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Event: net_scan_tool_exec

Quick Explanation

The net_scan_tool_exec recipe identifies the execution of network scanning tools used to discover network services and open ports. This detection is crucial as it indicates potential reconnaissance activities that could lead to identifying vulnerabilities for exploitation. The presence of such tools in pull requests poses risks to CI/CD pipelines and production systems, as unauthorized scans can expose sensitive infrastructure information.

More Information

Information

  1. Description: Network scan tool
  2. Category: Discovery
  3. Method: Network Service Scanning
  4. Importance: Critical

Analysis of the Event

This detection event identifies the execution of a network scanning tool within the monitored environment. Network scanning tools such as nmap, masscan, zenmap, and others, are often used for discovering network services, open ports, and other network-related information that can be leveraged for further exploitation or reconnaissance activities.

The detection is based on monitoring specific file executions associated with known network scanning tools using eBPF and other tracing techniques provided by Jibril. The MITRE framework classifies this activity under the Discovery category with the method being Network Service Scanning. This indicates that an attempt to map out the network structure or identify active services is underway, which could be a precursor to more targeted attacks.

The implications of such detections are significant as they point towards potential reconnaissance activities within your environment. If an unauthorized entity is performing these scans, it could lead to identifying vulnerabilities that may be exploited later. Even if conducted by internal actors, it might indicate non-compliance with security policies or unintended security risks.

Implications for the CI/CD Pipeline

The presence of code that triggers this detection suggests that recent changes in the pull request might include functionality related to network scanning tools or their invocation. This poses a risk to both CI environments and production systems if merged and deployed without proper scrutiny. Unauthorized network scans can lead to exposure of sensitive information about internal infrastructure, potentially aiding attackers in identifying weak points.

  1. Review Code Changes:
  2. Thoroughly inspect recent code changes in the pull request for any references or invocations of network scanning tools.
  3. Ensure that any legitimate use cases for these tools are well-documented and justified within your development process.
  4. Examine Dependencies:
  5. Check for newly introduced dependencies that might include or rely on network scanning capabilities.
  6. Validate that all dependencies are necessary and do not introduce unintended security risks.
  7. Implement Security Practices:
  8. Enforce strict access controls and permissions around sensitive operations like network scans.
  9. Utilize code reviews and automated security checks to catch similar issues early in the development cycle.
  10. Audit Logs:
  11. Review audit logs to identify any unauthorized usage patterns involving network scanning tools.
  12. Implement continuous monitoring solutions to detect such activities promptly in the future.

By taking these steps, you can mitigate potential risks introduced by this pull request and ensure your CI/CD pipeline remains secure against unauthorized reconnaissance activities.