In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, understanding the intricacies of potential threats is paramount. This article serves as an exploration into the description of primary attacker models.

Attacker models are systematically categorized based on diverse factors such as motivations, capabilities, and tactics. ENISA’s Threat Landscape 2023 report, a reputable source in the field, offers a comprehensive list of common attacker models, shedding light on the dynamic nature of cybersecurity threats. This article  specifically focuses on two recently frequently used attacker models: network-based attacks and application-based attacks, providing readers with valuable insights into the multifaceted dimensions of potential cyber threats. As we navigate the digital realm, an in-depth understanding of attacker models becomes an essential tool in devising effective strategies to safeguard against evolving cybersecurity challenges.

Network-based attacks are a category of cyber threats that target vulnerabilities within computer networks, aiming to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data and systems. These attacks exploit weaknesses in the network infrastructure itself, seeking unauthorized access or disruption of network services.

Some common examples of network-based attacks include:

  • Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS): Large-scale attacks flooding victim systems, impacting availability.
  • DNS Attack: Exploiting domain name translation to reroute users to malicious IP addresses.
  • Sniffer Attack: Intercepting and monitoring data packets on a network, potentially exposing sensitive information.

In 2023, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks proved pervasive across industries, with the public administration sector bearing the brunt at 46%. Notable attack shares also affected the media/entertainment sector (25%), transport sector (11%), and the digital infrastructures sector (5%). The prevalence of attacks on public administration stems from retaliatory actions amid ongoing conflicts, making countries expressing support vulnerable targets. The online media/entertainment sector, often an early focus in military conflicts, experiences disruptions aimed at controlling narratives and silencing opposition voices. The effectiveness of these tactics, extending beyond mere disruption to instigate fear and uncertainty, remains uncertain.

Regarding the DNS attacks, in the first half of 2023, there was a notable increase in DNS floods, raising concerns about their potential impact on digital infrastructures. DNS Floods are application-layer attacks that overwhelm a server’s capacity to handle DNS requests, and their scale has been on the rise since the fourth quarter of 2022. The largest attack, recorded in Q2 2023, reached a critical rate of 1.29 million DNS queries per second. This escalation highlights the heightened sophistication and intensity of cyber threats. It emphasizes the need for increased vigilance and the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures to protect against the evolving landscape of malicious activities targeting online systems.

Lastly, wireless sniffing attacks involve the practice of eavesdropping on communications within a wireless network through the use of specialized software or hardware tools. This technique, more intrusive than wireless stumbling, extends beyond merely detecting the presence of wireless networks; it delves into intercepting and capturing data exchanged over Wi-Fi connections. The security risks are associated with wireless sniffing, citing its potential for hackers to clandestinely monitor online activities, leading to the unauthorized capture of sensitive information such as passwords and emails. Understanding these threats is the first step in fortifying one’s defenses against potential cyber threats.

Application-based attacks refer to a category of cyber threats that specifically target vulnerabilities or weaknesses in software applications. These attacks aim to exploit flaws, bugs, or design weaknesses within an application to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the targeted system or data. Unlike attacks that focus on the overall network infrastructure, application-based attacks zoom in on individual software programs or applications running on a system.

Examples of application-based attacks are:

  • Cookie Tampering: Exploiting web application cookies to gain unauthorized access.
  • Backdoor and Debug: Leveraging code vulnerabilities left by developers or debug options for unauthorized access.
  • SQL Injection: Inserting malicious SQL code into input fields to manipulate or extract data from databases.
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting malicious scripts into web applications to compromise user information.
  • Remote Code Execution (RCE): Executing arbitrary code on a target system from a remote location.

In 2023, a surge in sophisticated app-based hacker attacks posed significant threats to digital security. Attackers targeted web applications through various methods, leveraging code weaknesses or debug options left by developers. SQL Injection attacks aimed at manipulating databases through input fields were prevalent, along with Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) tactics that injected malicious scripts into web applications. Remote Code Execution (RCE) posed a serious risk, allowing cybercriminals to execute arbitrary code on target systems from remote locations. These diverse and advanced techniques underscored the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, urging organizations and developers to stay vigilant, update systems regularly, and employ secure coding practices to defend against such evolving threats.

Recent research reveals that, on average, applications in production have been subjected to over 13,000 attacks per month in the past year alone. The implications of application security risks and successful attacks are multifaceted, ranging from operational disruptions to critical data breaches and ransom demands, all of which can severely impact businesses. Moreover, such incidents can also lead to the erosion of brand reputation and trust among customers and stakeholders. As organizations increasingly rely on digital applications for various functions, ensuring robust security measures becomes paramount to safeguard against these threats.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, a good comprehension of potential threats is imperative.  In this article network-based attacks and application-based attacks are distinguished, providing valuable insights into the multifaceted dimensions of potential cyber threats. As we navigate the digital realm, understanding attacker models remains an essential tool in devising effective strategies against evolving cybersecurity challenges.

Defending against application-based and network-based attacks is important for several reasons. Firstly, attacks on applications can lead to data theft, disruption of company operations, and even loss of control over the system. Additionally, network attacks can allow hackers to access confidential information, compromise data integrity, or block access to network resources. As a result, defending against these types of attacks is crucial to ensuring security, operational continuity, and data protection for the company.

 

 

Keywords: Attacker Models, Network-Based Attacks, Application-Based Attacks, Malware, DDoS, DNS Attack, Sniffer Attack, Cookie Tampering, Backdoor and Debug, SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting, Remote Code Execution.

 

 

Source:

ENISA THREAT LANDSCAPE FOR DoS ATTACKS, November 2023

COREnext Deliverable 2.2 – Definition and Impact of Trustworthiness

www.radware.com/blog/ddos-protection/2023/10/dns-under-siege-real-world-dns-flood-attacks

What is Wireless Sniffing? (with pictures) (easytechjunkie.com)