Pass the ECCouncil CEH v12 312-50v12 Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

The location: operator is the least useful in providing the attacker with sensitive VPN-related information, because it does not directly relate to VPN configuration, credentials, or vulnerabilities. The location: operator finds information for a specific location, such as a city, country, or region. For example, location:paris would return results related to Paris, France. However, this operator does not help the attacker to identify or access VPN servers or clients, unless they are specifically named or indexed by their location, which is unlikely.

The other operators are more useful in providing the attacker with sensitive VPN-related information, because they can help the attacker to find pages or files that contain VPN configuration, credentials, or vulnerabilities. The intitle: operator restricts results to only the pages containing the specified term in the title. For example, intitle:vpn would return pages with VPN in their title, which may include VPN guides, manuals, or tutorials. The inurl: operator restricts the results to only the pages containing the specified word in the URL. For example, inurl:vpn would return pages with VPN in their URL, which may include VPN login portals, configuration files, or directories. The link: operator searches websites or pages that contain links to the specified website or page. For example, link:vpn.com would return pages that link to vpn.com, which may include VPN reviews, comparisons, or recommendations. References:

Google Search Operators: The Complete List (44 Advanced Operators)

Footprinting through search engines

Module 02: Footprinting and Reconnaissance

Wireless Threats - Confidentiality Attacks Launch of Wireless Attacks: Evil Twin Evil Twin is a wireless AP that pretends to be a legitimate AP by replicating another network name. Attackers set up a rogue AP outside the corporate perimeter and lures users to sign into the wrong AP. (P.2297/2281)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_application_firewall

A web application firewall (WAF) is a specific form of application firewall that filters, monitors, and blocks HTTP traffic to and from a web service. By inspecting HTTP traffic, it can prevent attacks exploiting a web application's known vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), file inclusion, and improper system configuration.

Syhunt Hybrid combines comprehensive static and dynamic security scans to detect vulnerabilities like XSS, File Inclusion, SQL Injection, Command Execution and many more, including inferential, in-band and out-of-band attacks through Hybrid-Augmented Analysis (HAST). With Syhunt's unique gray box/hybrid scanning capability the information acquired during source code scans is automatically used to create and enhance dynamic scans. All entry points are covered generating detailed information about the security level of your web applications. Available for on-premises deployment for businesses using Windows and Linux 64-bit.

Web Server Security Tools - Web Application Security Scanners The Syhunt Hybrid scanner automates web application security testing and guards the organization’s web infrastructure against web application security threats. Syhunt Dynamic crawls websites and detects XSS, directory transversal problems, fault injection, SQL injection, attempts to execute commands, and several other attacks. (P.1713/1697)

This question shows a classic example of an IDOR vulnerability. Rob substitutes Ned's name in the "name" parameter and if the developer has not fixed this vulnerability, then Rob will gain access to Ned's account. Below you will find more detailed information about IDOR vulnerability.

Insecure direct object references (IDOR) are a cybersecurity issue that occurs when a web application developer uses an identifier for direct access to an internal implementation object but provides no additional access control and/or authorization checks. For example, an IDOR vulnerability would happen if the URL of a transaction could be changed through client-side user input to show unauthorized data of another transaction.

Most web applications use simple IDs to reference objects. For example, a user in a database will usually be referred to via the user ID. The same user ID is the primary key to the database column containing user information and is generated automatically. The database key generation algorithm is very simple: it usually uses the next available integer. The same database ID generation mechanisms are used for all other types of database records.

The approach described above is legitimate but not recommended because it could enable the attacker to enumerate all users. If it’s necessary to maintain this approach, the developer must at least make absolutely sure that more than just a reference is needed to access resources. For example, let’s say that the web application displays transaction details using the following URL:

https://www.example.com/transaction.php?id=74656

A malicious hacker could try to substitute the id parameter value 74656 with other similar values, for example:

https://www.example.com/transaction.php?id=74657

The 74657 transaction could be a valid transaction belonging to another user. The malicious hacker should not be authorized to see it. However, if the developer made an error, the attacker would see this transaction and hence we would have an insecure direct object reference vulnerability.

Symmetric encryption is a method of encrypting and decrypting data using the same secret key. Symmetric encryption is fast and efficient, but it requires a secure way of managing and distributing the keys to the users who need them. If the keys are compromised, the data is no longer secure.

One of the strategies to securely manage and distribute symmetric keys is to use HTTPS protocol for secure key transfer. HTTPS is a protocol that uses SSL/TLS to encrypt the communication between a client and a server over the Internet. HTTPS can protect the symmetric keys from being intercepted or modified by an attacker during the key transfer process. HTTPS can also authenticate the server and the client using certificates, ensuring that the keys are sent to and received by the intended parties.

To use HTTPS protocol for secure key transfer, the development team needs to implement the following steps1:

Generate a symmetric key for each user who wants to store their files on the cloud storage platform. The symmetric key will be used to encrypt and decrypt the user’s files.

Generate a certificate for the cloud storage server. The certificate will contain the server’s public key and other information, such as the server’s domain name, the issuer, and the validity period. The certificate will be signed by a trusted certificate authority (CA), which is a third-party entity that verifies the identity and legitimacy of the server.

Install the certificate on the cloud storage server and configure the server to use HTTPS protocol for communication.

When a user wants to upload or download their files, the user’s client (such as a web browser or an app) will initiate a HTTPS connection with the cloud storage server. The client will verify the server’s certificate and establish a secure session with the server using SSL/TLS. The client and the server will negotiate a session key, which is a temporary symmetric key that will be used to encrypt the data exchanged during the session.

The cloud storage server will send the user’s symmetric key to the user’s client, encrypted with the session key. The user’s client will decrypt the symmetric key with the session key and use it to encrypt or decrypt the user’s files.

The user’s client will store the symmetric key securely on the user’s device, such as in a password-protected file or a hardware token. The user’s client will also delete the session key after the session is over.

Using HTTPS protocol for secure key transfer can ensure that the symmetric keys are protected from eavesdropping, tampering, or spoofing attacks. However, this strategy also has some challenges and limitations, such as:

The development team needs to obtain and maintain valid certificates for the cloud storage server from a trusted CA, which might incur costs and administrative overhead.

The users need to trust the CA that issued the certificates for the cloud storage server and verify the certificates before accepting them.

The users need to protect their symmetric keys from being lost, stolen, or corrupted on their devices. The development team needs to provide a mechanism for key backup, recovery, or revocation in case of such events.

The users need to update their symmetric keys periodically to prevent key exhaustion or reuse attacks. The development team needs to provide a mechanism for key rotation or renewal in a secure and efficient manner.

References:

Key Management - OWASP Cheat Sheet Series

Symmetric Cryptography & Key Management: Exhaustion, Rotation, Defence

What is Key Management? How does Key Management work? | Encryption Consulting

The technique that the hacker would consider next to obtain useful information about the underlying database is to utilize a blind injection technique that uses time delays or error signatures to extract information. A blind injection technique is a type of SQL injection technique that is used when the web application does not return any detailed error messages or data from the database, but only indicates whether the query was executed successfully or not. A blind injection technique relies on sending specially crafted SQL queries that cause a noticeable change in the behavior or response of the web application, such as a time delay or an error signature, which can then be used to infer information about the database. For example, the hacker could use the following methods12:

Time-based blind injection: This method involves injecting a SQL query that contains a time delay function, such as SLEEP() or WAITFOR DELAY, which pauses the execution of the query for a specified amount of time. The hacker can then measure the time difference between the normal and the delayed responses, and use it to determine whether the injected query was true or false. By using this method, the hacker can perform a binary search to guess the values of the data in the database, one bit at a time.

Error-based blind injection: This method involves injecting a SQL query that contains a deliberate error, such as a division by zero, a type mismatch, or an invalid conversion, which causes the database to generate an error message. The hacker can then analyze the error message, which may contain useful information about the database, such as the version, the name, the structure, or the data. By using this method, the hacker can exploit the error handling mechanism of the database to extract information.

The other options are not as suitable as option D for the following reasons:

A. Use the UNION operator to combine the result sets of two or more SELECT statements: This option is not feasible because it requires the web application to return data from the database, which is not the case in this scenario. The UNION operator is a SQL operator that allows the hacker to append the results of another SELECT statement to the original query, and display them as part of the web page. This way, the hacker can retrieve data from other tables or columns that are not intended to be shown by the web application. However, this option does not work when the web application does not return any data or error messages from the database, as in this scenario3.

B. Attempt to compromise the system through OS-level command shell execution: This option is not relevant because it is not a SQL injection technique, but a post-exploitation technique. OS-level command shell execution is a method of gaining access to the underlying operating system of the web server, by injecting a SQL query that contains a system command, such as xp_cmdshell, exec, or shell_exec, which executes the command on the server. This way, the hacker can perform various actions on the server, such as uploading files, downloading files, or running programs. However, this option does not help to obtain information about the database, which is the goal of this scenario4.

C. Try to insert a string value where a number is expected in the input field: This option is not effective because it is a basic SQL injection technique that is used to detect SQL injection vulnerabilities, not to exploit them. Inserting a string value where a number is expected in the input field is a method of triggering a syntax error in the SQL query, which may reveal the structure or the content of the query in the error message. This way, the hacker can identify the vulnerable parameters and the type of the database. However, this option does not work when the web application does not return any detailed error messages from the database, as in this scenario5.

References:

1: Blind SQL Injection - OWASP Foundation

2: Blind SQL Injection - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

3: SQL Injection Union Attacks - OWASP Foundation

4: OS Command Injection - OWASP Foundation

5: SQL Injection - OWASP Foundation

An advanced persistent threat (APT) may be a broad term wont to describe AN attack campaign within which an intruder, or team of intruders, establishes a bootleg, long presence on a network so as to mine sensitive knowledge.

The targets of those assaults, that square measure terribly fastidiously chosen and researched, usually embrace massive enterprises or governmental networks. the implications of such intrusions square measure huge, and include:

Intellectual property thieving (e.g., trade secrets or patents)

Compromised sensitive info (e.g., worker and user personal data)

The sabotaging of essential structure infrastructures (e.g., information deletion)

Total website takeovers

Executing an APT assault needs additional resources than a regular internet application attack. The perpetrators square measure typically groups of intimate cybercriminals having substantial resource. Some APT attacks square measure government-funded and used as cyber warfare weapons.

APT attacks dissent from ancient internet application threats, in that:

They’re considerably additional advanced.

They’re not hit and run attacks—once a network is infiltrated, the culprit remains so as to realize the maximum amount info as potential.

They’re manually dead (not automated) against a selected mark and indiscriminately launched against an outsized pool of targets.

They typically aim to infiltrate a complete network, as opposition one specific half.

More common attacks, like remote file inclusion (RFI), SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS), square measure oftentimes employed by perpetrators to ascertain a footing in a very targeted network. Next, Trojans and backdoor shells square measure typically wont to expand that foothold and make a persistent presence inside the targeted perimeter.

https://support.riverbed.com/content/support/software/steelcentral-npm/airpcap.html

Since this question refers specifically to analyzing a wireless network, it is obvious that we need an option with AirPcap (Riverbed AirPcap USB-based adapters capture 802.11 wireless traffic for analysis). Since it works with two traffic analyzers SteelCentral Packet Analyzer (Cascade Pilot) or Wireshark, the correct option would be "Wireshark with Airpcap."

NOTE: AirPcap adapters no longer available for sale effective January 1, 2018, but a question on this topic may occur on your exam.

The ethical hacker conducted Test 1, which is a TCP/IP stack fingerprinting technique that uses the SYN and ECN-Echo flags to determine the OS of the target system. The SYN flag is used to initiate a TCP connection, and the ECN-Echo flag is used to indicate that the sender supports Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN), which is a mechanism to reduce network congestion. Different OSes have different implementations and responses to these flags, which can reveal their identity. For example, Windows XP and 2000 will reply with SYN and ECN-Echo flags set, while Linux will reply with only SYN flag set. By sending a TCP packet with these flags enabled to an open TCP port and observing the reply, the ethical hacker can probe the nature of the response and subsequently determine the OS fingerprint.

The ethical hacker adopted this specific approach because it is an advanced and stealthy technique that can evade some firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS) that may block or alert other types of packets, such as NULL, FIN, or Xmas packets. Moreover, this technique can provide more accurate and reliable results than other techniques, such as banner grabbing or passive analysis, that may depend on the availability or validity of the information provided by the target system.

The other options are not correct, as they describe different tests and reasons. Test 3 is a TCP/IP stack fingerprinting technique that uses the URG, PSH, SYN, and FIN flags to determine the OS of the target system. Test 2 is a TCP/IP stack fingerprinting technique that uses a NULL packet, which is a TCP packet with no flags enabled, to determine the OS of the target system. Test 6 is a TCP/IP stack fingerprinting technique that uses the ACK flag, which is used to acknowledge the receipt of a TCP segment, to determine the OS of the target system. References:

OS and Application Fingerprinting | SANS Institute

Operating System Fingerprinting | SpringerLink

OS and Application Fingerprinting - community.akamai.com

What is OS Fingerprinting and Techniques - Zerosuniverse

Types of Vulnerability Assessment - External Assessment External assessment examines the network from a hacker’s point of view to identify exploits and vulnerabilities accessible to the outside world. These types of assessments use external devices such as firewalls, routers, and servers. An external assessment estimates the threat of network security attacks from outside the organization. It determines the level of security of the external network and firewall. (P.527/511)

External assessment examines the network from a hacker’s point of view to identify exploits and vulnerabilities accessible to the outside world. These types of assessments use external devices such as firewalls, routers, and servers. An external assessment estimates the threat of network security attacks from outside the organization. It determines the level of security of the external network and firewall.

The following are some of the possible steps in performing an external assessment:

o Determine a set of rules for firewall and router configurations for the external network

o Check whether the external server devices and network devices are mapped o Identify open ports and related services on the external network o Examine the patch levels on the server and external network devices o Review detection systems such as IDS, firewalls, and application-layer protection systems

o Get information on DNS zones

o Scan the external network through a variety of proprietary tools available on the Internet

o Examine Web applications such as e-commerce and shopping cart software for vulnerabilities

One of the biggest problems a worm faces in achieving a very fast rate of infection is “getting off the ground.” although a worm spreads exponentially throughout the early stages of infection, the time needed to infect say the first 10,000 hosts dominates the infection time.

There is a straightforward way for an active worm a simple this obstacle, that we term hit-list scanning. Before the worm is free, the worm author collects a listing of say ten,000 to 50,000 potentially vulnerable machines, ideally ones with sensible network connections. The worm, when released onto an initial machine on this hit-list, begins scanning down the list. once it infects a machine, it divides the hit-list in half, communicating half to the recipient worm, keeping the other half.

This fast division ensures that even if only 10-20% of the machines on the hit-list are actually vulnerable, an active worm can quickly bear the hit-list and establish itself on all vulnerable machines in only some seconds. though the hit-list could begin at 200 kilobytes, it quickly shrinks to nothing during the partitioning. This provides a great benefit in constructing a quick worm by speeding the initial infection.

The hit-list needn’t be perfect: a simple list of machines running a selected server sort could serve, though larger accuracy can improve the unfold. The hit-list itself is generated victimization one or many of the following techniques, ready well before, typically with very little concern of detection.

Stealthy scans. Portscans are so common and then wide ignored that even a quick scan of the whole net would be unlikely to attract law enforcement attention or over gentle comment within the incident response community. However, for attackers wish to be particularly careful, a randomised sneaky scan taking many months would be not possible to attract much attention, as most intrusion detection systems are not currently capable of detecting such low-profile scans. Some portion of the scan would be out of date by the time it had been used, however abundant of it’d not.

Distributed scanning. an assailant might scan the web using a few dozen to some thousand already-compromised “zombies,” the same as what DDOS attackers assemble in a very fairly routine fashion. Such distributed scanning has already been seen within the wild–Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory received ten throughout the past year.

DNS searches. Assemble a list of domains (for example, by using wide offered spam mail lists, or trolling the address registries). The DNS will then be searched for the science addresses of mail-servers (via mx records) or net servers (by looking for www.domain.com).

Spiders. For net server worms (like Code Red), use Web-crawling techniques the same as search engines so as to produce a list of most Internet-connected web sites. this would be unlikely to draw in serious attention.

Public surveys. for many potential targets there may be surveys available listing them, like the Netcraft survey.

Just listen. Some applications, like peer-to-peer networks, wind up advertising many of their servers. Similarly, many previous worms effectively broadcast that the infected machine is vulnerable to further attack. easy, because of its widespread scanning, during the Code Red I infection it was easy to select up the addresses of upwards of 300,000 vulnerable IIS servers–because each came knock on everyone’s door!