In this lesson, we will discuss STRIDE.
STRIDE is a security model developed by a team at Microsoft.
This framework is very useful in the realms
of software development and cybersecurity,
providing a systematic approach to security
that encompasses six key elements: Spoofing, Tampering,
Repudiation, Information disclosure, denial of service,
and Elevation of privileges.
Each category represents a specific security threat
that needs to be addressed to protect systems
from potential breaches.
Let's take a look at each element.
First, we have spoofing, which involves an attacker
assuming the identity of another user
to gain unauthorized access to information,
systems, or networks.
Typically, this threat action focuses
on the authentication process, aiming to deceive systems
or users by manipulating data to mimic other users.
An example of spoofing
is when an attacker uses stolen credentials,
such as username and password, to gain access to the system.
Protecting secret data is important,
especially with the emphasis on protecting PII.
Employing strong encryption technology ensures
that sensitive information remains confidential
and inaccessible to unauthorized users.
Whenever possible, I find it best
to avoid storing secret information altogether
to reduce the risk of identity spoofing,
as it gives attackers few data points to exploit.
Second, there is tampering,
which refers to the malicious modification
or alteration of data.
This threat has various forms,
such as changing data store in a database
or altering data as it travels over a network.
The integrity of data is the primary concern here,
as unauthorized changes can help significant repercussions.
For example, if an attacker alters system settings,
it can compromise an entire system.
Ensuring data integrity
involves employing cryptographic hash functions
and implementing proper input validation techniques
to prevent unauthorized data modification.
Mitigation techniques,
such as Message Authentication Codes and digital signatures,
secure data by verifying its authenticity and integrity.
Additionally, using tamper-resistant protocols,
such as HTTPS, ensures that the data remains unchanged
during transmission.
Third, we have repudiation,
which involves performing actions on a system
that cannot be traced back to the individual user.
This threat is more prevalent in environments
that lack proper auditing and logging controls,
allowing attackers to deny their activities
because no evidence was left behind.
Now, non-repudiation measures,
such as logging and digital signatures, are important here
to ensure that actions performed on the system
can be attributed to individual users.
The digital signatures provide a reliable method
for proving the origin and integrity of data,
which counter repudiation claims.
Timestamps serve as a chronological record of actions,
adding a layer of accountability.
Audit trails also play an important role here
by logging detailed information about user activities,
thereby providing evidence that can confirm
or refute repudiation attempts.
Fourth, we'll discuss information disclosure.
This threat action involves unauthorized access
to confidential information,
whether the data is at rest or in transit.
Information disclosure breaches confidentiality
by exposing sensitive data to unauthorized individual,
potentially leading to data theft or leakage.
Protecting against unauthorized access
involves implementing specific access controls,
such as Role-Based Access Controls,
which ensures that only users with the necessary permissions
can access certain data.
Data should be encrypted using robust algorithms,
like AES-256 to secure it during storage and transmission.
Secure communication channels,
such as those utilizing TLS protocols,
should be used to safeguard data in transit.
And as mentioned earlier,
it's advisable to protect sensitive data
and avoid storing it unless absolutely necessary
to minimize exposure to potential breaches.
Fifth, let's discuss denial of service attacks,
which are designed to interrupt the normal functionality
of a website, or service, or network
by overwhelming the system with a flood of requests,
making them unavailable to legitimate users.
The availability of service is the primary target here.
Things we could do to mitigate such attacks
include deploying firewalls,
configuring rate-limiting rules,
and implementing redundancy across critical systems
to ensure availability, even under a load.
Filtering and throttling mechanisms
can restrict the flow of traffic to manageable levels,
while the quality of service rules ensure
that critical services maintain priority access
to resources, thereby preserving system availability,
even under an attack.
The sixth and final element is elevation of privileges,
which occurs when a user with limited permissions
is able to exploit a weakness or oversight in the system
to gain higher-level permissions.
This threat action involves authorization mechanisms
that can lead to significant security breaches
if not properly managed.
Now, mitigating these risks requires the implementation
of the principle of least privilege,
ensuring that users only have the permissions necessary
to perform their tasks.
This principle limits the potential damage
in the event of an attack.
So remember, understanding and mitigating the threats
categorized by the STRIDE model are crucial
for securing applications and systems
from potential breaches.
By focusing on the elements of STRIDE, which are, again,
Spoofing, Tempering, Repudiation, Information disclosure,
Denial of service, and Elevation of privilege,
developers and cybersecurity professionals alike
can create more robust security measures
tailored to protect against these types of threats.
This targeted approach not only enhances security,
but also improves the overall reliability
and integrity of software and systems.