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CTEM-EXP-3: Corporate Internet-Exposed Gateway Device

To be Completed

Documentation has not been completed. This page is a placeholder for future documentation.

Corporate Internet-Exposed Gateway Device refers to a system that has been discovered to be a networking device exposed to the internet. Typically, these are devices such as firewalls, routers, or VPN gateways that serve as an entry point to the corporate network. While many of these devices are expected (such as sanctioned corporate devices that are properly configured), there are significant risks associated with poorly managed or misconfigured devices, particularly for larger organizations with remote sites.

Often, smaller sales offices or satellite locations acquire off-the-shelf networking equipment that is not managed by the corporate IT team, which can introduce vulnerabilities if these devices are not properly secured.

Characteristics of a Corporate Internet-Exposed Gateway Device​

  • Public Accessibility: The gateway device is accessible from the public internet, often providing services like remote management, VPN access, or other networking capabilities.
  • Potential Connectivity to Internal Networks: These devices generally serve as entry points that connect remote offices or sites to the main corporate infrastructure, providing attackers with potential access paths to sensitive internal resources.
  • Diverse Management Practices: While some gateway devices may be sanctioned and well-configured by corporate IT, others at remote locations may be poorly managed, misconfigured, or lack proper security controls, increasing the likelihood of compromise.

Common Methods of Discovery​

Corporate internet-exposed gateway devices are typically discovered through:

  • Internet Scanning Tools: Internet scanning tools such as Shodan, Censys, or Nmap can be used to identify gateway devices that are accessible from the public internet. These tools often reveal details about the device, such as open ports, services, and even firmware information.
  • Login Banners and Identifiable Services: Login banners, default ports, or identifiable service names can provide clues about the presence of gateway devices. These details may be indexed by search engines or scanning tools, making them easier to locate.
  • VPN Logs and Site-to-Site Connections: Searching through site-to-site VPN logs may reveal connections from remote offices or satellite locations that use these gateway devices to communicate with the corporate network.

Risks and Impact​

The risks associated with corporate internet-exposed gateway devices include:

  • Unauthorized Access: Exposed gateway devices are at risk of unauthorized access, especially if they are not properly configured or if default credentials are used. Attackers can use these devices as entry points into the corporate network.
  • Lateral Movement: Once a gateway device is compromised, attackers can use it to move laterally within the corporate network, potentially compromising other systems and accessing sensitive data.
  • Service Disruption: Compromised gateway devices can lead to disruptions of essential services, such as VPN access or remote connectivity, impacting business continuity.
  • Shadow IT Concerns: Gateway devices acquired and deployed without corporate IT oversight (shadow IT) are particularly vulnerable, as they may not adhere to corporate security policies and are often not monitored.

Key Considerations for Threat Exposure Management​

Managing corporate internet-exposed gateway devices requires a combination of monitoring, strong access controls, and collaboration with remote site personnel:

  • Inventory and Asset Management: Maintain an accurate inventory of all gateway devices, including those deployed at remote locations. Ensure that all devices are accounted for and managed according to corporate security policies.
  • Access Controls and Hardening: Implement strong access controls for all exposed gateway devices, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative access. Harden the device configurations by disabling unnecessary services, changing default credentials, and applying the latest security patches.
  • Monitoring and Logging: Continuously monitor gateway devices for signs of compromise, unauthorized access attempts, or unusual activity. Maintain logs of all connections and administrative actions for auditing and incident response purposes.
  • Remote Site Coordination: Work closely with remote site personnel to ensure that all gateway devices are properly configured and managed. Provide training and resources to help remote teams secure their network devices.
  • Incident Response Planning: Develop an incident response plan that includes procedures for responding to gateway device compromises. This should include steps to isolate compromised devices, assess potential lateral movement, and remediate any security weaknesses.

Corporate internet-exposed gateway devices present a significant risk to an organization's security posture, particularly when they are misconfigured or poorly managed. Effective threat exposure management requires a proactive approach that includes robust access controls, continuous monitoring, and collaboration across all parts of the organization to secure these critical entry points.