ECCouncil 312-38 - Certified Network Defender (CND)

Phishing attempts that target users with fake usage bills from a cloud provider are examples of a cloud to user attack surface. This type of attack surface refers to the potential vulnerabilities and entry points that exist between the cloud service provider and the user. In this scenario, the attacker is exploiting the trust relationship between the user and the cloud service provider by presenting a fraudulent bill, hoping the user will reveal sensitive information or make a payment based on the fake bill.

References: The explanation is consistent with the Certified Network Defender (CND) curriculum, which includes understanding various attack surfaces, including cloud and user-related surfaces, and how they can be exploited through phishing and other social engineering attacks12.

Composite signature-based analysis is a technique used in intrusion detection systems to examine multiple attributes or behaviors over time to identify potential threats. This method can analyze packet headers to detect anomalies that may indicate a packet has been altered. It looks at a series of packets or fragments to determine if they are part of a legitimate session or if they have been manipulated as part of an attack, such as overlapping fragments which cannot be reassembled properly. This approach is more comprehensive than atomic signature-based analysis, which examines single events or packets in isolation, and provides a more contextual understanding compared to context-based or content-based analyses.

References: The concept of composite signature-based analysis and its application in examining packet headers for alterations is supported by industry-standard practices in network security and intrusion detection systems123.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is the global data security standard adopted by the payment card brands for all entities that process, store, or transmit cardholder data. It consists of steps that mirror security best practices, including protecting stored cardholder data, maintaining a vulnerability management program, and implementing strong access control measures. For a local bank that wants to protect cardholder data, compliance with PCI DSS is essential to ensure the security of this sensitive information.

References: The PCI DSS Quick Reference Guide and other official documents from the PCI Security Standards Council provide comprehensive information on the requirements and best practices for securing cardholder data. These documents are used as references in the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) course to educate network defenders on the importance of PCI DSS compliance12.

The Network Interface Card (NIC) operates primarily on the Physical layer of the OSI model. This layer is responsible for the actual transmission and reception of data over a network medium. The NIC provides the physical connection between the computer and the network, converting digital data into electrical, radio, or optical signals for outbound data, and vice versa for inbound data12.

Additionally, the NIC also has functionalities that extend to the Data Link layer, which is responsible for node-to-node data transfer and handling the physical addressing of packets through MAC addresses3.

References:

Information based on the Certified Network Defender (CND) course material and study guide.

Additional details from EC-Council’s official Certified Network Defender (CND) resources and other authoritative sources on network interface cards and the OSI model132.

To detect TCP and UDP ping sweeps on a network, the appropriate filter would be one that checks for packets directed at port 7, which is commonly used for the ‘echo’ service. This service is associated with ping functionality for both TCP and UDP protocols. Therefore, the correct filter to use would be Tcp.dstport==7 and udp.dstport==7, which checks for incoming packets where the destination port is 7 for both TCP and UDP traffic. This allows Mark to identify ping sweep attempts, as these would typically send packets to this port to elicit a response from the network.

References: The Certified Network Defender (CND) course material outlines the importance of understanding and utilizing network filters to detect various types of network scans and sweeps, including TCP and UDP ping sweeps1. This is further supported by industry practices and discussions on network security monitoring and defense1.

Log normalization is a critical process in network security, particularly within the context of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems. The primary goal of log normalization is to standardize the format of log data received from various sources, which often have different formats and structures. This standardization allows for more efficient and effective analysis, correlation, and storage of log data. By converting disparate log data into a common format, SIEM systems can more easily identify patterns, detect anomalies, and trigger alerts for potential security incidents. This process is essential for managing the complexity and volume of log data in modern network environments.

References: The explanation provided is based on the general practices and objectives of network security and SIEM systems as outlined in the Certified Network Defender (CND) curriculum. For the most accurate and detailed information, please refer to the latest CND study materials and documents available through the EC-Council’s official resources.

As a first responder to a suspected DoS incident, the initial step is to make an assessment of the situation. This involves analyzing the network traffic using tools like Wireshark to confirm the nature of the traffic and determine if it is indeed a DoS attack. The assessment will help in understanding the scope and impact of the incident and is crucial for deciding the subsequent steps in the response process123.

References: The importance of making an initial assessment is highlighted in various cybersecurity incident response guidelines and best practices, which recommend starting with an evaluation of the situation before proceeding with any other actions123.

An IR custodian is typically responsible for making decisions on the classifications and the severity of the incident identified. This role involves determining the impact of the incident, categorizing its severity, and guiding the appropriate response according to the organization’s incident response plan. The custodian plays a critical role in the incident response process by ensuring that incidents are properly identified, classified, and escalated to the relevant parties for further action.

References: The information provided aligns with the objectives and documents of the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) program, which includes understanding the roles and responsibilities within an incident response team. For more detailed information, refer to the official CND study guide and materials provided by the EC-Council.

The last step Malone should list in his incident handling plan is ‘A follow-up’. This step is crucial as it involves analyzing the incident to understand how it occurred and what can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future. It often includes a review of the effectiveness of the response, identification of lessons learned, updating policies and procedures accordingly, and conducting training sessions if necessary. This step ensures that the organization improves its security posture and is better prepared for future incidents.

References: The follow-up step is aligned with the incident response life cycle which includes preparation, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and then follow-up as the final phase. This is consistent with the best practices in incident response and is covered in the Certified Network Defender (CND) curriculum as well as in the NIST guidelines on incident response1.

Docker provides Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) through OS-level virtualization. This form of virtualization allows for the deployment of software in packages called containers. Containers are isolated from each other and bundle their own software, libraries, and configuration files; they can communicate with each other through well-defined channels. OS-level virtualization is lightweight compared to other forms of virtualization because it does not require a hypervisor to create virtual machines. Instead, the Docker Engine enables the containers to run directly within the host machine’s operating system but with separate namespaces, which is why it’s considered OS-level.

References: The information provided is consistent with the Certified Network Defender (CND) course’s objectives regarding understanding different types of virtualization and their purposes in network security. Docker’s use of OS-level virtualization is a fundamental concept covered in the study materials12.