Cyber Agencies Share Security Guidance for Network Edge Devices
Summary:
Five Eyes cybersecurity agencies (UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S.) have issued guidance urging network device manufacturers to enhance forensic visibility, helping defenders detect and investigate breaches. Network edge devices—such as firewalls, routers, VPN gateways, OT, and IoT systems—are prime targets for both state-sponsored and financially motivated attackers. These devices often lack Endpoint Detection and Response capabilities, making them an easy entry point into enterprise networks. Security gaps, including outdated firmware, weak authentication, default insecure configurations, and minimal logging, further limit detection capabilities. Positioned at the network perimeter, these devices process corporate traffic, making them valuable targets for credential theft and surveillance.
Security Officer Comments:
CISA warned that adversaries frequently exploit vulnerabilities in these devices, posing severe financial and reputational risks to organizations. The UK's NCSC emphasized the need for manufacturers to implement robust logging and forensic features by default. Attackers have repeatedly targeted devices from major vendors. In response, CISA has issued multiple "Secure by Design" alerts, including one in July 2024 addressing OS command injection vulnerabilities exploited by China's Velvet Ant group. CISA also urged SOHO router manufacturers to bolster security against Volt Typhoon attacks and eliminate default passwords in shipped devices.
Suggested Corrections:
Know the edge: Endeavour to understand where the periphery of the network is, and audit which devices sit across that edge. Identify devices that have reached EOL and remove/replace them.
Procure secure-by-design devices: Prioritise procuring edge devices from manufacturers that follow secure-by-design principles during product development; explicitly demand product security as part of the procurement process. Track deliveries and maintain assurance that malicious actors have not tampered with edge devices.
Apply hardening guidance, updates and patches: Review and implement specific vendor hardening guidance. Ensure prompt application of patches and updates to edge devices to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong authentication: Implement robust identity and access management practices to prevent unauthorised access with weak credentials or poor access controls. Implement phishing-resistant MFA across edge devices to protect against exploitation.
Disable unneeded features and ports: Regularly audit and disable unused features and ports on edge devices to minimise the attack surface.
Secure management interfaces: Limit exposure by ensuring management interfaces are not directly internet accessible.
Centralise monitoring for threat detection: Ensure centralised visibility and log access to detect and investigate security incidents. Event logs should also be backed up and data redundancy practices should be implemented.
Link(s):
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...e-security-guidance-for-network-edge-devices/
Five Eyes cybersecurity agencies (UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S.) have issued guidance urging network device manufacturers to enhance forensic visibility, helping defenders detect and investigate breaches. Network edge devices—such as firewalls, routers, VPN gateways, OT, and IoT systems—are prime targets for both state-sponsored and financially motivated attackers. These devices often lack Endpoint Detection and Response capabilities, making them an easy entry point into enterprise networks. Security gaps, including outdated firmware, weak authentication, default insecure configurations, and minimal logging, further limit detection capabilities. Positioned at the network perimeter, these devices process corporate traffic, making them valuable targets for credential theft and surveillance.
Security Officer Comments:
CISA warned that adversaries frequently exploit vulnerabilities in these devices, posing severe financial and reputational risks to organizations. The UK's NCSC emphasized the need for manufacturers to implement robust logging and forensic features by default. Attackers have repeatedly targeted devices from major vendors. In response, CISA has issued multiple "Secure by Design" alerts, including one in July 2024 addressing OS command injection vulnerabilities exploited by China's Velvet Ant group. CISA also urged SOHO router manufacturers to bolster security against Volt Typhoon attacks and eliminate default passwords in shipped devices.
Suggested Corrections:
Know the edge: Endeavour to understand where the periphery of the network is, and audit which devices sit across that edge. Identify devices that have reached EOL and remove/replace them.
Procure secure-by-design devices: Prioritise procuring edge devices from manufacturers that follow secure-by-design principles during product development; explicitly demand product security as part of the procurement process. Track deliveries and maintain assurance that malicious actors have not tampered with edge devices.
Apply hardening guidance, updates and patches: Review and implement specific vendor hardening guidance. Ensure prompt application of patches and updates to edge devices to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong authentication: Implement robust identity and access management practices to prevent unauthorised access with weak credentials or poor access controls. Implement phishing-resistant MFA across edge devices to protect against exploitation.
Disable unneeded features and ports: Regularly audit and disable unused features and ports on edge devices to minimise the attack surface.
Secure management interfaces: Limit exposure by ensuring management interfaces are not directly internet accessible.
Centralise monitoring for threat detection: Ensure centralised visibility and log access to detect and investigate security incidents. Event logs should also be backed up and data redundancy practices should be implemented.
Link(s):
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...e-security-guidance-for-network-edge-devices/