Are you sure you’re safe?
Any form of cybersecurity is better than none at all. And the more cybersecurity measures in place, the better (be that software solutions, protocols, or practices). However, it is imperative to actually know the functions of such measures and how they protect you – or don’t. One of the greatest challenges we see in the cybersecurity world is knowing where the blind spots are. Often, cybersecurity efforts get implemented under the perception that they solve problems A, B, and C, when, in actuality, they only solve problems A and B. MACsec is one such example. While an undeniably valuable protocol, misconceptions surround the extent of protection that MACsec offers. As a result, organizations still face problem C, they just don’t know it – and that’s more dangerous than being knowingly exposed to it.
What is MACsec?
MACsec is a network security standard, widely deployed in PHYs, switches, firewalls, gateways and NICs, that provides Layer 2 security. The security protocol protects both network-to-network and device-to-network connections. MACsec provides point-to-point security through Layer 2 encryption between Ethernet-connected devices on a virtual or physical local area network (LAN); further, network administrators can inspect data in transit. In doing so, MACsec ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of user data. Additionally, MACsec identifies unauthorized LAN connections and excludes them from connecting with the network. Authentication is enabled by Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) methods. By ensuring that a frame comes from the supplicant (i.e. device) that claims to have sent it, MACsec can mitigate attacks on Layer 2 protocols.
It sounds like MACsec is the solution to many of your network security woes. In addition to ensuring data protection, MACsec essentially acts as a bodyguard for your network, vetting connections to prevent any unwanted guests from getting inside. But, just as one might use a fake ID to bypass a bodyguard, attackers do the same to work around the MACsec protocol.
Meet: problem C
MACsec relies on authenticating supplicants through EAP methods. Yet, several EAP implementations are weak, allowing attackers to exploit the authentication process through a gateway attack and, subsequently, gain unauthorized network access. In a gateway attack, the perpetrator deploys a rogue device that initially acts as a passive tap. Passive taps lack a MAC and IP address, allowing them to operate covertly (as the name suggests), simply sniffing network traffic. This, in itself, is a major cybersecurity threat, but attackers don’t always stop there. They want more; they want network access.
A simple switchboard application enables the passive tap to carry out more complex man in the middle MiTM) attacks. Instead of clandestine traffic sniffing, network traffic is rerouted directly to the rogue device. The supplicant, unknowingly, is forced to authenticate with the rogue device rather than directly to the switch (the authenticator). Now, the malicious actor can crack hashes and use stolen credentials to authenticate with the network directly. When connected to the switch, the rogue device spoofs the supplicant’s IP address, MAC address and cracked EAP credentials. Naturally, the connection is authenticated, and the attacker has direct access to the network.
Problem “See”
The underlying issue here is a gap in visibility. Organizations deem MACsec as a full proof network security protocol as it protects against unauthorized network devices. But this fails to take into consideration the devices that evade detection. MACsec operates on Layer 2, leaving Layer 1 exposed, a blind spot which the rogue device exploits by operating on this layer. Without Layer 1 data, MACsec cannot detect the rogue device, and, as a result, the switch thinks it is connecting to a legitimate, authorized supplicant.
Solving problem C – really!
Sepio has developed the HAC-1 solution to provide a panacea to the gap in device visibility. As the leader in Rogue Device Mitigation (RDM), Sepio’s solution, through Physical Layer (Layer 1) fingerprinting, identifies, detects, and handles all peripherals; no device goes unmanaged. In addition to gathering Layer 1 data, a comprehensive policy enforcement mechanism recommends on best practice policy and allows the administrator to define a strict, or more granular, set of rules for the system to enforce. More importantly, our solution detects and blocks attacks occurring through the Ethernet interface (passive taps, spoofing devices, unmanaged switches) and the USB interface (HID emulators, NIC manipulators). In doing so, HAC-1 goes deeper and lower than any other solution has gone before to provide Zero Trust Hardware Access, filling the gap where MACsec fails.
