ExtraHop named a Leader in the 2025 Forrester Wave™: Network Analysis And Visibility Solutions

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DETECTION OVERVIEW

Unusual IoT Protocol Activity

Risk Factors

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are common targets for attackers because of well-known vulnerabilities such as weak default passwords, unsecured and outdated services, and exploitable firmware. Some IoT devices can be easily compromised and converted into pivot points for accessing internal network devices. Any indicator of compromise, such as outbound SSH connections from an IoT device, should be examined before it facilitates critical and costly attacks.

The system might change the risk score for this detection.

Category

Command-and-Control
Detection diagram
Next in Command-and-Control: Unusual Protocol Connection from a High Value Device

Attack Background

IoT devices such as internet-connected phones, printers, and cameras can be an attack vector for entering a network. Adversaries can choose from a variety of techniques to compromise IoT devices, from brute force attacks to unknown (zero-day) exploits.

This detection surfaces stealthy attack behaviors attributed to a number of techniques by analyzing protocol metadata for hundreds of IoT device make and models over time and across many networks. Protocol activity on your network is then compared to protocol activity in the behavioral profiles for these devices.

The following diagram shows one example scenario in which a VoIP phone is communicating over SSH. Because the make and model of this VoIP phone only communicates over SIP, RTP, and RTSP protocols, the SSH connection results in a detection because the behavior requires further investigation.

Mitigation Options

Quarantine the device while checking for indicators of compromise

Regularly apply firmware updates to reduce the number of vulnerabilities that can be exploited

Ensure updates are legitimate by installing over a secured channel

Implement network segmentation and the principle of least privilege on accounts to minimize the damage caused by a compromised device

Review authentication methods and enforce policies for secure credential creation, strong authentication practices, and multi-factor authentication

Strengthen the security of IoT devices by updating default or weak passwords, blocking exposure to the internet, closing unused ports, and enhancing physical security

MITRE ATT&CK ID

Associated content

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