Internet of Insecure Things

The Internet of insecure things just keeps getting murkier and more problematic. Researchers have determined that hackers are abusing a 12-year-old vulnerability in OpenSSH to attack the ‘Internet of un-patchable things’.

Since anyone can now download the Mirai source code – it’s is even on GitHub – then players across the field, both botnet dabblers and researchers, are playing around with the malware that hijacks IoT devices and is responsible for the largest DDoS attack on record.

In fact, researchers at Incapusla are already reporting new attacks that seem to be “experimental first steps of new Mirai users who were testing the water after the malware became widely available. Likely, these are signs of things to come and we expect to deal with Mirai-powered attacks in the near future.”

Is the sky really falling? Well, if the underground market treats Mirai malware like it has other malicious source code which has been leaked, then welcome to an IoT DDoSing nightmare. Researchers at F5 said to expect thugs “to adapt, combine, and improve the code, resulting in newer and enhanced variants.” F5 warned, “We can definitely expect the IoT DDoSing trend to rise massively in the global threat landscape.”

IoT devices being used in mass-scale SSHowDowN Proxy attacks

Add to that an OpenSSH vulnerability which has been around for 12 years and the fact that attackers are exploiting the flaw to create huge amounts of traffic for SSHowDowN Proxy attacks launched against e-commerce and other sites.

Researchers at Akamai Technologies disclosed that new targeted attacks, which use a very old flaw, are originating from IoT devices such as: DVR, NVR and CCTV video surveillance devices, satellite antenna equipment, networking devices such as routers, hotspots, WiMax, cable and ADSL modems, and Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices connected to the internet. Other devices hooked online may also be susceptible.

The IoT devices are being used to mount attacks “against a multitude of internet targets and internet-facing services, such as HTTP, SMTP and network scanning,” as well as to mount attacks against internal networks that host the devices.

In many cases, there are default login settings such as “admin” and “admin” or other lax credentials to get to the web management console. Once attackers access the web admin console, they can compromise the device’s data and sometimes even take complete control of the machine.

The attack itself is not new, but Akamai Technologies has seen a surge in SSHowDowN Proxy attacks in which IoT devices are being “actively exploited in mass scale attack campaigns.”

A new report on exploiting IoT and SSHowDowN  explains that the root causes for the vulnerability include weak factory-default administration credentials, the fact that the devices allow remote SSH connections and the devices allow TCP forwarding.

Default passwords

Default passwords have long plagued the security industry and put users at great risk. Since the Mirai source code was made public, many sites have published the 61 passwords powering the Mirai botnet which is capable of hijacking over 500,000 vulnerable IoT devices.

Double that number by adding in devices with shoddy-to-no-security which are made by the Chinese firm XiongMai Technologies. Flashpoint researchers said there are over 500,000 devices on public IPs that are vulnerable to the username and password combination “root” and “xc3511.”

130,000 vulnerable Avtech systems

Search Lab’s Gergely Eberhardt found 14 vulnerabilities in Avtech devices like DVRs and IP cameras; there are 130,000 Avtech devices exposed on the internet and “Avtech is the second most popular search term in Shodan.”

Eberhardt found the vulnerabilities and first attempted to contact the company back in September 2015. After more than a year and zero response from Avtech, Eberhardt published an advisory and proof-of-concept scripts for the flaws.

If you don’t want your Avtech device to end up as part of an IoT botnet, then owners should change the default admin password and go the extra safe mile of never exposing “the web interface of any Avtech device to the internet.”

You should always change the default passwords to anything, but some manufacturers didn’t have enough concern for users to build in that option.

Internet of un-patchable things

“We're entering a very interesting time when it comes to DDoS and other web attacks; 'The Internet of Un-patchable Things' so to speak,” explained Ory Segal, senior director of Threat Research at Akamai. “New devices are being shipped from the factory not only with this vulnerability exposed, but also without any effective way to fix it. We've been hearing for years that it was theoretically possible for IoT devices to attack. That, unfortunately, has now become the reality.”

Computerworld:        Internet of Things will drive the Digital Revolution of Industry:

 

« Smartphone “Video Jacking” From Power Sockets
DDoS: Deceptive Denial Attacks »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 8,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton is a management & tech consulting firm. Technology services include cloud computing, cyber security, systems development and integration.

IPN (ICT Research Platform Nederlands)

IPN (ICT Research Platform Nederlands)

IPN promotes academic research and education in the ICT field by building and maintaining a national community, and by developing policy to advance the field. Areas of focus include Cyber Security.

Slovenian Digital Coalition

Slovenian Digital Coalition

Slovenian Digital Coalition is a coalition working in the field of smart cities, e-commerce, e-skills, e-inclusion, cyber security, internet and other areas related to developing the digital society.

CybeReady

CybeReady

CybeReady’s Autonomous Platform offers continuous adaptive training to all employees and guarantees significant reduction in organizational risk of phishing attacks.

CryptoCurrency Certification Consortium (C4)

CryptoCurrency Certification Consortium (C4)

The CryptoCurrency Certification Consortium is a non-profit organization that provides certifications to professionals who perform cryptocurrency-related services.

Intraprise Health

Intraprise Health

Intraprise Health is a Certified HITRUST Assessor and award-winning provider of health information security products and services.

Qasky

Qasky

Anhui Qasky Quantum Technology Co. Ltd. (Qasky) is a new high-tech enterprise engaged in quantum information technology industrialization in China.

CyberAcuView

CyberAcuView

CyberAcuView is a company dedicated to enhancing cyber risk mitigation efforts across the insurance industry.

Midwest Cyber Security Alliance (MCSA)

Midwest Cyber Security Alliance (MCSA)

Midwest Cyber Security Alliance is a nonprofit, nonpartisan collaboration of individuals, businesses, government entities, and professionals advocating for more effective cyber security solutions.

Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC)

Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC)

The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC) is part of the national roll out of Cyber Resilience Centres in the UK which began in 2019.

Cyber Security Services

Cyber Security Services

Cyber Security Services is a cyber security consulting firm and security operations center (SOC).

The CyberWire

The CyberWire

The CyberWire gets people up to speed on cyber quickly and keeps them a step ahead in a continually changing industry.

CYGNVS

CYGNVS

CYGNVS is a guided cyber crisis response platform providing anytime, anyplace access. A SaaS platform for cyber crisis management – a safe way to connect and control your response.

Avanade

Avanade

Avanade is a leading provider of innovative digital, cloud and advisory services, industry solutions and design-led experiences across the Microsoft ecosystem.

InfoTrust

InfoTrust

InfoTrust is a leading specialised cybersecurity practice that combines a customer-first consulting approach with next-generation security solutions.

SplxAI

SplxAI

Our mission at SplxAI is to secure and safeguard GenAI-powered conversational apps by providing advanced security and pentesting solutions, so neither your organization nor your user base get harmed.