HTTP Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS) Headers
To enforce secure communication between the client and the server, web browsers are instructed to only communicate with websites over HTTPS (HTTP Secure) connections using HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) Headers. Even if the user tries to access a website over HTTP, a browser that receives an HSTS header from the website only remembers to access it via HTTPS for a certain amount of time.
Advantages of having HSTS headers available:
Enhanced Security: HSTS helps protect against various attacks, such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, by ensuring that all client and server communication is encrypted via HTTPS. It prevents attackers from intercepting sensitive information, such as login credentials or session tokens, transmitted over unencrypted HTTP connections.
Mitigation of Protocol Downgrade Attacks: HSTS prevents protocol downgrade attacks, in which an attacker attempts to downgrade the connection from HTTPS to HTTP to exploit vulnerabilities in unencrypted communication. With HSTS enabled, the browser refuses to establish non-HTTPS connections, mitigating the risk of such attacks.
Improved User Privacy: By enforcing HTTPS connections, HSTS helps protect user privacy by preventing eavesdroppers from intercepting and analyzing communication content between the user's browser and the website.
Prevention of SSL Stripping Attacks: HSTS headers also mitigate SSL stripping attacks, where an attacker intercepts HTTPS requests and downgrades them to HTTP, thereby exposing sensitive information. HSTS ensures that the browser automatically rewrites HTTP requests to HTTPS, thwarting SSL stripping attempts.
The ramifications of not having HSTS headers available:
Increased Security Risks: Without HSTS, websites are vulnerable to various attacks, including MITM attacks, protocol downgrade attacks, and SSL stripping attacks. This exposes sensitive user data to interception and manipulation by attackers.
Reduced Trustworthiness: Websites that do not enforce HTTPS connections via HSTS may be perceived as less trustworthy by users, especially those concerned about security and privacy. Users may hesitate to share sensitive information or engage with the website if they perceive it as insecure.
Potential Compliance Issues: Regulations may require HTTPS and HSTS to be used to protect user data, depending on the industry and jurisdiction. Penalties and legal repercussions may follow noncompliance with these regulations.
Negative Impact on SEO: Search engines like Google prioritize secure websites in search results. Websites with HSTS may experience higher search engine rankings, reducing visibility and traffic.
HTTP Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS) headers enhance security, protect user privacy, and mitigate various web-based attacks. Not having HSTS available exposes websites to increased security risks, undermines user trust, may lead to compliance issues, and can negatively impact search engine rankings.
ThreatNG is an all-in-one solution combining External Attack Surface Management (EASM), Digital Risk Protection (DRP), and Security Ratings, with the capability to examine domains and subdomains for the presence of HTTP Strict-Transport-Security (HSTS) headers, which would provide significant benefits to organizations:
Enhanced Security Posture: By identifying domains and subdomains lacking HSTS headers, the organization can prioritize implementing this security measure to enforce HTTPS connections. It improves the security of data transmitted between clients and servers, mitigating the risk of interception and manipulation by attackers.
Compliance Assurance: Compliance frameworks and standards often recommend or mandate using HSTS to protect sensitive user data. By detecting and addressing the absence of HSTS headers, organizations can maintain compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards and avoid potential penalties and legal consequences.
Reduction of Security Risks: Without HSTS headers, websites are vulnerable to various attacks, including man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks and SSL stripping. Organizations can mitigate these security risks by enforcing HTTPS connections via HSTS and protecting against data breaches and unauthorized access.
Enhanced Trust and Reputation: By implementing HSTS headers, a company can better establish its credibility with users, clients, and stakeholders by showcasing its dedication to security and privacy best practices. It can promote loyalty and long-term partnerships by raising trust in the company's offerings.
Complementary security solutions that would benefit from this capability include:
Web Application Firewalls (WAF): WAFs protect web applications from cyber threats, including attacks targeting unsecured connections. By integrating with EASM and DRP solutions, WAFs can dynamically adjust security policies to block or mitigate attacks on domains and subdomains lacking HSTS headers.
Vulnerability Management: Solutions for vulnerability management assist businesses in locating, ranking, and fixing security flaws in all facets of their IT infrastructure. Vulnerability management platforms can prioritize vulnerabilities related to missing HSTS headers for prompt remediation by integrating with EASM and DRP solutions.
Web Application Scanners: Web application scanners automate the detection of security vulnerabilities in web applications, including the absence of HSTS headers. Integration with EASM and DRP solutions allows web application scanners to scan all domains and subdomains for HSTS headers and provide actionable insights for remediation to ensure compliance with security best practices.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): SIEM systems gather, examine, and link security events from around the company's IT architecture. SIEMs can produce alerts and reports on security incidents about domains and subdomains without HSTS headers when integrated with EASM and DRP solutions. It enables enterprises to react to any attacks promptly and efficiently.
Examples of how these complementary security solutions would benefit from the capability to examine domains and subdomains for the presence of HSTS headers include:
A WAF can enforce policies to block incoming traffic to websites that do not have HSTS headers enabled, protecting against MITM attacks and SSL stripping.
Vulnerability management solutions can prioritize remediating vulnerabilities associated with the absence of HSTS headers to reduce the organization's exposure to security risks.
Web application scanners can identify the absence of HSTS headers during automated security assessments and provide recommendations for remediation to ensure compliance with security best practices.
SIEM solutions can generate alerts and reports on security incidents related to domains and subdomains lacking HSTS headers, enabling organizations to respond promptly and effectively to potential threats.
