Network Reconnaissance

What is Network Reconnaissance?

Network reconnaissance is the process through which threat actors collect information about target networks before mounting an attack. It typically involves the use of techniques such as networking scanning and probing to identify potentially exploitable vulnerabilities. To proactively defend against reconnaissance, organizations often implement Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), a framework that continuously monitors and strengthens cyber defenses against evolving threats.

Network Reconnaissance involves identifying and mapping network assets to locate potential entry points. It is often the first stage in Automated Penetration Testing scenarios.

Why is it important?

Network reconnaissance is important because it provides actionable information on network vulnerabilities and security posture. For threat actors, this is essential as it enables them to establish a plan of attack. For defenders, understanding these methods is equally important because it enables them to identify and mitigate exploitable vulnerabilities through vulnerability management practices, which systematically prioritize and address network weaknesses.

What is the purpose of reconnaissance?

The purpose of network reconnaissance is to learn technical details about open ports, IPs, security, active services, security mechanisms, and more. This information helps threat actors establish a clear understanding of IT infrastructure and network topology so as to map out potential entry points and attack paths. For defenders, this information enables the anticipation of certain attack vectors so that defenses can be strengthened preemptively through automated penetration testing methods.

What are the common methods used in network reconnaissance?

During this process, threat actors employ a variety of different techniques to help them uncover network vulnerabilities. These include the following:

• Port scanning: A threat actor scans a target system to identify open ports and services on endpoints.

• OS fingerprinting: An attacker analyzes data packets from a network to determine the type and version of an OS.

• Ping sweeps: An attacker sends ICMP echo requests to various IP addresses, using responses to identify active endpoints.

• Packet sniffing: A threat actor detects and observes data passing through a particular segment of a network and analyzes them to collect information about network protocols or credentials.

• DNS digging: An attacker queries DNS servers to gather information about domain names, IP addresses, and network zones.

• Phishing:A threat actor sends misleading emails to trick individuals at an organization into disclosing sensitive information or credentials that will facilitate unauthorized access. Many of these techniques overlap with OSINT techniques, as they rely on gathering publicly available or easily accessible data to map out an organization’s network.

What are the warning signs of reconnaissance activities?

There are a variety of different warning signs that security teams can look out for to detect reconnaissance activities in action.

Anomalous behavior in network devices or users could indicate network reconnaissance. Unexpected spikes in network traffic, for example, could be a warning sign, especially when traffic is traveling to and from unfamiliar IP addresses. Repeated and frequent attempts to scan ports and services on a network could also indicate an attempt to probe for vulnerabilities. Unusual or unexplained login attempts, particularly from external sources, could also be considered a warning sign, while alerts from intrusion detection systems (IDS) or intrusion prevention systems (IPS) provide a stronger indication that a threat actor may be engaged in network reconnaissance.

What are the risks of network reconnaissance?

The risks of network reconnaissance include the following:

• Compromised systems: Network reconnaissance can allow threat actors to identify and leverage vulnerabilities in applications to services to compromised systems and networks.
• Data breaches: If network reconnaissance is successful, threat actors could leverage the intelligence they’ve gathered to exploit security gaps, engage in lateral movement and privilege escalation, and gain unauthorized access, leading to data breaches.
• Operational disruption: If reconnaissance is successful, it can facilitate attacks that disrupt business operations, leading to financial losses and reputational damage.

Understanding the role of network reconnaissance in security

This process is a critical aspect of both offensive and defensive strategies in cybersecurity. By understanding the methods utilized by threat actors during network reconnaissance, organizations can monitor networks and systems closely to detect and respond to suspicious behavior early on. By staying vigilant against network reconnaissance and implementing robust security measures organizations can adopt a proactive defense and enhance their security posture.