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DETECTION OVERVIEW
Risk Factors
A database takeover is a planned attack that requires both detailed information about the target database and administrator privileges for running commands on the target server. Attack tools can help attackers take over a database server. After an attacker gains control of the server, they can download sensitive information from any database and conduct additional attacks on the network.
The system might change the risk score for this detection.
Kill Chain
Risk Score
84
Databases management systems (DBMS) store data and interact with the file system and operating system on a server. A database takeover gives the attacker abilities to interact with sensitive data and set up covert channels for exfiltration or additional attacks. Attack tools such as sqlmap help the attacker automate the takeover process, which includes a combination of commands and queries. First, the attacker with stolen administrator credentials establishes an interactive SQL shell with the database, or interacts with the database through SQL injection vulnerabilities on the web server. Next, the attacker submits commands in SQL queries. The type of query depends on the database software and the underlying operating system of the DBMS (xp_cmdshell queries for Microsoft SQL Servers, for example). These queries are submitted over protocols such as MySQL, Oracle TNS, or Microsoft TDS. After the commands run on the server, the attacker collects command output through additional SQL queries (SELECT @ sqlmapoutput for the sqlmap tool, for example).
Implement the least privilege model for application accounts and remove root or system access on database accounts, which can help minimize potential damage
Implement strict rules for outbound traffic from databases that contain valuable data
Review authentication methods and enforce policies for secure credentials creation and multi-factor authentication on databases
Implement strict audit controls that log every database change
