Mitigating the Threats of Shellshock
Introduction
Shellshock’s direct consequences may not have been as catastrophic as other high-profile breaches and cyber attacks, the report authors admit, but it is a persistent problem.
Real-World Implications
In 2019, Talos discovered a global state-sponsored espionage campaign called “Sea Turtle” that manipulated DNS records to gain access to sensitive systems. The adversary relied on several vulnerabilities, including Shellshock, to gain initial access.
State-Sponsored Cyber Actors
“While other confirmed public examples of state-sponsored cyber actors targeting Shellshock are limited, it’s very likely that other advanced actors have attempted to exploit Shellshock.” says the report. Many well-known adversaries like the Russian state-sponsored group APT28 and North Korean state-sponsored Lazarus Group exploit critical vulnerabilities in widely used software, making Shellshock a likely tool in their broader espionage and attack campaigns, say the authors.
Mitigating the Threats
Top 10 Tips for Securing Network Devices
In the report, Talos offered its top 10 tips for securing network devices. It recommends:
1. Keep Software Up-to-Date
Keep all software, including operating systems, applications, and firmware, up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates.
2. Use Secure Protocols
Use secure communication protocols, such as HTTPS, to encrypt data in transit and protect against eavesdropping and tampering attacks.
3. Implement Strong Password Policies
Implement strong password policies, including password length, complexity, and rotation, to prevent unauthorized access to devices and systems.
4. Use Firewalls and Network Segmentation
Use firewalls and network segmentation to restrict access to devices and systems, and to isolate them from the rest of the network.
5. Monitor Network Traffic
Monitor network traffic to detect and respond to suspicious activity, and to identify potential security breaches.
6. Implement Multifactor Authentication
Implement multifactor authentication to add an extra layer of security to device and system access, and to prevent unauthorized access.
7. Use Encryption
Use encryption to protect data at rest and in transit, and to prevent unauthorized access to devices and systems.
8. Implement Regular Security Audits
Implement regular security audits to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities, and to ensure compliance with security regulations.
9. Use Secure Boot
Use secure boot mechanisms to prevent unauthorized code execution, and to ensure the integrity of device and system firmware.
10. Implement Incident Response Plans
Implement incident response plans to quickly respond to security incidents, and to minimize the impact of security breaches.
Conclusion
FAQs
Q: What is Shellshock?
A: Shellshock is a persistent problem that has been used by state-sponsored cyber actors to exploit critical vulnerabilities in widely used software.
Q: What are some of the real-world implications of Shellshock?
A: In 2019, Talos discovered a global state-sponsored espionage campaign called “Sea Turtle” that manipulated DNS records to gain access to sensitive systems. The adversary relied on several vulnerabilities, including Shellshock, to gain initial access.
Q: Who are some of the state-sponsored cyber actors that have used Shellshock?
A: Many well-known adversaries like the Russian state-sponsored group APT28 and North Korean state-sponsored Lazarus Group exploit critical vulnerabilities in widely used software, making Shellshock a likely tool in their broader espionage and attack campaigns, say the authors.
Q: How can I mitigate the threats of Shellshock?
A: In the report, Talos offered its top 10 tips for securing network devices, including keeping software up-to-date, using secure protocols, implementing strong password policies, and more.
