Low-power wireless networks in the Internet of Things (IoT) have brought numerous advantages, but they have also introduced potential threats due to the implementation of new technologies. These threats extend beyond traditional Bluetooth or Wi-Fi vulnerabilities and encompass emerging protocols such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and other wireless personal area networking (WPAN) protocols. While these technologies offer benefits, they also present new opportunities for hackers to exploit. Consequently, security professionals must familiarize themselves with WPAN technologies and the potential attack vectors.
Attackers can use rogue access points to gain unauthorized access to the network, bypassing security measures and potentially compromising sensitive information.
Additionally, attackers may position rogue access points in close proximity to a building, providing a strong signal to entice users to connect to them instead of legitimate access points.
A rogue access point can be configured to redirect traffic from the intended destination to the attacker's setup, creating suspicion and enabling the capture of sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and other data transmitted over the network. This interception of traffic allows hackers to gain unauthorized access and potentially compromise the security of the network.
Network sniffers, also known as packet sniffers or network analyzers, are tools used to capture and analyze network traffic.
By employing such tools, attackers can observe patterns in WPAN traffic, potentially gaining insights into users' daily routines, the presence of devices in their homes, and even learn how to manipulate those devices. This can be particularly concerning in automated home systems.
If hackers successfully sniff and analyze WPAN traffic, they may acquire knowledge about when users are present at home, the types of devices they have, and potentially exploit vulnerabilities to gain control over those devices. For instance, they could inject unauthorized commands into the WPAN network, thereby manipulating connected devices such as door locks, alarm systems, security cameras, and other smart home devices.
Weak security on an IP network poses significant risks and vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
WPAN networks offer security through encryption, such as AES, to protect messages. However, vulnerabilities can arise when messages are transmitted to an IoT gateway or home networking hub that serves as a connection point between the local WPAN network and the Internet. This can become problematic if homeowners do not adequately configure their TCP/IP networks for security.
One common issue is the use of default or weak passwords on the customer's broadband modem or router. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the gateway or hub, thereby bypassing authentication on the WPAN network.
Encryption keys play a crucial role in securing IoT devices and other network nodes. However, certain devices, like smart home thermostats, are known to have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. One such vulnerability involves physically connecting to the device's factory firmware through the UART interface. Using publicly available software developer kits (SDKs), hackers can extract the encryption key from the device firmware.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks have been facilitated by leveraging a large number of inadequately protected IoT devices as botnets for carrying out the attacks. In addition to their primary functions of transmitting sensor data and receiving commands, IoT devices can generate a significant volume of network traffic. When these devices lack proper security measures, they become an ideal platform for launching DDoS attacks, where the generated traffic has the potential to overwhelm wireless networks.
To identify vulnerabilities and their corresponding countermeasures in networking products, it is advisable to utilize resources offered by the vendor and customer community. By leveraging these resources, you can conduct thorough research on specific products or versions to gather information regarding vulnerabilities and available protective measures.
In IoT Company's Building Management System, numerous IoT devices are located in remote areas within the facility and its premises, making wired networking impractical. Instead, these devices rely on wireless protocols like Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth to connect to the network. While this wireless connectivity offers convenience, it also introduces a fresh set of risks. It is crucial to assess the vulnerabilities associated with wireless networks and the devices used in the system.
IoT companies offer IP cameras designed to monitor the interior and nearby exterior regions of secure facilities. These IP cameras connect to a specific segment of a wireless network that requires password authentication. The wireless network employs the WEP encryption protocol.
Here we will discuss few security methods which are reliable and widely used. These will help to Secure Wireless Networks:
v It is essential to use strong and unique passwords, rather than relying on default passwords, for authentication when connecting to wireless networks.
v Implementing security systems like Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS) can effectively isolate rogue access points and prevent Man-in-the-Middle attacks in real-time as they occur.
v To ensure the security of traffic when it traverses between network segments, it is advisable to deploy Unified Threat Management (UTM) systems. These systems provide comprehensive security measures to protect and safeguard the traffic at network boundaries.
v To ensure optimal security in wireless networks and devices, it is recommended to utilize the strongest encryption standards available. While encryption protocols like Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) are known to have vulnerabilities, it is advisable to employ a robust protocol such as Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) with AES encryption. When available, upgrading to WPA3 is even more beneficial as it offers stronger encryption and additional security features that enhance upon WPA2.
v It is important to understand the varying levels of security offered by different wireless networking technologies that you utilize. For instance, earlier versions of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) do not support the secure pairing mechanism provided by the Elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) cipher suite. Consequently, it is recommended to prioritize the use of version 4.2 or later for your IoT networks if BLE is employed.
v To mitigate the potential impact of compromised IoT devices being utilized as attack bots, it is advisable to implement bandwidth rate throttling for these devices. By implementing rate limits on the bandwidth that IoT devices can utilize, the amount of traffic they can generate is reduced, thereby minimizing their effectiveness as attack vectors if compromised.
v It is important to keep the firmware on wireless network hubs and devices up to date.
Ø Provide separate guest and private networks.
Ø Different IoT networks from guest and personal networks isolate IoT devices such as thermostats, security cameras, door locks, and other devices.
Ø Train users to connect client devices (smartphones, tablets, notebook computers, etc.) only to secured Wi-Fi networks.
Ø Tune the power and position of wireless routers to help reduce the chance of signals leaking out of the building or floor where authorized connections should be made, making it more difficult for outsiders to gain access through parking lot attacks.
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