Internet Facing Vulnerabilities and Misconfigurations

Ransomware Infection Vector: Internet-Facing Vulnerabilities and Misconfigurations

Ransomware often exploits internet-facing vulnerabilities and misconfigurations to infiltrate networks. These weaknesses provide easy entry points for attackers. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Vulnerability Scanning: Regularly scan for vulnerabilities, especially on devices exposed to the internet. This helps identify and fix security gaps before attackers can exploit them.

• Patch Management: Always update software and operating systems to the latest versions. Prioritize timely patching for internet-facing servers and software that processes internet data.

• Proper Configuration: Ensure devices are securely configured. Disable unused ports and protocols, like RDP (TCP Port 3389), to reduce the attack surface.

• Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): Secure RDP usage by closing unused ports, enforcing account lockouts, applying multi-factor authentication (MFA), and logging access attempts.

• Server Message Block (SMB): Disable outdated SMB versions (SMBv1 and SMBv2), upgrade to the latest SMB version, and block SMB access from outside the network.

By addressing these areas, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of ransomware infections via internet-facing vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.

Reference

https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/CISA_MS-ISAC_Ransomware%20Guide_S508C.pdf