Analyze the cybersecurity software development life cycle (SDLC).
Scenario
You recently took a position as a cybersecurity analyst for a small software company. The software company currently has three commercially available off-the-shelf software products that are sold to businesses and/or organizations (B2B). They can range from small companies to very large companies, including those in the Fortune 500. One of their products has been identified by CERT to have several vulnerabilities. Since this event occurred, the chief cybersecurity officer (CCSO) suspects that not enough security is built into the software development process used at the company. You have been asked by the CCSO to conduct a cyberattack surface analysis on one of their Web-based products in an effort to improve the software development process.
For the assignment, assume that the presentation layer resides on a dedicated server in the company’s DMZ. The other two layers of the software are behind the corporate firewall and can reside on one or two dedicated servers. The Web application is accessible from the Internet and is browser based. Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari are the supported browsers.
Assignment Instructions
For Assignment purposes, select a multi-layered (presentation layer, business layer, and database layer) web-based open source project in place of the software company’s web-based product. In place of the open source project, if you are familiar with another web-based system that meets the requirements, then discuss using it with your instructor.
Examples of multi-layered open source projects/products include:
Office Libre
Facebook
Mozilla Firefox
GIMP (for web development)
Audacity
WordPress
MySQL
You will conduct a cyberattack surface analysis on the system/application you selected. Focus your analysis from an external cyberattack point of view. It is not necessary to focus on end user cyberattacks (social engineering attacks, etc.).
Define the cyberattack surface (including operating systems and web servers) by identifying and mapping the cyberattack vectors.
Categorize what was identified
Describe three use cases that involve the attack surfaces
Create a graphic representation of the attack surface with labels (Use Visio or any other open source diagramming or drawing tool).
Discuss how the attack surface can be reduced.
Your attack surface analysis can be done mentally and on paper or you can use an open source attack surface analyzer (OWASP’s Zap is one example).
Full Answer Section
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- User-generated content (e.g., blog posts, comments)
- Business Logic Layer:
- WordPress core functions and APIs
- Plugins and themes
- Custom code
- Database Layer:
- Database management system (e.g., MySQL, MariaDB)
- Database configuration
- Stored procedures and queries
Cyberattack Vectors:
- Web Server Vulnerabilities: Exploiting vulnerabilities in the web server software (e.g., Apache, Nginx) can allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system.
- WordPress Core Vulnerabilities: Outdated WordPress core software can contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
- Plugin and Theme Vulnerabilities: Plugins and themes used in WordPress installations can also contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
- Injection Attacks: SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF) are common attack vectors in web applications.
- Brute Force Attacks: Attackers may attempt to brute force passwords to gain unauthorized access to WordPress installations.
- Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: DoS attacks can be used to disrupt the availability of a WordPress website.
Use Cases
- Unauthorized Access: An attacker could exploit vulnerabilities in the web server or WordPress core to gain unauthorized access to the website and its underlying systems.
- Data Exfiltration: Once an attacker has gained access to the WordPress installation, they may be able to exfiltrate sensitive data, such as user credentials, financial information, or intellectual property.
- Website Defacement: Attackers may deface the website by modifying its content or replacing it with malicious content.
Graphic Representation of Attack Surface
diagram showing the layers and components of a WordPress installation, with arrows indicating potential attack vectors
Reducing the Attack Surface
To reduce the attack surface of a WordPress installation, organizations should:
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly update WordPress core, plugins, and themes to address known vulnerabilities.
- Use Strong Security Practices: Implement strong password policies, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly monitor system logs for suspicious activity.
- Restrict User Permissions: Limit user permissions to only the necessary roles and privileges.
- Conduct Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
- Use Security Plugins: Install and configure security plugins to enhance the protection of the WordPress installation.
By following these best practices, organizations can significantly reduce the cyberattack surface of their WordPress installations and protect against potential threats.
Sample Answer
Cyberattack Surface Analysis of a Web-Based Open Source Project
Project Selection:
For this analysis, we will focus on WordPress, a popular open-source content management system (CMS) used by millions of websites worldwide. WordPress is a multi-layered application with a presentation layer, business logic layer, and database layer.
Cyberattack Surface Identification and Mapping
The cyberattack surface of a WordPress installation can be broadly categorized into the following components:
- Presentation Layer:
- Web server (e.g., Apache, Nginx)
- WordPress core files and plugins
- Themes