Cryptographic Attacks

Updated Jan 30, 2024 ·

Overview

In simplests terms, we can perform cryptographic attacks by:

1. Attacking the algorithm
2. Attacking the implementation
3. Attacking the key

Downgrade Attacks

Also known as version rollback attack, downgrade attacks force a system to use a less secure version of a protocol, making it vulnerable to known exploits.

How it works:

• Attacker manipulates communication exchanges.
• This makes the parties believe they should use a less secure version of a protocol or a weaker encryption algorithm.
• Achieved by any of the following:
  • Intercepting and altering communication
  • Exploiting fallback mechanisms
  • Exploiting vulnerabilities in protocol negotiation.

Examples:

• In HTTPS, an attacker could force a secure connection to revert to an older SSL version with known vulnerabilities.
• In wireless networks, an attacker might trick a device into connecting to a less secure network.
• POODLE Attack - Padding Oracle on Downgraded Legacty Encryption, which targeted SSL 3.0.

Mitigations:

• Protocol Hardening:

  • Ensure protocols do not support older, insecure versions.
  • For example, disable SSL and only use modern TLS versions.

• Strict Negotiation:

  • Implement strict rules for protocol negotiation.
  • This prevents fallback to less secure versions.

• Secure Communication:

  • Use certificates and mutual authentication to validate communication channels and avoid man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Regular Updates:

  • Keep software and systems updated to the latest secure versions, removing outdated protocol support.

Collision Attacks

Collision attacks find two different inputs that produce the same hash, potentially compromising cryptographic integrity.

• To breach the integrity of a cryptographic system.
• Exploit vulnerabilities in hash-based security.

How It Works:

• The attacker tries to find two different inputs that yield the same hash.
• This can be used to forge digital signatures, tamper with data, or bypass security checks.

Examples:

• MD5 and SHA-1 hash functions have known vulnerabilities allowing collision attacks.
• Birthday Attacks
• Certificate forgery, where an attacker can create a fraudulent certificate with the same hash as a legitimate one.

Mitigations:

• Use Secure Hash Functions

  • Choose hash functions with no known vulnerabilities.
  • Avoid MD5 and SHA-1; opt for SHA-256 or stronger.

• Implement Collision-Resistant Algorithms

  • Employ algorithms designed to resist collisions, especially in digital signatures and certificate generation.

• Detect Anomalies

  • Implement mechanisms to detect unusual patterns that might indicate a collision attack.

• Regularly Update Security Practices

  • Stay updated with the latest cryptographic standards and replace vulnerable hash functions as necessary.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computing poses a threat to traditional cryptography by potentially breaking key cryptographic algorithms.

How It Works:

• Quantum computers use qubits, which can represent multiple states simultaneously.
• This enables parallel processing at a massive scale.
• This allows quantum computers to run algorithms that can break traditional cryptographic methods.
• Example: Shor's algorithm for integer factorization.

Implications for Cryptography:

• Quantum computing threatens public-key encryption algorithms like RSA and ECC.

• RSA and ECC rely on computational hardness (e.g., factoring large numbers).

• Symmetric key algorithms are more resistant but require longer key lengths to remain secure.

• Post-quantum cryptography, which aims to create algorithms resistant to quantum attacks.

  • CRYSTALS-Dilithium
  • FALCON
  • SPHINCS+

Mitigations:

• Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography

  • Adopt cryptographic algorithms designed to withstand quantum attacks.
  • Examples are lattice-based or hash-based algorithms.

• Use Larger Key Sizes

  • Increase key sizes in symmetric encryption.
  • This provides a greater buffer against quantum computing threats.

• Hybrid Cryptographic Systems

  • Implement systems that use a mix of traditional and post-quantum cryptographic techniques.

• Monitor Quantum Advancements

  • Keep informed about developments in quantum computing and adapt security strategies accordingly.

Rainbow Table Attack

A rainbow table attack uses precomputed hashes to find a matching hash value for a user's password (see ISC2 Study Guide, Module 2, under Types of Threats).

Mitigations:

• Add a unique random value (salt) to each password before hashing.
• Choose robust cryptographic hash functions resistant to rainbow tables.
• Enforce strong and complex password creation policies.
• Stay current with advancements, adopting newer, more secure hash functions.
• Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Pass the Hash Attack

A "pass the hash" attack involves using a hashed password to gain unauthorized access to a system, bypassing the need for the plaintext password. Attackers obtain the hash and use it to authenticate without knowing the actual password.

• Attackers steal password hashes from compromised systems.
• They use these hashes to authenticate, avoiding password-based checks.
• Common in Windows environments with NTLM authentication.

Mimikatz

Mimikatz is an open-source tool for security testing and penetration testing.

• Extracts plaintext passwords, hashes, and Kerberos tickets from memory.
• Enables "pass the hash" and "pass the ticket" attacks.
• Manipulates Windows authentication tokens.

Common Use Cases:

• Used by penetration testers to assess security on Windows systems.
• Often exploited by hackers for unauthorized access.

Mitigations

Mitigations:

• Apply multi-factor authentication.
• Keep Windows systems updated with security patches.
• Limit administrative access and use secure password management.
• Ensure only trusted OS are allowed to connect to your servers.
• Implement least privilege for all user accounts.