Air-Gapped Systems Breached: A Deep Dive into the Attack and Prevention

Joe Ariganello VP of Product Marketing

Joe is the VP of Product Marketing at MixMode. He has led product marketing for multiple cybersecurity companies, with stops at Anomali, FireEye, Neustar and Nextel, as well as various start-ups. Originally from NY, Joe resides outside Washington DC and has a BA from Iona University.

Once considered impregnable bastions of security, air-gapped systems have been shown to be vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. These systems, physically isolated from networks, were believed to be immune to remote hacking. However, recent breaches, including the one involving European government systems, have shattered this illusion. The threat actors in these cases employed ingenious techniques to bypass the physical isolation and compromise the security of these supposedly impenetrable systems.

The Attack: How Custom Malware Exploited Air-Gapped Systems

GoldenJackal, a sophisticated advanced persistent threat (APT) group, has demonstrated its capabilities with a recent breach of European air-gapped government systems. The APT hacking group used custom malware specifically designed to evade detection by traditional security measures. This malware was introduced to the air-gapped systems via the insertion of USB drives, a seemingly mundane method that belied the sophistication of the attack. Once inside, the malware could steal sensitive data, exfiltrate it to the attackers, and even establish a covert communication channel for future attacks.

GoldenJackal’s ability to create and deploy custom malware underscores the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats.

This attack highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the urgent need for robust security measures, even in seemingly isolated environments. It’s a stark reminder that we can never be complacent when it comes to security.

The Attack: A Multi-Phased Operation

The GoldenJackal attack involved a multi-phased operation that leveraged two custom toolsets to compromise the air-gapped computer systems. These toolsets were designed to evade traditional security measures, infiltrate critical infrastructure, and exfiltrate sensitive data.

The Stolen Data

The stolen data included a variety of sensitive information, such as:

Emails
Encryption keys
Images
Archives
Documents

This data could be used for espionage, intelligence gathering, or other malicious purposes.

The Implications

The GoldenJackal breach underscores the vulnerability of even the most isolated air-gapped devices to advanced cyberattacks. Traditional security solutions, often relying on signature-based detection, are ill-equipped to handle such novel attacks.

Why Traditional Solutions Failed: The Limitations of Signature-Based Detection

Signature-based detection, a cornerstone of traditional security measures, relies on identifying known patterns of malicious activity. While effective against known threats, it struggles to detect new and emerging attacks. The custom malware used in the air-gapped system breaches was designed to avoid detection by signature-based systems, highlighting the limitations of this approach.

Furthermore, traditional security solutions often focus on network-based threats, overlooking the potential vulnerabilities within the systems themselves. The air-gapped system breaches demonstrate the importance of considering external and internal threats when designing a comprehensive security strategy.

Why is Custom Malware on the Rise?

Several factors are contributing to the rise of custom malware:

Increased Profitability: Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated and organized, recognizing that custom malware can yield higher returns. By targeting specific victims, they can extract valuable data, disrupt operations, or extort ransom payments.
Advancements in Technology: The availability of powerful tools and resources, such as open-source frameworks, cloud-based infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, has made it easier for cybercriminals to create and deploy custom malware.
Improved Targeting Capabilities: Cybercriminals are becoming more adept at identifying vulnerable targets and tailoring their attacks accordingly. This is made possible by advancements in data analytics, social engineering techniques, and intelligence gathering.

How Does Custom Malware Work?

In addition to the USB example above, custom malware can be delivered through various methods, including:

Phishing: Attackers send emails or messages that appear legitimate but contain malicious links or attachments.
Exploit Kits: These automated tools exploit vulnerabilities in software applications to deliver malware.
Supply Chain Attacks: Attackers compromise third-party suppliers or vendors to gain access to their customers’ networks.

Once custom malware is installed on a system, it can perform a variety of malicious activities, such as:

File exfiltration of sensitive data
Disrupting operations
Encrypting files and demanding a ransom
Installing additional malware

The Impact of Custom Malware

The consequences of a custom malware attack can be severe, including:

Financial loss
Reputation damage
Business disruption
Legal liabilities

The Future of Security for Air-Gapped Environments: A Proactive Approach

The breach of European government air-gapped systems is a stark reminder that no system is immune to attack. As cybercriminals continue to innovate and develop new attack techniques, it is essential to adopt proactive security measures to protect against known and unknown threats.

MixMode offers a more comprehensive approach to protecting air-gapped networks by leveraging advanced artificial intelligence with behavioral analysis. Instead of relying on signatures, MixMode’s AI analyzes system behavior to identify anomalies that may indicate a malicious attack. This approach allows it to detect even unknown threats, making it a valuable tool in combating the ever-evolving landscape of cybercrime.

MixMode’s AI can identify suspicious behavior by monitoring system activity for unusual patterns, such as unauthorized file access or unusual network traffic. This proactive approach can help detect and prevent attacks before they cause significant damage.

The air-gapped system breaches highlight the need for a more sophisticated security approach. By understanding these systems’ vulnerabilities and adopting innovative solutions like MixMode, organizations can better protect their sensitive data and mitigate cyberattack risks.