Today, both consumers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are becoming increasingly aware of the potential risks associated with security breaches in broadband Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). These risks range from the theft of personal data to disruptive service interruptions caused by persistent malware.
When we think of vulnerable points, we have to pay special attention to the Achilles’ heel of ISP security – CPE routers, the frontline defenders of personal data and internet connectivity. A weak router’s security can expose vulnerabilities in the backend infrastructure and allow attackers to get into the core network of the ISPs.
Join us as we explore the world of router security breaches, uncover the consequences and reveal practical strategies for fortifying your ISP network against these hidden threats.
To offer better services and make their customers even happier, ISPs are upgrading to smarter CPE with value-added services, such as third-party applications. In doing so, they unintentionally expose themselves to greater security risks. While these services can enhance customer loyalty, satisfaction and Net Promoter Score (NPS) they also create a larger attack surface for cybercriminals to exploit.
Traditionally, ISPs have considered their CPE to be part of their trusted core network, even though it operates in a potentially risky environment. Back in the days, a CPE could authenticate to the backend with as little as its Media Access Control (MAC) address. But now, as the ISP’s backend gets more complicated and starts collecting sensitive customer data, blind trust can become a real headache and a pressing concern.
There are various types of CPE credentials, including secrets hardcoded in router firmware, MAC address, short passwords and self-signed certificates, among others.
Fragile authentication mechanisms, such as relying solely on MAC addresses, is a common vulnerability. Unfortunately, MAC addresses have a predictable format that can be easily spoofed, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate subscribers.
Once these attackers are recognized as valid users, they can exploit vulnerabilities in the ISP’s backend infrastructure that holds a vast amount of sensitive data collected from customers’ homes. This includes personal details, traffic logs, Wi-Fi passwords and even video footage from security cameras.
But skilled attackers don’t stop there. Armed with a legitimate identity in the operator’s backend, they venture deeper, focusing on targeting the service Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). These attackers methodically test different APIs until they locate the one providing access to the core network. The consequences of breaching this crucial point can be severe and pose significant threats to ISP companies.
Optus, a subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, disclosed a breach in 2022 that resulted in the theft of data belonging to current and former customers. Data gained by hackers included names, birthdates, addresses, phone numbers, email contacts, passport numbers and driving license numbers. The breach led to a ransom of $1mil in cryptocurrency and had a huge effect on the company’s reputation.
And these kinds of attacks are only the beginning. Based on predictions, API abuses and related data breaches will double by 2024!
To avoid these risks and protect the ISP’s network, it’s crucial to implement a robust and trusted identity within each individual router. Private credentials are unique and impossible to guess or clone and a great way for ISPs to strengthen router security and the integrity of their infrastructure.
Establishing this trusted identity involves leveraging cryptography, following best practices such as using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates or cryptographic Root-of-Trust (RoT), employing strong algorithms and selecting appropriate key lengths.
But this process does start at the manufacturing stage, where it’s crucial to provide evidence of secure and controlled generation and distribution of certificates and keys. Once installed in a device, the CPE identity should possess resilience against extraction. Failure to protect these private keys leaves ISP companies vulnerable to theft and cloning, whether through malware or unauthorized physical access.
By acknowledging the risks associated with weak authentication mechanisms and taking proactive steps to implement trusted identities in CPE, ISPs can significantly reduce the likelihood of security breaches.
To gain a deeper understanding on how ISPs can protect their routers against persistent malware with code-signing, we invite you to download our comprehensive e-book, “Broadband CPE: An ISP’s Biggest Asset or Its Weakest Link?” This e-book includes real-life case studies, practical recommendations and actionable insights to help you ensure the long-term security management of your CPE.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take action today to secure your ISP network and stay one step ahead of cyber threats.
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