Highlighting two recent cybersecurity breaches to study lateral movement
Lateral movement is significant threat to all organization, from small startups to large multinational corporations. This tactic allows cybercriminals to move through a network after gaining initial access, leading to data breaches and operational disruptions. To close out Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we want to highlight the need to learn from recent examples to strengthen defenses against these dangers. In this post, we’ll analyze two notable case studies of breaches and discuss key lessons that organizations can implement to bolster their lateral movement security.
Case Study 1: The SolarWinds Attack (2020)
The SolarWinds attack in 2020 is one of the most significant cyberattacks in recent history, demonstrating the devastating potential of lateral movement in cybersecurity breaches. Attackers exploited a vulnerability in the SolarWinds Orion software, which is widely used for IT management by organizations across various sectors, including government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. By compromising software updates, the attackers gained initial access to systems without detection.
Initial Compromise and Reconnaissance
The attack began with a sophisticated supply chain compromise. The attackers injected malicious code into the Orion software updates, which were then distributed to thousands of customers. Once installed, this backdoor, dubbed “SUNBURST,” allowed the hackers to establish a foothold in the affected networks. Following this, the attackers conducted extensive reconnaissance to understand the network landscape and identify high-value targets.
Lateral Movement via Raindrop Malware
One of the key techniques used by the attackers for lateral movement was the deployment of a secondary payload known as “Raindrop.” This malware facilitated the attackers’ ability to move laterally within the compromised network by enabling them to execute commands, access sensitive files, and manipulate configurations without raising alarms. Raindrop functioned as a stealthy mechanism for executing remote commands and performing tasks on connected systems. The attackers leveraged this malware to navigate through networks, moving from less sensitive to more critical systems while maintaining a low profile. The use of Raindrop exemplified the attackers’ focus on operational security, as they sought to avoid detection by utilizing legitimate network protocols and behavior to blend in with regular traffic.
Targeting Active Directory and Privileged Accounts
In their lateral movement strategy, the attackers also targeted Active Directory environments. By exploiting vulnerabilities and using stolen credentials, they were able to access administrative accounts and change permissions, effectively broadening their access to other systems and sensitive data. This technique underscored the importance of securing identity management systems, as compromised accounts can provide attackers with significant leverage in their operations.
Impact of the Attack
The SolarWinds breach resulted in extensive data breaches, affecting a wide array of sensitive information across multiple organizations. The operational disruption led to significant investigations and remediation efforts, revealing weaknesses in supply chain security and highlighting the need for enhanced monitoring and response capabilities. The attack prompted organizations to reevaluate their security measures, emphasizing the importance of securing software supply chains and implementing robust detection capabilities to identify lateral movement attempts.
Case Study 2: The MOVEit Transfer Vulnerability (2023)
In 2023, a significant vulnerability was discovered in the MOVEit Transfer tool, widely used for secure file transfer and data exchange. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2023-34362, allowed attackers to exploit misconfigurations and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data across numerous organizations.
Initial Compromise and Reconnaissance
The attack began with the exploitation of a SQL injection vulnerability in the MOVEit Transfer application. This vulnerability enabled attackers to send specially crafted HTTP requests to the web application, allowing them to manipulate queries and access sensitive data in the database. After gaining initial access, the attackers conducted reconnaissance to map the network, identifying valuable targets such as user credentials and confidential files.
Lateral Movement Techniques
Once inside the network, the attackers employed lateral movement techniques to navigate through the interconnected systems that relied on MOVEit Transfer. They analyzed user accounts, permissions, and system configurations, leveraging legitimate access tokens and credentials to move undetected. This allowed them to access various systems and sensitive data without triggering alerts, showcasing their sophisticated approach to lateral movement. The attackers also utilized command injection techniques, enabling them to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. This method further facilitated their ability to spread through the network, accessing additional resources and data.
Impact of the Attack
The MOVEit Transfer breach had significant repercussions, leading to extensive exposure of sensitive information and prompting urgent security responses from affected organizations. The incident not only highlighted the vulnerabilities inherent in third-party tools but also underscored the interconnected risks organizations face when relying on such systems. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an advisory detailing the exploit and recommended immediate actions for organizations to secure their systems. This included applying the latest patches, reviewing user access controls, and enhancing monitoring capabilities to detect unusual activities associated with lateral movement. The breach served as a critical reminder of the necessity for thorough security assessments of all third-party services. It emphasized the importance of robust incident response protocols to identify and stop lateral movement.
Conclusion
Understanding lateral movement through real-world case studies is essential for building organizational defenses. By analyzing incidents like SolarWinds and MOVEit Transfer, organizations can draw lessons to improve security posture. Cybersecurity Awareness Month emphasizes proactive measures to prevent unauthorized lateral movement and safeguard sensitive data. We encourage organizations to assess their defenses and implement the lessons learned from these breaches to bolster their security policies.
Additional Resources
- Ten Cybersecurity Horror Stories
- Behavioral Baselining and its Critical Role in Cybersecurity
- How Ransomware Spreads and How Microsegmentation Stops it
- Effective Strategies for Detecting Lateral Movement
