Hardware attacks are among the most underestimated cyber security threats. Malicious actors exploit vulnerabilities in cybersecurity hardware to bypass traditional security measures like Network Access Control (NAC) Solutions, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Intrusion Detection System (IDS), and network security hardware tools. These attacks often use rogue hardware disguised as everyday items, such as USB drives, chargers, or peripherals, allowing attackers to infiltrate computer networks undetected. Since most security policies focus on monitoring software and network traffic, cyber attacks leveraging hardware tools operate stealthily below the radar. This poses significant security risks to organizations unprepared for evolving data security challenges. Understanding hardware attacks and implementing robust cyber security hardware solutions is crucial for maintaining a strong enterprise security posture.
Hardware Attacks in Cyber Security
Humans remain the weakest link in computer-security, particularly when it comes to cyber security threats. Negligent insiders are responsible for 62% of all incidents according to a study by Proofpoint. pose an even greater risk due to the lack of awareness and education in this domain. Employees often attach peripherals to their devices without considering data security risks, exposing them to potential phishing attempts, hacking incidents, or other forms of cybercrime. The deceptive appearance of rogue devices exploits this vulnerability, as these tools tools are often designed to evade suspicion or are discreetly embedded within other devices. As a result, identifying them as malicious or unauthorized becomes nearly impossible for the human eye.
Hardware Attacks Through Everyday Devices
Attackers can embed malicious tools within a mouse or keyboard, exploiting network hardware security vulnerabilities. A Raspberry Pi, a small single-board computer, is compact enough to be hidden inside one of these HIDs, completely evading human detection. Despite not being designed for such purposes, a Raspberry Pi can can act as a potent hacker attack tool, capable of stealing data, performing network packet sniffing, and carrying out cyber attacks like man-in-the-middle (MiTM) schemes.
For example, a USB attack tool impersonating a legitimate Microsoft mouse can inject keystrokes, execute code, and initiate security breaches. Such network hardware attacks are a growing concern, emphasizing the need for improved cyber security hardware solutions to defend against increasingly sophisticated threats.
Using an iPhone Charger as an Attack Tool
The NinjaCable is an USB attack tool that looks exactly like a USB iPhone charger yet causes significant damage to the victim. The concept of the NinjaCable is not novel. Its design is based on a tool once used by the NSA called COTTONMOUTH. With the NinjaCable, hackers easily bypass human suspicion. The device functions as a regular iPhone charger as the cyber-attack (ransomware injection, data theft, etc) is carried out. The NinjaCable stands as a prized asset among attackers, chiefly due to its simplicity of deployment, which greatly contributes to its appeal in perpetrating hardware attacks.
Firstly, no one questions the intention of an iPhone charger. If your phone is dead at the office, you will likely pick up the charger closest to you. Not pausing to question whether it is a harmful attack tool. Secondly, since our phones provide us with constant connection to the office – whether we want it or not – the perpetrator can target victims at any location, thereby expanding the attack surface. Rather than finding a way to implant a NinjaCable within the organization, attackers can manipulate public charging kiosks. Here, unsuspecting victims innocently (and often hastily) plug in their phones with the single focus of giving their device some juice. This attack, known as “juice jacking” grants cybercriminals access to work-related or personal data stored on the phone.
The Threat of Malicious USB Thumb Drives
One common method of hardware attacks in cybersecurity involves the use of malicious USB thumb drives. How could you tell the difference between a regular USB thumb drive and a malicious one? The answer is: you couldn’t.
The thumb drive sent to a hospitality company in the mail disguised as a best buy gift looked like any other USB drive. Yet was a bad USB ridden with malware. Devices like the Rubber Ducky appear to be regular USB thumb drives yet have been manipulated to act maliciously.
Hardware Attack Tools are Invisible
The inconspicuous appearance of rogue devices makes them an even more threatening hardware attack tool than they already are. In addition to operating below the radar of existing firewall and intrusion-detection solutions, rogue devices bypass any possible human form of authentication. Once inserted, they give attackers free rein and complete access to the organization. Even the most advanced security solutions, such as Zero Trust, are ineffective in protecting the enterprise from hardware-based attacks.
In fact, the discrete nature of rogue devices allows them to move laterally throughout the organization. Completely undermining the Zero Trust security protocols of microsegmentation and the principle of least privilege. Essentially, what we are dealing with are devices that raise no suspicion to the human eye. Go undetected by legacy security software, and carry out a range of harmful hardware attacks on their target. However, if you think all hope is lost, solutions exist for these challenges—nothing is invincible.
Rogue Device Mitigation
Invincible rogue devices have met their match. Sepio has developed a solution to provide a panacea to the gap in device visibility through physical layer fingerprinting. As the leader in Rogue Device Mitigation (RDM), Sepio identifies, detects, and handles all peripherals. No device goes unmanaged.
Moreover, Sepio’s policy enforcement mechanism and Rogue Device Mitigation capabilities instantly block unauthorized devices and hardware attacks. This approach minimizes the risks posed by human error, relieving organizations of the constant challenge of monitoring rogue devices. Even the most vigilant employees can struggle to identify these threats, making automated protection essential.
Additionally, Sepio’s deep visibility capabilities and integration with existing tools, such as NAC, EPS, and SIEM, ensure that organizations maximize their information-security investments. As a result, with Sepio, clients benefit from a Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) approach: protection at the first line of defense.
Endpoint and Network Hardware Security
Sepio doesn’t probe network traffic or use any discovery protocols. This ensures that the system does not monitor proprietary data, making deployment easy. In just 24 hours, we reduce the threat of employee negligence and enhance the overall enterprise security posture. Employees may be the greatest asset to an organization, but they also represent the greatest cost. Let us help you reduce the latter. Let Sepio’s cyber security hardware solution help you reduce that risk.
Secure your organization against rogue devices with Sepio’s patented technology. Schedule a demo to see how we enhance your cyber security hardware protections.
