Threat Alert – Surge in MFA Hijacking - New Safeguarding Advice
The PureCyber team are seeing increasing rates of MFA Hijacking, please see updates and advice below to improve your MFA function.
In an age where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, securing online accounts has never been more critical. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective tools in combating unauthorised access and protecting sensitive information. However, no system is entirely foolproof, and even Microsoft 365, a widely used and trusted platform, is not immune to potential security vulnerabilities. One such threat is MFA hijacking, a method cybercriminals may employ to bypass this crucial security layer. In this article, we'll explore what MFA hijacking entails, the risks it poses, and how users can safeguard their Microsoft 365 accounts.
Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication is a security process that requires users to verify their identity through multiple factors before gaining access to their accounts. These factors usually fall into three categories:
Something you know (e.g., password or PIN)
Something you have (e.g., a smartphone or security token)
Something you are (e.g., fingerprint or facial recognition)
By combining these factors, MFA significantly enhances the security of online accounts, as even if an attacker manages to obtain the password, they would still require the additional authentication factor to gain access.
What is MFA Hijacking?
MFA hijacking is a sophisticated attack in which cybercriminals attempt to intercept or bypass the MFA process to gain unauthorised access to a user's Microsoft 365 account. This type of attack exploits vulnerabilities in different stages of the authentication process to compromise the account.
Common Techniques Used in MFA Hijacking
Phishing: Attackers use social engineering techniques to trick users into revealing their login credentials, including their MFA codes. Phishing emails or websites imitate legitimate Microsoft login pages to deceive users.
SIM-Swapping: Cybercriminals manipulate mobile carriers to transfer a victim's phone number to a device under their control. This enables them to receive MFA codes meant for the victim's phone, effectively hijacking their MFA.
Device Compromise: If a user's device is infected with malware or is compromised, attackers may gain access to MFA codes generated on that device.
Risks Posed by MFA Hijacking
The implications of a successful MFA hijacking attack can be severe:
Unauthorised Access: Attackers can access sensitive data, emails, documents, and other confidential information stored in the Microsoft 365 account.
Data Breach: Compromised accounts can lead to data breaches, putting both personal and organisational data at risk.
Identity Theft: Hijacked accounts may be used for identity theft, fraud, or further phishing attacks on other users within the organisation.
Protecting Your Microsoft 365 Account
To safeguard your Microsoft 365 account against MFA hijacking and other security threats, consider implementing these best practices:
Enable Strong Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Ensure that MFA is enabled for all user accounts in your organization. Enforce users to use more secure authentication methods like hardware tokens, authenticator apps, or biometrics (e.g., fingerprint or facial recognition) rather than relying on SMS-based codes.
Implement Conditional Access Policies: Leverage Conditional Access in Microsoft 365 to enforce MFA requirements based on specific conditions, such as sign-in risk, user location, and device health. This ensures that MFA is only required when certain risk conditions are met, making it harder for attackers to hijack MFA sessions.
Monitor User Activity: Regularly review and monitor user activity, including sign-in logs and access attempts. Set up alerts for suspicious activities and investigate any unusual login patterns or IP addresses.
Use Identity Protection: Utilise Azure Active Directory Identity Protection to detect and respond to risky sign-ins. Identity Protection uses machine learning algorithms to assess sign-in risk and can enforce MFA when needed.
Educate Users About Phishing: Conduct security awareness training for all users to help them recognize and avoid phishing attempts. Phishing is a common method used to obtain MFA codes, so users should be cautious about clicking on links in emails and providing login credentials to untrusted sources.
Apply Security Updates and Patches: Keep all software, including operating systems, browsers, and security applications, up to date with the latest patches. Vulnerabilities in software can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorised access.
Limit Administrative Privileges: Restrict administrative privileges to only essential personnel. This reduces the impact of a successful session hijacking on sensitive systems and data.
Implement Session Timeouts: Configure session timeouts for user accounts, so inactive sessions are automatically logged out after a specific period of inactivity.
Monitor for Account Takeover Attempts: Deploy account takeover protection solutions that can detect and block automated and manual account takeover attempts.
Regularly Review Security Policies: Continuously assess and update your security policies to adapt to evolving threats and security best practices.
Enable User Consent Policies: Implement user consent policies to limit the scope of permissions that apps can request from users, reducing the potential for malicious apps to gain access to sensitive data.
Conclusion
While Multi-Factor Authentication significantly enhances account security, MFA hijacking serves as a reminder that no security measure is infallible. It is essential for users to remain vigilant, stay informed about emerging threats, and adopt best practices to protect their Microsoft 365 accounts and sensitive data. By understanding the risks and implementing robust security measures, individuals and organizations can bolster their defence against MFA hijacking and other cybersecurity threats.
Further Support
If you would like further advice or support around MFA, contact us or email info@purecyber.com