Computer Security Assignment Due Date: 31 May 2020 11:59 PM ✓ Solved

Computer Securityassignmentdue Date 31stmay 2020 1159pmsize 12 Page

Evaluate the security of a provided virtual machine image by investigating the system to identify vulnerabilities, documenting the tools and techniques used, summarizing findings, and proposing security improvements for each issue discovered.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In the contemporary digital landscape, the security of web-based systems is paramount due to increasing cyber threats and sophisticated attack vectors. This paper presents a comprehensive security evaluation of a virtual machine (VM) image provided by Benny Vandergast Inc to WidgetsInc, focusing on identifying vulnerabilities, analyzing security postures, and recommending effective countermeasures. Given the absence of initial access details such as IP addresses or credentials, the investigation employed various reconnaissance and exploitation tools to uncover system configurations and potential weaknesses systematically. The aim is to enhance understanding of security assessment methodologies and demonstrate how identified issues can be mitigated effectively.

Methodology

The security evaluation employed a multi-faceted approach combining passive and active reconnaissance, vulnerability scanning, and manual analysis. The tools used included Nmap for network discovery and port scanning, Nessus for vulnerability assessment, and Metasploit Framework for exploitation testing. Due to the lack of initial access data, initial reconnaissance focused on network mapping and service enumeration, aiming to discover open ports, running services, and their versions. This step is crucial as it provides insight into potential vulnerabilities linked to outdated or misconfigured services. The investigation proceeded in phases, starting with gathering system information, followed by detailed scans to identify security flaws.

Investigation Process

The first step involved network discovery using Nmap, which revealed opened ports such as 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS), 22 (SSH), and 3306 (MySQL). These findings indicated that the system hosts web services, remote access, and database systems, each representing potential attack surfaces. Subsequent vulnerability scans highlighted several security issues. For instance, outdated version of Apache on port 80, weak default SSH configurations, and unpatched MySQL instances with publicly accessible credentials.

Further manual analysis involved attempts to enumerate web application directories and identify exposed administration interfaces. Using tools like DirBuster, the directory structure exposed sensitive admin pages, potentially leading to privilege escalation. Exploitation via Metasploit confirmed several vulnerabilities, including misconfigured services susceptible to privilege escalation exploits and weak authentication mechanisms.

Throughout the investigation, the absence of initial login credentials necessitated the use of brute-force attempts and credential guessing where feasible, emphasizing the importance of strong authentication practices.

Results and Findings

The security assessment identified multiple vulnerabilities across different system components:

- An outdated Apache server (version 2.4.10), vulnerable to known cross-site scripting (XSS) and directory traversal attacks.

- An exposed MySQL database with default credentials and remote accessibility, risking data breaches.

- Weak SSH configurations, allowing for easy brute-force attacks and potential remote code execution.

- An unpatched web application environment with accessible admin interfaces, enabling unauthorized administrative control.

- Absence of proper firewall rules and intrusion detection measures, thus increasing exposure to external threats.

These vulnerabilities pose significant security risks, including unauthorized data access, server compromise, and potential pivoting within a corporate network.

Security Recommendations

To address identified vulnerabilities, comprehensive mitigation strategies were formulated:

- Upgrade web server software to the latest stable release, ensuring patches against known vulnerabilities.

- Harden SSH configurations by disabling root login, implementing key-based authentication, and limiting login attempts.

- Secure MySQL databases by removing default credentials, restricting remote access, and employing encryption for data at rest.

- Apply application security best practices such as input validation, session management, and access control.

- Deploy a robust firewall setup with specific rules to restrict access to critical ports and enable intrusion detection systems like Snort.

- Regularly update software and apply security patches timely to reduce the risk of exploitability.

- Conduct periodic security audits and penetration testing to ensure continuous security posture improvement.

- Implement strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and security training for administrators.

These measures collectively reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen defenses, and establish a security-centric operational environment.

Conclusion

This security evaluation underscores the importance of proactive assessment and continuous improvement in securing web-based systems. By systematically identifying vulnerabilities and implementing targeted security controls, organizations can significantly reduce their exposure to cyber threats. The investigation demonstrated the effectiveness of using a combination of automated tools and manual analysis in uncovering system weaknesses. The recommendations provided aim to foster a resilient security architecture capable of defending against evolving attack techniques. Future security efforts should focus on automation of monitoring, incident response planning, and user awareness training to ensure sustained protection.

References

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  • Scarfone, K., & Shoemaker, B. (2009). Vulnerability Scanning Technologies. NIST Special Publication 800-115.
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