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Exfiltration

Data Smuggler

Data Smuggler
Overview
Possible Root Causes
Example Scenarios
Business Impact
Steps to Investigate
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
Related Detections
FAQ

Detection overview

The "Data Smuggler" detection focuses on identifying unauthorized data exfiltration attempts from within an organization's network. Data smuggling involves covertly transferring sensitive or critical information out of the network, often using methods that bypass traditional security controls. Detecting data smuggling is crucial as it can indicate ongoing breaches or insider threats aiming to steal data.

Triggers

  • An internal host is acquiring a large amount of data from one or more internal servers and is subsequently sending a significant amount of data to an external system

Possible Root Causes

  • A host infected with malware as part of a targeted attack or a malicious insider may be acquiring and exfiltrating company data
  • While acquiring and transmitting a large quantity of data to the outside within a short period of time may be pure coincidence, the outbound data transfer is significant enough to warrant further examination

Business Impact

  • The detection signals possible exfiltration of company data
  • The internal servers from which the data was retrieved provides some indication of the data which was acquired; if those servers contain valuable information and the external service to which data was uploaded is not an IT- sanctioned service, the potential business risk is high

Steps to Verify

  1. Decide whether this may be a malicious insider or an infected host
  2. If the signs point to an infected host, contact the user to inquire if they initiated the uploading behavior in question
  3. For potential malicious insiders, perform a complete analysis of recent behavior
  4. Look up the external system IP addresses and domain names on sites that maintain reputation lists as this may provide a clear indication that the internal host is infected; such lookups are supported directly within the UI
Data Smuggler

Possible root causes

Malicious Detection

  • An external attacker has compromised an internal system and is exfiltrating data.
  • Insider threat involving an employee intentionally transferring sensitive data out of the network.
  • Use of malware or advanced persistent threats (APTs) designed to exfiltrate data covertly.

Benign Detection

  • Legitimate data transfers for business purposes not previously documented or authorized.
  • Backup or replication tasks that involve large data transfers to external storage.
  • Security assessments or penetration tests simulating data exfiltration.
Data Smuggler

Example scenarios

Scenario 1: An external attacker compromises an internal system and begins transferring large volumes of sensitive data to a remote server. The detection is triggered by the unusual volume and destination of the outbound data transfers.

Scenario 2: An insider threat scenario where an employee uses a personal email account to send sensitive documents to an unauthorized external address. The detection is triggered by the unauthorized use of personal email for data transfer.

Data Smuggler

Business impact

If this detection indicates a genuine threat, the organization faces significant risks:

Data Breach

Unauthorized access to and theft of sensitive or critical information.

Financial Loss

Potential fines, legal fees, and costs associated with incident response and recovery.

Operational Disruption

Interruption of business processes due to compromised systems.

Data Smuggler

Steps to investigate

Review Network Traffic Logs

  • Check logs for patterns of unusual outbound data transfers, including timestamps, source IP addresses, and destinations.
  • Identify any use of uncommon protocols or encryption methods for data transfers.

Correlate with User Activity

  • Verify if the data transfers are associated with legitimate business activities.
  • Check for recent changes in user behavior, access patterns, or privileges.

Examine Tools and Scripts

  • Look for the presence of known data exfiltration tools or scripts.
  • Review any automated tasks or processes that may be causing the data transfers.

Conduct a Threat Hunt

  • Search for other indicators of compromise or malicious activity associated with the same user or IP addresses.
  • Verify if the detected activity is part of a scheduled security assessment or penetration test.
Data Smuggler

MITRE ATT&CK techniques covered

Exfiltration Over C2 Channel

T1041

Data from Information Repositories

T1213

Archive Collected Data

T1560

Data Staged

T1074

Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol

T1048

Automated Exfiltration

T1020

Data Transfer Size Limits

T1030

Exfiltration Over Web Service

T1567
Data Smuggler

Related detections

Data Gathering

Smash and Grab

Peer-To-Peer

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FAQs

What is data smuggling?

Data smuggling involves the covert transfer of sensitive or critical information out of an organization's network, often using methods that bypass traditional security controls.

What are the common signs of data smuggling?

Common signs include unusual outbound data transfers, use of uncommon protocols or encryption methods, sudden spikes in network traffic, and data transfers to unrecognized external IP addresses.

Can legitimate activities trigger the detection of data smuggling?

Yes, legitimate data transfers for business purposes, backup tasks, or security assessments can trigger this detection. It's important to verify the context of the activity.

How does Vectra AI detect data smuggling?

Vectra AI uses advanced AI algorithms to analyze network traffic and identify patterns indicative of data smuggling, correlating these with other suspicious behaviors.

What is the business impact of data smuggling?

The primary risks are data breaches, financial loss, reputation damage, and operational disruptions, which can lead to significant harm to the organization.

How can I detect data smuggling in my environment?

Monitor network traffic for unusual or high-volume outbound data transfers, use of uncommon protocols, and data transfers to unauthorized external destinations. Employ network traffic analysis tools and set up alerts for suspicious activity.

Why is data smuggling a significant threat?

Data smuggling can lead to unauthorized access and theft of sensitive information, resulting in data breaches, financial loss, reputation damage, and operational disruption.

What steps should I take if I detect data smuggling?

Investigate the source and destination of the data transfers, verify if they are authorized, check for other signs of malicious activity, and take steps to secure compromised systems and data.

What tools can help verify the presence of data smuggling?

Tools like network traffic analyzers, threat detection and response systems, and specialized monitoring solutions can help identify and verify data smuggling attempts.

How can I prevent data smuggling?

Implement strong data security policies, monitor network traffic, use data loss prevention (DLP) tools, set up alerts for suspicious activity, and regularly audit data access and transfers.