Protecting the safety aspects of their complex digital architectures is a major task for businesses in the rapidly changing field of cybersecurity. As enterprises embrace decentralization, adopt cloud services, and incorporate technologies like mobile and the Internet of Things (IoT), the task of patch management has grown exponentially more complex. Regarding potential threats and effects, it is essential to provide complete security against vulnerabilities. One such strategy that has gained prominence is virtual patching. This innovative security technique offers a temporary solution to known vulnerabilities, providing a layer of defense against attackers until experts can implement a permanent fix.
The Patch Management
Patch installation has evolved into more than simply a standard IT activity.
As cyber attacks become more sophisticated and widespread, it has evolved into an essential defence tactic. Neglecting to implement timely patches can lead to disastrous outcomes. Shockingly, in 2019, a staggering 60% of breaches were attributed to unapplied security patches. Such breaches not only incur substantial financial losses but also expose organizations to hefty fines from regulatory authorities.
Beyond the financial implications, the threat landscape has expanded to encompass ransomware attacks and targeted campaigns that exploit unpatched vulnerabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified the urgency of patching as organizations swiftly transitioned to remote work setups. The vulnerabilities in technologies like VPNs became a prime target for cybercriminals. For instance, a relatively new vulnerability (CVE-2019-11510) led to nearly 800,000 detections in 2020 alone, underscoring the significance of timely patching.
The Consequences of Unpatched Systems
Once a vulnerability becomes known, enterprises enter a race against cybercriminals and malicious actors. The time between vulnerability disclosure and patch application becomes a critical period. Unfortunately, many organizations struggle to patch critical vulnerabilities promptly. On average, an organization takes around 69 days to patch a critical vulnerability, leaving a substantial window of exposure for cyber threats.
Inaction can lead to dire consequences. Notably, threat actors capitalize on unpatched systems, subsequently launching attacks. This was strikingly demonstrated in the 2020 incident where ransomware was deployed against vulnerable servers. Consequently, this action posed a significant threat, endangering the networks of over 80,000 companies.
Overcoming the Challenges of Patch Management
Implementing an effective vulnerability and patch management policy is easier said than done. Organizations encounter several challenges on this front:
Business Continuity: While patching is crucial, it’s often perceived as slow, disruptive, and costly. Some organizations postpone or skip patching to avoid operational interruptions.
Volume of Vulnerabilities: Organizations frequently upgrading their IT infrastructures must contend with an increasing number of vulnerabilities. Reported vulnerabilities surged by 40% from 2019 to 2020, making the task even more daunting.
Limited Visibility: Complex online infrastructures result in intricate update processes, further complicated by fragmented IT environments, various operating systems, and geographic distribution.
Frequency of Patch Cycles: Managing patch cycles efficiently becomes challenging, particularly when prioritizing critical vulnerabilities is difficult.
Legacy Systems: The challenge of patching extends to legacy and unpatchable systems that continue to run essential operations. Systems like point-of-sale terminals, IoT devices, and industrial control systems often feature components that can’t be patched.
The Role of Virtual Patching
It offers a strategic advantage by creating a security layer that blocks attackers attempting to exploit vulnerabilities. This proactive approach buys organizations time to implement permanent fixes. While it’s not a substitute for traditional patching, virtual patching acts as a crucial defense mechanism. It’s particularly beneficial in scenarios where permanent patches are unavailable, undergoing testing, or incompatible with legacy systems.
How Virtual Patching Works
It operates by closely analyzing network traffic and identifying incoming requests attempting to exploit a known vulnerability. Once an exploit is detected, the virtual patch swiftly takes action – either blocking the malicious request or redirecting it to a secure location. This proactive approach prevents attackers from successfully compromising the vulnerable software or system.
The Phases of Virtual Patching
Virtual patching is a multifaceted process comprising several critical phases:
1. Preparation
Virtual patching should be integral to a continuous offensive security approach. This approach focuses on preventing vulnerability exploits rather than responding to them. The groundwork for effective virtual patching is laid during the preparation stage.
A vital step in this phase involves setting up updates, patches, and vulnerability alerts. To streamline the authorization process, pre-authorizing virtual patches can be considered. Unlike traditional patching, virtual patches don’t alter the asset’s code, minimizing the need for exhaustive testing. Additionally, virtual patches can shield assets during the development and testing of permanent patches.
2. Identification
Identifying vulnerabilities involves proactive and reactive approaches. It is recommended to proactively identify vulnerabilities using methods like penetration tests, vulnerability scanning, and other preemptive approaches. On the other hand, reactive identification takes place after vendors, developers, or security incidents have disclosed the vulnerability.
3. Analysis
Once a vulnerability is identified, comprehensive analysis is essential before deploying the patch. Organizations must ascertain the extent of exposure, affected systems, potential exploits, and impact on business-critical assets. Evaluating whether the virtual patching tool can effectively detect the vulnerability is also crucial. Vulnerability identifiers, such as CVE names/numbers, must be verified.
Additionally, compiling an inventory of impacted software and systems and listing triggering configurations are imperative. Exploit code from vulnerability announcements serves as valuable data for developing and testing virtual patches.
4. Virtual Patch Creation
During this phase, vulnerability prioritization, risk assessment, and time-to-fix considerations come into play. In some cases, complete fixes might carry high risks in real-time scenarios. In such instances, partial fixes can provide a temporary shield while comprehensive patches are developed. Flexibility is key in virtual patch creation, with risk reduction as the primary objective.
Virtual patch development adheres to two main approaches: positive (allow) and negative (block). Positive manual virtual patches involve coding models with valid inputs while denying access to the rest. Negative security blocks, on the other hand, focus on detecting specific attacks and blocking them. Both approaches require careful consideration to ensure they don’t block legitimate traffic or miss potential attacks.
Automated virtual patch creation tools offer an efficient solution, converting vulnerability data into virtual patches. Examples include OWASP ModSecurity Core Rule Set (CRS) Scripts, ThreadFix Virtual Patching, and Direct Importing to WAF Devices provided by various vendors.
5. Implementation and Testing
It can be implemented using various tools, including web browsers, command-line web clients, local proxy servers, and security solutions like ModSecurity AuditViewer. Thorough testing is crucial to validate the effectiveness of the virtual patch. If vulnerability scanning or penetration tests led to vulnerability discovery, rerunning these assessments after implementing the virtual patch is recommended. Setting up an initial log-only configuration prevents unintended traffic blockages during testing.
6. Recovery and Follow-Up
It doesn’t conclude with implementation and testing. Cyber threats continually evolve, necessitating ongoing monitoring and follow-up. Monitoring virtual patch performance is essential to ensure that traffic flow remains unaffected. Since virtual patches are temporary solutions, it’s essential to track the release and installation of the original asset patch.
Levels of Implementation
It can be employed at different levels within an organization’s infrastructure, depending on their specific needs and circumstances:
Network Level: Employing firewalls and intrusion prevention systems (IPSs), network-level virtual patching is the most common approach. These security devices effectively intercept and thwart exploit attempts before they reach the target.
Host Level: Host-based virtual patching installs protective software directly onto individual hosts or machines, providing an additional layer of defense.
Application Level: Tailored for safeguarding specific applications, this form of virtual patching shields critical software from being exploited.
The decision on which level to choose hinges on factors like the nature of the vulnerability, available security budget, and technical expertise within the organization.
Advantages of Virtual Patching
It offers several key advantages that make it a valuable asset in an organization’s cybersecurity arsenal:
Immediate Protection: By rapidly addressing known vulnerabilities, virtual patching immediately fortifies vulnerable areas against potential threats.
Time Gained: In cases where a permanent patch is under development or testing, virtual patching buys the organization time to prepare without exposing vulnerabilities.
Legacy System Protection: Safeguarding systems that can’t undergo easy patching, it serves as a shield, prolonging the life of vital legacy software.
Testing and Development Environments: Organizations can secure testing and development environments effectively using virtual patches, guaranteeing that vulnerabilities do not get exploited during these crucial stages.
Offline Systems Defense: Even systems not connected to the internet can benefit from virtual patching, as it guards against local attacks.
Drawbacks and Considerations
While virtual patching offers remarkable advantages, it’s vital to acknowledge its limitations and potential challenges:
Temporary Solution: As the name implies, virtual patching is not a permanent fix. It serves as a stopgap measure until a proper patch can be implemented.
Complex Implementation: Deploying and managing virtual patching solutions can be intricate, demanding specialized skills and resources.
Performance Impact: Depending on the solution, virtual patching may introduce some degree of performance overhead, potentially affecting system efficiency.
Sophisticated Attackers: Skilled and determined attackers might find ways to bypass virtual patches, making it crucial to have additional layers of security in place.
Choosing the Right Virtual Patching Solution
Selecting the appropriate solution involves careful consideration of multiple factors:
Vulnerability Coverage: Ensure that the chosen solution can effectively protect against the types of vulnerabilities most relevant to your organization.
Level of Protection: Assess the extent of protection the solution offers – whether it’s network-wide, application-specific, or host-based.
Ease of Deployment: A user-friendly solution that’s easy to deploy and manage can greatly simplify the implementation process.
Performance Impact: Evaluate the impact of the solution on system performance to ensure that it doesn’t hinder operations.
Cost Analysis: Compare the cost of the solution against the potential benefits it provides to determine its overall value.
Gaining insights from other organizations that have utilized the solution can offer valuable perspectives on its effectiveness and possible challenges.
Also Read: Ethical Hacking vs Penetration Testing : Difference, Certification
Also Read: How to Protect Your Organization from Cyberattacks with VAPT
Conclusion
Virtual patching serves as a powerful and proactive strategy to shield organizations from known vulnerabilities in their software and systems. While not a replacement for traditional patching, it acts as a critical defense mechanism, bridging the gap until permanent fixes can be applied. By carefully weighing the advantages and drawbacks of virtual patching and considering the specific needs of the organization, companies can make informed decisions that enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is patch management challenging for enterprises?
Patch management is challenging due to factors like the volume of vulnerabilities, the need for business continuity, limited visibility in complex infrastructures, varying patch cycles, and the presence of legacy systems. - What are the consequences of unpatched systems?
Systems that remain unpatched are highly susceptible to various cyber threats. Consequently, these vulnerabilities can lead to severe consequences such as data breaches, substantial financial losses, disruptive operational issues, and an increased risk of falling victim to ransomware attacks. - What is virtual patching?
It is a security technique that provides a temporary fix for known vulnerabilities until permanent patches can be applied. It creates a protective layer against exploitation. - How does virtual patching work?
It analyzes network traffic, identifies exploit attempts, and blocks or redirects malicious requests. It acts as a proactive defense mechanism. - Is virtual patching a replacement for traditional patching?
No, virtual patching complements traditional patching. It offers temporary protection while permanent fixes are developed, tested, or deployed.