CEH v9 Notes
CEH v9 Notes
CEH v9 Notes
Table of Contents
Module 1: Introduction to Ethical Hacking
Module 2: Footprinting and Reconnaissance
Module 3: Scanning Networks
Module 4: Enumeration
Module 5: System Hacking
Module 6: Malware Threats
Module 7: Sniffing
Module 8: Social Engineering
Module 9: Denial of Service
Module 10: Session Hijacking
Module 11: Hacking Web Servers
Module 12: Hacking Web Applications
Module 13: SQL Injection
Module 14: Hacking Wireless Networks
Module 15: Hacking Mobile Platforms
Module 16: Evading IDS, Firewalls, and Honeypots
Module 17: Cloud Computing
Module 18: Cryptography
Post Module: Extra Resources
● Terminology
○ Hack Value: Notion among hackers that something is worth doing or interesting
○ Vulnerability: Existence of a weakness, design, or implementation error that can lead to an expected event
compromising the security of the system
○ Exploit: A breach of IT system security through vulnerabilities
○ Payload: Part of an exploit code that perform the intended malicious action
○ Zero-Day Attack: An attack that exploits computer app vulnerabilities before the software developer releases a
patch for the vulnerability
○ Daisy Chaining: Gaining access to one network and/or computer and then using the same info to gain access to
multiple networks and computer that contains desirable info
○ Doxing: Publishing personally identifiable information
○ Bot: software app that can be controlled remotely to execute or automate pre-defined tasks
● Cloud computing: is an on-demand delivery of IT capabilities, and stores data. Must be secure
● Advanced Persistent Threats: APT focus on stealing info from victim machine w/o user aware
● Viruses and Worms: Capable of infecting a network within seconds
● Mobile Threats: Many attackers see mobile phone as a way to gain access
● Botnet: huge network of compromised systems
● Insider Attack: an attack performed on a corporate network by an entrusted person w/ access
● Reconnaissance: Preparation phase when an attacker seeks to gather information. Does not directly interact with the
system, and relies on social engineering and public info
● Scanning: Identify specific vulnerabilities (in-depth probing). Using Port scanners to detect listening ports (companies
should shut down ports that are not required)
● Gaining Access: Using vulnerabilities identified during reconnaissance [DoS, Logic/Time Exploit, reconfiguring/crashing
system]
● Maintaining Access: Keeping a low profile, keeping system as a launch pad, etc.
● Clearing Tracks: Hiding malicious acts while continuing to have access, avoiding suspicion
● Network Security Zoning (High to Low): Internet Zone - Internet DMZ - Production Network Zone - Intranet Zone -
Management Network Zone
● Info security policy defines basic requirements and rules to be implemented in order to protect and secure organizations
information systems
● Incident Management: set of defined processes to identify, analyze, prioritize, and resolve security incidents
Sections
1. Footprinting Concepts
2. Footprinting Methodology
3. Footprinting Tools
4. Footprinting Countermeasures
5. Footprinting Penetration Testing
Footprinting Concepts
Footprinting Methodology
Footprinting Tools
a. Maltego, Recon-NG (Web Reconnaissance Framework)
Footprinting Countermeasures
● Network scanning refers to a set of procedures for identifying hosts, ports, and services in a network
● Network scanning is one of the components of intelligence gathering and attacker uses to create a profile of the target
organization
● Types of scanning
i. Port scanning (list the open ports and services)
ii. Network Scanning (lists IP addresses)
iii. Vulnerability Scanning (shows presence of known weaknesses)
● TCP communication Flags (controls transmission of data)
1. URG(urgent): Data contained in packet should be processed immediately
2. PSH(push): Sends all buffered data immediately
3. FIN(Finish): There will be no more transmissions
4. ACK(Acknowledgement): Acknowledges receipts of a packet
5. RST(Reset): Resets a connection
6. SYN(Synchronization): Initiates a connection between hosts
CEH Scanning Methodology
Module 4: Enumeration
Module Objectives
- Understanding Enumeration Concepts
- Understanding different techniques for NetBIOS enumeration
- Understanding Different Techniques for SNMP enumeration
- Understanding different techniques for LDAP enumeration
- Understanding different techniques for NTP enumeration
- Understanding different techniques for SMTP and DNS Enumeration
- Enumeration countermeasures
- Overview of enumeration pen testing
Enumeration Concepts
● In the enumeration phase, attacker creates active connections to system and performs directed queries to gain more
information. Uses this information to identify system attack points and perform password attacks
○ Conducted in an intranet environment
● Techniques for Enumeration
○ Extract user names using email IDs
○ Extract user names using SNMP
○ Extract user groups from windows
○ Extract information using the default passwords
○ Brute force active directions
○ Extract information using DNS Zone Transfer
● Popular Ports to Enumerate
○ TCP/UDP 53 - DNS Zone Transfer
○ TCP/UDP 135 - Microsoft EPC Endpoint Manager
○ UDP 137 - NetBIOS Name Service (NBNS)
○ TCP 139 - SMB over NetBIOS
○ TCP/UDP 445 - SMB over TCP (direct host)
○ UDP 161 - Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
○ TCP/UDP 389 - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
○ TCP/UDP 3268 - Global Catalog Service
○ TCP 25 - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
○ TCP/UDP 162 - SNMP Trap
NetBIOS Enumeration
● NetBIOS name is a unique 16 ASCII string used to identify the network devices (15 of it are device name, 16 is reserved
for service or name record type)
● Nbtstat utility displays NetBIOS over TCP/IP protocol statistics, NetBIOS name tables/cache
● Net View utility is used to obtain a list of all the shared resources of remote hosts or workgroup
SNMP Enumeration (simple network Management protocol enumeration)
● SNMP enumeration is a process of enumerating user accounts and devices on a target system using SNMP
● SNMP contains a manager and agent. Agends are embedded on every network, manager installed on a seperate
computer
● SNMP has two passwords
○ Attacker uses default community strings to extract info
○ Uses it to extract information about network resources such as hosts, routers, devices, shares
● Management Information Base (MIB)
○ MIB is a virtual database containing formal description of all the network objects managed using SNMP
LDAP Enumeration
● LDAP is an internet protocol for accessing distributed directory services
● Attacker queries LDAP service to gather information such as valid user names, addresses, departmental details, etc
NTP Enumeration
Enumeration Countermeasures
● SNMP countermeasures
○ Remove SNMP agent on turn off the SNMP service (block 161)
○ Change default community string name
○ Upgrade to SNMP3, which encrypts passwords/messages
○ Implement additional security option called “additional restrictions for anonymous connections”
○ Ensure that the access to null session pipes, null session shares, and IPsec filtering are restricted
● DNS countermeasures
○ Disable DNS zone transfers to the untrusted hosts
○ Make sure private hosts and their IP addresses are not published into DNS zone files of public DNS server
○ Use premium DNS registration services to hide sensitive information
○ Use standard network admin contacts for dns registrations in order to avoid social engineering attacks
● SMTP countermeasures
○ Ignore email messages to unknown recipients
○ Disable open relay features
○ Do not include sensitive mail server and local host information in mail responses
● LDAP countermeasures
○ Restrict access to active directory by using software such as citrix
○ Enable account lockout
○ Use SSL technology for LDAP traffic
● Enumeration Pen Testing
○ Used to identify valid user accounts or poorly protected resource shares
○ Information can be users and groups, network resources
○ Used in combination with data collected in reconnaissance phase
○ Steps in Enumeration Pen Testing
■ Find the network range
■ Calculate the subnet mask
■ Undergo host discovery
■ Perform port scanning
■ Perform NetBIOS enumeration
■ Perform SNMP enumeration
■ Perform LDAP enumeration
■ Perform NTP enumeration
■ Perform SMTP enumeration
■ Perform DNS enumeration
■ Document all findings
System hacking is one of the most important and sometimes ultimate goal of an attacker.
Cracking Passwords
● Password cracking techniques are used to recover passwords from computer systems
● Attackers use password cracking techniques to gain unauthorized access
● Most cracks are successful due to guessable passwords
● Types of password attacks
○ Non-electronic attacks: Attacker does not need technical knowledge to crack password (looking at
keyboard/screen, convincing people, trash bins etc)
○ Active Online Attacks: Attacker performs cracking by directly communicating with the victim machine (dictionary,
brute force, rule based - some info known)
○ Passive Online Attacks: Performs cracking without communicating with party
○ Offline Attack: attacker copies password file and tried to crack it
● Default passwords are set by the manufacturer
● Trojans can collect usernames and passwords and send to attacker, run in background
● Can use USB drive for a physical approach
● Hash Injection Attack: attacker injects compromised hash into local session then use it to validate network resource. Finds
and extracts a logged on domain admin account hash
● Passive Online Attack: Wire Sniffing
○ Packet Sniffer tools on LAN
○ Capture data may include sensitive information such as passwords
○ Sniffed credentials are used to gain unauthorized access
● Rainbow table attack
○ Precomputed table which contains word lists like dictionary files, brute force lists, and their hash values
○ Compare the hashes
○ Easy to recover passwords by comparing captured password hashes to precomputed tables
● Offline Attack: Distributed Network Attack (DNA)
○ A DNA technique is used for recovering passwords from hashes or password protected files using the unused
processing power of machines across the network to decrypt passwords
● Microsoft Authentication
○ Windows stores passwords in the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) Database, or in the Active Directory
database in domains. They are hashed.
○ NTLM Authentication
■ NTLM authentication protocol types
■ LM authentication protocol
■ These protocols stores user’s password in the SAM database using different hashing methods
○ Kerberos Authentication
■ Microsoft has upgraded its default authentication protocol
○ Password Salting
■ Random strings of characters are added to the password before calculating their hases
● Advantage: salting makes it more difficult to reverse hashes
● Use password crackers like L0phtCrack, Cain&Abel, RainbowCrack
● Enable SYSKEY with strong password to encrypt and protect the SAM database
Escalating Privileges
● An attacker can gain access to the network using a non-admin user account, next step is to gain admin privileges
● Privilege Escalation Using DLL Hijacking
○ If attackers place a malicious DLL in the application directory, it will be executed in place of the real DLL
● Resetting passwords using command prompt
○ An admin can reset passwords while an administrator
● Countermeasures: restrict interactive login privileges, use least privilege policy, implement multi-factor, run services as
unprivileged accounts, patch systems regularly, use encryption technique, reduce amount of code, perform debugging
Executing Applications
● Attackers execute malicious programs remotely in the victim's machine to gather information
○ Backdoors
○ Crackers
○ Keyloggers
○ Spyware
● Software like RemoteExec can remotely install software, execute programs/scripts
● There are hardware and software keystroke loggers (USB vs App)
● Spyware
○ Records user’s interaction
○ Hides its process
○ Hidden component of freeware program
○ Gather info about victim or organization
● GPS spyware also exists
● Countermeasures for Keyloggers
○ Pop-up blocker
○ anti-spyware/virus
○ Firewall software
○ Anti-keylogging software
○ Recognize phishing emails and delete
○ Choose new passwords for different online accounts
○ Avoid opening junk emails
● There are Anti-keyloggers out there
● Rootkits are programs that hide their presence and an attacker's malicious activities, granting them full access to the
server or host at the time or in future
○ Typical Rootkit has backdoor programs, DDos programs, packet sniffers, log-wiping utilities, IRC bots, etc
● 6 Types of Rootkits
○ Hypervisor Level Rootkit: Acts as hypervisor and modifies boot sequence of the computer to load the host OS
as a virtual machine.
○ Boot Loader level rootkit: replaces original boot loader with one controlled by attacker
○ Hardware/Firmware Rootkit: Hides in hardware devices or platform firmware which is not inspected for code
integrity
○ Application level rootkit: replaces regular application binaries with fake trojan, or modifies the behavior of
existing applications
○ Kernel Level Rootkit: Adds malicious code or replaces original OS kernel and device driver codes
○ Library Level Rootkits: Replaces original system calls with fake ones to hide information about attacker
● Detecting Rootkits
○ Integrity-Based detection: compares a snapshot of the filesystem,boot records, or memory
○ Signature-based technology: compares characteristics of all system processes and executable files with a
database of known rootkit fingerprints
○ Heuristic/Behavior based detection: any deviations in the systems normal activity
○ Runtime Execution path profiling: compares runtime execution paths of all system processes before and after
rootkit infection
○ Cross View-Based detection: enumerates key elements in the computer system such as system files,
processes, and registry keys and compares them to an algorithm to generate a similar data set that does not
rely on common APIs
● NTFS Data Stream
○ NTFS alternate data stream (ADS) is a windows hidden stream which contains metadata for the file such as
attributes, word count, author name, access and modification time of files
○ Using NTFS stream, an attacker can almost completely hide files within the system.
○ You can hide a file side another file (trojan in a readme.txt)
○ Countermeasures: use a third party file integrity checker
● Steganography
○ Steganography is a technique of hiding a secret message within an ordinary message and extracting it at the
destination
○ Utilizing a graphic image as a cover is the most popular method to conceal the data in files
○ Attackers can use steganography to hide messages such as list of compromised servers, source code for the
hacking tools, plans for future attacks, etc
○ Technical Steganography: invisible ink/microdots, physical methods to hide
○ Linguistic Steganography: Type that hides the message in another file
■ Semagrams: use of symbols to hide information
○ Least Significant bit insertion: The rightmost bit of a pixel is called the LSB
○ Masking and Filtering: Making technique hides data similar to watermarks on actual paper. Can be detection
with simple statistical analysis. Mostly in grayscale images.
○ Algorithms and Transformation
■ Hide data in mathematical functions used in compression algorithms
■ Data is embedded by changing the coefficients of a transform of an image
○ Audio steganography - information in hidden frequency
● Steganalysis
○ Art of discovering and rendering covert messages using steganography. It attacks steganography efforts
Covering Tracks
Penetration Testing
● Password Cracking
● Privilege Escalation
● Execute Applications
● Hiding Files
● Covering Tracks
Module Objectives
- Introduction to Malware and Malware propagation techniques
- Overview of Trojans, their types, how to to infect systems
- Overview of Viruses, their types, and how they infect files
- Introduction to the Computer Worm
- Understanding the Malware Analysis process
- Understanding Different techniques to detect malware
- Malware countermeasures
- Overview of Malware penetration testing
Introduction to Malware
● Malware is a malicious software that damages or disables computer systems and give limited control or full control of the
systems to the attacker for the purpose of theft or fraud
● Examples of Malware: Trojan Horse, Backdoor, Rootkit, Ransomware, Adware, Virus, Worms, Spyware, Botnet, Crypter
● Common techniques attackers use to distribute malware: Blackhat SEO, Social Engineer Clickjacking, Spear Phishing
sites, Malvertising, Compromised legitimate websites, Drive by downloads on browser vulnerabilities
Trojan Concepts
● A trojan is a program which the malicious or harmful code is contained inside an apparently harmless program or in such
a way it can get control and cause damage, such as ruining a file allocation table on your hard disk
● Trojans get activated upon user’s certain predefined actions, and conduct abnormal activities on the system
● When a trojan is installed, they attacker can basically do anything to your computer
● How to infect systems using a trojan
○ Create a new trojan packet using a trojan horse construction kit
○ Create a dropper, which is part in a trojanized packet that installs the malicious code on the target system
● A wrapper binds a trojan executable with an innocent looking .EXE application such as games or office applications.
When an EXE is executed, it first installs the trojan in the background.
● Attackers use crypters to hide viruses, spyware, keyloggers to make them undetectable by antivirus
● Attackers can deploy a trojan by creating a malicious link/email attachments
● Exploit kit: Platform to deliver exploits and payloads such as trojans, backdoors, bots, buffer overflow scripts,etc
● Evading Anti-Virus Techniques:
○ Break the trojan file into multiple pieces and zip them as a single file
○ ALWAYS write your own Trojan, and embed it into an application
○ Change the Trojans Syntax
■ Convert EXE to VB script
○ Change the content of the Trojan using Hex Editor and also change the checksum and encrypt the file
○ Never use trojans downloaded from the web (antivirus can detect these easily)
● Command shell trojans give remote control of a command shell
● Trojan server is installed on the victim’s machine, which opens a port for attacker to connect.
● Defacement Trojans: Can destroy or change entire content present in a database. Much more dangerous when attackers
target websites
● Botnet Trojans: infect a large number of computers to create a network of bots(chewbacca)
● Proxy Server Trojans: Converts user’s computer into proxy servers, thus making them accessible to specific attackers.
● VNC Trojan: VNC trojan starts a VNC server daemon in the infected systems. Attacker can connect to the victim using
any VNC viewer
● HTTP/HTTPS Trojans: bypass firewall, spawn a child program and child program appears to be a user to the firewall
● ICMP Tunneling
○ Covert channels are methods in which an attacker can hide the data in a protocol that is undetectable
○ They rely on techniques called tunneling, which allow on protocol be carried over to another protocol . very
stealthy
● Remote Access Trojans: provide attackers with full control over the victim’s system
● E Banking Trojans - intercept a victim’s account information before it is encrypted
○ Steals victim’s data such as credit card information
● Notification Trojans: Sends the location of the victim’s IP address to attacker
● Whenever victim’s computer connected to the internet, the attacker receives the notification
● Virus: A self replicating program that produces its own copy by attacking itself to another program, computer boot sector
or document
○ Transmitted through downloads, infected flash drives, email attachments
● Stages of Virus Life
○ Design: creating the virus
○ Replication: Replicating the virus on target system
○ Launch: launching/running the virus (.exe file)
○ Detection: Target system identifies virus
○ Incorporation : Anti-virus softwares update
○ Elimination: users install anti-virus update to eliminate virus
● Indications of a virus attack: abnormal activities (slow, anti virus alerts, folders missing, etc)
● There are many Fake Anti-Viruses that are actually viruses
● Ransomware restrict computer files until a sum is paid
● Boot Sector Viruses: moves MBR to another location on hard disk
● File Virus: Infects files which are executed or interpreted on the system such as (COM, EXE, SYL, OVL, OBJ, MNU and
BAT files
● Multipartite Virus: Infect the system boot sector and the executable files at the same time (hybrid, top 2 combined))
● Macro Viruses: Infect files created by Microsoft Word or Excel. Most of these are written in macro language Visual Basic
for Applications (VBA)
○ Infect Templates, convert infected documents into template files
● Cluster Viruses: These modify directory table contents so that it points users to system processes to the virus code
isntead of the actual program
○ There is only one copy of the virus on the disk infecting all the programs in the computer system
○ Will launch itself first when any program on the computer system is started
● Stealth/Tunneling Virus: This virus evades anti-virus software by intercepting its requests to the operating system
○ Virus can return an uninfected version of the file to the anti-virus software, so it appears as if the file is “clean”
● Encryption Viruses: uses simple encryption to encipher the code. Virus is encrypted with different key for each infected
file. AV Scanner cannot directly detect these types fo viruses using signature detection methods
● Polymorphic Code: Code that mutates while keeping the original algorithm intact. Well written polymorphic code has no
parts that stay the same on each infection
● Metamorphic Viruses: Rewrite themselves completely each they are to infect new executable
○ Can Reprogram itself by translating its own code into a temporary representation and then back to the normal
code again
● File Overwriting or Cavity Virus: Overwrites a part of the host file that is constant (usually nulls), without increasing the
length of the file and preserving its functionality
● Sparse Infector Viruses: Infects only occasionally, or only files whose length falls within a narrow range. By infection less
often, they try to minimize the probability of being discovered
● Companion/camouflage Viruses: Creates a companion file for each executable file the viruses infects. Therefor, a
companion virus may save itself as notepad.com and every time the user executes notepad.exe (good program), the
computer will load the virus notepad.com and infect
● Shell Viruses: Virus code forms a shell around the target host program’s code, making itself the original program and host
code as its sub-routine. Almost all boot program are shell viruses
● File Extension Viruses: changes the extensions of files. Ex. .TXT is a safe file. Virus file is BAD.TXT.VBS but will only
show up as bad.txt . When opened a script executes.
● Add-on Virus: adds on their code to the host code without making any changes to the latter or relocate the host code to
insert their own code at the beginning
● Intrusive Viruses: Overwrite the host code partly or completely with the viral code
● Transient/Direct Action Virus: Transfers all the controls of the host code to where it resides in the memory. Virus runs
when the host code is run and terminates itself or exits memory as soon as host code execution ends
● Terminate and Stay Resident Virus: remains permanently in the memory during entire work session even after the host’s
program is executed and terminated. Removed only by rebooting system.
● Computer Worms: Malicious programs that replicate, execute, and spread across network connections independently
without human interaction. Most are created only to replicate and spread, but some have payloads
○ Attackers use payloads to install backdoors which turns them into a zombie for a botnet
○ A worm is a special type of malware that can replicate itself and use memory, but cannot attach itself to other
programs
○ A worm takes advantage of file or information transport features on a computer and spreads through the
infected network
Malware Detection
● Trojans open unused ports in victims machine to connect back to Trojan handlers
● Look for connection established to unknown or suspicious IP addresses
○ You can use a port monitoring tool
● Scanning for Suspicious Processes
○ Trojans camouflage themselves as genuine Windows services
○ Some trojans use Portable Executable to inject into various processes
○ Processes are visible but may look like a legitimate processes and helps bypass desktop firewalls
○ Trojans can also use rootkit methods to hide their processes
○ Use process monitoring tools to detect hidden trojans and backdoors
● Trojans are installed along with device drivers downloaded from untrusted sources
○ Scan suspicious drivers and verify they are genuine and downloaded from publishers original site
● Trojans normally modify system’s files and folders. Use these tools to detect changes
○ SIGVERIF: checks integrity of critical files digitally signed by microsoft
○ FCIV - Computes MD5 or SHA-1 cryptographic hashes for files
○ TRIPWIRE: system integrity verifier that scan and reports critical system file for changes
● Scanning for suspicious network activities
○ Trojans connect back to handlers and send confidential info to attackers
○ Use network scanners
Counter-Measures
● Trojan Countermeasures
○ Avoid opening email attachments from unknown senders
○ Block unnecessary ports
○ Avoid accepting programs transferred by instant messaging
○ Hard weak default configs and unused functionality including protocols/services
○ Monitor internal network traffic for odd ports
○ Avoid downloading and executing apps from untrusted sources
○ Install security updates
○ Scan CD’s and DVD’s w/ antivirus software
○ Restrict permissions within desktop environment
○ Manage local workstation file integrity
○ Run Host-Based Antivirus
● Backdoor Countermeasures
○ Anti-viruses
○ Educate users not to download from untrusted sites
Anti-Malware Software
Norton, Mcafee, Nessus etc.
Module 7: Sniffing
Objectives: Overview of sniffing concepts, understanding MAC attacks, Understanding DHCP attacks, understanding ARP
poisoning, Understanding MAC spoofing attacks, Understanding DNS poisoning, Sniffing tools, Sniffing countermeasures,
Understanding various techniques to detect sniffing, overview of sniffing pen testing
Sniffing Concepts
● Sniffing is a process of monitoring and capturing all data packets passing through a given network using sniffing tools
(form of wire tap)
○ Many enterprises switch ports are open
○ Anyone in same physical location can plug into network with ethernet
● How a sniffer works
○ Sniffer turns on the NIC of a system to the promiscuous mode that it listens to all the data transmitted on its
segment
● Each computer has a MAC address and an IP address
● Passive sniffing means through a hub (involves sending no packets), on a hub traffic is sent to all ports
○ Most modern networks use switches
● Active Sniffing: Searches for traffic on a switched LAN by actively injecting traffic into the LAN. Involves injecting address
resolution packets (ARP) into the network
● Protocols vulnerable to sniffing:
○ HTTP, Telnet and Rlogin, POP, IMAP, SMTP and NNTP
● Sniffers operate at the Data Link layer of the OSI model
● Hardware Protocol Analyzer: equipment that captures signals without altering the traffic in a cable segment
○ Can be used to monitor traffic. Allows attacker to see individual data bytes
● Span Port: A port which is configured to receive a copy of every packet that passing through a switch
● Wiretapping: Process of monitoring telephone and internet convo’s by third party
○ Via connecting a listening device (hardware or software) to the circuit
○ Active Wiretapping: Monitors, records, and injects something into the communication or traffic
○ Passive Wiretapping: It only monitors and records the traffic and gain knowledge of the data it contains
○ Lawful interception: legally intercepting data communication
MAC Attacks
● Each switch has a fixed size dynamic content addressable memory (CAM table)
○ CAM table stores information such as MAC address available on physical ports
● If CAM table is flooded with more MAC address it can hold, then the switch turns into a HUB
○ Attackers exploit this
● Switch Port Stealing: uses mac flooding to sniff the packets
● How to defend against MAC attacks: use a port security to restrict inbound traffic from only a selected set of mac
addresses and limit MAC flooding attacks
DHCP Attacks
ARP Poisoning
● Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is a stateless protocol used for resolving IP address to machine (MAC) addresses
● All network devices broadcasts ARP queries in the network to find machine’s MAC address
● When one machine needs to communicate with another, it looks up to the ARP table. If it’s not there, the ARP_REQUEST
is broadcasted over the network
● ARP packets can be forged
● ARP spoofing involves constructing large number of forged ARP requests
● Switch is set in ‘forwarding mode’ after the ARP table is flooded with spoofed ARP replies
● Attackers flood a target computer’s ARP cache with forged entries, which is also known as poisoning
● ARP spoofing is a method of attacking an ethernet LAN
● Using Fake ARP messages, an attacker can divert all communications between two machines so that all traffic is
exchanged via his/her PC
● ARP Tools: Cain & Abel, WinArpAttacker
● How to defend: Implement dynamic ARP inspection, DHCP Snooping, XArp spoofing detection
Spoofing
● Attacker can sniff network for MAC addresses, then spoof them to receive all the traffic destined for the user. Allows
allows attacker to gain access to the network
● IRDP spoofing: ICMP Router discovery protocol allows host to discover the IP address of active routers.
○ Attacker sends spoofed IRDP router advertisement message to the host on the subnet, causing it to change its
default router
● How to defend: DHCP snooping, Dynamic ARP inspection, IP source guard
DNS Poisoning
● DNS poisoning is a technique that tricks a DNS server into believing that it has received authentication when it really has
not
○ Results in substitution of a false IP address
○ Attacker can create fake DNS entries
● Intranet DNS spoofing: must be connected to LAN and able to sniff. Works well against switches with ARP poisoning the
router.
○ Intranet DNS spoofing attacker infects machine with trojan and changes DNS IP to that of attacker
● Proxy Server DNS poisoning: attacker sends a trojan to machine that changes hosts proxy server settings in internet
explorer to that of the attacker’s and redirect to fake website
● DNS Cache Poisoning: Refers to altering or adding forged DNS records into DNS resolver cache so that a DNS query is
redirected to a malicious site
● How to defend: resolve all DNS queries to local DNS server, Block DNS requests from going to external servers,
configure firewall to restrict external DNS lookup, Implement IDS and deploy correct, Implement DNSSEC
Sniffing Tools
Wireshark
Counter-Measures
● Restrict physical access
● Use encryption
● Permanent add MAC address to the gateway to the ARP cache
● Use static IP addresses
● Turn off network ID broadcasts
● Use IPV6
● Use HTTPS instead of HTTP
● Use switch than Hub
● Use SFTP instead of FTP
● Runs IDS and notice if mac address of certain machines have changed
● Check which machines are running in the promiscuous mode
○ Promiscuous mode allows a network device to intercept and read each network packet
● Only a machine in promiscuous mode cache the ARP information
○ A machine in promiscuous mode replies to the ping message as it has correct information about the host
sending a ping request
● Sniffing pen test is used to check if the data transmission from an org is secure from sniffing and interception attacks
Module 8: Social Engineering
Objectives: overview of social engineering concepts, understanding various social engineering techniques, understanding insider
threats, understanding impersonation on social networking sites, understanding identity theft, social engineering countermeasures,
identify theft countermeasures, overview of social engineering pen testing
Identify Theft
Objectives: Overview of DOS attacks and DDoS attacks, understanding the techniques of DoS/DDoS Attack Techniques,
Understanding the Botnet Network, Understanding Various DoS and DDoS attack tools, DoS/DDoS countermeasures, Overview of
DoS attack penetration testing
DoS/DDoS Concepts
● Denial of Service (DoS) is an attack on a computer or network that reduces, restricts or prevents accessibility of system
resource to its legitimate users
○ Attackers flood a victim system with non-legitimate service requests
● DDoS attack involves a multitude of compromised systems attacking a single targeted system (botnet)
Botnets
● Bots are software applications that run-automated tasks over the internet
○ A botnet is a huge network of compromised systems and can be used by an attacker to launch a DoS attack
● Scanning Methods for Finding Vulnerable Machines: Random Scanning, Hit-list scanning, topological scanning, local
subnet scanning, permutation scanning
Countermeasures
● Techniques
○ Activity Profiling
■ Increases in activity levels, distinct clusters, average packet rate etc
○ Changepoint detection
■ Filters network traffic by IP addresses, targeted port numbers, stores traffic flow data in a graph that
shows the traffic flow rate vs time
○ Wavelet-based signal analysis
■ Analyzes network traffic in terms of spectral components. Divides incoming signal into various
frequencies for analyzation
● DoS/DDoS countermeasure strategies
○ Absorbing the attack (requiring additional resources)
○ Degrading services (identify critical services and stop non-critical)
○ Shutting down the services
● Deflect Attacks: Honeypots act as an enticement for an attacker. Serve as a means for gaining information about
attackers, stores their activities
● Ingress filtering: protects from flooding attacks. Enables originator be traced to its true source
● Egress Filtering: scanning packet headers of IP address leaving a network. Ensures unauthorized or malicious traffic
never leaves the internal network
● Mitigate Attack: Load balancing, throttling
● Post-Attack Forensics
○ Analyze traffic patterns for new filtering techniques, analyze router, firewall, and IDS logs , can update load-
balancing and throttling countermeasures
●
Module Objectives
- Understanding session hijacking concepts
- Understanding application level session hijacking
- Understanding network level session hijacking
- Session hijacking tools
- Session hijacking countermeasures
- Overview of session hijacking penetration testing
● The 3-way handshake: if the attacker can anticipate the next sequence and ACK number , they can spoof bobs address
and start a communication with the server
● TCP/IP Hijacking:
● Blind Hijacking
○ Attacker injects malicious data or commands into the intercepted communication in the TCP session even if the
source-routing is disabled
○ The attacker can send the data or comments but has no access to see the response
■ You might be able to see the effects however
● UDP Hijacking
○ Manipulating the packet
Countermeasures
● IPSec: protocol suite for securing IP communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet of a communication
session
○ Deployed widely to implement virtual private networks (VPNs) and for remote user access through dial up
connection to private networks
○ Transport Mode: Authenticates two connected computers. Option to encrypt data transfer. Compatible with
NAT
○ Tunnel Mode: Encapsulates packets being transferred. Option to encrypt data. Not compatible with NAT.
Objectives: Understanding web server concepts, understanding web server attacks, understanding webserver attack methodology,
webserver attack tools, countermeasures against web server attacks, overview of patch management, webserver security tools,
overview of web server penetration testing
● A web server is a program that hosts websites, attackers usually target software vulnerabilities and config errors to
compromise the servers
○ Nowadays, network and OS level attacks can be well defended using proper network security measures such
as firewalls, IDS, etc. Web servers are more vulnerable to attack since they are available on the web
● Why are web servers compromised
○ Improper file/directory permissions
○ Installing the server with default settings
○ Unnecessary services enabled
○ Security conflicts
○ Lack of proper security policy
○ Improper Authentication
○ Default Accounts
○ Misconfigs
○ Bugs in OS
○ Misconfigured SSL certificates
○ Use of self-signed certs
● IIS (internet information service) is a webserver application developed by Microsoft for Windows.
Webserver Attacks
● DoS/DDoS Attacks: Attackers may send numerous fake requests to the web server which results in the web server crash
or become unavailable
○ May target high-profile web servers
● DNS Server Hijacking: Attacker compromises DNS server and changes the DNS settings so that all requests coming
towards the target web server is redirected to another malicious server
● DNS Amplification Attack: Attacker takes advantage of DNS recursive method of DNS redirection to perform DNS
amplification attack
○ Attacker uses compromised PCs with spoofed IPs to amplify the DDoS attack by exploiting the DNS recursive
method
● Directory Traversal Attack: Attackers use ../ to sequence to access restricted directories outside of the web server root
directory (trial and error)
● Man-in-the middle Sniffing Attack: MITM attacks allow an attacker to access sensitive info by intercepting and altering
communications
● Phishing Attacks: Attacker tricks user to submit login details for website that looks legit but it's not. Attempts to steal
credentials
● Website Defacement: intruder maliciously alters visual appearance of a web page by inserting offending data. Variety of
methods such as MYSQL injection
● Web Server Configuration: Refers configuration weaknesses in infrastructure such as directory traversal
● HTTP Responses Splitting Attack: involves adding header data into the input field so that the server split the response into
two responses. The attack can control the second response to redirect user to malicious website whereas the other
response will be discarded by browser
● Web Cache Poisoning: An attacker forces the web server’s cache to flush its actual cache content and sends a specially
crafted requests, which will be stored in cache
● SSH Bruteforce Attack: SSH protocols are used to create encrypted SSH Tunnel between two hosts. Attackers can brute
force the SSH login credentials
● Webserver Password Cracking: An attacker tries to exploit the weaknesses to hack well-chosen passwords (social
engineering, spoofing, phishing,etc).
● Web Application Attacks: Vulnerabilities in web apps running on a webserver provide a broad attack path for webserver
compromise
○ SQL Injection, Directory Traversal, DoS, Cookie Tampering, XSS Attack, Buffer Overflow, CSRF attack,
Attack Methodology:
Information Gathering, Webserver Footprinting, Mirroring Website, Vulnerability Scanning, Session hijacking, Hacking webserver
passwords
● Information Gathering: Robots.txt file contains list of web server directory and files that website owner wants to hide from
web crawlers
● .Use tools such as burp suite to automate session hijacking
Countermeasures
● An ideal web hosting network should be designed with at least three segments namely: The internet segment, secure
server security segment (DMZ), internal network
○ Placed the web server in DMZ of the network isolated from the public network as well as internal network
○ Firewalls should be placed for internal network as well as internet traffic going towards DMZ
● Patches and Updates: Ensure service packs, hotfixes, and security patch levels are consistent on all domain controllers
● Protocols: block all unnecessary ports, ICMPs, and unnecessary protocols such as NetBIOS and SMB. Disable WebDav if
not used
● Files and Directories: delete unnecessary files, disable serving of directory listings, disable serving certain file types ,
avoid virtual directories
● Detecting Hacking Attempts: Run scripts on the server that detects any changes made in the existing executable file.
Compare hash values of files on server to detect changes in codebase. Alert user upon any change in detection
● Secure the SAM (stand-alone servers only)
● Defending against DNS hijacking: choose ICANN accredited registrar. Install anti-virus
Patch Management
● Syhunt helps automate web app security testing and guards. N Stalker is a scanner to search vulnerabilities
Module Objectives: Understanding Web Application concepts, understanding web app threats, understanding web app hacking
methodology, web app hacking tools, understanding web app countermeasures, web app security tools, overview of web app pen
testing
● Web apps provide an interface between end users and web servers through a set of pages
● Web tech such as Web 2.0 support critical business functions such as CRM, SCM
● Cookie Poisoning: by changing info in a cookie, attackers can bypass authentication process
● Directory Traversal: Gives access to unrestricted directories
● Unvalidated Input: Tempering http requests, form field, hidden fields, query strings, so on. Example of these attacks
include SQL injection, XSS, buffer overflows
● Cross Site Scripting: Bypassing client-ID mechanisms to gain privileges, injecting malicious scripts into web pages
● Injection Flaws: Injecting malicious code, commands, scripts into input gates of flawed apps
● SQL Injection: type of attack where attackers inject SQL commands via input data, and then tamper with the data
○ LDAP Injection to obtain direct access to databases behind LDAP tree
● Parameter/Form tampering: Manipulates the parameters exchanged between client and server to modify app data such
as user cred and permissions.
● DoS: intended to terminate operations
● Broken Access Control: method in which attacker identifies a flaw related to access control and bypasses the
authentication, then compromises the network
● Cross-Site Request Forgery: attack in which an authenticated user in made to perform certain tasks on the web app that
an attacker chooses.
● Information Leakage: can cause great losses to company.
● Improper Error Handling : important to define how a system or network should behave when an error occurs. Otherwise,
error may provide a chance for an attacker to break into the system. Improper error can lead to DoS attack
● Log Tampering: Attackers can inject, delete, or tamper with app logs to hide their identities
● Buffer Overflow: Occurs when app fails to guard its buffer property and allows writing beyond its maximum size
● Broken Session management: When credentials such as passwords are not properly secured
● Security Misconfigurations
● Broken Account Management: account update, forgotten/lost password recovery/reset
● Insecure Storage: Users must maintain the proper security of their storage locations
● Platform Exploits: Each platform (BEA WEBLOGIC, COLD FUSION) has its own various vulnerabilities
● Insecure Direct Object References: When developers expose objects such as files, records, result is insecure direct object
reference
● Insecure Cryptographic Storage: Sensitive data should be properly encrypted using cryptographic. Some cryptographic
techniques have inherent weaknesses however
● Authentication Hijacking: Once an attacker compromises a system, user impersonation can occur
● Network Access attacks: can allow levels of access that standard HTTP app methods could not grant
● Cookie Snooping
● Web Services Attack: Web services are based on XML protocols such SOAP (simple object access protocol) for
communication between web services
● Insufficient Transport layer protection
● Hidden Manipulation
● DMZ protocol attacks
● Unvalidated redirects and forwards
● Failure to restrict URL access
● Obfuscation Application
● Security Management Exploits
● Session Fixation Attack: Attacker tricks user to access a genuine web server using an explicit session ID value. Attacker
assumes identity of the victim and exploits credentials on the server
● Malicious File Execution
Hacking Methodology
Countermeasures
● Encoding Schemes: employing encoding schemes for data to safely handle unusual characters and binary data in the way
you intent
○ Ex. unicode editing
● How to defend against SQL Injection Attacks
○ Limit length of user input
○ Perform input validation
● How to defend against xss
○ Validate all headers, cookies, strings, form fields. Use firewall
● How to configure against DoS
○ Configure firewall to deny ICMP traffic access
○ Perform thorough input validation
● How to defend against web services attack
○ Multiple layer protection
Tools
Pen Testing
1. Info Gathering
2. Config Management Testing
3. Authentication Testing
4. Session Management testing
5. Authorization Testings
6. Data Validation Testing
7. DoS Testing
8. Web Services Testing
9. AJAX Testing
10. Use Kali Linux tools
a. Metasploit
- Understanding SQL injection concepts, understanding various types of SQL injection attacks, understanding SQL injection
methodology, SQL injection tools, understanding different IDS evasion techniques, SQL injection countermeasures, SQL
injection detection tools
● Error based SQL Injection: Attacker puts intentional bad input into app to see the database-level error messages. Uses
this to create carefully designed SQL Injections
● Blind SQL Injection: Attacker has no error messages from the system with which to work. Instead, attack simply sends a
malicious SQL query to the database
● Whenever you see SELECT, it is probably a SQL command
● Union SQL command, joining a forged query to the original query
● Time-Based SQL Injection: evaluates time delay in response to true-false queries
Evasion Techniques
● Evading IDS
○ Obscure input strings
○ Hex Encoding
○ Manipulating whitespace
○ Inline Comment
○ Char encoding
Countermeasures
Wireless Concepts
● GSM: universal system used for mobile transportation for wireless network worldwide
● Bandwidth: Describes amount of information that may be broadcasted over a connection
● BSSID: The MAC address of an access point that has set up a basic service set
● ISM band: a set of frequency for the international industrial, scientific, and medical communities
● Access Point: Used to connect wireless devices to a wireless network
● Hotspot: Places where wireless network is available for public use
● Association: Process of connecting a wireless device to an access point
● Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing: method of encoding digital data on multiple carrier frequencies
● Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum: original data signal is multiplied with a pseudo random noise spreading code
● Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS): Method of transmitting radio signals rapidly switching a carrier among many
frequency channels
● Wireless Networks
○ WiFi refers to IEEE 802.11 standard
○
○ SSID (service set identifier)
○ Open System Authentication Process: in open system, any wireless client that wants to access a WiFi networks
sends a request to the wireless AP for authentication.
○ Shared Key Authentication Process: in this process, each wireless station receives a shared secret key over a
secure channel that is distinct from the 802.11 comm channels.
○ Centralized Authentication server (RADIUS)
● WiFi Chalking
○ WarChalking: draw symbols in public places to advertise open Wi-Fi networks
● Types of Wireless Antennas
○ Directional Antennas: Used to broadcast and obtain radio waves from a single direction
○ Omni-Directional Antennas: provides 360 degrees horizontal broadcasts, used in wireless base stations
○ Parabolic Grid Antenna: Based on the idea of a satellite dish. Can pick up Wi-Fi signals ten miles or more
○ Yagi Antenna: unidirectional antenna
○ Dipole Antenna: Bi-Directional Antenna, used to support client connection rather than site-to-site applications
● Parabolic grid antennas let attackers attack from from farther away (10 miles!)
Wireless Encryption
● WEP (wired equivalent privacy): weakest encryption. Uses 24-bit initialization vector. A 64 bit WEP uses a 40 bit key etc
○ Can use Cain & Abel to crack
● WPA (Wifi Protected Access): Stronger encryption with TKIP.
○ You can brute force the keys offline
○ You can defend by using stronger passphrases
● WPA2: Stronger data protection with AES
○ WPA-2 personal uses a pre-shared key to protect access
○ WPA-2 Enterprise includes EAP or RADIUS for centralized authentication w/kerberos etc
Wireless Threats
● Access Control Attacks: Aims to penetrate a network by evading WLAN access control measures, such as AP MAC filters
and Wi-Fi port access controls
● Integrity Attacks: Sending forged control management or data frames over a wireless network
● Confidentiality Attacks: attempt to intercept confidential information sent over wireless associations
● Availability Attacks: DoS
● Authentication Attacks: Steal the identity of Wi-Fi clients, their PI, logins, etc. to unauthorized access of network resources
● Rogue Access Point Attack: Hijacking connections and acting as a middle man sniffing
● Client Mis-Association: Attacker sets up a rogue access point outside of the corporate perimeter and lures the employees
of the organization to connect with it
● Misconfigured Access Point Attack: Accidents for configurations that you can exploit
● AD Hoc connection attack: Wifi Clients communicate directly in ad-hoc and do not require AP to relay packet. Attack can
attack OS direct since the encryption is weak
● Honeyspot Access Point Attack: Attacker takes advantage of multiple WLAN’s in area and use same SID
● AP MAC Spoofing: Hacker spoofs the MAC address of the WLAN client equipment to mask an authorized client
● Jamming Signal Attack: High gain amplifier
a.
b. Fragmentation Attack: can obtain 1500 bytes of PRGA data that can be used for injection attacks
c. Mac Spoofing: attackers change MAC address to that of an authenticated user to bypass the MAC filtering
configured in an access point
d. Denial of Service: Deauthentication and Disassociation attacks
e. Man in the middle attack MITM : Attacker spoofs his MAC, sends a deAuth requests and then puts himself in
the middle
f. Wireless ARP poisoning attack:
g. Rogue Access Point: Wireless APs attacker installs on a network without authorization and are not under
management of the network administrator. Are not configured with any security
h. Evil Twin: Replicates another wireless APs name via common SSID
Bluetooth Hacking
● Exploitation of Bluetooth Stack implementation vulnerabilities
○ Bluesmacking: DoS attack which overflows Bluetooth-enabled devices with random packets causing device to
crash
○ Bluejacking: sending unsolicited messages over bluetooth to bluetooth-enabled devices such as mobile phones,
laptops, etc
○ Bluesnarfing: Theft of information from a wireless device through a bluetooth connection
○ Blue Sniff: Proof of concept code for a bluetooth wardriving utility
○ Bluebugging: remotely accessing the bluetooth-enabled devices and using its features
○ BluePrinting: collecting information about bluetooth enabled devices such as manufacturer, device model,
firmware
○ MAC spoofing attack: intercepting data intended for other bluetooth enabled devices
○ MITM: Modifying data between bluetooth enabled devices communication on a piconet
● Bluetooth Modes:
○ Discoverable, Limited Discoverable (timed), Non-discoverable
● Pairing Modes
○ Non-pairable models: rejects every pairing request
○ Pairable mode: will pair upon request
Countermeasures
- Understanding Mobile platform attack vectors, understanding various Android Threats and Attacks, Understanding various
iOS threats and attacks, understanding various Windows Phone OS Threats and Attacks, Understanding various
blackberry threats as attacks, understanding mobile device management (MDM), Mobile Security Guidelines and Security
Tools, Overview of Mobile Pen Testing
○ Lack of Binary Protections: Lack of binary protections in a mobile app exposes it and owner to wide variety of
technical and business risks if insecure. Must use countermeasures such as
■ Secure coding techniques
■ Jailbreak detection controls
■ Checksum controls
■ Certificate Pinning Controls
● Anatomy of a Mobile Attack
○ The device -> the network > the data center
○ Clicking Jacking: tricking users to click something different than what they think they are clicking. Attackers
obtain sensitive info or take control of device
○ Framing: a webpage integrated into another webpage using iFrame elements in HTML
○ Drive By Downloading: unintended download of software from the internet. Android is affected by this attack
○ Man in the Middle: Attacker implants malicious code on victim's mobile device
○ Buffer Overflows: writing data to buffer suites ,
○ Data Caching: Caching in mobile devices used to interact with web apps, attackers attempt to exploit the data
caches
● Phone/SMS-Based attacks
○ Baseband attacks: exploiting vulnerabilities in phone’s GSM/3GPP baseband processor, which sends/receives
signals to towers
○ SMiShing - Type of phishing where attacker uses SMS text message to link to malicious site
○ RF (radio frequency) attacks: exploit vulnerabilities found on different peripheral communication channels
normally used in nearby device-device communications
● Application-based attacks
○ Sensitive Data Storage: Some apps employ weak security in their database architecture, which make them
targets for attacker to hack and steal sensitive user information stored on them
○ No encryption/weak encryption: apps transmit data unencrypted or weakly encrypted are susceptible to attack
such as session hijacking
○ Improper SSL validation: Security Loopholes in apps SSL validation process may allow attackers to circumvent
the data security
○ Config Manipulation: Apps may use external files and libraries, modifying those entities or affecting apps’
capability of using those results in a config manipulation attack
○ Dynamic Runtime Injection: attackers manipulate and abuse the runtime of an app to circumvent security locks,
logic checks, access privileges parts of an app, and steal data
○ Unintended Permissions: Misconfigured apps can at times open doors to attackers by providing unintended
permissions
○ Escalated privileges: Attackers engage in privilege escalation attacks , which take advantage of design flaws,
programming errors, bugs, or config oversights to gain access to resources
● OS Based Attacks
○ iOS Jailbreaking: removing security mechanisms set by apple to prevent malicious code
○ Android Rooting: allows users to attain privileged control (root access) within android's subsystem.
○ Passwords and data accessible
○ Carrier-loaded software: pre installed software or apps on devices may contain vulnerabilities that an attacker
can exploit to perform malicious activities such as delete, modify, or steal data on the device, eavesdrop on
calls
○ Zero-day exploits: launch an attack by exploiting a previously unknown vulnerability in a mobile OS or app.
● The Network based point of attacks
○ WiFi (weak encryption or no encryption)
○ Rogue Access Points: attackers install illicit wireless access point by physical means, which allows them to
access a protected network by hijacking the connections of network users
○ Man in the Middle (MITM): attackers eaves on existing network connections between two systems
○ SSLStrip: Type of MITM attack which exploits vulnerabilities in the SSL/TLS implementation
○ Session Hijacking: Attacker steal valid session ID’s
○ DNS Poisoning: Attackers exploit DNS servers, redirect website users to another website of the attacker’s
choice
○ Fake SSL certificates: Fake SSL certs represent another kind of MITM attacks. Attacker issues a fake SSL cert
to intercept traffic on a supposedly secure HTTPS connection
● The Data Center
○ Two main point of entry: web server and a database
○ Web server-based attacks
■ Platform vulnerabilities: Exploiting vulnerabilities in the OS, Server software, or app modules running
on the web server
■ Server Misconfiguration
■ XSS
■ CSRF
■ Weak Input Validation
■ Brute-Force Attacks
● Database Attacks
○ SQL Injection
○ Data Dumping
○ OS command execution
○ Privilege Escalation
● Sandboxing: helps protect systems and users by limiting the resources the app can access in the mobile platform;
however, malicious apps may exploit vulnerabilities
Hacking Android OS
● The device administration API provides device administration features at the system level
● Rooting allows android users to attain privileged control (root access)
○ Involves exploiting security vulnerabilities in the device firmware
● Securing Android Devices:
○ Enable screen locks
○ Don't root your device
○ Download apps only from android market
○ Keep device updated with google software
○ Do not directly download APK files
○ Update OS regularly
○ Use free protector app
● Google Apps device policy: allows domain admin to set security policies for your android device
Hacking iOS
● Layers of the OS
○ Cocoa Touch: key framework that help in building iOS app. Defines appearance, basic services such as touch
○ Media: contains graphics, audio, and video technology experienced in apps
○ Core Services: contains fundamental system services for apps
○ Core OS: low level feature on which most on which most other technologies are built
● Tethered (kernel will be patched upon restart) and untethered
Hacking Blackberry
● Malicious Code Signing: Blackberry apps must be signed by RIM. Attacker can obtain code-signing keys for a malicious
app and post it in the store
● JAD file exploits: A jad file allows a user to go through app details and decide whether to download the app. However,
attackers created spoofed .jad files to trick user
● PIM Data Attacks: PIM (personal information manager) includes address , books, calendars, tasks
○ Malicious apps can delete or modify this data
● TCP/IP Connections Vulnerabilities: If the device firewall is off, signed apps can open TCP connections without the user
being prompted.
○ Malicious apps create a reverse connection with the attacker enabling him to use the infected device as a TCP
proxy and gain access to organization’s internal resources
● MDM provides platforms for over the air or wired distribution of application, data and configuration settings for all types of
mobile devices, smartphones, tablets, etc.
○ Helps implementing enterprise-wide policies to reduce support cost s
○ Can manage both company-owned and BYOD devices
● General Guidelines
○ Do not load too many apps and avoid auto-upload of photos to social networks
○ Perform a security assessment of the Application Architecture
○ Maintain configuration control and management
○ Install apps from trusted app stores
○ Securely wipe or delete the data disposing of the device
○ Ensure bluetooth is off by default
○ Do not share location within GPS enabled apps
○ Never connect two separate networks such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Understanding IDS, Firewall, and Honeypot Concept : IDS, Firewall and Honeypot Solutions: Understanding different
techniques to bypass IDS : Understanding different techniques to bypass firewalls, IDS/Firewall Evading Tools :
Understanding different techniques to detect honeypots : Overview of IDS and Firewall Penetration Testing
● An IDS inspects all inbound and outbound network traffic for suspicious patterns that may indicate a network security
breach
○ Checks traffic for signatures that match known intrusion patterns
○ Anomaly Detection (behavior detection)
○ Protocol Anomaly Detection
● Indications of Intrusions
○ System Intrusions
■ Presence of new files/programs
■ Changes in file permissions
■ Unexplained changes in file size
■ Rogue Files
■ Unfamiliar file names in directories
■ Missing files
○ Network Intrusions
■ Repeated probes of the available services on your machines
■ Connections from unusual locations
■ Repeated login attempts from remote hosts
■ Arbitrary data in log files
● Firewall Architecture
○ Bastion Host
■ Computer system designed and configured to protect network resources from attack
○ Screened Subnet
■ Also known as the DMZ contains hosts that offer public services. DMZ zone only responds to public
requests, and has no hosts accessed by the private network
○ Multi-homed Firewall
■ A firewall with two or more interfaces
● DeMilitarized Zone (DMZ)
○ A network that serves as a buffer between the internal secure network and insecure internet
○ Can be created using firewall with three or more main network interfaces
● Types of Firewall
○ Packet Filters: works on the network layers of OSI. Can drop packets if needed
○ Circuit Level Gateways: Works at the sessions layer. Information passed to a remote computer through a
circuit-level gateway appear to have originated from the gateway. They monitor requests to create sessions,
and determines if the session will be allowed. They allow or prevent data streams
○ Application Level Gateways: App-level proxies can filter packets at the application later of the OSI
○ Stateful Multilayer Inspection Firewalls: combines the aspects of the other three types of firewalls
● Honeypot
○ Information system resource that is expressly set up to attract and trap people who attempt to penetrate an
organization's network
■ Honeypot can log port access attempts, monitor attacker’s keystrokes, show early signs etc
○ 2 Types of Honeypots
■ Low-interaction Honeypots: simulate only a limited number of services and apps. Cannot be
compromised
■ High-interaction Honeypots: simulates all services and apps. Can be completely compromised by
attackers.
● Captures complete information about an attack vector such attack techniques
IDS Tools
● Snort
Evading IDS
Evading Firewalls
● Port Scanning is used to identify open ports and services running on these ports
○ Open ports can be further probed to identify the version of services, which helps in finding vulnerabilities in
these services
● Firewalking: A technique that uses TTL values to determine gateway ACL filters
○ Attacker sends a TCP or UDP packet to the targeted firewall with a TTL set to one hop greater
● Banner Grabbing: Banners are service announcements provided by services in response to connection requests, and
often carry vendor version information
● IP address spoofing to a trusted machine
● Source Routing: Allows sender of a packet to partially or completely specify the route of a packet through a network, going
around a firewall
● Tiny Fragments: Forcing some of the TCP packet’s header info into the next fragment
● ICMP Tunneling: Allows tunneling a backdoor shell in the data portion of ICMP echo packets
● Ack Tunneling: Allows tunneling a backdoor application with TCP packets with the ACK bit set
● HTTP Tunneling Method: allows attackers to perform various internet tasks despite restrictions imposed by firewalls.
Method can be implemented if the target company has a public web server with port 80 used for HTTP traffic
Detecting Honeypots
● Attackers craft malicious probe packets to scan for services such as HTTP over SSL, SMTP over SSL, and IMAP
● Ports that show a particular service running but deny a three-way handshake indicate the presence of a honeypot
Countermeasures
● Shut down switch ports associated with the known attack hosts
● Reset (RST) malicious TCP sessions
- Understanding cloud computing concepts, understanding cloud computing threats, understanding cloud computing
attacks, understanding cloud computing security, understanding cloud computing security tools, overview of cloud pen
testing
Introduction to Cloud Computing
● Cloud computing is an on-demand delivery of IT capabilities where IT infrastructure applications are provided to
subscribers as a metered service
● Types of Cloud Computing Services:
○ IaaS: Provides virtual machines and other abstracted hardware and OSs which may be controlled through a
service API
○ PaaS: Offers development tools, config management, and deployment platforms on-demand and can be used
by subscribers to develop custom applications
○ SaaS: Offers software to subscribers on-demand over the internet
● Cloud Deployment Models
○ Private Cloud: Cloud Infrastructure operated solely for a single organization
○ Community Cloud: Shared Infrastructure between several organizations from a specific communications with
common concerns
○ Hybrid Cloud: Composition of two or more cloud (private, community or public)
○ Public Cloud: Services are rendered over a network that is open for public use
● Data Breach/Loss, Abuse of Cloud Services, Insecure Interfaces and APIs, Insufficient due diligence, shared technology
issues, unknown risk profile, Inadequate infrastructure design and planning, conflicts between client hardening procedures
and cloud environment, malicious insiders, illegal access to the cloud, privilege Escalation via error
Understanding Cryptography Concepts, Overview of Encryption Algorithms, Cryptography, Cryptography Tools, Understanding
Public key Infrastructure, Understanding Email Encryption, Understanding disk encryption, Understanding cryptographic attacks,
cryptanalysis
Cryptography Concepts
● The conversion of data into a scrambled code that is decrypted and sent over a private or public network
○ Used for email messages, chat sessions, web transactions, personal data, corporate data, e-commerce apps,
etc.
● Types of Cryptography
○ Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same key for encryption as it does for decryption
○ Asymmetric Encryption: Uses different key for encryption for encryption and decryption
● Government Access to Keys (GAK)
○ Software companies will give copies of all keys
○ Government promises they will hold on to the keys in a secure will, and will only use them when a court issues
a warrant to do so
■ Gives them ability to wiretap phones
Encryption Algorithms
● Public Key infrastructure (PKI): set of hardware, software, people, policies, and procedures required to create, manage,
distribute, use , store, and revoke digital certificates
● Signed CA vs Self Signed: Signed is more trustworthy
Email Encryption
● Digital signature used asymmetric cryptography to simulate the security properties of a signature in digital, rather than
written form
○ A digital signature may be further protection, by encrypting the signed email
● SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): SSL is an app protocol developed for netscape for managing the security of a message
transmission on the internet
○ It uses RSA asymmetric (public key) encryption
● Transport Layer Security (TLS): Protocol to establish a secure connection between a client and a sever. Uses RSA
algorithm with 1024 and 2048 bit strengths
Cryptographic Attacks
● Ciphertext only attack: goal of this attack to recover encryption key from cipher text
● Adaptive Chosen-plaintext attack: attacker makes a series of interactive queries
● Chosen-plaintext attack: attacker defines his own plaintext, feeds it into the cipher, and analyzes the resulting cipher text
● Chosen-plaintext Attack: Attacker defines his own plaintext, feeds it into the cipher, and analyzes the resulting ciphertext
● Known-plaintext Attack: Attacker has knowledge of some part of the plain text
● Code Breaking Methodologies:
○ Trickery and Deceit: Social Engineering techniques
○ Brute Force: trying every possible combination
○ One-Time pad: contains many non-repeating groups of letters or number keys which are randomly chosen
○ Frequency Analysis: Study the frequency of letters or groups of letters in a ciphertext
● MITM on digital sig schemes
○ Attack works by encrypting one end and decrypting from the other end, the meeting in the middle
■ Can be used for forging signatures even on digital signatures
● Side Channel Attack: Physical attack performed on a cryptographic device/cryptosystem to gain sensitive information
Extra Resources:
● Boson: https://quizlet.com/_3l8qep
● "Tools": https://quizlet.com/_3la4dl
● Workflowy: https://workflowy.com/s/De7u.dMnMILnDcu