CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Course - 2.2 Explain Common Threat Vectors and Attack Surfaces - PART A

Summary

This lesson delves into the exploitation of various communication methods by cyber attackers, including phishing, malware distribution, and steganography. It highlights the risks of message-based threats through emails, SMS, and instant messaging, as well as file-based threats and the dangers of voice impersonation and removable devices spreading malware. The importance of securing unsupported systems, networks, and default credentials is underscored, along with the threat of supply chain attacks. The lesson concludes with the necessity of regular assessments and proactive measures for robust cybersecurity.

Takeaways

• 📧 Email is a common platform for phishing attacks where attackers pretend to be legitimate entities to steal sensitive information.
• 📲 SMS and instant messaging are exploited for smishing attacks, often including malicious links that can spread malware or trick users into giving out sensitive data.
• 🔗 Image files can contain hidden malicious code through steganography, which can infect systems once opened, as seen in the 2017 Bad Rabbit ransomware attack.
• 📄 File-based threats involve malware embedded in documents or software, which can install malware on systems when users download or open these files.
• 🎙️ Voice calls can be used for vishing, impersonating legitimate entities to extract personal or financial information, as demonstrated by the IRS scam calls.
• 💾 Removable devices like USB drives are often used to spread malware, as in the case of the Stuxnet worm targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
• 🚫 Unsupported systems and applications are at high risk as they no longer receive security updates, which was a vulnerability exploited by the WannaCry ransomware attack.
• 🔒 Unsecure networks, including wireless, wired, and Bluetooth, are susceptible to attacks like eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle, with public Wi-Fi being a common target.
• 🛑 Open service ports can be entry points for attackers, making regular port scanning and closing unnecessary ports essential security practices.
• 🔑 Devices or software with default credentials are prime targets for attackers, as seen in the Mirai botnet attack exploiting IoT devices with default passwords.
• 🔄 Supply chain threats occur when attackers target less secure elements in a network, such as the SolarWinds attack where malware was introduced through the software supply chain.

Q & A

What are the common types of message-based threats mentioned in the script?

The common types of message-based threats include phishing attacks through email, SMS, and instant messaging, where attackers masquerade as legitimate entities to extract sensitive information.

Can you provide an example of a ransomware attack that spread through phishing emails?

The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack is an example that spread through phishing emails containing malicious attachments.

What is the term for hiding malicious code in image files, and how was it used in a specific ransomware attack?

The term is 'steganography'. It was used in the 2017 Bad Rabbit ransomware attack where image files contained hidden malicious code that infected systems once opened.

How can file-based threats lead to malware infection?

File-based threats involve malware embedded in documents or software files. Users can unwittingly install malware on their systems by downloading or opening these files.

What was the method used in the NotPetya attack to exploit file-based threats?

The NotPetya attack exploited file-based threats through a compromised software update.

What is 'vishing' and how was it used in the IRS scam calls?

Vishing is the act of using voice calls to impersonate legitimate entities to extract personal information or financial details. It was used in various IRS scam calls where attackers impersonated the Internal Revenue Service.

Why are removable devices like USB drives considered common carriers of malware?

Removable devices like USB drives are common carriers of malware because they can be easily infected and used to spread malware to other systems, as seen in the Stuxnet worm that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

What security risks are posed by using unsupported systems and applications?

Using unsupported systems and applications poses significant security risks because they no longer receive security updates, making them vulnerable to exploitation, as heavily exploited in the WannaCry ransomware attack.

What types of networks are susceptible to eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks?

Unsecure networks, including wireless, wired, and Bluetooth networks, are susceptible to various attacks like eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks.

Why are public Wi-Fi networks particularly common targets for cyber attackers?

Public Wi-Fi networks are common targets for cyber attackers because they often have weak security measures, making it easier for attackers to intercept data or perform man-in-the-middle attacks.

What is the significance of open service ports in terms of cyber security?

Open service ports can act as entry points for attackers, allowing unauthorized access or data breaches. Regular port scanning and closing unnecessary ports are essential security practices.

What was the Miri botnet attack, and how did it exploit default credentials?

The Miri botnet attack exploited IoT devices that were using default usernames and passwords, making them easy targets for attackers to gain control and create a botnet.

What is a supply chain threat, and can you provide an example of such an attack?

A supply chain threat arises when attackers target less secure elements in a supply network. The SolarWinds attack is a prime example where malware was introduced into the software supply chain, affecting thousands of its users.

Why are regular assessments and proactive security measures important for an organization's cybersecurity posture?

Regular assessments and proactive security measures are key to identifying and mitigating common threat vectors and attack surfaces, thereby strengthening an organization's cybersecurity posture and safeguarding against threats.

Outlines

00:00

📧 Cyber Threats via Communication Platforms

This paragraph discusses the exploitation of various communication methods such as email, SMS, and instant messaging by cyber attackers. It highlights phishing attacks where attackers impersonate legitimate entities to extract sensitive information. The paragraph also mentions the use of image files with hidden malicious code, known as steganography, as seen in the 2017 Bad Rabbit ransomware attack. Additionally, it covers file-based threats where malware is embedded in documents or software files, leading to inadvertent malware installation upon download or opening. The paragraph concludes with the mention of voice calls being used for vishing attacks, where personal or financial information is extracted by impersonation.

Keywords

💡Cyber attackers

Cyber attackers are individuals or groups who use technology to infiltrate computer systems or networks with the intent of stealing, corrupting, or destroying information. In the context of the video, cyber attackers exploit various communication methods and technologies to perform malicious activities, such as phishing attacks and malware distribution. An example from the script is the 'WannaCry' ransomware attack, which spread through phishing emails.

💡Phishing

Phishing is a type of online scam where attackers pose as a trustworthy entity to deceive users into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise their security. The video mentions that emails are frequently used for phishing, as seen in the 'WannaCry' ransomware attack, where malicious attachments were sent via emails to trick recipients.

💡Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. It includes viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware. The video discusses how malware can be spread through various methods, such as email attachments, instant messaging, and infected image files, as exemplified by the 'Bad Rabbit' ransomware attack.

💡Steganography

Steganography is the practice of concealing messages, images, or files within seemingly innocent media files. In the video, it is mentioned as a method where hidden malicious code can be embedded in image files, which, once opened, can infect a system, as was the case in the 'Bad Rabbit' ransomware attack.

💡File-based threats

File-based threats refer to security risks that arise from files containing malware, which can be unwittingly installed on a user's system when the files are downloaded or opened. The video script mentions that the 'NotPetya' attack exploited this method through a compromised software update.

💡Vishing

Vishing, a variation of phishing, is the act of using voice calls to impersonate legitimate entities to extract personal or financial information. The video script refers to various IRS scam calls as examples of vishing attacks.

💡Removable devices

Removable devices, such as USB drives, are portable storage mediums that can carry malware. The video script cites the 'Stuxnet' worm, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and was initially spread through an infected USB drive.

💡Unsupported systems

Unsupported systems are software or operating systems that no longer receive security updates, making them vulnerable to exploits. The 'WannaCry' ransomware attack heavily exploited vulnerabilities in unsupported Windows systems, as mentioned in the video.

💡Unsecure networks

Unsecure networks, including wireless, wired, and Bluetooth, are susceptible to various attacks such as eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks. The video emphasizes the risks of public Wi-Fi networks, which are common targets for cyber attackers.

💡Open service ports

Open service ports are network access points that, if left unprotected, can be exploited by attackers for unauthorized access or data breaches. The video script suggests that regular port scanning and closing unnecessary ports are essential security practices.

💡Default credentials

Default credentials are the initial usernames and passwords set by the manufacturer, which, if not changed, can make devices or software easy targets for attackers. The video script refers to the 'Mira' botnet attack, which exploited IoT devices using default usernames and passwords.

💡Supply chain threats

Supply chain threats occur when attackers target less secure elements in a supply network to introduce malware. The 'SolarWinds' attack mentioned in the video is a prime example, where malware was introduced into the software supply chain, affecting thousands of its users.

Highlights

Different communication methods and technologies can be exploited by cyber attackers.

Message-based threats are common, including email, SMS, and instant messaging.

Fishing attacks exploit these platforms by masquerading as legitimate entities to extract sensitive information.

The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack spread through phishing emails with malicious attachments.

SMS and instant messaging can be used for smishing attacks containing malicious links.

Instant messaging apps can spread malware or trick users into divulging sensitive information.

Image files can contain hidden malicious code through steganography, infecting systems when opened.

File-based threats involve malware embedded in documents or software files.

The NotPetya attack exploited compromised software updates for malware distribution.

Voice calls can be used for vishing, impersonating legitimate entities to extract personal information.

Removable devices like USB drives are common carriers of malware.

Unsupported systems and applications pose significant security risks due to lack of security updates.

Unsecure networks, including wireless, wired, and Bluetooth, are susceptible to various attacks.

Public Wi-Fi networks are common targets for cyber attackers.

Open service ports can act as entry points for attackers, leading to unauthorized access or data breaches.

Devices or software with default credentials are easy targets for attackers.

Supply chain threats arise when attackers target less secure elements in a network.

The SolarWinds attack is an example of malware introduced into the software supply chain.

Understanding and mitigating common threat vectors and attack surfaces are critical for strengthening cybersecurity posture.

Regular assessments and proactive security measures are key to safeguarding against these threats.

Transcripts

in this lesson we'll explore how

different communication methods and

Technologies can be exploited by cyber

attackers and the measures to mitigate

these risks message-based threats are

common and include methods like email

SMS and instant messaging these

platforms are often exploited for

fishing attacks where attackers

masquerade as legitimate entities to

extract sensitive information emails are

frequently used for fishing and malware

distribution the 2017 wan to cry

ransomware attack for instance spread

through fishing emails containing

malicious attachments SMS and instant

messaging can be used for smashing

attacks where text messages contain

malicious links instant messaging apps

can also spread malware or be used to

trick users into divulging sensitive

information image files can contain

hidden malicious code a method known as

steganography once opened they can

infect a system this technique was used

in the 2017 Bad Rabbit ransomware attack

file-based threats involve malware

embedded in documents or software files

users downloading or opening these files

can unwittingly install malware on their

systems the not Pia attack exploited

this method through a compromised

software update voice calls can be used

for vising where attackers impersonate

legitimate entities to extract personal

information or financial details this

method was used in various IRS scam

calls removable devices like USB drives

are common carriers of malware the

infamous stuck net worm targeting

Iranian nuclear facilities was initially

spread through an infected USB drive

using unsupported systems and

applications poses significant security

risks as they no longer receive security

updates the W to cry ransomware attack

heavily exploited vulnerabilities in

unsupported Windows systems unsecure

networks including Wireless wired and

Bluetooth networks are susceptible to

various attacks like eavesdropping or

man-in-the-middle attacks public Wi-Fi

networks in particular are are common

targets open service ports can act as

entry points for attackers ports left

open can be discovered and exploited for

unauthorized access or data breaches

regular Port scanning and closing

unnecessary ports are essential security

practices devices or software with

default credentials are easy targets for

attackers the Miri botnet attack

exploited iot devices that were using

default usernames and passwords supply

chain threats arise when attackers

Target less secure elements in a supply

network the solar winds attack is a

prime example where malware was

introduced into the software supply

chain affecting thousands of its users

in conclusion understanding and

mitigating these common threat vectors

and attack surfaces are critical in

strengthening an organization's cyber

security posture regular assessments and

proactive security measures are key to

safeguarding against these threats