Overview

This article will explain the ACSIA alert called "network device anomaly".

Explaining the network device anomaly

"Network device anomaly" refers to an unusual behavior detected in a network device. Network devices are essential components that help manage and maintain communication between computers and other devices in a network. Anomalies in these devices could indicate potential security threats, unauthorized access, or malfunctions that require investigation and action to ensure the network's integrity and safety.

Example of a "network device anomaly" attack:

Let's consider a medium-sized organization with a well-secured network that includes firewalls, routers, and switches to control data traffic and ensure secure communications. The network devices are monitored by the organization's security team using specialized software that tracks their activities and performance.

An attacker targets this organization, seeking to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attacker knows that if they can manipulate or compromise one of the network devices, they might be able to bypass security measures and gain access to the internal network.

To execute the attack, the attacker uses a sophisticated technique called "device compromise." They manage to exploit a vulnerability in one of the organization's routers, which gives them unauthorized control over the device.

Once the attacker gains control, they start making changes to the router's configuration and traffic routing settings. These changes create a "network device anomaly" as the router begins behaving differently than its standard operation.

The organization's network monitoring system detects the anomaly, alerting the security team about the suspicious activity. The security team immediately investigates the issue, realizing that the router has been compromised.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the security team takes swift action to isolate the compromised router from the rest of the network, preventing the attacker from progressing further.

The team then starts the process of restoring the router's original configuration from a secure backup and applies necessary security updates to fix the vulnerability. They also review other network devices for any potential signs of compromise, ensuring that the network is fully secure and protected.

In this example, the "network device anomaly" alerts the organization's security team to the potential security breach and unauthorized access to a network device.

ACSIA alerts you when there are network anomalies on your infrastructure.