Zero-day attacks are some of the most stress-inducing events a security team can face. A zero-day event is when hackers take advantage of a software security flaw (known only to hackers) to launch a cyberattack before a patch is ready.
That’s bad enough, but it’s not just one zero day that you have to defend against. Chaining attacks are a zero-day event methodology that turn the stress of one flaw into an all-out assault by combining multiple vulnerabilities. What does this mean to your enterprise? Hackers gather numerous zero days and chain them together to move undetected across your IT environment with a goal of gaining code execution privilege. Their goal is to keep unsuspecting IT teams running in circles while attackers wreak havoc.
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) says most times attackers use lower score vulnerabilities to first gain a foothold, then exploit additional vulnerabilities to escalate incrementally. Jen Easterly, director of CISA, warns that a new vulnerability -- Log4j, a snippet of open-source code widely used in internet applications to track user activity -- could likely open the door to hundreds of millions of computer hacks around the world.
How can you prepare? Early detection, asset management, incident response, segmentation/enclaves and privilege access management are critical to a rapid response and recovery. Make sure your teams are on top of vulnerabilities across your enterprise software and application landscape and are ready to deal with zero-day attacks, which includes keeping software obsessively patched and updated. If a chaining attack occurs, ensure everyone knows what to do -- divide and conquer to close doors with a practiced world-class rapid incident response.
Now more than ever a strong foundation of cybersecurity is crucial for business. Start with the core components to ensure the trust and confirm paradigm, MFA and security posture. We can help you get started, or help you accelerate your cybersecurity journey.
Author:
Erich Escobar 2021