Network infrastructure devices are network components that convey data, applications, services, and multi-media communications. Routers, firewalls, switches, servers, load balancers, intrusion detection systems, domain name systems and storage area networks are examples of these devices. Since these devices are the conduits for the majority of organizational and consumer traffic, they are prime targets for cyber criminals.
When an attacker gains access to an organization’s gateway router, they can monitor, alter, and prevent traffic from entering or leaving the business.
When an attacker gains access to a company’s internal routing and switching infrastructure, they can monitor, alter, and block traffic to and from important hosts within the network. They can also use these relationships to migrate laterally to other servers.
Malicious cyber actors find it simple to collect credentials from companies and individuals that operate hosts and services using antiquated, unencrypted protocols. In essence, the person in charge of a network’s routing architecture also controls the data that travels across it.
What security threats are associated with network infrastructure devices?
Devices used in network infrastructure are frequently easy pickings for hackers. Many network devices are not kept up to date with the same security measures as servers and general-purpose workstations once they are deployed. The susceptibility of network devices can also be attributed to the following factors:
Few network devices use antivirus, integrity-maintenance and other security solutions that aid in protecting general-purpose hosts, particularly small office/home office and residential-class routers.
These network devices are constructed and distributed by manufacturers with exploitable services enabled for convenience of setup, use and upkeep.
Network device owners and operators frequently fail to apply regular patches, harden their devices for operations, or alter vendor default settings.
When an equipment manufacturer or vendor discontinues support for a piece of equipment, internet service providers are not allowed to replace it on the customer’s property.
When conducting investigations, searching for attackers, and restoring general-purpose hosts following cyber attacks, owners and operators frequently neglect network devices.
7 Common Network Security Issues
1) Internal security threats
Human error accounts for almost 90% of cyberattacks. Phishing assaults, thoughtless choices, using weak passwords, and other similar practices are examples of this.
Insider activities can cause downtime, financial loss, and irate customers by adversely affecting your company’s network and sensitive data.
2) Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
Websites that are subject to a denial-of-service attack (DDoS) may crash, malfunction, or load slowly. Cybercriminals infect computers, smartphones, and other internet-connected devices in these situations, turning them into bots. Bots are sent to a victim’s IP address by hackers.
As a result, there is an overwhelming amount of internet traffic, which overwhelms the website with requests and makes it unavailable. It is challenging to distinguish compromised from genuine traffic as a result of these assaults.
3) Rogue security software
Businesses are duped by rogue security software into thinking that a virus is the reason why their IT infrastructure is down. Usually, a reliable anti-malware program sends out a warning message.
When a device becomes infected with a rogue program, the malware bombards the victim with messages and demands payment for a security solution that doesn’t exist—which is frequently malware. In order to extend their attack, rogue security software might potentially contaminate your current cyber security solutions.
4) Malware
Malware is harmful software that infiltrates devices and uses them to obtain personal data about victims. Hackers can utilize devices that have been successfully deployed to mine them for sensitive data (passwords, bank account details, email addresses, etc.) and then use that data to perpetrate identity theft, blackmail, or other actions that could harm businesses.
Malware Consists Of:
Worms: they take advantage of holes in computer systems to propagate to other hardware.
Rootkits: these programs give unauthorized users fraudulent access privileges to systems without the victim’s awareness.
Trojan Viruses: give criminals unrivaled access to computers while evading detection on a network by stowing away on other programs.
Spyware collects data about how owners use their gadgets.
5) Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files within infected systems and holds them for ransom, forcing victims to pay for a decryption key to unlock the data. This can take the form of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS).
RaaS is like software-as-a-service (SaaS), specifically for ransomware. RaaS dealers develop codes that buyers can use to develop their own malware and launch cyberattacks. Some common RaaS examples include BlackMatter, LockBit, DarkSide, and REvil.
6) Phishing attacks
Hackers that pose as reputable companies engage in phishing attacks in an effort to obtain access to networks and steal sensitive data, including credit card numbers. Scams involving phishing typically take the form of phone calls, texts, or emails.
Phishing assaults are made to look authentic, much like rogue security software. This makes it more likely for victims to click on dubious links or open attachments that contain malware.
7) Viruses
Frequently, files that can be downloaded from emails or websites come with computer viruses attached. When you open the file, the virus takes advantage of holes in your software to install harmful code on your computer, which can be used to steal data, disrupt network traffic, and other things.
Worms and viruses are not the same thing. Despite the fact that they are both classified as malware, their methods of network penetration differ. To put it simply, computer viruses cannot spread throughout a system unless the host, or file, is opened. As soon as worms get into an organization’s IT infrastructure, they can start infecting networks.
How can you improve the security of network infrastructure devices?
In order to strengthen the security of their network infrastructure, users and network administrators are urged by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to put these suggestions into practice:
Segment and segregate networks and functions.
Limit unnecessary lateral communications.
Harden network devices.
Secure access to infrastructure devices.
Perform out-of-band (OoB) network management.
Validate integrity of hardware and software.
Stop Network Switches From Becoming Hacker Gateways
Potential Attacks on Network Switches
Within your switch infrastructure, attackers can use a variety of attack techniques. Attackers frequently use ARP spoofing attacks, in which they confuse their MAC address for the IP address of a trustworthy computer. Man-in-the-middle and denial-of-service attacks can also be aided by ARP spoofing assaults. A sort of VLAN hopping attack known as “switch spoofing” allows an attacker to negotiate the creation of a trunk between his device and the switch, giving him access to all VLAN traffic. Attackers can also access the entire network by manipulating the Spanning Tree Protocol in a number of ways.
The following are some practices that can help secure a network switch from possible attacks:
Disable Default Vlan
Disable Unused Ports
Disable Dynamic Trunking
Use ACLs to Secure Switch Traffic
