Is your front door – and backdoor – secured? You probably have many more “doors” into your organization’s sensitive information and systems than you can count. In this blog, we’ll explore the world of backdoor attacks and outline key strategies to mitigate cyber attackers from finding and creating these nefarious entry points.
Backdoor attacks, the exploitation of an unauthorized access point to a system, are alarmingly common and lucrative for cybercriminals on the dark web. Luckily, 67 percent of these digital breaches made in 2023 were disrupted and locked before ransomware infiltrated the system, networks and devices, indicating that it is possible to effectively protect your business.
Backdoor attacks are specifically detrimental because they allow unauthorized access, enabling hackers to steal sensitive data, install malware, or initiate other cyberattacks. In this post, we examine a few real-world backdoor-attack scenarios, note key differences to front door attacks, and explain how to proactively build a comprehensive security posture to combat these types of cybersecurity breaches.
Understanding Backdoor Attacks
A backdoor attack is a cybersecurity breach where criminals bypass normal authentication procedures to access a system, network or device. Then, they’ll launch a cyberattack like malware or ransomware to continue giving themselves extensive access to resources within an application, system or network infrastructure.
Backdoor Attack Characteristics
A hidden vulnerable entry point missed during routine penetration testing is one entry point to a backdoor attack. Hackers can also infiltrate through software vulnerabilities, poor password protection, lost employee devices, or outdated technology. These breaches are difficult to detect and can remain dormant until activated, making it confusing to pinpoint when and where they start.
Cybercriminals might wait until the middle of the night, a national holiday, or a slow time of year to activate the backdoor attack, making it even more dangerous if your IT and security team is off the clock. Backdoor attacks can lay dormant for months, with cybercriminals quietly spying on sensitive information or accessing restricted data.
Backdoor Attack Examples
One of the best ways to understand the consequences and process of a backdoor attack is by studying real-world examples. During the past decade, increasingly sophisticated backdoor attacks have compromised large organizations worldwide, including the U.S. government and Fortune 500 companies. Here are a few examples.
SolarWinds Supply Chain Attack (2020)
In 2020, bad actors entered malicious code into a routine software update for SolarWinds’ Orion software, giving a state-sponsored sophisticated criminal organization access to the unprotected networks of thousands of organizations. One of the most damaging cyber breaches in recent memory, the SolarWinds supply chain attack, compromised several government entities, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Unfortunately, it went undetected for months, comprising security and logistics for supply chains. SolarWinds faced intense criticism and financial repercussions as well as delayed and shut-down operations.
CCleaner Supply Chain Attack (2017)
This backdoor attack affected 2.3 million CCleaner app users who used the platform to clean up their PC systems between August and September 2017. Sophisticated cybercriminals stole credentials and opened an unauthorized backdoor, going undetected for several months. It exposed millions of computers and tons of sensitive personal data.
Zyxel Vulnerability Attack (2021)
Popular and widely used, Zyxel networking hardware had a compromised vulnerability that hackers could remotely release without authentication. Zyxel quickly released patches and encouraged users to update their devices. However, the breach exposed potentially millions of devices and systems.
It’s critical to understand the potential damages and consequences of backdoor attacks and how, unfortunately, common they are in real life. Now that we have defined backdoor attacks and have provided a few examples, let’s explore how to prevent them.
Preventing Backdoor Attacks
Preventing backdoor attacks involves rigorous penetration testing, ongoing security audits, and strong basic access and foundational security controls. Backdoor attacks steal data, hijack servers, deface websites, and commit other potentially limitless criminal activities. Here’s how you can prevent them.
1. Implement Strong Access Controls
Foundational security controls around user access, multifactor authentication (MFA), and employee security training provide an important first line of defense. The concept of least privilege ensures every user has the appropriate level of access, and regular usage reviews help delete inactive accounts or former employee logins.
2. Keep Software and Systems Up-to-Date
One of the biggest system vulnerabilities is old, outdated software. Performing regular and consistent software and operating system patches and updates keeps bugs at bay and in line with the latest security regulations. Routine updates ensure you’re proactively removing depreciated or vulnerable software, removing this access point entirely for criminals.
3. Conduct Regular Security Audits
Once you have baseline security controls in place and have your systems routinely updated with the latest programs, you can take a more proactive, offensive approach through security audits. Perform a combination of human and automated assessments and conduct thorough penetration testing to highlight vulnerabilities you might have overlooked. Quarterly security audits also provide a baseline of activity so you can quickly see abnormal traffic, users, logins, and more.
While backdoor attacks seem like sneaky, random incidents, front door attacks are more prominent and equally damaging.
Backdoor Attacks vs. Front Door Attacks
Compared to inconspicuous but deadly backdoor attacks, front door attacks exploit known vulnerabilities, using social engineering threat vectors like phishing, brute force, and SQL injections. These attack vectors are more well-known and prominent and are likely to be detected sooner.
Front Door Attacks
Front door attacks typically use legitimate credentials to exploit vulnerabilities or break into two accounts. They use more “in-your-face” methods, like tricking employees into revealing private login confidential by pretending to be a known platform. Front door attacks typically use legitimate credentials in an unauthorized way. They can also result from a physical breach, such as criminals breaking into a data warehouse or a physical building.
Key Differences
Let’s look at some of the main differences regarding entry points, detection, exploitation tactics, and remediation.
- Entry points: Backdoor attacks use quiet, potentially forgotten-about entry points like inactive employee accounts or lost hardware. Front door attacks target main entry points through social engineering like phishing.
- Detection: Backdoor attacks can sit dormant for months until attackers activate malware or ransomware. Front door attacks are typically detected immediately.
- Exploitation Tactic: Backdoor attacks exploit unknown vulnerabilities, while front door attacks take advantage of user behavior or a lack of security protocols.
- Remediation: Backdoor attacks require thorough defense, such as system audits or rebuilds, to find and protect hidden entry points. Companies can mitigate front door attacks through stronger password protection, access controls, and employee cybersecurity awareness training.
Whether criminals are coming in through a known front door or a little-used back door, it’s completely possible to defend all of your sensitive systems against these damaging incidents. Let’s examine a few different ways to proactively protect your business.
Defending Against Backdoor and Front Door Attacks
Creating a two-pronged defense against front door and backdoor attacks requires a robust and comprehensive security strategy. From simple employee security awareness training to more sophisticated network segmentation, here are a few different ways to create a defensible organization.
Penetration Testing
The global penetration testing market is estimated to hit $1.7 billion in 2024, thanks to its effectiveness in proactive vulnerability scanning. Penetration testing simulates real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them. It thoroughly stress tests your systems and security controls, and results will show specific vulnerabilities, potentially sensitive data, and the amount of time a penetration tester could remain in the system undetected.
The most crucial part of a penetration test is the strategic report and recommendations that will recommend exactly what increased controls, more rigorous training, and other suggested updates you need to make.
Other Defensive Measures
Net worth segmentation divides your infrastructure into smaller, isolated segments. It helps contain bridges, improve your security controls, and reduce the overall impact of malware by segmenting it into one area. Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), like real-time threat detection, automated responses, and around-the-clock compliance support, help organizations quickly detect and respond to suspicious activities. Human error accounts for 88 percent of data breaches. Basic employee security awareness training promotes a security-first culture while reducing risk and improving compliance.
Protect Your Business From Backdoor Attacks
Cybercriminals use backdoor methods in 21 percent of cyberattacks, creating potentially catastrophic reputational and financial damage. In 2022, a malware backdoor attack was the most popular action in reported incidents, creating a whole network and ecosystem of criminals who sell backdoor access to targeted organizations for a low price. This creates a perfect storm of valuable access for criminals, giving them unauthorized privileges to sensitive data and systems.
The good news is routine and proactive software updates, penetration tests, and strong foundational security hygiene like employee training and multi-factor authentication make a huge difference. Recognizing and preparing for both front door and backdoor attacks creates a comprehensive and robust security posture for your business.
Our on-demand webinar showcases the importance of a comprehensive penetration test – beyond simply meeting compliance requirements – through a live network attack simulation.
You know you need to protect your brand and financial stability by prioritizing cybersecurity. But do you know where to start? Our Cybersecurity team is ready to help you focus on everything from strategy development to penetration testing.
