Sachin Work: Legitimate privilege abuse and how to prevent it ✓ Solved

Privileges are a crucial native security control in any system. As the name implies, privileges grant required permissions for accounts based on roles or groups they are in to perform certain operations within the system. For example, in Database read, write, debugging, impersonation, etc. A security expert or someone like a DBA who understands privileges and how attackers may harm them can increase their monitoring and attack surface reduction abilities. This discussion post will discuss privileges and share some recommendations for detecting and preventing their abuse.

Additionally, it will talk about key concepts a defender needs to understand to protect privileges and legitimate privilege abuse and how to prevent it. When users are granted default database rights that exceed the specifications of their job duties, these privileges can be abused. For example, a Front End Developer whose job requires the ability only to do UI changes may take advantage of excessive database privileges and insert or delete some tables in the Database or run a query which can do some damage to the Database. Moreover, some businesses fail to document or update access privileges for users who change positions within the company or switch jobs. Employees may abuse legitimate database privileges for unauthorized missions.

Excessive privileges, legitimate privilege abuse, database injection attacks, exploitation of vulnerable databases, unmanaged sensitive data, and human error are some of the threats to Database. "Authorisation in much discussion on computer abuse implies that the role, and hence privileges, of an individual in an enterprise has been pre-assigned and known to the individual, not whether the role is consequential to the identity and authentication of the human." (Blatchford, 1989). Now let's look at some of the ways to keep database security tight and prevent privilege abuse.

Ensure Physical Database Security: This means keeping database instances in a secure, locked environment with access restrictions in place to keep unauthorized users out. But it also indicates having the Database on a separate physical machine, separated from the devices running application or web servers. A web server is more likely to be attacked since it is publicly accessible. So, if a web server is compromised, it puts the database server at risk, which is running on the same machine; the attacker would also get access as a root user to Database. Avoiding insider attacks is a difficult task. "While it is necessary to provide privileges to employees so they can perform their jobs efficiently, providing too many privileges may backfire when users accidentally or intentionally abuse their privileges." (Baracaldo & Joshi, 2013).

Hence, finding a middle ground where the necessary privileges are provided and malicious practice is avoided is essential. Manage database access tightly: It would help if you aimed for the smallest number of people to have access to the Database. Administrators should have just the bare minimum privileges they need to do their work, and only during times while they need access. This may not be practical for smaller organizations, but at the very least, permissions should be managed using groups or roles preferably than given directly."Misuse incidents frequently present as being a result of privilege abuse." (Walker-Roberts et al., 2020).

Paper For Above Instructions

In the realm of information security, the management of privileges is paramount to safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining an organization’s operational integrity. Privileges, when understood and managed correctly, can offer significant protection against unauthorized access and the potential abuse of legitimate privileges. This paper aims to explore the concept of legitimate privilege abuse, its implications, and preventative measures to ensure that privilege management remains robust within organizations.

Privileged access is often necessary for employees to efficiently execute their job responsibilities. However, this necessity must be balanced against the risks associated with excessive privileges. One of the primary threats to database security arises when employees are allotted privileges that extend beyond their job requirements. As highlighted by Blatchford (1989), the importance of role assignment must be underscored; when roles are defined inadequately, they may result in privilege abuse, either intentionally or accidentally.

One critical factor that contributes to privilege abuse is the lack of adequate documentation regarding user privileges, especially when employees transition to different roles within an organization. It is essential for organizations to maintain updated records reflecting the privileges assigned to each role and ensure that these records are reviewed regularly. For instance, should a Front End Developer transition to a different position, their database privileges should be adjusted promptly to reflect their new responsibilities. Failure to maintain accurate records can leave openings for potential abuse and unauthorized access (Baracaldo & Joshi, 2013).

To combat the inherent risks associated with privilege abuse, the implementation of stringent access control mechanisms is vital. The principle of least privilege (PoLP) should be applied, whereby users are granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions. Walker-Roberts et al. (2020) emphasize that incidents of misuse often stem from an abundance of privileges, indicating that organizations should meticulously assess the privileges granted to each user. Adopting role-based access control (RBAC) or attribute-based access control (ABAC) can facilitate better access management and significantly mitigate the risk of abuse.

Physical security of database servers is another key aspect of privilege protection. Organizations should ensure that their database instances are housed in secure locations with access controls in place to deter unauthorized personnel. Additionally, separating database servers from web servers can further minimize exposure; should a web server be compromised, having databases on a separate machine acts as a protective layer against direct attacks (Robinson, 2015).

Moreover, training and awareness campaigns for employees can foster a culture of security within the organization. Employees should be educated on the importance of adhering to security protocols and the implications of privilege abuse. Humanoid error can be a significant factor leading to unintended access violations, thereby necessitating regular training on security practices (Angelo, 2017).

Organizations may also consider the integration of software tools to assist in monitoring and auditing user activities. Employing solutions that provide visibility into who accesses what and when can be instrumental in identifying patterns that may indicate potential abuse. Automated alerts can be set to notify administrators of suspicious activities, particularly when access attempts exceed what is usual for a particular role or individual.

In addition to technical measures, organizations should enforce policies that establish consequences for privilege abuse. Clear guidelines delineating acceptable use policies, along with consequences for violations, can act as deterrents against potential abuse and reinforce accountability. The establishment of a comprehensive incident response plan will also ensure that organizations are prepared to address breaches effectively should they occur.

To summarize, the management of legitimate privileges requires a thorough understanding of the balance between accessibility and security. By taking proactive measures—through adopting least privilege policies, maintaining updated access records, ensuring physical security, providing employee training, implementing monitoring tools, and enforcing policies—organizations can protect themselves from the perils of privilege abuse and safeguard sensitive data.

References

• Baracaldo, N., & Joshi, J. (2013). An adaptive risk management and access control framework to mitigate insider threats. Computers & Security, 39.
• Blatchford, C. (1989). Hacking: An abuse of privilege. Computer Audit Update, 21-24.
• Robinson, A. (2015). 5 Sweeping Technologies Rapidly Changing Paradigms & Execution of Manufacturing Processes. Cerasis Team.
• Walker-Roberts, S., Hammoudeh, M., Aldabbas, O., Aydin, M., & Dehghantanha, A. (2020). Threats on the horizon: Understanding security threats in the era of cyber-physical systems. The Journal of Supercomputing, 76(4).
• Angelo, N. (2017). Databases in Manufacturing. MIS Class Blog.
• Devereaux, D. (2019). 5 Manufacturing Technology Trends to Watch in 2019. The National Institute of Science and Technology.
• Lungariello, R. (2017). The 10 Best Database Software Systems For Business Professionals. My Tech Decisions.
• Hainaut, J. (2005). The Transformational Approach to Database Engineering. In Generative and Transformational Techniques in Software Engineering (GTTSE 2005). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
• Murphy, C. (n.d). 10 Transformational Database Technologies. The Oracle Databases.