ECCouncil 312-38 - Certified Network Defender (CND)

IPsec VPN tunnels operate at the network layer of the OSI model. This is because IPsec is designed to secure IP communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet of a communication session. IPsec includes protocols for establishing mutual authentication between agents at the beginning of a session and negotiation of cryptographic keys to be used during the session. IPsec can protect data flows between a pair of hosts (host-to-host), between a pair of security gateways (network-to-network), or between a security gateway and a host (network-to-host). By functioning at the network layer, IPsec VPNs are able to secure all traffic that passes through them, not just specific applications or sessions.

References: The information provided is based on standard networking protocols and the OSI model as covered in the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) program, which includes a comprehensive understanding of network security measures like IPsec123.

 The recommended first response steps for network defenders typically include preserving the state of the suspected devices and extracting relevant data as early as possible. Disabling virus protection is not part of the recommended first response steps because it could compromise the system’s security further and potentially destroy evidence. The primary goal in the initial response is to maintain the integrity of the system and the evidence it contains.

References: This approach aligns with best practices for incident response, which emphasize the importance of not altering the state of a system during the initial investigation to avoid evidence tampering or loss12.

The Windows Event Log audit configurations are recorded in the registry key path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog. This key contains subkeys for each of the event logs on the system, including the Application, Security, and System logs, among others. Each of these subkeys can contain a number of values that determine how events are logged, which can include the maximum size of the log, the retention method, and the file path where the log is stored. Audit policies can be configured to determine which events are recorded in these logs, and the configurations are reflected in the registry under this key.

References: The information provided is based on standard Windows operating system behavior and aligns with the Certified Network Defender (CND) curriculum, which includes understanding and managing Windows logging and auditing settings as part of network security monitoring and defense strategies.

According to NIST guidelines, the incident category that includes activities seeking to access or identify a federal agency computer, open ports, protocols, services, or any combination thereof for later exploitation is categorized as ‘Scans/Probes/Attempted Access’. This category encompasses any unauthorized attempts to access systems, networks, or data, which may include scanning for vulnerabilities or probing to discover open ports and services.

References: The NIST Special Publication 800-61 Revision 2, titled “Computer Security Incident Handling Guide,” outlines the various categories of incidents and recommends best practices for incident response. It details how to handle incidents such as scans, probes, and attempted access, which are precursors to more serious attacks12.

In MacOS, disk encryption is implemented by enabling the FileVault feature. FileVault is a disk encryption program available in Mac operating systems that uses XTS-AES-128 encryption with a 256-bit key to help prevent unauthorized access to information on the startup disk. It’s designed to encrypt the entire drive on your Mac, protecting your data with a password and automatically encrypting everything stored on the Mac. This feature is particularly important for users who handle sensitive information and want to ensure that their data is secure, even if their computer is lost or stolen.

References: The explanation is based on the official Apple Support documentation, which provides detailed guidance on using FileVault for disk encryption on MacOS12.

 In Transport mode encryption of an IPsec server, only the payload of the data packet is encrypted. This mode is designed to encrypt the message within an IP packet, while the header remains unencrypted. Transport mode is used for end-to-end communication between a client and a server, where the server can interpret the headers to route the packet to the correct application or process.

References: The information is consistent with the IPsec standards and documentation, which specify that in Transport mode, the data within the original IP packet is protected, but not the IP header123. This ensures that the packet retains its original IP header, allowing it to be routed properly through the network.

 The correct Wireshark filter to detect a SYN/FIN DDoS attempt is tcp.flags==0X029. This filter is designed to capture packets where both the SYN and FIN flags are set, which is an unusual combination and indicative of a SYN/FIN attack. In a typical three-way TCP handshake, the SYN and FIN flags are not set in the same TCP segment. A SYN flag is used to initiate a connection, and a FIN flag is used to politely close a connection. Therefore, seeing both flags set in the same packet suggests a possible SYN/FIN DDoS attack.

References: The answer is based on the standard behavior of TCP flags in network communications and the detection of anomalous flag combinations that signify potential DDoS attacks. While specific references to the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) course materials cannot be provided here, the explanation aligns with the general knowledge of network security practices and the use of Wireshark for network analysis.

SSID cloaking is a security measure that involves hiding the Service Set Identifier (SSID) of a wireless network from being broadcasted openly. This prevents the SSID from appearing in the list of available networks on devices within range, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access attempts. While it does not provide complete security on its own, it is considered a layer of defense that can deter casual attempts to connect to a network. It is important to note that SSID cloaking should be used in conjunction with other security measures, such as strong encryption and authentication protocols, to effectively secure a wireless network.

References: The best practices for wireless network security include using strong passwords, enabling encryption, and employing security measures like SSID cloaking to minimize the visibility of the network to unauthorized users12. These practices are aligned with the objectives and guidelines provided by the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) program.

OpenVAS stands out as the most suitable tool for conducting a vulnerability assessment on a Linux server with LAMP. It is a full-featured vulnerability scanner that’s actively maintained and updated, capable of detecting thousands of vulnerabilities in network services and software. For a black hat vulnerability assessment, which implies testing from the perspective of a potential attacker, OpenVAS can simulate attacks on the network services running on the LAMP stack and identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

References: The choice of OpenVAS is supported by its inclusion in various lists of top vulnerability assessment tools for Linux servers. It is specifically designed to perform comprehensive scans and is frequently updated to include the latest vulnerability checks12.