Cybersecurity is the application of technologies, processes and controls to protect systems, networks, programs, devices and data from cyberattacks. It aims to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and protect against unauthorized exploitation of systems, networks and technologies.
It is a mistake to think that you are of no interest to cyber attackers. Everyone connected to the internet needs cyber security. That’s because most cyber attacks are automated and aim to exploit general vulnerabilities, not specific websites or organizations. Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated and attackers are using an ever-increasing variety of tactics.
The rise of zero-day vulnerabilities: The shortcomings of traditional security protection
Zero-day vulnerabilities have become increasingly common and sophisticated in recent years and pose a serious risk to organizations of all kinds. A zero-day vulnerability is a software security issue that has not yet been fixed and is unknown to the vendor. Zero-day vulnerabilities are a powerful tool for cybercriminals because attackers exploit them before any defensive measures can be taken.
A recent example is the CVE-2024-0519 vulnerability in Google Chrome, a highly dangerous vulnerability involving an out-of-bounds memory access issue in the V8 JavaScript engine that has been actively exploited in practice. By exploiting heap corruption, attackers could access private data or cause a crash.
In addition, Rackspace’s zero-day vulnerability caused major difficulties. Rackspace’s internal systems were attacked by a zero-day vulnerability in ScienceLogic’s monitoring program that allowed remote code execution. Sensitive company data was made public by the hack, highlighting the dangers of third-party software.
Why Traditional Approaches are Unsuccessful
Zero-day attacks are often a problem for conventional security systems such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). To detect threats, these technologies often use behavioral patterns, recognized signatures, or defined criteria. However, these reactive security measures are inadequate because zero-day attacks are by nature novel, undetected, and unpredictable.
Traditional security technologies have their limitations as they rely on static detection algorithms and historical data. For example:
SIEM systems: compile and examine log data according to predetermined standards. An attack will not be detected if it does not match a recognized signature. The SOC team’s ability to defend against “real” threats is also weakened if the SIEM generates many false alerts.
IDS resources: Monitor network traffic for unusual behavior based on known patterns and look for zero-day attacks that use novel evasion strategies.
EDR resources: Rely on behavioral analysis and signatures, which are useless against zero-day vulnerabilities that use new attack methods.
Their reactive strategy often results in delayed detection, if it occurs at all, leaving organizations vulnerable until the damage is done. In addition, sophisticated attackers are increasingly using fileless malware, polymorphism and obfuscation because they can completely bypass traditional security procedures.
Need of Proactive Security: Network Detection and Response (NDR)
Considering the shortcomings of conventional methods, a proactive security strategy is crucial. Network Detection and Response (NDR) is useful in this situation. In contrast to traditional technologies, NDR uses anomaly detection and machine learning to spot suspicious activity and odd behaviors even in the absence of established rules. Through ongoing network traffic and metadata analysis, NDR can spot anomalies from typical patterns and find zero-day attacks early. By facilitating quicker incident response and offering early warnings, this strategy dramatically lowers the likelihood of serious effects.
Essential Elements of a Successful NDR Solution
Real-Time Threat Detection: NDR may identify questionable activity without the need for static signatures thanks to ongoing monitoring of network traffic information.
Advanced Machine Learning: By identifying new attack routes, heuristic analysis and AI-driven algorithms reduce the likelihood of missed detections.
Detailed Insights: Security teams can react quickly and precisely to new threats because of NDR’s broad insight into network activity.
For instance, by utilizing these crucial features, an NDR solution can identify a Command and Control (C2) channel that an attacker has established via a zero-day exploit: First, all network traffic, including information like source and destination IP addresses, connection durations, and traffic volumes, is continually monitored by the solution. NDR can identify suspicious patterns such as anomalous outgoing traffic, sudden spikes, or contact with uncommon or novel external IPs if an intruder creates a C2 channel, even if they are utilizing encrypted channels. Subsequent C2 connections will frequently exhibit unusual behavior, such as beaconing, transfers of irregular sizes, or particular timing (e.g. “phone home” signals), if a zero-day exploit is used to breach the network.
The Role of NDR in Detecting Zero-Day Exploits
The NDR can examine traffic patterns and identify even slight departures from standard network behavior using AI-driven algorithms. When configuring a C2 link, the tool can identify anomalous communication protocols, traffic patterns, or command sequences. Several C2 channels employ strategies like DNS tunneling and domain generation algorithms (DGA) to disguise communication.
An efficient NDR system using machine learning may identify this kind of obfuscation by identifying unusual DNS requests or random domain patterns that deviate from typical traffic. NDR may detect a possible C2 setup by comparing several signs, such as unexpected traffic following a system update (such as an unpatched zero-day exploit).
For instance, alarms would be raised for additional investigation if a device executed a zero-day payload and then abruptly started communicating with external hosts. When an attacker gains access to a system using a zero-day vulnerability and creates a C2 channel using a covert method like DNS tunneling, the NDR solution can identify anomalous DNS requests that exhibit patterns that differ from the usual query behavior (e.g., quick query intervals, unusually long subdomain names). NDR further monitors connections to unfamiliar or infrequent external IP addresses with which the business has never dealt before and examines traffic irregularities that suggest efforts at data exfiltration or orders to hacked systems.
Protection Against Zero-Day Threats
One of the most difficult security risks currently is zero-day vulnerabilities. Because traditional solutions were created for known threats, they are unable to keep up with hackers’ changing strategies. Modern enterprises that want to remain ahead of these dangers and safeguard their vital assets must implement cutting-edge solutions like NDR.
Some ways to protect against zero-day threats:
Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF can inspect incoming traffic and filter out malicious input that could target security vulnerabilities.
Update your software regularly: Keeping your software up to date can help prevent zero-day attacks.
Use security tools: Use security tools that focus on behavior-based detection.
Use a firewall: A robust firewall can help prevent zero-day attacks.
Perform security audits: Regular security audits can help you detect new security threats.
Use a strong email security solution: Email is a common threat vector, so a strong email security solution can help.
Use network monitoring and intrusion detection: Intrusion detection systems (IDS) can monitor the network and detect potential threats.
Conclusion
Since cybersecurity risk management is an ongoing process, monitor your risks to ensure they are still acceptable, review your controls to ensure they are still fit for purpose, and make changes as needed. New regulations and reporting requirements make monitoring cybersecurity risks a challenge. The board needs assurance from senior management that cyber risk strategies are reducing the risk of attacks and limiting the financial and operational impact. Remember that your risks are constantly changing as the cyber threat landscape evolves and your systems and activities change.
