When reading about cyberattacks today, we regularly encounter terms like “phishing,” “ransomware,” and “supply chain attack.” However, one often overlooked method used by today’s cyber criminals is the “watering hole attack,” which, while less frequently occurring, is no less damaging or dangerous.
These sophisticated attacks involve compromising legitimate, trusted, and frequently visited websites and using them as vectors to deliver malware to unsuspecting visitors. Named after predators that wait at watering holes to ambush prey, cybercriminals use this method to infiltrate corporate networks, steal sensitive information, and gain unauthorized access to critical systems.
When Trust Becomes a Trap
Attackers who execute watering hole attacks will typically first profile their targets, often employees of large organizations, government agencies, or human rights groups, and identify the websites they frequent.
They then search for, locate, and exploit vulnerabilities within these sites to inject malicious code, which can redirect users to malware-hosting sites or execute drive-by downloads. This malware often includes Remote Access Trojans (RATs), providing ongoing access to the victim’s computer and potentially connected networks.
Unlike phishing, which directly deceives users, watering hole attacks leverage trusted websites, making them particularly dangerous and hard to detect.
Notable Past Incidents
Several high-profile watering hole attacks have affected major corporations in the past, and highlight the severity of this particular attack method. In 2015, a Chinese hacking group compromised Forbes by exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer and Adobe Flash Player. The attackers used the “Thought of the Day” feature, loaded through a Flash widget, to deliver malicious code to visitors’ devices.
In August 2019, FortiGuard Labs discovered an attack targeting a U.S.-based Chinese news site. The attack exploited known vulnerabilities in WinRAR and RTF files, using various techniques and backdoor functionalities to target victims.
Another advanced example occurred in February 2019, when Trend Micro researchers uncovered a campaign exploiting Microsoft’s Visual Basic Script (VBScript). The attack used a multi-stage infection scheme, including a backdoor unknown to antivirus products, and connected to private Slack channels to lure victims. The attackers modified code snippets from GitHub to create the exploit, demonstrating sophisticated hacking techniques.
From Prey to Protector
Organizations have seen success in mitigating the risk of watering hole attacks by adopting the following comprehensive security practices:
- Regular Security Testing: Continuously test security solutions to defend against new threats. Regularly scan and assess websites for vulnerabilities to identify and remediate potential weak spots. Conducting thorough penetration testing can help identify vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
- Advanced Threat Protection: Employ behavioral analysis tools to detect zero-day exploits and other sophisticated attack vectors. These tools examine the behavior of applications and network traffic to identify anomalies that could indicate an attack. Implementing machine learning and artificial intelligence in threat detection can enhance the ability to identify and respond to new, unknown threats.
- System and Software Updates: Regularly update software and apply patches to close vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit. Automated update management systems can ensure that all devices and software are kept up-to-date without relying solely on user intervention.
- Zero-Trust Security Model: Treat all traffic as untrusted until verified as legitimate. Implementing a zero-trust architecture involves verifying every device, user, and network component before granting access to resources. This approach minimizes the risk of unauthorized access from compromised endpoints.
The Wrap
As global connectivity and technology continue to evolve, so do the methods employed by cybercriminals.
Watering hole attacks, which exploit trusted websites to target specific groups, are just one example of the diverse strategies threat actors use beyond phishing and malware. Understanding the mechanisms of these attacks and implementing comprehensive security measures is crucial for safeguarding networks and sensitive information.
Proactive defense is not just an option, but a necessity to protect against the dangers lurking in the digital shadows. Just as vigilant prey avoid predators at the watering hole, organizations must remain ever-watchful to outsmart the cybercriminals lying in wait.
