Attack Surface Discovery
Attack surface discovery, in the context of cybersecurity, is identifying and inventorying all the potential entry points (or attack vectors) that a malicious actor could use to exploit an organization's systems and data. It's like a detective meticulously searching for every possible way a burglar could break into a house – checking windows, doors, the roof, even the chimney!
This process is crucial for understanding and managing an organization's security posture. It involves identifying all exposed assets, both physical and digital; attackers could target them. This includes:
Network devices: Routers, switches, firewalls, servers, etc.
Software applications: Web applications, mobile apps, APIs, etc.
Cloud services: Cloud storage, databases, virtual machines, etc.
IoT devices: Smart devices, sensors, industrial control systems, etc.
Human factors: Employees, contractors, and third-party vendors.
Attack surface discovery involves various techniques, including:
Scanning and enumeration: Using automated tools to scan networks and systems for exposed ports, services, and vulnerabilities.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) gathering: Collecting information from publicly available sources, such as search engines, social media, and websites.
Threat intelligence: Leveraging intelligence feeds and databases to identify known vulnerabilities and attack patterns.
Manual testing: Conducting manual testing and analysis to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that automated tools might miss.
By conducting thorough attack surface discovery, organizations can comprehensively understand their vulnerabilities and prioritize security efforts to mitigate potential risks.
ThreatNG, as a comprehensive external attack surface management, digital risk protection, and security ratings solution, offers extensive capabilities to support attack surface discovery, primarily through its external discovery and assessment features.
External Discovery and Assessment: ThreatNG excels at unauthenticated external discovery, meaning it can identify and gather information about internet-facing assets without needing credentials or access to internal systems. This is valuable for discovering unknown or overlooked assets contributing to the attack surface. ThreatNG's external assessment capabilities then analyze these discovered assets to identify potential vulnerabilities and security risks.
Here are some examples of how ThreatNG aids in attack surface discovery and assessment:
Domain Intelligence: ThreatNG's Domain Intelligence module analyzes domain names, IP addresses, and associated entities to identify potential vulnerabilities and security risks. For example, it can locate subdomains, associated IP addresses, and running services, providing a comprehensive view of the organization's internet-facing assets. It can also detect misconfigured DNS records, expired domains, or exposed sensitive information like email addresses and phone numbers.
Sensitive Code Exposure: ThreatNG's Sensitive Code Exposure module scans public code repositories for sensitive data, credentials, and security configurations. This helps identify vulnerabilities and security risks associated with exposed code, such as API keys, access tokens, and database credentials.
Cloud and SaaS Exposure: ThreatNG's Cloud and SaaS Exposure module identifies and assesses cloud services and SaaS applications used by the organization, including cloud storage buckets, databases, and web applications. It can detect misconfigured cloud storage, exposed databases, or vulnerable web applications, providing valuable insights into potential attack vectors.
Search Engine Exploitation: ThreatNG's Search Engine Exploitation module leverages search engines to identify exposed sensitive information, vulnerabilities, and publicly accessible assets. This includes identifying exposed credentials, sensitive directories, and vulnerable files that attackers could exploit.
Reporting, Continuous Monitoring, and Investigation Modules: ThreatNG incorporates the discovered attack surface information into various reports, providing valuable context for security teams and decision-makers. The platform also continuously monitors the external attack surface for changes, ensuring that new assets or emerging threats are promptly identified and assessed. ThreatNG's investigation modules allow security teams to delve deeper into specific areas of concern, providing a more comprehensive view of the organization's attack surface.
Intelligence Repositories and Complementary Solutions: ThreatNG's intelligence repositories, containing information on known vulnerabilities, compromised credentials, and dark web activities, enrich the attack surface discovery process. This allows for more informed risk assessments and threat modeling. Furthermore, ThreatNG can integrate with complementary solutions like vulnerability scanners, SIEM systems, and threat intelligence platforms, sharing attack surface data to improve their effectiveness.
Examples of ThreatNG Helping:
A financial institution uses ThreatNG to identify a previously unknown subdomain hosting a vulnerable web application, enabling it to address the vulnerability before it can be exploited.
A healthcare provider uses ThreatNG to detect a misconfigured cloud storage bucket containing sensitive patient data, prompting them to secure it and prevent a potential data breach.
A government agency uses ThreatNG to continuously monitor its external attack surface for new devices and emerging threats, enabling it to defend against attacks proactively.
By combining external discovery and assessment capabilities with continuous monitoring, ThreatNG empowers organizations to comprehensively understand their attack surface, identify potential vulnerabilities, and proactively mitigate risks.
