Remote-access Guide

insecure remote access protocols

by Quinten Mraz Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Insecure Remote Access Protocols (IRAP) have one or more of the following traits or contain unacceptable risk:

  • Do not require Duo, use local accounts or no authentication
  • Expose U-M or third parties to attack
  • Do not appropriately use centralized logging
  • Do not implement appropriate brute-force attack mitigation
  • Are not updated quickly for security vulnerabilities
  • Not intended or designed for use on the open internet

Full Answer

What is an example of insecure protocol?

Examples of insecure protocols are Telnet and the early versions of SNMP (v1 and v2c). Insecure protocols allow attackers and hackers to easily have access to your data and even to remote controls.

Why choose the right secure remote access protocol for your business?

That’s why choosing the right secure remote access protocol is crucial when you’re planning to add remote access technology to your business. While a Virtual Private Network or VPN is one of the most sought-after remote access solutions at the moment, it can still pose a few security risks for your organization.

How can network administrators avoid insecure communication risks?

There are two main ways network administrators can avoid security risks involving insecure communication protocols and protect their mission-critical data. 1. Replacing Equipment This first option is very obvious. To avoid the dangers of having equipment running on insecure protocols, simply replace that equipment with more secure devices.

Are SMBv1 and other insecure protocols still used?

And it's not just SMBv1. Other insecure protocols, including the Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) protocol and the NT LAN Manager (NTLM) protocol, are still in use. And while not inherently insecure, HTTP, which is deeply problematic when used for transmission of sensitive data, is still widely used in enterprise environments.

image

What are the insecure protocols?

Examples of insecure protocols are Telnet and the early versions of SNMP (v1 and v2c). Insecure protocols allow attackers and hackers to easily have access to your data and even to remote controls.

Which protocols are insecure by default?

Insecure Protocols: SMBv1, LLMNR, NTLM, and HTTP.

Which of the following is an example of an unsecure protocol?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) This is by far the most popular of the insecure protocols in use today.

What are insecure services?

These include any services which do the following things: Pass Usernames and Passwords Over a Network Unencrypted — Many older protocols, such as Telnet and FTP, do not encrypt the authentication session and should be avoided whenever possible.

Is it true that HTTP is an insecure protocol?

The answer is, it depends. If you are just browsing the web, looking at cat memes and dreaming about that $200 cable knit sweater, HTTP is fine. However, if you're logging into your bank or entering credit card information in a payment page, it's imperative that URL is HTTPS. Otherwise, your sensitive data is at risk.

What ciphers are insecure?

Insecure Algorithms & CiphersProtocols: SSL2, SSL3, TLS1. 0 and TLS1. ... Encryption Ciphers: DES, 3DES, and RC4 (so only AES should be used) AES with CBC chaining mode (so only AES GCM should be used)Key Exchanges: RSA. DH key sizes < 2048. ECDH key size < 224.

Does a VPN make an unsecured network secure?

Even if you're not using a secure Wi-Fi network, a VPN can keep you safe. A VPN protects your online activity by allowing you to connect to a private network through a public network, sending all your data through an encrypted tunnel.

Is SMTP a secure protocol?

In contrast, SMTPS utilizes either TLS or SSL to secure email communications using asymmetric cryptography. The main takeaway is that SMTP is susceptible to attacks, while SMTPS uses TLS for email to provide a secure connection.

Which type of network is naturally unsecure?

An unsecured network most often refers to a free Wi-Fi (wireless) network, like at a coffeehouse or retail store. It means there's no special login or screening process to get on the network, which means you and anyone else can use it.

What protocols are unsecure in Linux?

Insecure protocolsFTP.HTTP.IMAP.NIS.POP3.SNMP v1/v2c.

What is classified as insecure network?

An unsecure wireless connection is one you can access without a password. Public networks offered in places like cafes are often open. Although these provide free wireless Internet access, using public Internet comes with dangers.

What is an insecure port?

By default, the API server will listen on two ports. One port is the secure port and the other port is called the "localhost port". This port is also called the "insecure port", port 8080. Any requests to this port bypass authentication and authorization checks.

Is FTP secure?

FTP was not built to be secure. It is generally considered to be an insecure protocol because it relies on clear-text usernames and passwords for authentication and does not use encryption. Data sent via FTP is vulnerable to sniffing, spoofing, and brute force attacks, among other basic attack methods.

What ports are vulnerable?

Common vulnerable ports include:FTP (20, 21)SSH (22)Telnet (23)SMTP (25)DNS (53)NetBIOS over TCP (137, 139)SMB (445)HTTP and HTTPS (80, 443, 8080, 8443)More items...•

How is http insecure?

Why HTTPS? The problem is that HTTP data is not encrypted, so it can be intercepted by third parties to gather data passed between the two systems. This can be addressed by using a secure version called HTTPS, where the S stands for Secure.

Is Telnet secure?

Telnet is inherently insecure. Credential information (usernames and passwords) submitted through telnet is not encrypted and is therefore vulnerable to identity theft. However, users can establish an Secure Shell connection instead to prevent this type of intrusion.

What is LLMNR protocol?

Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) is a protocol that allows name resolution without a DNS server. Essentially, LLMNR is a layer 2 protocol that provides a hostname-to-IP resolution on the basis of a network packet that's transmitted via Port UDP 5355 to the multicast network address (224.0.0.0 through 239.255.255.255). The multicast packet queries all network interfaces looking for any that can self-identify authoritatively as the hostname in the query.

What is SMB security priority?

SMB Security Priority #1: Remove SMBv1. SMBv1 (known originally as CIFS) was notoriously buggy, chatty, and difficult to use, and had major security deficiencies. When Microsoft introduced SMBv2 in 2006 they abandoned the CIFS nomenclature altogether. Six years later, in 2012, Microsoft introduced SMBv3, and in 2013 the company officially ...

Why is HTTPS used?

Because HTTP or HTTPS are often used to transmit user input from websites and web applications, the protocols are sometimes abused to transmit malicious content from the public internet into a private environment. For example, an attacker using the SQL injection tactic sends SQL statements hidden in HTTP headers or other user-manipulatable fields in the HTTP protocol. The encryption used by HTTPS can actually make it more challenging to detect SQL injection attacks.

Is SMBv1 still pervasive?

This is why, when EternalBlue and related exploits—known collectively as Eternal (x)—came to light in 2017, SMBv1 was still pervasive in IT environments around the world.

How many computers did WannaCry infect?

Four years ago today, the WannaCry ransomware variant spread like wildfire, infecting and encrypting over 230,000 computers at public- and private-sector organizations worldwide, and inflicting hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars in damage. Less than two short months later, another ransomware attack, NotPetya, ...

When was HTTPS introduced?

In 1995, four years after the introduction of HTTP, its more secure version, HTTPS, arrived on the scene.

Is DNS safe?

Though DNS is not without its challenges, it's a far more secure way to accurately identify host names. With that said, DNS should be carefully monitored to ensure that it is not itself being utilized for nefarious purposes.

How to avoid insecure protocols?

To avoid the dangers of having equipment running on insecure protocols, simply replace that equipment with more secure devices. Replace Telnet gear with SSH-2, and upgrade SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c with SNMPv3.

Why is it important to know about insecure protocols?

Insecure protocols allow attackers and hackers to easily have access to your data and even to remote controls. So, it's critical that you can recognize the dangers of insecure communication protocols in your network, and know what to do in order to protect your information. Let's dive in.

Why is the number of devices that support Telnet and the earlier versions of SNMP protocol much higher than what is?

The number of devices that support Telnet and the earlier versions of SNMP protocol is much higher than what is shown on Shodan because many networks are running behind firewalls or on private networks. However, you network administrators should still be on top of the security on those devices. Malicious people can still find a way into your network and take advantage of your company.

Why is it so hard to replace a device that runs on Telnet?

Replacing devices that run on Telnet or on the earlier versions of SNMP is most of the time tough because most vendors still ship equipment that supports these insecure protocols. This is because it's easier for them to continue to manufacture and ship these devices than the more secure alternatives.

What is the flaw in telnet?

Telnet has a critical flaw in including the passing of login credentials in plain text. This means that anyone running a packet sniffer on your network will be able to detect the information needed to take control of your gear in a few seconds after eavesdropping on your Telnet login session.

How many protocols does T/Mon LNX support?

T/Mon LNX has support for more than 25 protocols and hundreds of different devices. It will support all the monitored equipment in your network.

Which version of SNMP is the most secure?

SNMPv3 is the latest and most secure version of SNMP. It is able to authenticate and encrypt data packets over the network.

What is remote access protocol?

A remote access protocol is responsible for managing the connection between a remote access server and a remote computer. It’s necessary for desktop sharing and remote access for help desk activities. The primary remote access protocols in use today are the Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), ...

What is PPP protocol?

PPP is a remote access protocol that allows you to implement TCP/IP. It establishes a connection via point-to-point links (i.e., dedicated leased lines and dial-up). PPP is used most often for remote connections to LANs and ISPs. PPP utilizes the Link Control Protocol (LCP), which tests the link between client and PPP host ...

How to use PPTP?

To use PPTP, you’ll have to set up a PPP session between the server and the client, usually over the internet. Once the session is established, you’ll create a second dial-up session. This dial-up session will use PPTP to dial through the existing PPP session.

What is PPTP in a network?

PPTP is a remote access protocol, based on PPP, created by Microsoft. It’s used to establish virtual connections across the internet via PPP and TCP/IP, enabling two networks to use the internet as their WAN link while retaining the security benefits of a private network.

What is solarwinds take control?

SolarWinds Take Control offers remote access for help desks, desktop sharing, and privileged access management capabilities. It was designed to help IT server providers support their customers in a fast and intuitive way, on almost any platform. Take Control gives you access to deep diagnostics through a user-friendly dashboard and it’s able to connect to devices in just a few seconds.

What is a SLIP in UNIX?

UNIX developed SLIP as a way of transmitting TCP/IP over serial connections. SLIP operates at both the data link and physical layers of the OSI model and continues to be used today in many network operating systems, as well as UNIX.

What is take control?

Take Control was created to suit your technicians’ workflows and designed to let you hit the ground running. No training or experience is required, making the process of providing remote support less of a headache. You also have the option of configuring the tool to suit your needs—you can even adopt personalized branding, which helps your customers keep your business top-of-mind.

What is the best protocol for encrypting files?

One of these is SSH, commonly used to automate server access. This can also solve the encryption problem for some other protocols like rsync. Rapid7 recommended rsync as a file transfer and synchronization protocol but only when used over an SSH session.

What is the most important protocol?

The most important one is HTTP, the protocol that web servers use to deliver content to browsers. Browser vendors and search engines have made a strong effort to encourage the use of the encrypted HTTPS version and penalize stragglers.

Is SSH a human error?

Be careful with SSH, though, as it’s still subject to human error. Key management is a perennial problem. Developers frequently expose their SSH keys by mistake in GitHub repositories, for example, enabling others to find and use them. Locking all those open doors is great, but you have to be sure you don’t leave the key sitting on your front doormat.

Is Telnet a clean code?

Some of this code is remarkably clean, suffering from few if any vulnerabilities over the years. Telnet has relatively high-score CVEs, for example, but as the report points out that's because it “makes little to no security assurances at all.” If you don’t promise security, then you can't be accused of violating that promise.

Is HTTPS encryption used?

Some protocols that have been properly updated with encryption aren't being used ubiqui tously. The most important one is HTTP, the protocol that web servers use to deliver content to browsers. Browser vendors and search engines have made a strong effort to encourage the use of the encrypted HTTPS version and penalize stragglers. They have made great inroads, but HTTP usage is still slightly dominant with 51.5 million discovered HTTP nodes versus 36.1 million HTTPS ones.

What is the only variable that matters in a brute force attack?

The ONLY variable that matters in a brute force attack is password length. length = strength.

Is RDP acceptable?

It seems you are looking for validation, or for someone to outright definitively prove RDP is unacceptable... It's not likely that will happen.

Is RDP more common than remote access?

RDP is more common, thus it gets more attention from persistent threat actors than more obscure remote tools. The other tools suffer the same issue as RDP, the mechanism of remote access is inherently dangerous. The dichotomy between operations/accessibility, and security is a ubiquitous conundrum we often face.

Is RDP secure in 2021?

Feb 16, 2021 at 8:34 AM. No, RDP isn't any less secure than many of it's competitors. The weakness of RDP is the choice of poor passwords. If you wanted to secure RDP, you likely could do well but why wouldn't you introduce another layer (a VPN) as we all know, multiple layers are what gives us security.

Can RDP be compromised?

RDP also uses certificates, and by default, self-signed, these too can be compromised, negating password attacks. If you really must use RDP and not a VPN, use an RDP gateway, but where possible, and given how security is moving us, VPN should always be option 1. 3 found this helpful.

Can you restrict RDP to IP?

This is one of those debates that will get heated, quickly, because some people believe if you restrict RDP to only a given IP, with a password the length of a football field in all mixed cases, you'll be fine - but you wont. That said, you (whoever you are) accept the risk by doing so.

Is RDP likely to change?

It's not likely that will happen. It's a fact that there are well documented and demonstrable security concerns with RDP, and that's unlikely to change. It is a fact that if you utilize external RDP you will have a substantial attack surface that you otherwise wouldn't.

What is remote access software?

A remote access software is a tool that allows you to access another computer from a remote location. From there, you can now access files, use apps, and even perform administrative tasks on the remote computer as if you’re in front of it.

Is VPN a security risk?

While a Virtual Private Network or VPN is one of the most sought-after remote access solutions at the moment, it can still pose a few security risks for your organization. A VPN can still be exposed to a bunch of security threats outside of a company’s network.

Can remote desktop access restrict access to sensitive data?

Remote Desktop Access software also can restrict users to access sensitive and confidential data. You can also disable file transfer features on remote access software when there’s no reason for your employees to do so.

Is remote access a target ground for hacking?

As remote access can be helpful to organizations these days, it can also be a target ground for modern hacking and online theft.

Can a VPN be exposed to a security threat?

A VPN can still be exposed to a bunch of security threats outside of a company’s network. A report from Trustwave found that the majority of the data breaches it investigated in 2011 were associated with a VPN connection. One alternative option for a VPN is remote access software. A remote access software is a tool that allows you ...

image

Serial Line Internet Protocol (Slip)`

Image
UNIX developed SLIP as a way of transmitting TCP/IP over serial connections. SLIP operates at both the data link and physical layers of the OSI model and continues to be used today in many network operating systems, as well as UNIX. SLIP is associated with a low overhead and can be used to transport TCP/IP over serial c…
See more on n-able.com

Point-To-Point Protocol

  • PPP is a remote access protocol that allows you to implement TCP/IP. It establishes a connection via point-to-point links (i.e., dedicated leased lines and dial-up). PPP is used most often for remote connections to LANs and ISPs. PPP utilizes the Link Control Protocol (LCP), which tests the link between client and PPP host and specifies PPP client configuration, to communicate between h…
See more on n-able.com

Point-To-Point Tunneling Protocol

  • PPTP is a remote access protocol, based on PPP, created by Microsoft. It’s used to establish virtual connections across the internet via PPP and TCP/IP, enabling two networks to use the internet as their WAN link while retaining the security benefits of a private network. PPTP is a great option because it’s simple and secure. To use PPTP, you’ll ha...
See more on n-able.com

Windows Remote Access Services

  • Windows 2000 and Windows NT let users dial up a server and connect to both the server and the server’s host network. This is referred to as RAS, which is used in smaller networks where a dedicated dial-up router would not be possible or practical. With a RAS setup, you can connect a modem to a Windows 2000 or Windows NT server and configure the modem as dial-out only, di…
See more on n-able.com

Remote Desktop Protocol

  • Finally, there is the RDP, which is very similar to the Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) protocol used by Citrix products. RDP is utilized to access Windows Terminal Services, which is a close relative of the product line provided by Citrix WinFrame. RDP offers the same core functions as ICA, although there are some limitations. RDP provides remote access for Windows clients o…
See more on n-able.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9