Initial Access

[00:00:00] Did you ever wondered how attackers are attacking companies, organizations almost every day?

[00:00:05] Like, every day we are hearing about a new company being hacked, and hackers are dumping their data into the web and leaking it online.

[00:00:13] Most of these attacks are starting in one important phase, which is Initial Access.

[00:00:18] Initial Access are the methods attackers use to get their foot in the door of your organization.

[00:00:24] This episode is essential listening for anyone in the cybersecurity field, business owner, or even curious mind who want to understand how breaches start.

[00:00:33] So, grab your coffee, look down your endpoints, and let's jump in.

[00:00:44] You're listening to The Cyber Riddler, where we decipher the offensive and defensive side of the cyber world.

[00:00:52] I'm Ahmad Almorabea

[00:01:04] To set the stage, let's define the Initial Access first.

[00:01:07] In cybersecurity, this refers to the methods attackers use to establish a foothold in a target environment.

[00:01:15] It's the very first stage of attack chain and arguably one of the most critical.

[00:01:20] Without a way in, attackers cannot deploy ransomware, steal data, exfiltrate data, or launch any of their devastating campaigns.

[00:01:28] Think of it like breaking into a house if someone cannot make the lock, sneak in through the window, or convincing you to open the door.

[00:01:36] Attackers, however, have an ever-growing toolbox of tactics for finding the initial way in.

[00:01:42] And it's our job to understand and defend against them.

[00:01:45] And remember, one slip is all they need for them to attack your environment.

[00:01:50] Why focus on Initial Access, you might wonder, right?

[00:01:53] Like, there are other attacks.

[00:01:55] Why focus on the Initial Access per se?

[00:01:57] Well, statistics tell us over 80% of successful breaches can be traced back to this first point of entry.

[00:02:04] If we can't secure that door, we make it exponentially harder for attackers to succeed.

[00:02:09] But why it matters?

[00:02:11] Let me tell you what will happen if someone hack your environment.

[00:02:14] First, you have to cover the cost of the breach.

[00:02:17] It could be really expensive to recover from an attack.

[00:02:19] Once attackers gain access, they often move quickly, exploiting privileges and stealing sensitive data within minutes.

[00:02:27] A single phishing email or misconfigured server can bring an entire company to its knees.

[00:02:33] As you understand what is the Initial Access, now, let me tell you about the common way used by attackers to hack your organization.

[00:02:40] Phishing

[00:02:42] Phishing is by far the most popular method.

[00:02:44] In fact, over 90% of successful cyber attack begin with a phishing email.

[00:02:50] Here's how it works.

[00:02:51] An attacker craft a convincing email that looks like it's from a trusted source, maybe your boss, a bank, or a shipment you are waiting for.

[00:03:00] The email often contains malicious attachment or link to a fake login page.

[00:03:04] Once you click and provide your information or download and run the attachment,

[00:03:09] the attacker gains access to your credential or install malware on your system.

[00:03:12] A real world example would be the 2020 SolarWinds attack involved spear phishing emails targeting selected employees,

[00:03:20] which led to one of the most devastating cyber chain attacks in history.

[00:03:24] Another common way is exploiting vulnerabilities.

[00:03:27] Attackers also love taking advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities.

[00:03:31] When an organization fails to update a software, they leave doors wide open for attackers.

[00:03:35] Common targets include outdated operating systems and patch web applications and forgotten IoT devices and most importantly, VPN services.

[00:03:44] Tools like Shodan make it easy for attackers to scan the internet for exposed and vulnerable systems.

[00:03:50] One example is the infamous Log4j vulnerability.

[00:03:53] In the Log4j library, attackers exploited it to compromise thousands of systems worldwide in late 2021.

[00:04:00] Another common way is credential theft.

[00:04:02] Stolen credentials are another favorite way for attackers.

[00:04:07] Attackers get them through various means, such as phishing, brute forcing, or buying credentials from dark web marketplace.

[00:04:13] If attackers found a valid username and password, they have two ways.

[00:04:17] Either use it themselves or sell it to another hacking group.

[00:04:20] Once they have valid username and password, they bypass many security controls entirely.

[00:04:25] This is especially effective when companies don't enforce multi-factor authentication, MFA.

[00:04:29] Another common way is misconfigured cloud environment.

[00:04:33] The shift to cloud computing has brought immense benefits, but it's also created new attack surface.

[00:04:39] Misconfigured storage bucket, weak permission, and exposed APIs are common issues.

[00:04:45] Attackers use tools to scan for these misconfigurations, gaining access without even needing to compromise the user.

[00:04:51] The last one in this episode will be supply chain attacks.

[00:04:54] Supply chain attacks are a growing trend, and instead of attacking you directly, hackers compromise a trusted third-party vendor, a service you rely on.

[00:05:03] Now that we covered how attackers break in, let's talk about defense.

[00:05:07] Employee awareness and training.

[00:05:09] This is really important.

[00:05:10] We know that it's a lot of work, a lot of effort, but still, it's a must.

[00:05:16] Yes, sometimes, maybe after all of this effort, an employee will be hacked, but still, it's an effort that you have to take.

[00:05:24] Patch management.

[00:05:25] Keep software and system up to date.

[00:05:27] Automate patching, where possible.

[00:05:29] Do update cycles.

[00:05:30] Focus on critical vulnerabilities first, especially those that are being actively exploited in the wild.

[00:05:35] Strong authentication.

[00:05:37] Enforce MFA for all users.

[00:05:39] Even if an attacker steals password, they will hit a dead end without a second factor.

[00:05:43] It's bypassable, don't get me wrong, but still, we will make the life of an attacker a living hell.

[00:05:49] Network segmentation and least privileges.

[00:05:51] In security, there is a principle of least privilege.

[00:05:54] Limit what an attacker can access if they can break in.

[00:05:57] And, finally, do irregular penetration testing activities.

[00:06:01] And do red teaming activities.

[00:06:03] Test your defenses with reward simulation.

[00:06:05] A thorough penetration test can uncover vulnerabilities before the attackers do.

[00:06:09] And trust me, sometimes you will find findings that you never expect.

[00:06:14] So, understanding initial access is the first step toward building a more secure organization.

[00:06:18] The methods we discussed today like phishing, exploiting vulnerabilities, credential theft, misconfiguration, and supply chain attacks are the tools attackers rely on.

[00:06:26] But, with the knowledge and proactive measures, we can make their job a whole lot harder.

[00:06:31] You've been listening to The Cyber Riddler.

[00:06:33] Don't forget, initial access is the key.

[00:06:36] Don't forget to share this episode with anyone you think is interested about this topic.

[00:06:40] And see you next time.