Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
A Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a protocol that allows a program on one computer to execute a program on another computer without the programmer explicitly coding the details for this remote interaction. It's like a function call, but the function is executed on a different machine. While RPC facilitates distributed computing, it also introduces cybersecurity concerns.
Challenges
Vulnerabilities in RPC Implementations: Exploiting vulnerabilities in RPC software can allow attackers to execute malicious code on the remote system.
Lack of Authentication: If not properly configured, RPC can allow unauthorized access to systems and services.
Data Exposure: Sensitive data transmitted over RPC can be intercepted and stolen if not properly secured.
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: RPC services can be susceptible to DoS attacks, disrupting their availability.
Opportunities
Authentication and Access Control: Implementing strong authentication mechanisms and access controls can prevent unauthorized RPC requests.
Encryption: Encrypting RPC traffic can protect sensitive data from eavesdropping and tampering.
Input Validation: Validating input parameters for RPC calls can prevent malicious code injection.
Network Segmentation: Isolating critical systems that use RPC can limit the impact of a security breach.
Best Practices
Secure Configuration: Configure RPC services with strong security settings, enabling authentication and encryption.
Regular Updates: Keep RPC software and operating systems updated with the latest security patches.
Principle of Least Privilege: Grant only necessary permissions to users and applications for RPC access.
Network Security: Use firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems to protect RPC endpoints.
ThreatNG can contribute to securing Remote Procedure Call (RPC) by:
External Discovery: ThreatNG can scan your organization's external attack surface, including IP ranges and subdomains, to identify systems that expose RPC services. This helps gain visibility into potential entry points for attackers.
External Assessment: ThreatNG can assess these systems for outdated software versions and known vulnerabilities associated with RPC implementations. This assessment helps understand the security risks associated with using RPC and prioritize remediation efforts.
Reporting: ThreatNG provides various reports, including technical and prioritized reports, that can be used to communicate the risk of exposed RPC services to different stakeholders. The reports can also track remediation progress and demonstrate compliance with security standards.
Investigation Modules: ThreatNG offers several investigation modules that can provide deeper insights into the systems and applications that use RPC. For example:
Domain Intelligence: This module can help you understand the context of the RPC services, such as the associated domain, its history, and any related technologies in use. This information can be valuable for assessing the overall risk.
IP Intelligence: This module can provide information about the IP address where the system exposing RPC services is hosted, including its geolocation, ownership details, and reputation. This can help you determine if the system is hosted in a secure environment and if it has been associated with any malicious activity.
Intelligence Repositories: ThreatNG leverages various intelligence repositories, including vulnerability databases, dark web monitoring feeds, and open-source code repositories, to provide context and enrich the findings related to exposed RPC services. This helps you understand the potential threats and the latest attack techniques.
Working with Complementary Solutions: ThreatNG can integrate with other security solutions to further enhance security. For example:
Vulnerability Scanners: ThreatNG can work with vulnerability scanners to perform more in-depth assessments of systems exposing RPC services and identify specific vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDPS): ThreatNG can integrate with IDPS to provide real-time alerts on suspicious activities related to RPC services. This allows you to quickly respond to potential attacks and prevent them from causing damage.
Examples of ThreatNG working with complementary solutions:
ThreatNG + Vulnerability Scanner: ThreatNG identifies a system with a vulnerable RPC implementation and passes this information to a vulnerability scanner. The vulnerability scanner then performs a detailed assessment to identify specific vulnerabilities and recommend remediation actions.
ThreatNG + IDPS: ThreatNG discovers an RPC service and alerts the IDPS. The IDPS then adjusts its monitoring rules to focus on potential attacks targeting this service, increasing the likelihood of detecting and preventing malicious activity.
