2. Who are we?
IT Security Consultants @ NetSPI
We help organizations:
• Identify vulnerabilities
• Determine impact
• Develop remediation plans
• Reduce risk
3. • What is malware?
• Who creates malware?
• Why do they create malware?
• What skill level is required?
• The malware lifecycle
‒The “good” guy’s role
‒The “bad” guy’s role
• The “ugly” truth
Presentation Overview?
5. Wikipedia definition:
…“software used or created by attackers to
disrupt computer operation, gather
sensitive information, or gain access to
private computer systems”…
Our definition:
…“software created to do bad
things and is generally a pain in the butt”…
What is Malware?
6. Types of Malware
• Remote Exploits
• Local Exploits
• Trojans
• Backdoors
• Rootkits
• Viruses
• Worms
11. Why are they Creating Malware?
• Sell, sell, sell
• Steal money
• Steal information
• Strategic position
• Denial of Service
• Political gain
• Hacking as a hobby
• Internal employees
.
..
.
.
..
.
.
13. What skill level is required?
• Malware Developers = Programmers
‒ More advanced programming skillset
‒ Create custom malware
• Less likely to be noticed
• Personal use or sold to specific group
‒ Commoditized malware kits
• More likely to be noticed
• Free and commercial
• Malware Kit Users
‒ Don’t require advanced skillset
‒ Much more likely to
cause damage by mistake
17. Malware Development
• Professional Malware Development
‒ Often work like software companies
‒ Often produce very secure malware
• Create different types of malware
‒ Remote exploits
‒ Local exploits
‒ Backdoors, “bots”, and/or rootkits
‒ Worms or viruses
‒ Command and control
‒ Update functions
19. Malware Deployment
69%Of all breaches incorporate malware
As reported in the Verizon Business – 2012 Data Breach Investigations Report
Available at www.verizonenterprise.com
20. Malware Deployment
79%Of all breaches were targets of opportunity
As reported in the Verizon Business – 2012 Data Breach Investigations Report
Available at www.verizonenterprise.com
21. Malware Deployment
• Malware is often deployed via:
‒ Social engineering – email, phone, physical
‒ Default passwords on management applications
‒ Web application issues
‒ “Water holing” web applications
• Web Browser Issues etc
Email
Users
Apps
PassMalware
Package
23. “…the median number of days advanced
attackers are on the network before
being detected is…”
416
Detecting Malware?
As report by Mandiant in their Annual Threat Report: M-Trends™ 2012
24. 94%
Of organizations learn they
are victims of targeted
attacks from an
external entity
Detecting Malware?
As report by Mandiant in their Annual Threat Report: M-Trends™ 2012
25. Detecting Malware!
• Where threats being detected:
‒ Networks
‒ Servers
‒ Workstations
‒ Applications / Databases
‒ People
• How are threats being detected:
‒ Behavioral / Anomaly based analysis
‒ Signature based analysis
‒ SIEM / Statistics based analysis
‒ Canaries / Honey pots !Detect
26. Detecting Malware!
• Challenges:
‒Identify signatures related to
• undocumented malware
• encrypted traffic
‒Keeping up with the amount
of malware being released
‒Creating dependable behavioral
based profiles
‒Creating useful statistical rules
‒Identifying malware in memory!Detect
28. Correcting Affected Assets!
• Where does correction occur:
‒ Networks
‒ Servers
‒ Workstations
‒ Applications / Databases
‒ People
• How does correction occur:
‒ Incident response
‒ Patch systems and applications
‒ Code applications securely
‒ Securely configure
• Firewalls
• Servers
• Applications
• User accounts
• Training
XCorrect
29. Correcting Affected Assets!
• Challenges:
‒Creating patches for exploits before
they are widely used
‒Patching 3rd party software
‒Creating and managing secure code
‒Legacy and unsupported applications
‒Vendor contracts
‒Providing adequate training
XCorrect
31. Protecting Assets!
• Where are assets protected:
‒ Networks
‒ Servers
‒ Workstations
‒ Applications / Databases
‒ People
• How are assets being protected:
‒ Build/manage secure configurations
‒ Build/manage secure applications
‒ Network Access Control &
Intrusion Prevention Systems
‒ Proactive exploit development
‒ Proactive vulnerability identification
‒ Development of signatures
‒ 3rd Party Risk assessments
PProtect
32. Protecting Assets!
• Challenges:
‒Security vs. usability
‒Asset inventory
‒Managing secure configurations
‒Communication/risk related to
partners, contractors, and vendors
‒Cost / Time / Skills
‒Education and training
PProtect
47. The Ugly Truth: Bad Guys
Bad guys are creating Malware that is:
• Not going away
• Getting more advanced
• Getting harder to detect
• Getting easier to use
• Getting used by more people
48. The Ugly Truth: Good Guys
Good guys need to:
• Continue to fight the good fight!
• Continue to develop new methods of detection,
correction, and prevention
• Develop better security policies that make attacks:
• Harder to execute
• Easier to detect
• Easier to respond to and contain
• Focus on proactive vulnerability identification
• Get rid of unnecessary sensitive data
• Encrypt remaining sensitive data
• Educate more users more often
That can start with you…
49. What’s Next?
What can I do?
• Don’t visit sketchy web sites
• Don’t open mail from unknown senders
• Review links before clicking them in emails
• Patch your systems and software
• Validate website before providing sensitive
information
Click the “little lock” in your browser
• Don’t create and/or use malware ...
…unless it’s for the good guys
