Man in the Middle (MITM) Attacks: What Are They & How to Prevent Them

In today's digital age, the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our online communications are paramount. However, with the rise of sophisticated cyberattacks, this security is constantly under threat. One such menacing form of cyber intrusion is the man in the middle (MITM or MitM) attack, a tactic that jeopardizes the trust and sanctity of our online interactions. In this blog, we delve deep into the nature of MITM attacks, exploring their workings, types, real-world examples, and, most importantly, preventive strategies. As we unravel the layers of MITM attacks, we will better understand the gravity of the threat and the measures required to counteract them.

What is a Man in the Middle (MITM) Attack?

A man in the middle attack refers to a cyber intrusion where an attacker inserts themselves into a communication process between two or more parties. This attacker can quietly eavesdrop, capturing confidential details, or actively manipulate the conversation, even masquerading as one of the communicating parties.

Data captured from these breaches has various malicious applications: from identity fraud and unauthorized money transfers to compromised accounts. Moreover, such data can offer attackers a gateway into protected networks, playing a critical role in the early stages of sophisticated threats like advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks.

How a Man in the Middle Attack Works

A typical MITM attack unfolds in two main steps: interception and subsequent decryption.

Interception – Firstly, attackers worm their way into a network via methods such as exploiting an insecure Wi-Fi connection or by tweaking domain name system (DNS) servers. They then scan the router for potential weak spots and entry points. Generally, a simple weak password gives them entry. However, they might also employ sophisticated techniques like IP spoofing or cache poisoning. The attackers may also perform phishing campaigns using website URL’s that look similar to familiar websites to skim your valuable information before passing the information on to the legitimate site. Upon identifying a victim, they unleash tools that capture data, divert traffic, or tamper with the user's online experience.

Decryption – Following interception, comes the decryption step. Here, the attacker translates the stolen data into a readable format. Once decrypted, this information can fuel various criminal activities - be it identity fraud, unwarranted purchases, or deceitful banking transactions. In some scenarios, the motive behind a MITM attack is sheer disruption, with cybercriminals just aiming to wreak havoc and unsettle their victims.

Types of Man in the Middle Attacks

• Rogue Access Point: When devices with wireless capabilities search for networks, they tend to connect automatically to the strongest available signal. Attackers can exploit this by creating their own wireless access point, deceiving devices in the vicinity into connecting with it. This gives the attacker free rein over a victim's network traffic. The peril here lies in the fact that the attacker does not need access to a trusted network; mere physical proximity is sufficient.
• ARP Spoofing: Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) maps Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to media access control (MAC) addresses within local networks. An attacker can exploit this protocol by posing as another device on the network, providing their own MAC address in response to ARP requests. This allows them to intercept and potentially alter traffic between two devices, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• DNS Spoofing: Much like ARP's function within Local Area Networks (LANs), the Domain Name System (DNS) maps domain names to IP addresses. An attacker utilizing DNS spoofing introduces corrupted cache information to a target device. As a result, a victim could unknowingly send confidential information to a malicious host, believing they are interacting with a legitimate entity.
• mDNS Spoofing: Multicast DNS (mDNS) operates like DNS but on local networks. It is often targeted by attackers due to its broadcast nature, similar to ARP. With mDNS, devices like printers, televisions, and entertainment systems can communicate without requiring detailed address configurations. However, an attacker can deceive these devices with counterfeit address data, causing them to trust a malicious device for a certain time span.
• Internet Protocol Spoofing: IP spoofing is a cyber-deception where attackers alter a website or device's source IP address, effectively masking their identity. Unsuspecting users believe they are interacting with a legitimate source, but their private data is funneled directly to the malicious entity.
• HTTP Spoofing: In this type of attack, a cybercriminal uses a domain strikingly similar to the intended target. Through a tactic known as a "homograph attack", characters in domain names are replaced with visually similar ones. Users are easily fooled by the legitimate appearance, aided by the browser's secure connection indication, making the attack hard to detect.
• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Hijacking: SSL hijacking is a particularly deceptive man-in-the-middle attack. Here, an attacker seizes a legitimate session and impersonates the user. By capturing the session ID or key, they gain unauthorized control and can perform actions as if they were the original user, such as transferring money or changing account details. SSL hijacking attacks are also referred to as session hijacking or cookie jacking attacks.
• Email Hijacking: In email hijacking, cybercriminals take over the email accounts of banks or similar institutions. They monitor transactions or even spoof the institution's email address, sending misleading instructions to clients, leading them to transfer money directly to the attackers.
• Man in the Browser (MITB) Attacks: Man-in-the-browser attacks involve an attacker positioning themselves between two trusting parties by compromising one's web browser. They can eavesdrop, steal data, or alter session details. Typically, Trojan horse malware is used to execute this type of assault.

Examples of Man in the Middle Attacks

DigiNotar Incident (2011) – In 2011, a significant security incident occurred in Iran where malicious actors breached the infrastructure of a Dutch certificate authority known as DigiNotar, launching a man in the middle assault on Google. This attack led to the fraudulent creation of certificates. Following an in-depth probe by the Fox-IT consultancy, designated by the Dutch government, it was inferred that approximately 300,000 Iranian Gmail accounts were the targets of this intrusion, with the Iranian government suspected of orchestrating the attack. After unearthing over 500 counterfeit DigiNotar certificates, key browser companies decided to blacklist all DigiNotar certificates. The subsequent fallout from this incident led the Dutch authorities to assume control of DigiNotar's operations. The firm faced bankruptcy shortly after.

Lenovo's Superfish Scenario (2015) – By 2015, researchers in the realm of cybersecurity identified an alarming issue with consumer-grade Lenovo computers. These devices came with Superfish Visual Discovery software, which was designed to incorporate advertisements within websites on browsers such as Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. The more alarming facet of Superfish was its ability to install a self-generated root certificate into the Windows certificate store. This meant that it could substitute SSL certificates from HTTPS sites with its own. Cybercriminals could have exploited such a vulnerability to siphon off sensitive data or monitor online browsing behaviors.

Equifax's Data Breach (2017) – 2017 witnessed a significant data compromise at Equifax that left the personal data of over 143 million Americans exposed. To address this, Equifax designed a portal, equifaxsecurity2017.com, for clients to determine if the breach affected them. However, the site was hosted using a shared SSL certificate, used amongst thousands of other websites. This led to threats of DNS and SSL tampering, either diverting users to bogus sites or facilitating data interception.

How to Detect a Man in the Middle Attack

Although man in the middle attack prevention is the ultimate goal, recognizing early signs can aid in quick and efficient damage control. Here are a few telltale symptoms and methods to detect MITM attacks:

• Performance Issues: Experiencing frequent timeouts during login attempts or enduring sluggish services can be indicative of a MITM attacker trying to capture data. The compromised service might not function like the genuine website or application due to improper configurations.
• Suspicious Domains and Emails: Spotting minor discrepancies in website addresses or email domains can be a red flag for DNS spoofing. Additionally, email attackers sometimes employ domains eerily similar to genuine ones for deception. Hovering over a hyperlink in an email may assist in revealing the true URL, which can typically be viewed at the bottom of the email.
• Use of Packet Inspections: Implementing techniques such as deep packet inspection can be beneficial in analyzing network traffic. This helps in detecting irregularities, including unauthorized access or data interception.
• Connection to Insecure Networks: Accidentally connecting to an "unsecure" Wi-Fi network or being redirected from a secure HTTPS website to its unsecured HTTP counterpart can also hint at potential MITM attacks.

How to Prevent a Man in the Middle Attack

Taking preemptive measures to address MITM protection is essential, blending both best practices and technological interventions. To fortify your network and safeguard your users, consider the following protective strategies:

• Stay Clear of Public Wi-Fi: It might be tempting due to its ease of access, but public Wi-Fi can be a potential net laid out by adversaries targeting less cyber-savvy individuals.
• Direct URL Entry: Instead of clicking on hyperlinks, it is safer to directly key in website addresses, use bookmarks, or manually input URLs. This tactic sidesteps the risks of deceptive URLs that may be designed to mislead users.
• Implement Privileged Access Management (PAM): By applying PAM, you can uphold the principle of least privilege. It ensures that account creation and permissions are limited strictly to what technical personnel require to execute their tasks.
• Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs route internet traffic through multiple servers, concealing the user's IP address and enhancing session privacy. Furthermore, the intrinsic encryption within VPNs ensures data and messages are secure.
• Prioritize Secure Connections: Steer clear of sites without the HTTPS indicator in their web addresses. Implementing DNS over HTTPS is also beneficial as it encrypts DNS queries, thus keeping your online actions discreet.
• Adopt a Certificate Management System: Use automated solutions to manage your network's SSL certificates. Such systems offer a centralized way to renew expired certificates, which might be vulnerable to breaches.
• Embrace Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA acts as a safety net even if a cyber adversary acquires login details. By requiring an added verification step, such as a physical token or facial recognition, unauthorized access attempts can be thwarted.
• Adopt Network Segmentation: The Zero Trust Architecture stands out as a robust blueprint for safeguarding networks, especially when applying methods like network segmentation to fend off MITM attacks. Segmentation entails splitting the network into secure zones to contain potential threats and impede their spread.
• Secure Your Emails: To combat email breaches, employ secure/multipurpose internet mail extensions (S/MIME). These not only encrypt the content of emails but also offer certificate-based authentication for senders.

Compass IT Compliance Helps to Protect Against MITM Attacks

Man in the middle attacks underscore the importance of being consistently vigilant and proactive in our digital environment. The very foundation of secure online communication is trust, and MITM attacks directly assault this trust. But with informed users and rigorous protective measures in place, it is possible to create a digital landscape that is resilient against such intrusions.

Since our establishment in 2010, Compass IT Compliance has been at the forefront of offering solutions tailored to combat such threats. With our expertise in crafting and implementing advanced security controls, policies, and procedures, Compass IT Compliance has been instrumental in assisting organizations to mitigate the risks posed by man in the middle attacks, ensuring a safer and more secure digital ecosystem for all involved. As cyber threats evolve, so too must our understanding and defenses. By staying abreast of the latest threats and protective strategies, we can ensure that our online communications remain both private and secure.