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IoT Security Assessment - Intro

This more of the bullet point list from which angles one can approach the hacking of IOT device, rather than real tutorial.

IoT devices (often repurposed RPi, Android, OrangePI boards) can be analyzed using the STRIDE framework:

Threat Modeling Process

System Architecture Analysis

• Primary IoT device + control servers
• Multiple network units with varying access levels
• External connections (cloud services, enterprise databases)
• Update mechanisms and data flows

Component Decomposition

• Device hardware
• Embedded OS
• Application software
• Communication interfaces
• Server-side services
• User interfaces

Trust Boundaries

• On-premises devices
• Cloud infrastructure
• External users
• Data flow entry points

Restricted User Interface (RUI) Vulnerabilities

Common Attack Vectors

Spoofing:

• PIN observation
• Admin code memorization

Tampering:

• External keyboard input bypass
• Key combination exploits (Alt+F4, Windows key)
• Accessibility feature abuse
• Kiosk mode escape

Security Testing Methodology

1. Passive Reconnaissance (OSINT)

• Device manuals and chipset datasheets
• Online forums and Q&A platforms
• Support tickets analysis
• Patent research
• Google dorking (inurl:pdf + device name)

2. Physical/Hardware Layer Testing

Peripheral Interfaces

USB Ports:

• Check for active/bootable ports
• Boot custom OS for filesystem access
• Extract password hashes
• Install override software

Storage Access:

• Direct disk extraction and analysis
• Unencrypted filesystem mounting

Boot Environment

BIOS/UEFI Assessment:

• Password protection status
• Boot order configuration
• PXE boot vulnerability
• BIOS battery reset potential
• UEFI Secure Boot validation

Debug Interfaces

• Service/test point identification
• Development interface exploitation
• Root shell access via debug ports
• Communication protocol analysis

3. Network Layer Testing

Host Discovery

Techniques:

• ICMP echo requests
• TCP/UDP port scans
• Broadcast traffic monitoring
• ARP request scans (L2 segment)

Note: Complex Systems - Use diverse detection methods for firewall/VLAN bypass

Network Protocol Attacks

Vulnerability Scanning

• Database checks (NVD, VulnDB)
• Automated scanning tools
• Remote code execution identification
• Controlled environment testing

Traffic Analysis

Tools: Wireshark, tcpdump

Capture Points:

• Inter-component communication
• Localhost IPC traffic
• Cross-compiled tool installation

Analysis Focus:

• Cleartext protocols
• Vulnerable protocols (UPnP)
• Proprietary protocols

Protocol Reverse Engineering

Common Patterns:

• TCP/UDP-based custom protocols
• XML/JSON structured data
• Proprietary wireless protocols

Analysis Approach:

• Debug system services
• Driver layer examination
• Upper layer protocol understanding

4. Wireless Protocol Testing

Equipment Requirements

• Injection-capable Wi-Fi chipsets (Atheros)
• Bluetooth tools (Ubertooth)
• Software Defined Radio (HackRF, LimeSDR)

Common Attacks

Wi-Fi:

• Association attacks
• WEP exploitation (deprecated)
• Weak WPA/WPA2 credentials
• WPA3 vulnerabilities

Custom Protocols:

• Authentication bypass
• Missing mutual authentication
• Lack of encryption/integrity checks

Web Application Security Assessment

Application Mapping

Content Discovery

Discovery Techniques

Manual Browsing: Essential for context-aware exploration

Automated Spidering:

• Passive: Monitor traffic during manual browsing
• Active: Crawl using discovered URLs and AJAX requests

Directory Brute-forcing:

• Tools like DirBuster (220k+ common names)
• High network traffic generation
• Often discovers unauthenticated endpoints

Parameter Enumeration

• GET/POST parameters
• HTTP headers
• Cookie values
• URL path components
• JSON/XML data structures

Client-Side Controls

Vulnerable Components

• Hidden Fields: Client-controllable values
• Cookies: Session and preference data
• JavaScript: Client-side logic and validation
• AJAX Requests: Asynchronous data calls
• Binary Components: Java applets (.jar), Flash (.swf), Silverlight (.xap)
• ViewState: ASP.NET application state
• ActiveX Controls: Browser plugins

Common Exploits

• Client-side authentication bypass
• Hidden field manipulation
• JavaScript decompilation and modification
• Binary component reverse engineering
• Cookie tampering

Authentication Testing

Credential Assessment

Default Credentials:

• admin/admin, root/root, a/a
• Manual/documentation lookup
• Credential databases

Additional Checks:

• No Authentication: Complete access without credentials
• Dictionary Attacks: Automated password guessing
• Brute-force Protection: Rate limiting and account lockout

Authentication Mechanisms

• Credential Transmission: HTTP vs HTTPS enforcement
• Password Recovery: "Forgot password" functionality
• Remember Me: Persistent authentication
• Username Enumeration: Valid user discovery
• Fail-open Conditions: Authentication bypass on errors

Session Management

Session Vulnerabilities

• Predictable Tokens: Sequential or guessable session IDs
• Unsafe Transmission: Unencrypted session data
• Token Disclosure: Logs, URLs, referrer headers
• Insufficient Expiration: Long-lived sessions
• Session Fixation: Attacker-controlled session IDs
• CSRF: Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks

Testing Areas

• Session token entropy and randomness
• Session lifecycle management
• Concurrent session handling
• Session invalidation on logout

Access Controls & Authorization

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

• User Segregation: Different privilege levels
• Privilege Boundaries: Admin vs user vs guest
• Vertical Escalation: Lower to higher privilege access
• Horizontal Escalation: Same-level user data access

Common Vulnerabilities

• Forced Browsing: Direct URL access bypass
• API Authorization: Different framework inconsistencies
• Missing Function-Level Access Control
• Insecure Direct Object References

Testing Methodology

• Map all user roles and permissions
• Test cross-role functionality access
• Verify API endpoint authorization
• Check administrative function protection

Input Validation

Injection Attack Types

Testing Approach

• Entry Point Identification: All user input locations
• Payload Testing: Malicious input submission
• Response Analysis: Error messages and behavior
• Bypass Techniques: Filter and WAF evasion
• Sanitization Verification: Input cleaning effectiveness

Logic Flaws

Vulnerability Categories

• Business Logic Bypass: Process flow manipulation
• Race Conditions: Concurrent request exploitation
• State Manipulation: Application flow disruption
• Workflow Violations: Step sequence bypass

Testing Strategies

• Multi-stage Process Analysis: Sequential operation testing
• Parameter Manipulation: Value and timing modification
• Concurrent Request Testing: Race condition identification
• Industry-Specific Logic: Domain knowledge application

Application Server Security

Server Vulnerabilities

• Known CVEs: Public vulnerability databases
• Deserialization Attacks: Object injection
• Web Application Firewall (WAF): Bypass techniques
• Default Configurations: Unnecessary services and content

Configuration Issues

• Directory Listings: File system exposure
• Default Content: Sample files and documentation
• HTTP Methods: Dangerous operations (PUT, DELETE, TRACE)
• Error Handling: Information disclosure
• File Upload: Unrestricted file types

SSL/TLS Assessment

Weak Ciphers: Deprecated encryption algorithms

Certificate Issues:

• Self-signed certificates
• Expired certificates
• Wrong hostname

Additional Checks:

• Protocol Vulnerabilities: SSLv3, weak TLS versions
• Perfect Forward Secrecy: Key exchange security

IoT-Specific Considerations

Common Findings

• Weak Default Credentials: Unchanged factory settings
• Limited Brute-force Protection: Resource constraints
• Client-side Authentication: JavaScript-based validation
• Unauthenticated Endpoints: Hidden administrative functions
• Insecure Firmware Updates: Unverified code installation

Assessment Priorities

1. Default credential identification
2. Hidden endpoint discovery
3. Client-side control bypass
4. Authentication mechanism testing
5. Privilege escalation verification

Host Configuration Security Review

Overview: Post-compromise assessment of system security from inside local access (e.g., Windows server component of IoT system).

User Account Security

Account Configuration Testing

• Default Accounts: Check for vendor-default user accounts
• Account Policies:
  • Password history requirements
  • Password expiration intervals
  • Account lockout thresholds
• Enterprise Integration: Active Directory/LDAP compliance
• Centralized Management: Policy enforcement consistency

Common Vulnerabilities

• Non-expiring passwords identical to username
• Overlooked local accounts without centralized management
• Inconsistent security policy application
• Weak password complexity enforcement

Password Strength Assessment

Policy Enforcement

• Windows: Group Policy and Local Security Policy
• Linux: Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM)
• Complexity Requirements: Length, character sets, patterns
• Business Impact: Balance security with operational needs

Critical System Considerations

• Medical Devices: Emergency access requirements
• Time-Sensitive Operations: Surgical systems, life support
• Risk Assessment: Security vs accessibility trade-offs

Account Privileges

Principle of Least Privilege

• Process Privileges: Elevated rights management
• Service Accounts: Minimal required permissions
• Privilege Dropping: Runtime privilege reduction
• Account Separation: Process isolation

Common Misconfigurations

• Excessive Service Privileges: SYSTEM/root for simple services
• Overprivileged Processes: Unnecessary administrative rights
• Shared Service Accounts: Multiple processes under same account
• Logging Services: High privileges for basic operations

Mitigation Solutions

Windows:

• Managed Service Accounts (MSA)

Linux:

• Capabilities framework
• seccomp system call filtering
• SELinux/AppArmor mandatory access control

Identity Management:

• Kerberos, OpenLDAP, FreeIPA

Patch Management

Update Assessment

• Operating System: Kernel and core components
• Applications: First-party software
• Third-party Libraries: Dependencies and frameworks
• Vendor Support: End-of-life software identification

Detection Methods

• Automated Scanning: Vulnerability assessment tools
• Software Composition Analysis: Open source component analysis
• Authenticated Scans: Credentialed vulnerability testing
• Manual Verification: System-specific checks

IoT-Specific Challenges

Common Outdated Components

• Windows: Java, Adobe products, Wireshark
• Linux: OpenSSL, system libraries
• Embedded: Legacy firmware components

Remote Maintenance Security

Connection Assessment

• Remote Support Software: Binary analysis and reverse engineering
• Communication Channels: Encryption and authentication
• Access Methods: VPN, direct connection, cloud-based

Process Evaluation

• Connection Duration: 24/7 vs on-demand access
• Authentication: Multi-factor authentication requirements
• Logging: Access audit trails
• Vendor Access Controls: Third-party privilege management

Risk Considerations

• Backdoor Exploitation: Administrative access abuse
• Third-party Breaches: Supply chain attack vectors (Target/HVAC example)
• Unauthorized Access: Persistent connection vulnerabilities

Filesystem Access Controls

Permission Assessment

Critical Directories:

• Windows: C:\Program Files, system directories
• Linux: /root, /etc, system binaries

Additional Checks:

• Service Executables: Write permissions on critical files
• Configuration Files: Administrative access requirements
• Log Files: Read/write access control

Privilege Escalation Vectors

• Writable System Directories: DLL hijacking, binary replacement
• Startup Scripts: Boot-time privilege escalation
• Service Configuration: Executable path manipulation
• Weak File Permissions: Critical file modification

Data Encryption

Sensitive Data Identification

• Protected Health Information (PHI): Healthcare records
• Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Individual identification data
• Business Critical Data: Proprietary information
• Authentication Data: Credentials and tokens

Encryption Assessment

Data at Rest:

• Full-disk encryption
• Database encryption
• File-level encryption

Additional Considerations:

• Cryptographic Strength: Algorithm and key length evaluation
• Key Management: Storage and rotation practices
• Theft Scenarios: Physical device compromise protection

Server Misconfiguration

Service Security

• Default Configurations: Vendor-supplied settings
• Anonymous Access: FTP guest access, public shares
• Default Credentials: Unchanged administrative accounts
• Network Exposure: Unnecessary remote access

Common Vulnerabilities

• FTP Services: Anonymous read/write access
• Database Management: Default credential exposure
• Web Services: Administrative interface exposure
• Network Services: Unnecessary service binding

Critical Findings Examples

• Oracle Enterprise Manager with SYSTEM privileges
• Default credentials enabling OS command execution
• Network-accessible administrative interfaces
• Stored procedure abuse for system compromise

Assessment Priorities

High-Risk Areas

1. Service Privileges: Excessive rights identification
2. Default Accounts: Unchanged vendor credentials
3. Patch Status: Critical vulnerability exposure
4. Remote Access: Third-party connection security
5. Data Protection: Sensitive information encryption

Testing Methodology

• Automated Tools: Vulnerability scanners, policy analyzers
• Manual Review: Configuration file analysis
• Process Analysis: Running service enumeration
• Permission Auditing: File system access verification
• Network Assessment: Service exposure evaluation