Social Engineering System - CSU1899 - Shoolini U

FL10: Social Engineering System and Network Vulnerability and Threats to Security

1. Social Engineering

Definition: Social engineering is the psychological manipulation of individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Instead of hacking systems directly, attackers exploit human behavior to bypass security mechanisms.

Types of Social Engineering Attacks:
How Social Engineering Works:

Attackers rely on creating a sense of urgency, fear, or trust in the target. They may pose as authority figures, colleagues, or technical support to gain trust and lower the target’s defenses.

Signs of Social Engineering:
Prevention Measures:
Example:

An employee at a tech firm receives an email from a supposed IT department asking them to reset their password through a provided link. Believing it’s legitimate, the employee follows the link and unknowingly hands over login credentials to an attacker.

Case Study (India):

2018 Phishing Scam Targeting Indian Banks: In 2018, several phishing attacks targeted Indian bank customers, asking them to update banking information. These emails appeared legitimate, leading many to unknowingly provide sensitive banking credentials.

2. System and Network Vulnerabilities

Definition: System and network vulnerabilities refer to weaknesses or flaws in a computer system, software, or network that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or cause harm.

Types of Vulnerabilities:
Common System Vulnerabilities:
Common Network Vulnerabilities:
Prevention Methods:
Example:

A company’s outdated server software has a known vulnerability that allows attackers to execute code remotely. By exploiting this, attackers can gain full control of the system, steal sensitive information, and install malware.

Case Study (India):

Wannacry Ransomware Attack (2017): Many Indian organizations, including government systems, were impacted by the global Wannacry ransomware attack. This attack exploited a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows, leading to widespread data encryption and ransom demands.

3. Threats to Security

Definition: Security threats refer to actions or events that have the potential to cause harm to computer systems, networks, or data. These threats can come from internal or external sources, with goals ranging from data theft to system disruption.

Types of Security Threats:
Impact of Security Threats:
Prevention Methods:
Example:

A financial company suffers a ransomware attack. All customer data is encrypted, and a ransom is demanded for decryption. The company loses access to critical files, leading to service disruption and financial loss.

Case Study (India):

Aadhaar Data Leak (2018): India’s Aadhaar system, which stores biometric and personal data for over a billion residents, was compromised, exposing sensitive information and raising concerns about data security infrastructure.

Understanding the Interconnection Between Social Engineering, System and Network Vulnerabilities, and Security Threats

In cybersecurity, social engineering, system and network vulnerabilities, and security threats are interconnected and often feed into one another. Understanding this relationship is crucial for defending against comprehensive attacks.

1. Social Engineering as a Gateway to System and Network Exploitation

Attackers use social engineering to bypass security, manipulating individuals to gain access to systems and networks, which they then exploit for further vulnerabilities.

2. System Vulnerabilities After Social Engineering

Once attackers gain access through social engineering, they move to exploit system vulnerabilities (e.g., unpatched software or weak passwords) to escalate privileges or steal data.

3. Network Vulnerabilities for Widespread Compromise

After gaining initial access, attackers exploit network vulnerabilities to propagate malware, intercept data, or compromise additional systems.

4. Security Threats: The Ultimate Consequence

The end result of successful social engineering and vulnerability exploitation is a significant security threat, such as data breaches, ransomware, or APTs, which can cause financial, reputational, or legal damage.

Example Scenario:

An attacker uses phishing to gain an employee’s credentials, exploits unpatched software to gain admin access, and spreads malware across the network through open ports, causing a massive data breach.

Case Study (India):

2018 Cosmos Bank Attack: Attackers used a combination of social engineering and system/network vulnerabilities to steal ₹94 crores from Cosmos Bank, highlighting the cascading effect of vulnerabilities leading to large-scale security threats.

Conclusion:

The relationship between social engineering, system and network vulnerabilities, and security threats creates a chain reaction that attackers exploit. By addressing these areas through training, patching, and robust security measures, organizations can defend against the full spectrum of cyber threats.

Summary

1. Social Engineering

Definition: Social engineering manipulates individuals into divulging confidential information or taking actions that compromise security. Attackers exploit human behavior rather than hacking systems directly.

Types of Social Engineering Attacks:
Prevention Measures:
Case Study (India):

2018 Phishing Scam Targeting Indian Banks: Phishing attacks targeted Indian bank customers, tricking them into providing sensitive credentials.

2. System and Network Vulnerabilities

Definition: Vulnerabilities in systems, software, or networks can be exploited to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or cause harm.

Common System Vulnerabilities:
Common Network Vulnerabilities:
Prevention Methods:
Case Study (India):

Wannacry Ransomware Attack (2017): Indian organizations were impacted by this global ransomware attack, exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows.

3. Threats to Security

Definition: Security threats can come from both internal and external sources, aiming to steal data, disrupt systems, or cause harm.

Types of Security Threats:
Prevention Methods:
Case Study (India):

Aadhaar Data Leak (2018): India’s Aadhaar system was compromised, exposing sensitive biometric and personal data of over a billion residents.

Understanding the Interconnection Between Social Engineering, Vulnerabilities, and Security Threats

Social engineering, system vulnerabilities, and security threats are interrelated, often leading to cascading attacks.

Example Scenario:

An attacker uses phishing to obtain credentials, exploits unpatched software for admin access, and uses open network ports to spread malware, causing a data breach.

Case Study (India):

2018 Cosmos Bank Attack: Attackers used a combination of social engineering and system vulnerabilities to steal ₹94 crores, highlighting the interconnected nature of these threats.