Background
In a highly sensitive environment tasked with the fabrication of materials for military ammunition, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of a government facility engaged Network Digital Security (NDS) to conduct a Red Team penetration test. The objective was to identify vulnerabilities within the organization’s network security posture, ensuring that critical systems and data were adequately protected from potential threats.
Engagement Overview
Objective:
To simulate a real-world attack and uncover weaknesses in the facility’s network security measures.
Scope:
The engagement was limited to the network within the designated building. The Red Team was escorted to the entrance, with the CIO instructing them to notify him upon completion.
Methodology
1. Initial Access:
- Upon entering the facility, the Red Team identified a room undergoing renovation, which was not monitored.
- Utilizing physical access, they pulled down CAT5 cables from the ceiling to establish a connection to the network.
2. Network Exploration:
- The team discovered that the facility employed MAC address-based authentication.
- By spoofing the MAC address of an existing printer, they gained initial network access.
3. Social Engineering:
- The team conducted social engineering tactics, successfully obtaining passwords from unsuspecting users, further facilitating their penetration into the network.
4. Maintaining Stealth:
- As the Security Operations Center (SOC) became aware of unusual activity, the team adapted by spoofing the MAC address of an IP conference telephone to evade detection.
5. Privilege Escalation:
- Within an hour of gaining initial access, the Red Team escalated their privileges, achieving Domain Admin rights.
- This access allowed them to view and modify sensitive documents that simulate accessing documents that could be critical to national security.
Incident Response
Approximately two hours into the engagement, the Red Team experienced a sudden escalation in tension. Paramilitary police, alerted to potential unauthorized activity, stormed the room where the team was working.
Situation:
The military personnel entered with weapons drawn, suspecting the team of espionage. The scene was tense, and the Red Team members were required to comply with the officers’ commands to put their hands up.
Resolution:
The team quickly presented the authorization letter confirming their engagement with the CIO. After a brief verification process, the misunderstanding was cleared, and the paramilitary police departed, albeit with heightened awareness of the situation.
Outcomes
1. Successful Engagement:
Despite the initial misunderstanding with military personnel, the engagement was deemed a success. The Red Team effectively demonstrated several critical vulnerabilities:
- Lack of physical security protocols during renovations.
- Ineffective network segmentation and monitoring.
- Inadequate user training on social engineering threats.
2. Recommendations:
- Enhance Physical Security: Implement stricter access controls, especially in areas under renovation.
- Network Monitoring: Improve detection capabilities for unusual MAC address changes and unauthorized access attempts.
- User Education: Conduct regular training sessions for employees to recognize social engineering tactics and safeguard sensitive information.
3. Follow-Up:
The CIO committed to addressing the identified vulnerabilities and enhancing the overall security posture of the facility, recognizing the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive government operations.
Conclusion
This Red Team engagement highlighted significant security weaknesses within a government facility responsible for sensitive operations. The experience served as a critical reminder of the importance of layered security measures, both physical and digital, in protecting national interests. The dramatic incident with paramilitary police underscored the high-stakes environment in which these organizations operate and the necessity for comprehensive security awareness at all levels.
