In today’s interconnected world, critical systems are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks through edge devices, even those considered secure. These devices, ranging from badge scanners and access control systems to surveillance cameras and sensors, provide essential functions across various sectors. However, they also represent a key entry point for attackers. Once compromised, these seemingly harmless devices can grant hackers unauthorized access to sensitive networks, posing serious security risks for both physical and cyber infrastructures.
Physical access control systems (PACS), like many edge devices, often rely on protocols such as the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) to secure communication between devices, such as badge readers and access controllers. But despite these security measures, vulnerabilities exist, creating an avenue for attackers to subvert these systems.
Entering the Network Through Edge Devices
Cyber attackers understand that many organizations focus heavily on securing their IT networks while overlooking the risks posed by edge devices. These field devices, often located at the network’s perimeter, are critical to operations but can become weak spots when not adequately protected. Let’s take the hospital infrastructure as an example.
Attackers target PACS systems by exploiting vulnerabilities within the OSDP, gaining man-in-the-middle access to the communication channel between badge readers and controllers. In hospitals, cyber attackers can gain unauthorized access into hospital network systems by exploiting vulnerabilities in edge devices like CCTV cameras, smart lights, environment sensors and HVAC systems, to name a few. By doing so, they can bypass physical tamper protections and unlock doors without authorization. But the danger doesn’t stop there. Once inside, attackers can pivot into internal networks through the same compromised devices, escalating the threat from unauthorized physical access to a full-blown cyber breach.
A successful attack on these systems could result in attackers gaining access to patient records, hack life support systems, EMR, and IV pumps to infiltrate patient treatment and recovery, causing a threat to life. The convergence of IT and OT in today’s industrial environments makes this type of attack particularly dangerous, as any access gained through edge devices can potentially disrupt both cyber and physical systems.
How Unauthorized Access Can Compromise Your Entire Network
The most concerning aspect of these attacks is the possibility of lateral movement within internal networks. The breach of a PACS is not just limited to unlocking doors; the compromised access controller becomes a gateway into the organization's broader IT network. This creates a scenario where attackers can exfiltrate sensitive data, launch ransomware attacks, or disrupt OT environments through devices that were designed to secure physical spaces.
Preventing Edge Device Exploitation
Given the critical role edge devices play in security and operations, protecting them from cyber threats must become a priority. Here are some key strategies to mitigate the risks posed by edge device vulnerabilities:
Conducting regular penetration tests is crucial to identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in PACSs and other edge devices. These tests help uncover weak points that attackers could exploit and provide insights into improving defenses.
Implement secure communication protocols and encryption for all data exchanged between edge devices and controllers. This includes upgrading legacy protocols, like OSDP, to versions that support encryption and tamper detection mechanisms.
Edge devices should be isolated on segmented networks to limit the ability of attackers to move laterally. By keeping these devices separate from critical systems, organizations can reduce the impact of any single compromised device.
Adopting a zero-trust approach ensures that no device or user is trusted by default. Every connection, device, and request must be authenticated and verified before access is granted. This applies to both IT and OT networks, further tightening security.
Continuously monitoring the network for any potential vulnerabilities is a must. Gaining full visibility, all the way to the device layer to understand what is in your network will help mitigate any potential attacks before it spreads to the entire network.
As organizations continue to rely on edge devices for operational efficiency, it is critical to recognize their potential as a cybersecurity risk. Attackers can easily exploit vulnerabilities in these systems, compromising not just physical access, but also the integrity of entire networks. MicroSec’s solutions enable the security of these devices through continuous monitoring, regular testing, encryption, segmentation, and a zero-trust mindset, which helps organizations better defend against the evolving threats posed by modern cyber attackers.