virtual Private Server
          • Server
          • Botnet
          • Web Services
          • Serverless
          • Malvertising
        • Compromise Accounts
          • Social Media Accounts
          • Email Accounts
          • Cloud Accounts
        • Compromise Infrastructure
          • Domains
          • DNS Server
          • Virtual Private Server
          • Server
          • Botnet
          • Web Services
          • Serverless
          • Network Devices
        • Develop Capabilities
          • Malware
          • Code Signing Certificates
          • Digital Certificates
          • Exploits
        • Establish Accounts
          • Social Media Accounts
          • Email Accounts
          • Cloud Accounts
        • Obtain Capabilities
          • Malware
          • Tool
          • Code Signing Certificates
          • Digital Certificates
          • Exploits
          • Vulnerabilities
          • Artificial Intelligence
        • Stage Capabilities
          • Upload Malware
          • Upload Tool
          • Install Digital Certificate
          • Drive-by Target
          • Link Target
          • SEO Poisoning
      • Initial Access
        • Drive-by Compromise
        • Exploit Public-Facing Application
        • External Remote Services
        • Hardware Additions
        • Phishing
          • Spearphishing Attachment
          • Spearphishing Link
          • Spearphishing via Service
          • Spearphishing Voice
        • Replication Through Removable Media
        • Supply Chain Compromise
          • Compromise Software Dependencies and Development Tools
          • Compromise Software Supply Chain
          • Compromise Hardware Supply Chain
        • Trusted Relationship
        • Valid Accounts
          • Default Accounts
          • Domain Accounts
          • Local Accounts
          • Cloud Accounts
      • Execution
        • Cloud Administration Command
        • Command and Scripting Interpreter
          • PowerShell
          • AppleScript
          • Windows Command Shell
          • Unix Shell
          • Visual Basic
          • Python
          • JavaScript
          • Network Device CLI
          • Cloud API
          • AutoHotkey & AutoIt
          • Lua
        • Container Administration Command
          • Deploy Container
        • Exploitation for Client Execution
        • Inter-Process Communication
          • Component Object Model
          • Dynamic Data Exchange
          • XPC Services
        • Native API
        • Scheduled Task/Job
          • At
          • Cron
          • Scheduled Task
          • Systemd Timers
          • Container Orchestration Job
        • Serverless Execution
        • Shared Modules
        • Software Deployment Tools
        • System Services
          • Launchctl
          • Service Execution
        • User Execution
          • Malicious Link
          • Malicious File
          • Malicious Image
        • Windows Management Instrumentation
      • Persistence
        • Account Manipulation
          • Additional Cloud Credentials
          • Additional Email Delegate Permissions
          • Additional Cloud Roles
          • SSH Authorized Keys
          • Device Registration
          • Additional Container Cluster Roles
          • Additional Local or Domain Groups
        • BITS Jobs
        • Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
          • Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
          • Authentication Package
          • Time Providers
          • Winlogon Helper DLL
          • Security Support Provider
          • Kernel Modules and Extensions
          • Re-opened Applications
          • LSASS Driver
          • Shortcut Modification
          • Port Monitors
          • Print Processors
          • XDG Autostart Entries
          • Active Setup
          • Login Items
        • Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts
          • Logon Script (Windows)
          • Login Hook
          • Network Logon Script
          • RC Scripts
          • Startup Items
        • Browser Extensions
        • Compromise Host Software Binary
        • Create Account
          • Local Account
          • Domain Account
          • Cloud Account
        • Create or Modify System Process
          • Launch Agent
          • Systemd Service
          • Windows Service
          • Launch Daemon
          • Container Service
        • Event Triggered Execution
          • Change Default File Association
          • Screensaver
          • Windows Management Instrumentation Event Subscription
          • Unix Shell Configuration Modification
          • Trap
          • LC_LOAD_DYLIB Addition
          • Netsh Helper DLL
          • Accessibility Features
          • AppCert DLLs
          • AppInit DLLs
          • Application Shimming
          • Image File Execution Options Injection
          • PowerShell Profile
          • Emond
          • Component Object Model Hijacking
          • Installer Packages
          • Udev Rules
        • External Remote Services
        • Hijack Execution Flow
          • DLL Search Order Hijacking
          • DLL Side-Loading
          • Dylib Hijacking
          • Executable Installer File Permissions Weakness
          • Dynamic Linker Hijacking
          • Path Interception by PATH Environment Variable
          • Path Interception by Search Order Hijacking
          • Path Interception by Unquoted Path
          • Services File Permissions Weakness
          • Services Registry Permissions Weakness
          • COR_PROFILER
          • KernelCallbackTable
          • AppDomainManager
        • Implant Internal Image
        • Modify Authentication Process
          • Domain Controller Authentication
          • Password Filter DLL
          • Pluggable Authentication Modules
          • Network Device Authentication
          • Reverse Encryption
          • Multi-Factor Authentication
          • Hybrid Identity
          • Network Provider DLL
          • Conditional Access Policies
        • Office Application Startup
          • Office Template Macros
          • Office Test
          • Outlook Forms
          • Outlook Home Page
          • Outlook Rules
          • Add-ins
        • Pre-OS Boot
          • System Firmware
          • Component Firmware
          • Bootkit
          • ROMMONkit
          • TFTP Boot
        • Scheduled Task/Job
        • Server Software Component
          • SQL Stored Procedures
          • Transport Agent
          • Web Shell
          • IIS Components
          • Terminal Services DLL
        • Traffic Signaling
          • Port Knocking
          • Socket Filters
        • Valid Accounts
      • Privilege Escalation
        • Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
          • Setuid and Setgid
          • Bypass User Account Control
          • Sudo and Sudo Caching
          • Elevated Execution with Prompt
          • Temporary Elevated Cloud Access
          • TCC Manipulation
        • Access Token Manipulation
          • Token Impersonation/Theft
          • Create Process with Token
          • Make and Impersonate Token
          • Parent PID Spoofing
          • SID-History Injection
        • Account Manipulation
        • Boot or Logon Autostart Execution
        • Boot or Logon Initialization Scripts
        • Create or Modify System Process
        • Domain or Group Policy Modification
          • Group Policy Modification
          • Trust Modification
        • Escape to Host
        • Event Triggered Execution
        • Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
        • Hijack Execution Flow
        • Process Injection
          • Dynamic-link Library Injection
          • Portable Executable Injection
          • Thread Execution Hijacking
          • Asynchronous Procedure Call
          • Thread Local Storage
          • Ptrace System Calls
          • Proc Memory
          • Extra Window Memory Injection
          • Process Hollowing
          • Process Doppelgänging
          • VDSO Hijacking
          • ListPlanting
        • Scheduled Task/Job
        • Valid Accounts
      • Defense Evasion
        • Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
        • Access Token Manipulation
        • BITS Jobs
        • Build Image on Host
        • Deobfuscate/Decode Files or Information
        • Direct Volume Access
        • Domain Policy Modification
        • Execution Guardrails
          • Environmental Keying
          • Geofencing
          • Time Based Evasion
        • Exploitation for Defense Evasion
        • File and Directory Permissions Modification
          • Windows File and Directory Permissions Modification
          • Linux and Mac File and Directory Permissions Modification
        • Hide Artifacts
          • Hidden Files and Directories
          • Hidden Users
          • Hidden Window
          • NTFS File Attributes
          • Hidden File System
        • Hijack Execution Flow
        • Impair Defenses
          • Disable or Modify Tools
          • Disable Windows Event Logging
          • Disable or Modify System Firewall
          • Disable or Modify Cloud Logs
        • Indicator Removal
          • Clear Windows Event Logs
          • Clear Command History
          • Clear Network Connection History and Logs
          • File Deletion
          • Timestomp
        • Indirect Command Execution
        • Masquerading
          • Match Legitimate Name or Location
          • Rename System Utilities
          • Masquerade Task or Service
          • Double File Extension
          • Right-to-Left Override
          • Space after Filename
          • Compiled HTML File
        • Modify Authentication Process
        • Modify Cloud Environment
          • Add Resources or Services
          • Modify Permissions
        • Modify Registry
        • Modify System Image
          • Patch System Image
          • Downgrade System Image
        • Network Boundary Bridging
          • Network Address Translation Traversal
        • Obfuscated Files or Information
          • Software Packing
          • Steganography
          • Compile After Delivery
          • Binary Padding
          • HTML Smuggling
        • Pre-OS Boot
        • Process Injection
        • Reflective Code Loading
        • Rogue Domain Controller
        • Rootkit
        • Subvert Trust Controls
          • Mark-of-the-Web Bypass
          • SIP and Trust Provider Hijacking
          • Code Signing
          • Install Root Certificate
          • Gatekeeper Bypass
        • System Binary Proxy Execution
          • Compiled HTML File
          • Control Panel
          • CMSTP
          • InstallUtil
          • Mshta
          • Msiexec
          • Odbcconf
          • Regsvcs/Regasm
          • Regsvr32
          • Rundll32
          • Verclsid
          • Mavinject
          • MMC
        • System Script Proxy Execution
          • PubPrn
        • Template Injection
        • Traffic Signaling
        • Use Alternate Authentication Material
          • Application Access Token
          • Pass the Hash
          • Pass the Ticket
          • Web Session Cookie
        • Valid Accounts
        • Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion
          • System Checks
          • User Activity Based Checks
          • Time Based Evasion
        • Weaken Encryption
          • Reduce Key Space
          • Disable or Remove Encryption
        • XSL Script Processing
        • Credential Access
          • Adversary-in-the-Middle
            • LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning and SMB Relay
            • ARP Cache Poisoning
            • DHCP Spoofing
            • Evil Twin
          • Brute Force
            • Password Guessing
            • Password Cracking
            • Password Spraying
            • Credential Stuffing
          • Credentials from Password Stores
            • Credentials from Web Browsers
            • Windows Credential Manager
            • Credentials from Password Managers
          • Exploitation for Credential Access
          • Forced Authentication
          • Forge Web Credentials
            • Web Cookies
            • SAML Tokens
          • Input Capture
            • Keylogging
            • GUI Input Capture
            • Web Portal Capture
          • Modify Authentication Process
          • Multi-Factor Authentication Interception
          • Multi-Factor Authentication Request Generation
          • Network Sniffing
          • OS Credential Dumping
            • LSASS Memory
            • Security Account Manager
            • NTDS
            • LSA Secrets
            • Cached Domain Credentials
            • DCSync
            • Proc Filesystem
          • Steal Application Access Token
          • Steal or Forge Authentication Certificates
          • Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets
            • Golden Ticket
            • Silver Ticket
            • Kerberoasting
          • Steal Web Session Cookie
          • Unsecured Credentials
            • Credentials in Files
            • Credentials in Registry
            • Bash History
            • Credentials in Configuration Files
        • Discovery
          • Account Discovery
            • Local Account
            • Domain Account
            • Cloud Account
          • Application Window Discovery
          • Browser Bookmark Discovery
          • Cloud Infrastructure Discovery
            • Cloud Storage Object Discovery
          • Cloud Service Dashboard
          • Cloud Service Discovery
          • Container and Resource Discovery
          • Domain Trust Discovery
          • File and Directory Discovery
          • Group Policy Discovery
          • Network Service Discovery
          • Network Share Discovery
          • Network Sniffing
          • Password Policy Discovery
          • Peripheral Device Discovery
          • Permission Groups Discovery
            • Local Groups
            • Domain Groups
            • Cloud Groups
          • Process Discovery
          • Query Registry
          • Remote System Discovery
          • Software Discovery
            • Security Software Discovery
            • Installed Services Discovery
          • System Information Discovery
          • System Location Discovery
            • System Language Discovery
          • System Network Configuration Discovery
            • Internet Connection Discovery
            • Domain Generation Algorithm Discovery
          • System Network Connections Discovery
          • System Owner/User Discovery
          • System Service Discovery
          • System Time Discovery
          • Virtualization/Sandbox Evasion
          • Wireless Network Discovery
        • Lateral Movement
          • Exploitation of Remote Services
          • Internal Spearphishing
          • Lateral Tool Transfer
          • Remote Service Session Hijacking
            • RDP Hijacking
          • Remote Services
            • Remote Desktop Protocol
            • Windows Admin Shares
            • Distributed Component Object Model
            • SSH
            • VNC
            • Apple Remote Desktop
            • Cloud Services
          • Replication Through Removable Media
          • Software Deployment Tools
          • Taint Shared Content
          • Use Alternate Authentication Material
        • Collection
          • Adversary-in-the-Middle
          • Archive Collected Data
            • Archive via Utility
            • Archive via Library
            • Archive via Custom Method
          • Audio Capture
          • Automated Collection
          • Browser Session Hijacking
          • Clipboard Data
          • Data from Cloud Storage
            • Cloud Storage Object
          • Data from Configuration Repository
            • SNMP MIB Dump
            • Network Device Configuration Dump
          • Data from Information Repositories
            • SharePoint
            • Code Repositories
            • Customer Relationship Management Software
            • Messaging Applications
          • Data from Local System
          • Data from Network Shared Drive
          • Data from Removable Media
          • Data Staged
            • Local Data Staging
            • Remote Data Staging
          • Email Collection
            • Local Email Collection
            • Remote Email Collection
            • Email Forwarding Rule
          • Input Capture
          • Screen Capture
          • Video Capture
        • Command and Control
          • Application Layer Protocol
            • Web Protocols
            • File Transfer Protocols
            • Mail Protocols
            • DNS
          • Communication Through Removable Media
          • Data Encoding
            • Standard Encoding
            • Non-Standard Encoding
          • Data Obfuscation
            • Junk Data
            • Steganography
            • Protocol Impersonation
          • Dynamic Resolution
            • Fast Flux DNS
            • Domain Generation Algorithms
            • DNS Calculation
          • Encrypted Channel
            • Symmetric Cryptography
            • Asymmetric Cryptography
          • Fallback Channels
          • Ingress Tool Transfer
          • Multi-Stage Channels
          • Non-Application Layer Protocol
          • Non-Standard Port
          • Protocol Tunneling
          • Proxy
            • Internal Proxy
            • External Proxy
            • Multi-hop Proxy
            • Domain Fronting
          • Remote Access Software
          • Traffic Signaling
          • Web Service
            • Dead Drop Resolver
            • Bidirectional Communication
            • One-Way Communication
        • Exfiltration
          • Automated Exfiltration
            • Traffic Duplication
          • Data Transfer Size Limits
          • Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol
            • Exfiltration Over Symmetric Encrypted Non-C2 Protocol
            • Exfiltration Over Asymmetric Encrypted Non-C2 Protocol
            • Exfiltration Over Unencrypted Non-C2 Protocol
          • Exfiltration Over C2 Channel
          • Exfiltration Over Other Network Medium
            • Exfiltration Over Bluetooth
          • Exfiltration Over Physical Medium
            • Exfiltration over USB
          • Exfiltration Over Web Service
            • Exfiltration to Cloud Storage
            • Exfiltration to Code Repository
            • Exfiltration to Text Storage Sites
            • Exfiltration Over Webhook
          • Scheduled Transfer
        • Impact
          • Account Access Removal
          • Data Destruction
            • Lifecycle/Trigger Deletion
          • Data Encrypted for Impact
          • Data Manipulation
            • Stored Data Manipulation
            • Transmitted Data Manipulation
            • Runtime Data Manipulation
          • Defacement
            • Internal Defacement
            • External Defacement
          • Disk Wipe
            • Disk Structure Wipe
            • Disk Content Wipe
          • Endpoint Denial of Service
            • OS Exhaustion Flood
            • Service Exhaustion Flood
            • Application Exhaustion Flood
            • Application or System Exploitation
          • Firmware Corruption
          • Inhibit System Recovery
          • Network Denial of Service
            • Direct Network Flood
            • Reflection Amplification
          • Resource Hijacking
            • SMS Pumping
          • Service Stop
          • System Shutdown/Reboot
  • Knowledge
    • eBPF
      • eBPF Helpers
        • map_xxx_elem (v3.19)
        • get_prandom_u32 (v4.1)
        • get_smp_processor_id (v4.1)
  • Research
    • Runtime Security
      • Valkyrie Response
Powered by GitBook

© 2025 • Jibril • by Garnet Labs

On this page
  • Information
  • Introduction
  • Deep Dive Into Technique
  • When this Technique is Usually Used
  • How this Technique is Usually Detected
  • Why it is Important to Detect This Technique
  • Examples
  1. MITRE
  2. Techniques
  3. Persistence
  4. Modify Authentication Process

Network Device Authentication

Network Device Authentication [T1556.004]

Last updated 1 month ago

Information

  • Name: Network Device Authentication

  • ID: T1556.004

  • Tactics: , ,

  • Technique:

Introduction

Network Device Authentication (T1556.004) is a sub-technique within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Credential Access tactic. It involves adversaries exploiting authentication mechanisms used by network devices such as routers, switches, firewalls, VPN gateways, and other networking hardware. Attackers aim to obtain valid credentials or authentication tokens, enabling unauthorized access, lateral movement, and persistence within targeted networks. This sub-technique emphasizes the critical role network infrastructure plays in overall cybersecurity posture, as compromised network devices can provide attackers strategic entry and control points within an organization's environment.

Deep Dive Into Technique

Network Device Authentication exploitation involves several technical methods and mechanisms:

  • Credential Harvesting:

    • Attackers may intercept or capture credentials from traffic traversing network devices, including plaintext or weakly encrypted authentication data.

    • Protocols like Telnet, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), HTTP, and FTP may expose credentials in plaintext or easily decryptable forms.

  • Brute Force and Credential Stuffing:

    • Attackers commonly use automated tools to perform brute force attacks against network device login interfaces, attempting to guess passwords or reuse known compromised credentials.

    • Credential stuffing involves using previously compromised credential databases to attempt authentication against network devices.

  • Exploiting Weak Authentication Mechanisms:

    • Default credentials (vendor-supplied default usernames/passwords) are often left unchanged, providing attackers easy entry.

    • Weak authentication protocols like SNMP v1/v2c, which use community strings transmitted in plaintext, are frequently targeted.

  • Exploiting Misconfigurations:

    • Misconfigured authentication mechanisms or overly permissive access control lists (ACLs) can provide attackers unauthorized access.

    • Devices configured with weak or deprecated cryptographic protocols (e.g., MD5 hashes, DES encryption) are vulnerable to credential extraction and replay attacks.

  • Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks:

    • Attackers may position themselves between legitimate users and network devices, intercepting authentication credentials or tokens.

    • Techniques such as ARP spoofing, DNS spoofing, or rogue DHCP servers can facilitate MitM attacks, capturing authentication traffic.

  • Credential Dumping from Device Configuration Files:

    • Attackers may gain access to device configuration files stored in plain text or weakly encrypted forms, extracting credentials directly.

When this Technique is Usually Used

Attack scenarios and stages in which adversaries typically leverage Network Device Authentication include:

  • Initial Access:

    • Attackers exploit default credentials or weak authentication mechanisms to gain initial footholds into network infrastructure.

  • Lateral Movement:

    • Compromised network device credentials allow attackers to pivot across internal networks, bypassing perimeter defenses and accessing sensitive internal resources.

  • Privilege Escalation and Persistence:

    • Attackers maintain persistent access by installing backdoors or creating additional administrative accounts on network devices.

  • Reconnaissance and Information Gathering:

    • Attackers utilize compromised credentials to gather information on network topology, device configurations, and internal network structure.

  • Disruption and Denial of Service (DoS):

    • Credentials may be used to alter device configurations, disable critical security controls, or disrupt network operations.

How this Technique is Usually Detected

Detection methods, tools, and indicators of compromise (IoCs) for Network Device Authentication exploitation include:

  • Log Analysis and Monitoring:

    • Monitor authentication logs from network devices for repeated failed login attempts, anomalous login times, or logins from unusual IP addresses.

    • Implement centralized logging solutions (e.g., SIEM systems) to correlate authentication activities across multiple devices.

  • Network Traffic Inspection:

    • Deploy network monitoring tools such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) or network traffic analyzers (e.g., Wireshark, Zeek) to detect credential harvesting or MitM attacks.

    • Look for unusual traffic patterns, unexpected protocol usage (e.g., plaintext authentication protocols), or unauthorized access attempts.

  • Configuration File Auditing:

    • Regularly audit network device configuration files for unauthorized changes, unexpected administrative accounts, or insecure authentication settings.

    • Tools like RANCID or Oxidized can automate configuration management and detect unauthorized configuration modifications.

  • Behavioral Analysis and Anomaly Detection:

    • Employ anomaly detection tools to identify deviations from baseline access patterns, such as unusual administrative access or configuration changes outside maintenance windows.

  • Indicators of Compromise (IoCs):

    • Presence of unexpected administrative accounts or configuration changes.

    • Unusual network traffic patterns indicative of credential harvesting or MitM attacks.

    • Detection of authentication attempts using default or known compromised credentials.

    • Logs showing login attempts from unknown or suspicious IP addresses, especially external or geographically unusual locations.

Why it is Important to Detect This Technique

Detecting exploitation of Network Device Authentication is critical due to several potential impacts:

  • Unauthorized Network Access:

    • Attackers gaining valid credentials can access sensitive network resources, leading to data theft, espionage, or sabotage.

  • Lateral Movement and Privilege Escalation:

    • Compromised network devices serve as pivot points for attackers, enabling lateral movement and escalation of privileges across internal networks.

  • Persistence and Stealth:

    • Attackers can establish persistent, stealthy footholds within network infrastructure, making detection and remediation challenging.

  • Network Disruption and Denial of Service:

    • Attackers may alter configurations, disable critical security features, or disrupt network services, causing significant operational impacts.

  • Data Breaches and Compliance Violations:

    • Unauthorized access to network infrastructure increases the risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and associated financial and reputational damages.

Early detection facilitates prompt response, containment, and mitigation, significantly reducing potential damage and operational disruption.

Examples

Real-world examples illustrating Network Device Authentication exploitation:

  • Cisco Smart Install Exploitation (2018):

    • Attackers leveraged Cisco Smart Install protocol vulnerabilities to access network devices using default or weak credentials.

    • Thousands of Cisco routers and switches were compromised, enabling attackers to alter configurations, disrupt services, and exfiltrate sensitive data.

  • VPNFilter Malware Campaign (2018):

    • VPNFilter malware infected network devices by exploiting weak authentication credentials on routers and NAS devices.

    • Attackers gained persistent access, performed data exfiltration, and staged large-scale denial-of-service attacks.

  • Mirai Botnet (2016):

    • The Mirai botnet compromised IoT and network devices by scanning for devices using default or weak credentials.

    • Attackers built a massive botnet capable of performing large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, notably impacting Dyn DNS services and causing widespread internet disruptions.

  • APT41 Network Device Exploitation (2019-2020):

    • Chinese state-sponsored threat actor APT41 targeted network devices using credential harvesting and exploitation of authentication mechanisms.

    • Attackers compromised routers, VPN gateways, and firewalls, enabling lateral movement, espionage, and data theft within targeted organizations.

These examples demonstrate the significant risks posed by compromised network device authentication, underscoring the importance of robust authentication practices, continuous monitoring, and proactive security measures.

TA0006
TA0005
TA0003
T1556