Reconnaissance — the Eagle’s Eye of Cyber Security

 

In 2018, more than 4.5 billion records were compromised, and this number is expected to rise even further by the end of 2019. As technology advances, so do cyber criminals, who are using increasingly sophisticated tools to commit cyber crimes.

One of the primary techniques hackers use to infiltrate security systems and steal sensitive information is reconnaissance, or recon. This crucial step in the hacking process involves gathering as much information as possible about a target before launching an attack.

What is Reconnaissance?

Reconnaissance, or recon, is the process of exploring an area to gather confidential information. It is a critical component of penetration testing, providing detailed data that can open doors for attackers to scan and attack systems. Through recon, an attacker can interact with potential open ports and running services or attempt to gain information without directly engaging with the network.

Recon can uncover critical information that helps attackers gain access to networks beyond the internet, making it an endless treasure trove of data vulnerable to attack. The duration of a recon can vary, taking anywhere from days to months. Sometimes, it may not yield any access, while other times, it can result in a significant data breach, collecting all sensitive data in one go.

Unfortunately, many organizations neglect recon in its early stages, leading to the loss of accurate network information and functionality. The goal of a recon operation is to perform scanning and attacking in a precise and stealthy manner.

Methods of Reconnaissance

Hackers can exploit unpatched and outdated systems to gain network access. They might physically stalk an employee or exploit a company’s outdated security update policy, even if high security measures are in place.

The Golden Snitch: Critical Information

Contrary to popular belief, hackers don’t usually aim to directly access a company’s central server to control the entire network. Instead, they gather bits of information from various sources to create a comprehensive diagram of the network, including services, ports, requests, and applications.

A hacker might target the following information during recon:

• Subdomains
• Whois Information
• Directory Information
• S3 Buckets
• Social Accounts

These are just a few examples and do not represent all possible recon targets.

Prevention

While recon itself is not a breach or exploit, it can pave the way for one. To prevent recon from collecting information, organizations can:

• Use tools that provide a broad understanding of networks and ports.
• Regularly update security policies.
• Continuously monitor for security vulnerabilities.

Organizations should be aware of their networks and the services installed on them. Conducting a Red Team Exercise can help understand the security posture and identify potential weaknesses.

True security can never be 100% guaranteed, but by implementing maximum security measures, organizations can make it significantly harder for recon to uncover their systems.