Browser Session Hijacking (T1185) v2
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Browser Session Hijacking, also known as "Session Hijacking," is a type of cyber attack where an attacker takes over a user’s session without consent. This technique is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as "T1185" and involves stealing or manipulating active web sessions.
These steps are a basic level of remediation for Windows, OSX, Linux, AWS, GCP, and Azure. As tool change, remediation advice changes. This entry maps to the MITRE code referenced in the entry. Please check back regularly for updates to this library entry.
Timeline and Notable Incidents
2006: Firesheep
Firesheep, released in 2010 by Eric Butler, marked a significant turning point in web security awareness. This tool allowed attackers to capture session cookies over unsecured WiFi networks, dramatically demonstrating the risks of unencrypted web sessions. The impact of Firesheep was profound, pushing for widespread HTTPS adoption across the tech industry. This incident taught a crucial lesson: the necessity of encrypting all web traffic to protect user data and sessions.
2011: Google Accounts Session Hijacking
In 2011, researchers exposed a critical vulnerability in Google's services through a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack. They demonstrated the ability to hijack Gmail sessions due to the lack of HTTPS implementation for the entire session duration. This incident had a significant impact, prompting Google to accelerate its full-session HTTPS adoption across all its services. The key lesson learned reinforced the critical importance of maintaining secure transport layers throughout the entire user session.
2014: POODLE Attack
The POODLE (Padding Oracle On Downgraded Legacy Encryption) attack emerged in 2014, exploiting vulnerabilities in SSL v3 fallback mechanisms. This attack allowed malicious actors to decrypt SSL session cookies and hijack user sessions. The impact was substantial, leading to the rapid deprecation of SSL v3 in favor of the more secure TLS protocol. This incident highlighted the dangers lurking in insecure fallback mechanisms and emphasized the need for constant vigilance in cryptographic implementations.
2018: Incidents involving DarkHydrus
In 2018, the threat landscape saw the emergence of DarkHydrus, a suspected Iranian APT group. This actor employed sophisticated techniques, including phishing and session hijacking through malicious scripts, primarily targeting Middle Eastern institutions and agencies. The activities of DarkHydrus reinforced the critical need for multi-layered security approaches and comprehensive monitoring systems to detect and mitigate such advanced threats.
Targeting of Middle Eastern institutions: The DarkHydrus information mentions their focus on Middle Eastern targets, which remains a common pattern for certain APT groups.
2020: Chinese APT Group APT41
APT41, also known as Double Dragon, demonstrated the evolution of state-sponsored cyber threats in 2020. This group leveraged session hijacking techniques to maintain persistent access after initial server breaches. Their operations blended state-sponsored espionage with financially motivated cybercrime, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring and robust incident response capabilities in the face of sophisticated, multi-faceted attacks.
Key Individuals and Groups
Eric Butler: Developer of Firesheep, whose work significantly advocated for broader HTTPS adoption.
APT41 (Double Dragon): A Chinese threat group motivated by both espionage and financial gain, known for using session hijacking as part of complex attack chains.
DarkHydrus: Believed to be an Iranian group focused on political espionage, employing phishing and session hijacking against high-value sectors.
Protective Measures and Developments
The evolution of session hijacking attacks has driven several key protective measures:
HTTPS Adoption: Widespread implementation of HTTPS has become standard practice, directly addressing session hijacking risks.
Secure Cookies: The use of
SecureandHttpOnlyflags for cookies has significantly enhanced session security.Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA has emerged as a crucial countermeasure against session hijacking attempts.
Security Headers: Implementation of headers like
Content-Security-Policy(CSP) andStrict-Transport-Security(HSTS) has further fortified web applications against various attacks.Browser Features: Modern browsers now include built-in features designed to prevent session hijacking, adding an extra layer of protection for users.
Remediation: On-Prem
Windows
Detect Suspicious Browser Extensions and Programs:
Navigate to browser settings and remove unauthorized extensions.
Control Panel > Programs and Features. Uninstall rogue software.
Reset Browser Settings:
Internet Explorer: Internet Options > Advanced > Reset.
Chrome: Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Restore settings.
Firefox: Menu button > Help > Troubleshooting Information > Refresh Firefox.
Check for Host File Manipulation:
Open `Notepad` as an admin and locate `C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts`.
Review for unauthorized IP address and domain name mappings.
Apply Security Patches:
Keep Windows and browsers updated via Windows Update and browser-specific update mechanisms.
MacOSX
Identify and Remove Malicious Browser Extensions:
Safari: Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
Chrome/Firefox: Manage extensions via settings.
Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:
Safari: Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All.
Chrome/Firefox: Clear browsing data via History menu.
Check System Integrity:
Use `Activity Monitor` for unauthorized processes.
Terminal: `sudo nano /etc/hosts` to ensure legit entries.
Reset Browser Settings:
Follow specific browser guidelines as for Windows.
Linux
Identify and Remove Malicious Browser Extensions:
Review browser settings and remove suspect extensions.
Monitor and Kill Malicious Processes:
Use `ps aux | grep browser` to identify malicious processes.
Command: `kill -9 ` to terminate processes.
Inspect and Clean Hosts File:
Open hosts file: `sudo nano /etc/hosts` to check for malicious entries.
Security Patches and Updates:
Update system using `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade`.
Remediation: Cloud
Amazon AWS
Review Security Groups:
Check Security Groups via AWS Management Console.
Audit IAM Roles and Permissions:
Ensure minimal necessary permissions for instances and services.
Enable CloudTrail and CloudWatch:
Log account activity with CloudTrail.
Set CloudWatch Alarms for suspicious activities.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication:
Enable MFA for all users.
Google Cloud Platform
Audit Firewall Rules:
Ensure restrictive firewall rules to allow necessary traffic only.
Inspect IAM Policies:
Review IAM roles and follow the principle of least privilege.
Activate Security Command Center:
Enable to scan for vulnerabilities and compliance issues.
Enable Logging and Monitoring:
Use Stackdriver Logging and Monitoring to track activity.
Microsoft Azure
Review NSGs and ASGs:
Ensure proper access controls in Network Security Groups (NSG) and Application Security Groups (ASG).
Examine Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
Review and adhere to the least privilege principle for RBAC roles.
Enable Azure Security Center:
Activate and follow Security Center’s recommendations.
Implement Diagnostic Logging:
Enable diagnostic logging to track changes and access patterns.
