Security News and Updates
Various Technologies at Risk Due to Vulnerabilities
Several technologies, including Microsoft Office, cURL, PHP, and Windows executables that indirectly use vulnerable command line tools, such as pip, composer, and git, are at risk. Only the Microsoft Excel vulnerability has been patched so far, according to Tsai.
The KeyTrap Vulnerability: A Flaw in DNS Resolution
It’s an adage among security experts that when network problems arise, it’s nearly always DNS (Domain Name System) that’s to blame. Security researchers from Germany’s National Research Centre for applied cybersecurity (ATHENE) offered a retrospective on the KeyTrap vulnerability, a flaw patched last February that could have brought name resolution systems that rely on DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to a standstill.
Defending Off the Land: A New Approach to Security
Attackers often rely on security tools built into Windows to elevate privileges, exfiltrate data, and move laterally across compromised network — a tactic known as living off the land. Security researchers from Thinkst Canary offered a presentation at Black Hat on how a similar approach might also be used by defenders by using existing Windows OS capabilities to detect and alert on attackers, an approach described as “Defending off the Land.”
What is Defending Off the Land?
Defending off the land is an approach to security that uses existing Windows OS capabilities to detect and alert on attackers. This approach is based on the idea that attackers often rely on security tools built into Windows to elevate privileges, exfiltrate data, and move laterally across compromised network. By using these same tools, defenders can detect and alert on attackers, effectively countering the tactics used by attackers.
How Does It Work?
The Defending off the Land approach works by using existing Windows OS capabilities to monitor and analyze system activity, network traffic, and other system data. This information is then used to detect and alert on suspicious activity, allowing defenders to take action to neutralize the attack and prevent further compromise.
Benefits of Defending Off the Land
The Defending off the Land approach offers several benefits, including:
- Improved detection and response times
- Reduced risk of false positives
- Increased effectiveness of security tools
- Improved security posture overall
Conclusion
The Defending off the Land approach offers a new and innovative way for defenders to detect and alert on attackers. By using existing Windows OS capabilities, defenders can effectively counter the tactics used by attackers and improve their security posture. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential for defenders to stay ahead of the game and utilize new and innovative approaches like Defending off the Land to ensure the security of their networks and data.
FAQs
- What is Defending off the Land? Defending off the Land is an approach to security that uses existing Windows OS capabilities to detect and alert on attackers.
- How does it work? The Defending off the Land approach works by using existing Windows OS capabilities to monitor and analyze system activity, network traffic, and other system data, and then using this information to detect and alert on suspicious activity.
- What are the benefits of Defending off the Land? The Defending off the Land approach offers several benefits, including improved detection and response times, reduced risk of false positives, increased effectiveness of security tools, and improved security posture overall.
- Is Defending off the Land a new concept? Yes, the Defending off the Land approach is a new concept that is being presented as a way for defenders to use existing Windows OS capabilities to detect and alert on attackers.
- Can Defending off the Land be used in conjunction with other security tools? Yes, the Defending off the Land approach can be used in conjunction with other security tools and technologies to provide a more comprehensive security solution.
