A multi-factor authentication system (MFA) improves the level of security for organizations. As a result, organizations that are looking to boost their security levels prefer security providers such as eSacn. Even if the organization’s enterprise-wide MFA solution is compromised, eScan embeds an advanced AI email security solution with multi-factor authentication to protect messages.
The additional layer of MFA provided by eScan assists in ensuring that organizations are in compliance with regulatory requirements while protecting their most critical communication channel.
Understanding MFA and Its Importance.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) prevents unauthorized access by using multiple factors, such as passwords and devices. It adds an extra layer of security to prevent impostors from accessing your information.
MFA has its own challenges, as do many other security tools. However, without MFA, hackers can easily access critical data or plant malware within the enterprise network using compromised credentials.
Which MFA vulnerabilities are the most common?
Administrators and users may feel challenged by MFA, since it requires complex setup and may be challenging to use for non-technical persons. A useful feature of this adaptive control is that it adds an extra level of authentication protection beyond just passwords to enhance security. MFA is crucial for preventing breaches like the Colonial Pipeline incident, but must be implemented correctly to prevent potential security risks.
Additionally, the following issues commonly arise:
Emailing the Code Vulnerability:
“Email-based MFA sends token messages after users input their login details.” However, its accuracy may be inconsistent. It is impossible to prevent phishing if the user account has been compromised; hackers can exploit this exploit to gain access to more sensitive data.
Authentication based on a phone number and its potential risks:
Because of the popularity of cell phones, MFA can be done via text messages and phone calls. There are, however, some drawbacks to them. Hackers can steal authentication codes by tricking users with fake login pages.
Because smaller screens make it easier for hackers to mimic actual sites, there are more social attacks. Hackers can bypass security measures through techniques such as “SIM swapping” and phone malware installation.
Leveraging Authenticator Apps:
With Google Authenticator, for instance, you can create time-based one-time passwords. Even though these apps provide enhanced security, they do not provide password protection, which poses a risk if the phone is unlocked. Moreover, the generated codes are unique to a device and not associated with an individual’s online identity.
MFA Bypass Techniques: What Are They?
Hackers are finding several ways to circumvent MFA. A flaw in the MFA system makes bypassing possible.
Here is an example:
“After entering a password, users enter a verification code on another page and then skip to the login page afterwards. Sometimes websites check if you have completed the second step before granting access. In addition, there is a problem with the logic of MFA resulting in that, after the initial login step, the website cannot verify that the same user is also completing the second step.”
Another example:
- Users log in using their standard credentials at the beginning.
- When users log in, they are given a cookie corresponding to their account.
- Using the verification code, the request identifies the account of the user.
- A malicious attacker could change the username when submitting the verification code by manipulating the account cookie.
Why Does Social Engineering Contribute to MFA Bypasses?
Using techniques like email phishing and social engineering, social engineering manipulates people into disclosing confidential information.
An attacker may use fake emails that appear from a legitimate service provider to obtain sensitive information, such as one-time passwords. In this approach, rather than exploiting technical weaknesses, human behaviour is exploited.
The Impact of MFA Vulnerabilities
There are significant vulnerabilities associated with MFA that affect both the organization and the users of the solution. Companies in heavily regulated industries need to maintain compliance readiness by utilizing MFA.
It is important to ensure online security since cybercriminals target users due to weak authentication processes. Getting consumer services online can be risky if you rely on traditional authentication methods. Understand common flaws and be aware of potential risks.
An MFA solution will be ineffective if it cannot protect these organizations, due to several factors, such as:
- Fines and penalties.
- Data breaches result in countless lawsuits from customers, business partners, and regulatory agencies.
- Clients and partners must gain more trust in your organization after a reported breach.
- Data theft.
These best practice recommendations should help you move forward with an MFA solution:
MFA needs to be implemented after mapping out something you know, something you have, something you are, and somewhere you are. These attributes determine which MFA attributes to use in the authentication process.
Something You Are:
Although biometric technology has become increasingly popular for authentication, some web applications and hardware devices are not fully equipped with biometric capabilities. It is common for implementation challenges to arise due to the requirement for specific software or peripherals, which may have limitations.
Something You Have:
The method of defining this attribute is one of the oldest. You will usually see USBs, phone applications, or MAC addresses in this attribute field. For MFA to be widely adopted, though, these methods need to be supported in a wide range of new applications.
Something You Know:
An authentication method that relies on something you know, like a password, is the most common and easiest method of setting up a user ID. Other methods may be more complex and more vulnerable to theft than this one.
Because of forgetfulness and the tendency to use easy-to-remember passwords, authentication methods can be hacked and credential theft can occur.
Somewhere You Are:
Using IP addresses or limiting access to specific locations is not a standard method for MFA in web applications.
Implement MFA across the Enterprise
Having defined the four attribute categories, the next step is identifying which applications, network devices, and remote access solutions will use MFA.
Remember the Cloud!
The organization’s vulnerability is reduced when it uses MFA. To enhance security and reduce the risk of attacks, all devices, applications, and remote access solutions, including those in the cloud, must be equipped with multi-factor authentication. Many companies forget to add MFA consistently to all new cloud components after transitioning to the cloud
Provide Options for Authentication for Your Users
Having a positive user experience is key to implementing MFA successfully. To meet compliance and security requirements, CISOs, CIOs, and their security engineers must define a multi-factor authentication solution that balances ease of use with security and compliance. Users now have the same rights. By developing an agile and flexible model, you will be able to gain early acceptance from users.
Several authentication factors, including those provided by OKTA and Cisco Duo, have been developed to improve usability and reduce the cost of authentication for organizations.
It is important that organizations make biometrics available to all users, such as fingerprints, retina scans, and facial recognition, and that the applications supporting these technologies support them as well
Other choices include:
- Hardware tokens, including YubiKeys.
- Soft tokens include Google and Microsoft Authenticator Applications.
- SMS/Text message
- Phone call
- Security Questions
Ensure You Leverage Standards When Enabling MFA
IT infrastructure standards such as RADIUS, TACACS Plus, and OATH need to be leveraged to achieve MFA. The RADIUS protocol manages network users’ authentication, authorization, and accounting. On all devices and networks, OATH facilitates strong user authentication.”
Strengthening MFA Against Vulnerabilities With SAML SSO
With Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) added to Single Sign-On (SSO) logins, you can increase the security of your user logins by providing an additional layer of protection, such as a Mobile Push notification or a Mobile Passcode based on the TOTP algorithm.
With the advent of cloud applications, SAML has become a part of Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions. The Single Sign-On (SSO) process simplifies the login process by requiring users to enter their login and password once to access multiple cloud applications, network devices, and service portals. In this way, users do not have to repeatedly enter their passwords, making the user experience more efficient.
As well as centralized identity management, SSO allows for managing all applications through one login. As administrators do not have to configure security policies for each app separately, they can save time. It simplifies everyone’s access to cloud applications with Single Sign-On.
MFA Fatigue Attacks: Definition and Prevention
Yes, hackers are enamoured with this attack vector! The “MFA Bomber” purposefully floods the user with countless authentication requests, causing frustration. Social engineering attacks are more common than MFA fatigue. As part of their attack chain, hackers have embedded a fake phone number for their fake help desk.
Many users have been tricked into calling the rogue phone number because of their frustration over MFA login failures. It is the hacker’s clever trick to ask the frustrated user, “What are your username and password? ” The user, already very unhappy with this “security thing,” will gladly disclose that information.
This attack happened to Uber in 2022.
Preventing such an attack is as simple as following these steps:
- Different authentication factors have different time windows.
- Limit the number of unsuccessful attempts within a certain time frame.
- All users should have geolocation or biometric capabilities.
- Users interested in reporting an increase in failed access attempts should log in to the help desk portal.
Addressing the Limitations of MFA
Because of maintenance challenges, MFA can be challenging for both admins and users.
- There are some MFA methods that can be costly and require specific hardware.
- A user’s account can be frozen if they lose their other factors or are unable to use them.
- By proactively addressing weaknesses, businesses and individuals can improve their safety.
Cybersecurity for infrastructure, websites, and applications requires an understanding of how to prevent authentication weaknesses.
Future of MFA Security
Security is being enhanced by using digital certificates instead of passwords in authentication. Using these certificates, one can verify the identity of users and devices, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Authentication with certificates is also effective, particularly for IoT devices that do not support username-password authentication.
By reducing vulnerabilities to phishing attacks, digital certificates provide greater security than static credentials such as passwords or codes. An attacker needs more than simply accessing a user’s certificate to authenticate with a private key.
Protect Yourself From MFA Vulnerabilities With eScan
However advanced MFA may become, it will still have vulnerabilities. eScan understands the risk of MFA and the need to protect email channels. A successful email phishing campaign is the primary reason for ransomware attacks, data theft, and credential harvesting. In addition to data loss prevention, email encryption, and multi-factor authentication, eScan’s advanced AI email security platform offers robust data loss prevention and encryption of critical emails.
What is the future of MFA with eSacn?
The expertise and simplicity eSacn offers will exceed your expectations, regardless of whether you are looking for an additional layer of security in your existing email environment or a full-suite solution. You can discuss pricing and a customized email security plan with us.
