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Event: net_sniff_tool_exec

Quick Explanation

The net_sniff_tool_exec recipe identifies the execution of network sniffing tools. These tools are used to capture and analyze network traffic, serving legitimate purposes like debugging, but they can also be misused for malicious activities such as intercepting sensitive information. If executed during the CI/CD pipeline, it may indicate attempts to intercept sensitive data, posing significant risks to data confidentiality and integrity.

More Information

Information

  1. Description: Network sniffing tool
  2. Category: Discovery
  3. Method: Network Sniffing
  4. Importance: Critical

Analysis of the Event

This detection relates to the execution of network sniffing tools within the monitored environment. Tools like Wireshark and tcpdump are designed to capture and analyze network traffic. While they can be used for legitimate purposes such as debugging and monitoring network performance, they can also be exploited for malicious activities like intercepting sensitive information or conducting reconnaissance.

According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this detection falls under the Discovery category with a focus on Network Sniffing. The detection mechanism is based on monitoring file executions (execve system calls) linked to known network sniffing tools. The importance level is classified as medium due to the potential impact on data confidentiality and integrity.

Implications for the CI/CD Pipeline

The execution of a network sniffing tool during the CI/CD pipeline or in a staging environment could indicate an attempt to intercept sensitive information, such as credentials or API keys, being transmitted over the network during build or deployment processes. This poses a significant risk as it may lead to unauthorized data access or leakage if left unchecked. If such activity is not identified and mitigated before merging into production, it could compromise both development and production environments.

  1. Review Code Changes:
  2. Inspect recent pull requests for any changes that might introduce or execute network sniffing tools.
  3. Ensure that no new dependencies include these tools unless explicitly required for legitimate reasons.
  4. Examine Dependencies:
  5. Conduct a thorough audit of all dependencies used within the project to ensure none include malicious components.
  6. Use dependency management tools to track and update third-party libraries regularly.
  7. Monitor Network Activity:
  8. Implement continuous monitoring of network traffic within your CI/CD pipeline and staging environments.
  9. Set up alerts for unusual traffic patterns indicative of sniffing activities.
  10. Enforce Security Policies:
  11. Establish strict policies regarding tool usage within your development environment.
  12. Limit access rights based on roles and ensure only authorized personnel can execute potentially sensitive operations.
  13. Conduct Security Training:
  14. Provide training sessions for developers on secure coding practices and awareness about potential security threats like network sniffing.

By following these steps, you can mitigate risks associated with unauthorized execution of network sniffing tools in your CI/CD pipeline and maintain a secure development lifecycle.