An attack vector is a path or means by which an attacker can gain access to a system in order to deliver a malicious payload. It refers to the way an attacker can successfully reach and exploit or compromise a target system or network. Attack vectors enable attackers to access systems and deliver attacks.
Some common attack vectors include:
- Email attachments or links
- Infected removable media like USB drives
- Social engineering
- Unsecured network connections
- Vulnerabilities in software or hardware
- Malicious websites or downloads
Attack vectors utilize vulnerabilities in systems to carry out attacks. Vulnerabilities provide openings that attackers can exploit to compromise security. So while attack vectors describe how an attack can occur, vulnerabilities describe weaknesses that make the attack possible in the first place.
So in summary:
Attack Vectors
– The path or means by which an attack is carried out
– The way an attacker can reach and compromise a system
– Examples: Email attachments, USB drives, websites
Vulnerabilities
– Weaknesses or deficiencies in a system’s security
– Provides an opening for an attack vector to be successful
– Examples: Software bugs, unpatched systems, lack of access controls
An attack vector depends on an existing vulnerability to enable the attack. Without vulnerabilities, there would be no way for an attack vector to successfully compromise security.
To help visualize the relationship between attack vectors and vulnerabilities, think of a fortress with high strong walls all around it. The fortress walls provide strong security, except for one section which has a crack in it creating a weak point. This crack is a vulnerability. Armed attackers approach the fortress and notice the crack in the wall. The attackers decide to focus their efforts on exploiting that crack, using it as their attack vector to penetrate the fortress. Without the vulnerable crack in the wall, the attackers would not have an effective attack vector to carry out their attack.
So in summary, vulnerabilities provide openings for attack vectors to exploit. Attack vectors are the paths to deliver attacks, while vulnerabilities describe weaknesses in security defenses.
Common Attack Vectors
There are many potential attack vectors available to attackers to carry out cyber attacks. Some of the most common attack vectors include:
Email-Based Attacks
Email continues to be a prime vector for cyber attacks and enables attacks like:
- Phishing – Fraudulent emails masquerading as trusted sources to trick users into revealing sensitive information like passwords
- Spear phishing – Highly targeted phishing attacks against specific individuals
- Whaling – Spear phishing attacks against high profile targets like executives
- Business Email Compromise (BEC) – Phishing attacks impersonating executives and requesting fraudulent wire transfers
- Malware distribution – Email attachments or links to downloads containing malicious software like viruses, worms, trojans, spyware
These email-based attacks rely on social engineering techniques to deceive users and exploit human vulnerabilities like gullibility, distraction, fear, curiosity, or lack of security awareness.
Web-Based Attacks
The web is filled with potential attack vectors including:
- Malicious websites – Sites infected with malware that attempt to compromise visiting systems
- Malicious advertising networks – Ads containing malicious code that get distributed to legitimate sites
- Drive-by downloads – Malware automatically downloaded by visiting a compromised website
- Cross-site scripting (XSS) – Injecting client-side scripts into websites to access user cookies and hijack sessions
- Man-in-the-middle attacks – Intercepting and altering web traffic to eavesdrop or modify communications
Web-based vectors take advantage of vulnerabilities like unpatched browsers, insecure website coding, malware infections, or lack of user awareness of secure browsing practices.
Removable Media
Portable media like USB drives enable the spread of malware. When infected removable media is connected to systems it can install malware, worms, trojans, and viruses. This attack vector relies on users plugging in untrusted media they find or that is handed out as promotional items without knowing it may be infected.
Third-Party Access
Partner networks, vendors, and managed service providers with access to systems and networks can also introduce attack vectors:
- Third-party networks – Interconnected partner networks can expose systems to compromise if those networks have weaknesses
- Remote access tools – Management tools like RDP used by vendors can be compromised or provide attackers access if not secured properly
- Supply chain attacks – Compromising software and hardware vendors to attack their customers through malicious code or hardware implants
These vectors highlight the importance of thoroughly vetting and securing all external access to systems, networks, and data.
Physical Access Attacks
Physical access enables attackers to directly compromise systems and plant malicious hardware or storage devices. Attackers may gain physical access by:
- Employee access – Insiders or compromised employee accounts
- Social engineering – Tailgating employees into facilities or using disguises to gain access to restricted areas
- Unsecured locations – Unauthorized physical access to unsecured systems, servers, network ports
Once physical access is obtained, an attacker may directly infect systems with malware, steal data, or gain network access.
Wireless Network Attacks
Weakly secured wireless networks present opportunities for attackers to gain network access or steal data transmitted over the air. Attacks against Wi-Fi networks include:
- Evil twin AP attacks – Rouge access points masquerading as legit Wi-Fi networks
- Wi-Fi sniffing – Intercepting open or weakly encrypted wireless traffic
- Cracking wireless encryption – Exploiting vulnerabilities in WEP or WPA encryption to gain network access
- Karma attacks – Tricking devices into connecting to a malicious network
Proper Wi-Fi security including updated encryption protocols like WPA2 and wireless authentication is key to reducing this vector.
Social Engineering
Social engineering attacks manipulate human psychology factors to gain information or access. This can enable attackers to directly compromise systems or trick users into installing malware. Example social engineering attack types include:
- Pretexting – Inventing scenarios to trick users into divulging information
- Baiting – Offering free devices like USB sticks to spread malware when people use them
- Quid pro quo – Offering a service or benefit in exchange for information
- Tailgating – Following authorized people into restricted areas
Social engineering attacks leverage vulnerabilities like lack of security awareness, fear, and innate desires to be helpful or curious.
Vulnerabilities Creating Attack Vectors
These common attack vectors are only effective because of existing vulnerabilities in people, processes, technology systems, and networks. Some examples of vulnerabilities that enable these attack vectors include:
Human Vulnerabilities
- Lack of security awareness – Users not understanding safe browsing, email, or social engineering threats
- Weak passwords – Easy to guess passwords enable brute force attacks
- Susceptibility to social engineering – Good nature, fear, and curiosity lead people to make mistakes
- Insufficient training – Employees not knowing how to identify threats or handle sensitive data
- Employee negligence – Intentional or unintentional mishandling of systems and data by insiders
Technology Vulnerabilities
- Unpatched systems – Unfixed known software vulnerabilities provide openings for exploitation
- Default configurations – Devices left with default insecure settings like unchanged passwords or open ports
- Weak encryption – Insecure encryption protocols enable interception of sensitive communications
- Poor access controls – Overly permissive file and system permissions allow access to unauthorized users
- Unauthorized devices – Lack of control over devices connecting to networks enables attacks
Network Vulnerabilities
- Misconfigured firewalls – Improperly configured firewall rules leave openings for attackers
- Unsecured wireless networks – Open Wi-Fi networks with no encryption are vulnerable to eavesdropping
- Unencrypted web traffic – Websites and applications transmitting unencrypted HTTP traffic are susceptible to intercepts
- Excessive port openings – Too many open unused ports provide unnecessary access points
- Flat network designs – Lack of network segmentation enables malware to spread across networks
Process & Policy Vulnerabilities
- Limited vendor screening – Adding third parties without adequate security assessments or controls
- Poor access controls – Granting access without proper approvals or monitoring
- No principals of least privilege – Excessive user permissions provide opportunities for abuse
- Lack of secure coding practices – Failure to code applications with security in mind enables bugs
- Weak physical security – Unrestricted facility access enables unauthorized physical attacks
Identifying and remediating these types of vulnerabilities across people, processes, technology, and facilities is key to limiting attack vectors and improving overall security posture.
Relationship Between Attack Vectors & Vulnerabilities
To summarize the relationship between attack vectors and vulnerabilities:
- Attack vectors describe the path and techniques attackers use to carry out an attack. Vulnerabilities describe weaknesses in defenses.
- Attack vectors take advantage of vulnerabilities to successfully compromise systems and networks. Vulnerabilities enable attack vectors.
- Eliminating vulnerabilities closes openings for attack vectors to exploit and makes systems more secure.
- Common attack vectors leverage vulnerabilities across people, processes, technology, networks, and facilities.
- Identifying potential attack vectors allows organizations to assess those risks and take steps to limit vulnerabilities that support them.
Here is a table summarizing examples of common attack vectors and the vulnerabilities they exploit:
| Attack Vector | Related Vulnerabilities |
|---|---|
| Phishing emails | Lack of user security awareness, weak passwords, lack of email security controls |
| Malicious USB drives | Insecure facility access, lack of physical security controls, poor user practices |
| Unpatched software | Legacy systems, lack of patch management practices, poor IT asset management |
| Web application attacks | Vulnerable code, lack of input validation, unauthorized access |
| Insider threats | Excessive user permissions, limited employee monitoring, lack of data classifications |
| Supply chain attacks | Limited vendor assessments, poor compartmentalization, over-privileged third-party access |
Analyzing potential attack vectors and the related vulnerabilities that enable them helps identify risks and high priority areas for improving defenses. Organizations can build more effective safeguards by addressing enabling vulnerabilities across people, processes, and technology.
Mitigating Attack Vectors
Reducing attack vectors involves identifying, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities that allow them. Some best practices include:
Program & Policy Initiatives
- Develop a comprehensive information security program covering critical safeguards
- Classify data to identify sensitive assets and high-risk systems
- Implement principle of least privilege access controls
- Develop secure system engineering lifecycle program to build in security
- Implement vendor risk management program to assess third-parties
- Conduct ongoing security awareness training for staff
Technical Safeguards
- Promptly patch and update systems and software
- Use encryption to protect sensitive data in transit and at rest
- Implement strong password policies and multifactor authentication
- Deploy endpoint and perimeter security tools like antivirus, firewalls, and intrusion detection
- Perform regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing
- Segment networks and implement access controls to limit lateral movement
Personnel Practices
- Validate identities and limit access through physical access controls
- Log, monitor, and audit employee activities to deter insider threats
- Hire ethical employees and conduct background checks
- Train staff to identify social engineering and email-based attacks
- Enable anonymous reporting of risks and suspicious behavior
A resilient, in-depth defense requires a combination of people, process, and technology controls to address the range of vulnerabilities enabling potential attack vectors. Ongoing reviews of new cyber threats coupled with continuous security improvements can help reduce risk exposure over time.
Conclusion
In summary, attack vectors describe the paths and techniques attackers can use to carry out successful cyber attacks. These attack vectors rely on existing vulnerabilities in people, processes, technology, networks and facilities to enable the attacks. Common attack vectors leverage vulnerabilities such as social engineering, unpatched software, misconfigured access controls, and weak passwords. Identifying potential attack techniques coupled with mitigating the related vulnerabilities can help organizations improve their overall security posture and cyber resilience. This involves implementing layered people, process and technology controls based on the principle of defense in depth. With vigilance and a comprehensive program, organizations can address enabling vulnerabilities, limit attack surfaces, and minimize their exposure to damaging cyber attacks.