What is DNS data exfiltration?

What is DNS data exfiltration?

DNS data exfiltration is a way to exchange data between two computers without any direct connection. The data is exchanged through DNS protocol on intermediate DNS servers. During the exfiltration phase, the client makes a DNS resolution request to an external DNS server address.

How is DNS data exfiltration detected?

DNS tunneling poses a significant threat and there are methods to detect it. DNS tunnels can be detected by analyzing a single DNS payload or by traffic analysis such as analyzing count and frequency of requests. Payload analysis is used to detect malicious activity based on a single request.

What are three methods for preventing data exfiltration?

How to prevent data exfiltration: 8 best practices

• Block unauthorized communication channels.
• Prevent phishing attacks.
• Systematically revoke data access for former employees.
• Educate employees.
• Identify and redact sensitive data.
• Set a clear BYOD policy.
• Identify malicious and unusual network traffic.

How does malware use DNS?

Just like many other protocols themselves, malware leverages DNS in many ways. From infected hosts identifying command and control points, to DNS Hijacking, to identifying targets in the first phases, malware attempt to exploit the DNS protocol.

How do you exfiltration data?

A common data exfiltration tactic is to use deceptive, manipulative social engineering techniques to trick someone into opening a malicious script which then infects a company’s network. Often, phishing emails will be designed to look like it had been sent from a high-ranking company executive.

Why was DNS selected as the means to exfiltrate data?

DNS is frequently used as a pathway for data exfiltration, because it is not inspected by common security controls. Infoblox Threat Insight technology can provide protection against the most sophisticated data-exfiltration techniques.

What Windows protocol is commonly used for data exfiltration?

One means of data exfiltration that might be considered “old school” is the use of the file transfer protocol (FTP). Most users may not be aware, but Microsoft systems ship with a native, command line FTP utility, ftp.exe.

How can data exfiltration be prevented?

Preventing Data Exfiltration

1. Outbound mail.
2. Downloads to insecure devices.
3. Uploads to external services.
4. Insecure cloud behavior.
5. Enforcing compliance with security policies.
6. Identification and redaction of sensitive data.
7. Rogue administrators.
8. Employee terminations.

What is DNS malware?

DNS (Domain Name System) is an Internet service that converts user-friendly domain names into the numerical Internet protocol (IP) addresses that computers use to talk to each other. One way criminals do this is by infecting computers with a class of malicious software (malware) called DNSChanger.

What is exfiltration techniques?

Exfiltration consists of techniques that adversaries may use to steal data from your network. Once they’ve collected data, adversaries often package it to avoid detection while removing it. This can include compression and encryption.

What protocol is used to exfiltrate data?

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) FTP is an essential protocol used to communicate and transfer files between a client and a server over the internet. FTP is a reliable protocol for transferring large files. An attacker must authenticate to an external FTP server from within an organization’s server to exfiltrate data.

What is the definition of DNS data exfiltration?

In a simple definition, DNS Data exfiltration is way to exchange data between 2 computers without any directly connection, the data is exchanged through DNS protocol on intermediate DNS servers. Figure 1. A simple definition of DNS Data exfiltration

What can an exfiltration of a DC file do?

For most attackers, one of their top priorities is to gain domain controller access, to steal your most sensitive data. For example, exfiltration of the Ntds.dit file, stored on the DC, allows an attacker to forge Kerberos ticket granting tickets (TGT) providing authorization to any resource.

What can malicious communication over DNS be used for?

The DNS protocol in most organizations is typically not monitored and rarely blocked for malicious activity. Enabling an attacker on a compromised machine, to abuse the DNS protocol. Malicious communication over DNS can be used for data exfiltration, command, and control, and/or evading corporate network restrictions.

Which is example of exfiltration of NTDS.DIT file?

For example, exfiltration of the Ntds.dit file, stored on the DC, allows an attacker to forge Kerberos ticket granting tickets (TGT) providing authorization to any resource. Forged Kerberos TGTs enable the attacker to set the ticket expiration to any arbitrary time.