Looking For Vulns In All The Right Places? Experts Say You Might Be Missing A Few

The biggest vulnerabilities in the enterprise might be items we see every day -- and just don't think about.

Experts say that vulnerability assessments often overlook the everyday dangers: Network-attached devices that aren't computers. Paper documents. Passwords posted in plain view. Portable storage devices.

Most of these are technologies that would never be taken into account by a traditional vulnerability scan. Yet they could lead to data leaks just as surely as a keylogger or a data-stealing Trojan, experts say.

"Peripheral devices on the network may have capabilities the business doesn't know of," says Kevin Brown, delivery manager for custom testing at security assessment firm ICSA. "And those capabilities can create security vulnerabilities."

Printers, fax machines, and multifunction devices with persistent storage could all serve as entry points for a sophisticated hacker, Brown observes. And the presence of internal storage might not be clear at first glance, nor does it necessarily show up on traditional security audits.

"An automated vulnerability scan may not reveal which printers and other hard copy devices have hard drives," Brown observes. "As a result, the business isn't aware that digital copies of sensitive information may remain in the printer."

A thorough vulnerability assessment should include examining all hard copy devices for internal storage capability -- this could require contacting the manufacturer or even opening the machine, Brown says. Enterprises also should take steps to ensure that digital files are wiped from these devices as soon as the hard copy is produced or the fax transmitted. This could mean purchasing and installing additional software from the manufacturer.

Other network-attached devices could also be vulnerable, Brown observes. "Any device connected to the network needs to have its security validated," he says.

He offers security cameras as an example. "For cost-saving and other reasons, companies have shifted security cameras from dedicated coaxial cable connections to TCP/IP connections, which run the risk of being vulnerable to cross-site scripting attacks and remote control takeover."

Even backup power devices might be at risk, Brown warns. "UPS devices connected to the network could enable an attacker to take control," he says.

Brown offers three bits of advice for all network-attached devices. "The biggest risk is leaving the default password in place," he says. No matter the device and its purpose, he advises, users should change its password before connecting it to the network.

"Second," Brown continues, "review all of the features that the device offers. Web printing capability may not be useful as a business function at your company, but it could be very useful to an attacker."

Finally, he points out that maintaining security readiness on peripheral devices is an ongoing process. "Incorporate all devices into your patch cycle," he says. "We're all familiar with Microsoft and Cisco patches -- but when was the last time you upgraded the firmware on your printer? Seek out patch information on every device connected to your network, and incorporate them into your patching cycle."

Many of these office devices produce a lot of paper -- paper which, as security consultant Steve Stasiukonis of Secure Network Technologies points out, can be a vulnerability itself.

"Take a look at your copier station," Stasiukonis says, noting that many companies overlook sensitive material that might be found in unsecured places. Recycling bins or preshredder collection stations holding unshredded materials can be rich sites for information-miners, he notes.

Documents that aren't shredded could be the cause of a data breach, as a recent New Jersey incident revealed when papers containing Social Security numbers and other personal information were found in a public dumpster.

"And don't forget the amount of paper and other sensitive information on employees' desks," Stasiukonis advises.

A workplace walk-through -- even in a "clean desk" environment -- can often reveal security badges and swipe-cards laying in plain sight, ripe for the taking, Stasiukonis explains. In his physical penetration tests, Stasiukonis frequently also finds passwords and log-ins on sticky notes and keyrings hanging from thumbtacks in cubicles.

Even if you don't see anything at first glance, Stasiukonis suggests, look a little closer. "Have your employees turn over their keyboards for inspection," he suggests, noting that many users stick their passwords there for easy recall.

Stasiukonis also recommends checking devices, such as copiers, for default service tech passwords, which might remain in place even if the business has changed its own access and log-in codes.

"Check to be sure that security cameras haven't been repositioned," he adds. "Scan for infrared devices. Examine the security not only of IT administration notebooks, but also physical plant management and control notebooks. Beyond that, an examination of the contents of employees' desks can reveal treasure chests of vulnerabilities.

"But," he cautions, "before going into employees' desks, you should review your plans with your human resources department." Whatever your company's legal rights, many employees resent having their desks checked, so be sure to educate them before conducting a search, he explains.

Another vulnerability vector -- and in many ways the most common one -- is human nature.

Security professional Scott Wright's Honey Stick Project put human nature to the test by leaving specially prepared USB drives in plain sight. When one of the drives was inserted in a business device, the information was logged, revealing what the user had done.

Such behavior is typical, according to Wright. As he notes on his Streetwise Security Zone site: "Out of 54 devices dropped with specially configured -- but safe -- files on them, the Honey Stick Project has detected that at least 35 of these devices have had files opened."

Vulnerability-scanning tools are a good place to start, but they can't see the whole enterprise, the experts warn. To find all of your vulnerabilities, you'll need to look at the things your users see every day -- in a new way.

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