Legally speaking, when it comes to defending corporate networks, what is allowed? One of Asadoorian's recommendations is to create a fake administrator page on a website and use it as part of an early-warning alert system. "We'll set up a fake administration page on someone's website and do things to lure attackers to that site. Since we know that no one should be going to that site except an attacker, it's almost like a honey pot," he said.
5. Socially engineer attackers into using Java.
For a twist, leverage attackers' curiosity by noting that Java must be enabled to access all administrator panel features, perhaps suggesting that the panel can then be used to access network-connected video cameras or switches. If attackers do enable Java, execute JavaScript on their system to gather information and see if the PC is operating behind network proxies. For example, the Metasploit Decloaking Engine demonstrates how Java and Flash can be used to gather information on someone visiting a website.
While such tools may be good for gathering information, they also have limits. "That works well in a scenario where there are one or two attackers targeting your network -- dare I say APT?" said Asadoorian. "But when you have all these different attackers targeting you and you may get back to machines in Russia, you have to be careful."
6. Scuttle port scanners with infinite loops.
Another useful defensive measure is to guard against attackers using port-scanning tools that try and identify known vulnerabilities on a business network. One technique, developed by Ben Jackson of Mayhemic Labs, involves seeding corporate websites with numerous link-filled pages to send port-scanning tools into an infinite loop.
Similarly, Asadoorian said he's helped develop Unix and Windows scripts -- one for OS X is on the way -- that create firewall rules to block IP addresses from which scans are being launched. "The scanner has to be making a full connection, and once is does that, we're able to block their IP address based on their connection attempt," he said.
7. Security 101: Start with a good network.
Building better countermeasures might sound sexy, but such enhancements must rest on a firm foundation. "You need to have a very well-defined network before you can start monitoring it, and you need to be monitoring the events and logs from your systems before you can go putting these types of things in place," said Asadoorian. "If you have no firewall, patch management, or log management, I'm not going to recommend that you start putting scripts in place to add firewall rules."
8. Keep Legal in the loop.
When considering avant-garde defensive measures, start by liaising with in-house counsel and technology managers. "Discuss it. Make sure this isn't something that you do in the dark of night, [without letting] your CIOs or CFOs know," said John Strand in a presentation on offensive security at Derbycon 2011. Also, document the plan and everything that's been discussed and agreed upon -- not least to protect yourself. Ensure that information security policies and warnings are updated to reflect the fact that technologies could be used to scan and "forcibly identify" any system that attempts to connect to the corporate network or that is acting suspiciously.
9. Reach out to law enforcement agencies.
Beyond blocking attacks in a timely fashion and amassing potential intelligence on the attackers themselves, is there anything else that information security professionals can do fight back?
Not directly, but do consider handing off the information to authorities in case they can follow through and positively identify and prosecute the people behind the attack. "If you gain access to an attacker's machine, and legally you're able to look around and see that they've compromised a number of other machines, that's certainly useful information, and working with law enforcement is where a lot of this would lead to," said Asadoorian.
Notably, the FBI this week announced plans to expand its cybercrime division. In particular, the bureau wants to get better at attributing attacks to specific hackers.
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