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Target Breach: HVAC Contractor Systems Investigated
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Somedude8
Somedude8,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/6/2014 | 1:10:54 PM
The Internet of...
The Internet of Everything is a Security Risk!

Soon comes the day where I might get malware on my shower head because I didn't update the antivirus on my microwave oven, which spread to my tablet when I turned on the shower from downstairs using the tablet, which spread to my TV when I used the tablet as a remote control. Suddenly, I am seeing ads for [email protected] scrolling across the bottom of the TV while watching Netflix.

Good thing the anti virus on my home security system is telling me that it protected me from 7,419 new threats since I last turned on the alarm.
Marilyn Cohodas
Marilyn Cohodas,
 User Rank: Strategist
2/6/2014 | 3:58:48 PM
Re: The Internet of...
This really demonstrates that the convergence of physical security with IT security has defintely arrived... Be warned!
Charlie Babcock
Charlie Babcock,
 User Rank: Ninja
2/6/2014 | 5:48:36 PM
Breach of outside consultant opened up Pacific NW National Labs
It was an outside, off-premises researcher whose computer workstation was compromised that gave hackers access to the Pacific Northwest National Labs in its July 2011 security breach. It's very hard for a good IT organization to know what all of its contractors are doing.
Bob Gezelter
Bob Gezelter,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/7/2014 | 8:39:51 AM
Compartmented Networks are important; Access should require "Need to Know"
Sadly, the reported pathology is a represents a long-solved problem. Since the mid-1990's, it has been well-understood that protecting devices connected to a network requires more than a single level of protection. The access limitations to different groups of systems cannot be implemented by a single set of firewall rules. This was noted in my Security on the Internet chapter in the 1995 Computer Security Handbook, 3rd Edition (Hutt, Bosworth, and Hoyt; Wiley). My 2008 presentation on Compartmented Networks from the 11th New York State Cybersecurity Conference described how to implement and use such networks.

There is simply no reason why the network access granted to an HVAC contractor for monitoring HVAC equipment should have included access to the production transactional data network. Being somewhat speculative, the POS terminals and supporting systems should have been in a separate network compartment, with an encrypted tunnel connecting the store-located systems to the transactional back end systems serving the corporation.


Such a network topology greatly limits the ways in which a critical system can be compromised.


- Bob Gezelter, http://www.rlgsc.com; Contributing Editor, Computer Security Handbook (3rd, 4th, 4th, and 6th Editions)
Drew Conry-Murray
Drew Conry-Murray,
 User Rank: Ninja
2/7/2014 | 10:13:52 AM
Re: The Internet of...
How many hops from an HVAC system to a cash register? The Internet of Things is going to be a hoot.
mak63
mak63,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/8/2014 | 12:09:09 AM
Re: The Internet of...
@Somedude8

If the antivirus fails to detect a malware in the microwave, we're doom, dooom and we'll also get sick for eating uncooked food. Luckyly the TV will know this and will recommend Alka-Seltzer or something like that.
mak63
mak63,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/8/2014 | 12:28:31 AM
answers
Did Target secure Fazio's access to its network using two-factor authentication?

Probably I'm wrong for saying this, but if the credentials were stolen, what difference would have made how many level of authentication you had in place?

What level of network access did Target grant to Fazio?

There was a breach, so the answer is clear to me. Pretty much all what the hackers needed.

Were Target's HVAC appliances located on an isolated network segment that should have prevented attackers from accessing other network-connected systems?

As isolated as a driver in Los Angeles in the rush hour. Again, because we know about the breach, the answer is that the HVAC appliances were not iisolated as they should have been.

 
Michael Endler
Michael Endler,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/8/2014 | 5:01:22 PM
Re: answers
"As isolated as a driver in Los Angeles in the rush hour. Again, because we know about the breach, the answer is that the HVAC appliances were not iisolated as they should have been."


This seems like the big failing. Bob Gezelter alluded to it in his post too:

"There is simply no reason why the network access granted to an HVAC contractor for monitoring HVAC equipment should have included access to the production transactional data network. Being somewhat speculative, the POS terminals and supporting systems should have been in a separate network compartment, with an encrypted tunnel connecting the store-located systems to the transactional back end systems serving the corporation."


I can't see why the HVAC techs were connected to a network that included Target's customer data.
mak63
mak63,
 User Rank: Apprentice
2/9/2014 | 10:10:52 PM
Re: answers
I couldn't agree with Mr Gezelter and you more.

As someone on the informationweek staff recently told me: "live and learn" Too bad the customers will suffer the most for something that could've been avoided.
awinter015
awinter015,
 User Rank: Apprentice
3/11/2014 | 10:26:01 AM
Anyone ever hear about VLANs?
The idea that a contractor was on a shared network with other systems is mind-boggling.  The technology to segement networks and limit access of users has been around for years.  Even in small environments we segment customers from one another, accounting systems from general systems, etc.  So if we can do it as a small IT Service provider - why cant the big guys do it?

 

 
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