Man-in-the-browser

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Short description: Internet browser security threat

Man-in-the-browser (MITB, MitB, MIB, MiB), a form of Internet threat related to man-in-the-middle (MITM), is a proxy Trojan horse[1] that infects a web browser by taking advantage of vulnerabilities in browser security to modify web pages, modify transaction content or insert additional transactions, all in a covert fashion invisible to both the user and host web application. A MitB attack will be successful irrespective of whether security mechanisms such as SSL/PKI and/or two- or three-factor authentication solutions are in place. A MitB attack may be countered by using out-of-band transaction verification, although SMS verification can be defeated by man-in-the-mobile (MitMo) malware infection on the mobile phone. Trojans may be detected and removed by antivirus software;[2], but a 2011 report concluded that additional measures on top of antivirus software were needed.[3][needs update]

A related, simpler attack is the boy-in-the-browser (BitB, BITB).

The majority of financial service professionals in a 2014 survey considered MitB to be the greatest threat to online banking.[4]

Description

The MitB threat was demonstrated by Augusto Paes de Barros in his 2005 presentation about backdoor trends "The future of backdoors - worst of all worlds."[5] The name "man-in-the-browser" was coined by Philipp Gühring on 27 January 2007.[6]

A MitB Trojan works by using common facilities provided to enhance browser capabilities such as Browser Helper Objects (a feature limited to Internet Explorer), browser extensions and user scripts (for example in JavaScript).[6] Antivirus software can detect some of these methods.[2]

In a nutshell example exchange between user and host, such as an Internet banking funds transfer, the customer will always be shown, via confirmation screens, the exact payment information as keyed into the browser. The bank, however, will receive a transaction with materially altered instructions, i.e. a different destination account number and possibly amount. The use of strong authentication tools simply creates an increased level of misplaced confidence on the part of both customer and bank that the transaction is secure. Authentication, by definition, is concerned with the validation of identity credentials. This should not be confused with transaction verification.

Examples

Examples of MitB threats on different operating systems and web browsers:

Man-in-the-Browser examples
Name Details Operating system Browser
Agent.DBJP[7] Windows IE, Firefox
Bugat[8] Windows IE, Firefox
Carberp targets Facebook users redeeming e-cash vouchers[9] Windows IE, Firefox
ChromeInject*[10] Greasemonkey impersonator[11] Windows Firefox
Clampi[12] Windows IE
Gozi[1] Windows IE, Firefox
Nuklus[2][11] Windows IE
OddJob[13] keeps bank session open Windows IE, Firefox
Silentbanker[14] Windows IE, Firefox
Silon[15] Windows IE
SpyEye[16] successor of Zeus, widespread, low detection Windows IE, Firefox
Sunspot[17] widespread, low detection Windows IE, Firefox
Tatanga[18] Windows IE, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari, Maxthon, Netscape, Konqueror
Tiny Banker Trojan[19] Smallest banking Trojan detected in wild at 20KB Windows IE, Firefox
Torpig**[15] Windows IE, Firefox
URLZone****[1] Windows IE, Firefox, Opera
Weyland-Yutani BOT[20] crimeware kit similar to Zeus, not widespread[20][21] Mac OS X Firefox
Yaludle[15] Windows IE
Zeus***[12] widespread, low detection Windows IE, Firefox
Key Windows: IE Windows: IE & Firefox or Firefox Windows: other Mac OS X: any
*ChromeInject a.k.a. ChromeInject.A, ChromeInject.B, Banker.IVX, Inject.NBT, Bancos-BEX, Drop.Small.abw[10]
**Torpig a.k.a. Sinowal, Anserin[1]
***Zeus a.k.a. ZeuS, Zbot,[22] Wsnpoem,[23][24] NTOS,[25] PRG,[25] Kneber,[26] Gorhax[26]
****URLZone a.k.a. Bebloh!IK, Runner.82176, Monder, ANBR, Sipay.IU, Runner.fq, PWS.y!cy, Zbot.gen20, Runner.J, BredoPk-B, Runner.EQ

Protection

Antivirus

Known Trojans may be detected, blocked, and removed by antivirus software.[2] In a 2009 study, the effectiveness of antivirus against Zeus was 23%,[25] and again low success rates were reported in a separate test in 2011.[3] The 2011 report concluded that additional measures on top of antivirus were needed.[3]

Hardened software

  • Browser security software: MitB attacks may be blocked by in-browser security software such as Cymatic.io, Trusteer Rapport for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, which blocks the APIs from browser extensions and controls communication.[11][12][15]
  • Alternative software: Reducing or eliminating the risk of malware infection by using portable applications or using alternatives to Microsoft Windows like Mac OS X, Linux, or mobile OSes Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Windows Mobile, Symbian, etc., and/or browsers Chrome or Opera.[27] Further protection can be achieved by running this alternative OS, like Linux, from a non-installed live CD, or Live USB.[28]
  • Secure Web Browser: Several vendors can now provide a two-factor security solution where a Secure Web Browser is part of the solution.[29] In this case, MitB attacks are avoided, as the user executes a hardened browser from their two-factor security device rather than executing the "infected" browser from their own machine.

Out-of-band transaction verification

A theoretically effective method of combating any MitB attack is through an out-of-band (OOB) transaction verification process. This overcomes the MitB trojan by verifying the transaction details, as received by the host (bank), to the user (customer) over a channel other than the browser; for example, an automated telephone call, SMS, or a dedicated mobile app with graphical cryptogram.[30] OOB transaction verification is ideal for mass market use since it leverages devices already in the public domain (e.g. landline, mobile phone, etc.) and requires no additional hardware devices, yet enables three-factor authentication (using voice biometrics), transaction signing (to non-repudiation level), and transaction verification. The downside is that the OOB transaction verification adds to the level of the end-user's frustration with more and slower steps.

Man-in-the-Mobile

Mobile phone mobile Trojan spyware man-in-the-mobile (MitMo)[31] can defeat OOB SMS transaction verification.[32]

  • ZitMo (Zeus-In-The-Mobile) is not a MitB Trojan itself (although it performs a similar proxy function on the incoming SMSes), but is mobile malware suggested for installation on a mobile phone by a Zeus-infected computer. By intercepting all incoming SMSes, it defeats SMS-based banking OOB two-factor authentication on Windows Mobile, Android, Symbian, and BlackBerry.[32] ZitMo may be detected by Antivirus running on the mobile device.
  • SpitMo (SpyEye-In-The-Mobile, SPITMO) is similar to ZitMo.[33]

Web fraud detection

Web fraud detection can be implemented at the bank to automatically check for anomalous behaviour patterns in transactions.[34]

Related attacks

Proxy trojans

Keyloggers are the most primitive form of proxy trojans, followed by browser-session recorders that capture more data, and lastly MitBs are the most sophisticated type.[1]

Man-in-the-middle

SSL/PKI etc. may offer protection in a man-in-the-middle attack, but offers no protection in a man-in-the-browser attack.

Boy-in-the-browser

A related attack that is simpler and quicker for malware authors to set up is termed boy-in-the-browser (BitB or BITB). Malware is used to change the client's computer network routing to perform a classic man-in-the-middle attack. Once the routing has been changed, the malware may completely remove itself, making detection more difficult.[35]

Clickjacking

Main page: Clickjacking

Clickjacking tricks a web browser user into clicking on something different from what the user perceives, by means of malicious code in the webpage.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bar-Yosef, Noa (2010-12-30). "The Evolution of Proxy Trojans". http://www.securityweek.com/evolution-proxy-trojans. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 F-Secure (2007-02-11). "Threat Description: Trojan-Spy:W32/Nuklus.A". http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojan-spy_w32_nuklus_a.shtml. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Quarri Technologies, Inc (2011). "Web Browsers: Your Weak Link in Achieving PCI Compliance". http://www.quarri.com/files/Quarri_PCI_Brief.pdf. 
  4. ↑ Fernandes, Diogo A. B.; Soares, Liliana F. B.; Gomes, João V.; Freire, Mário M.; Inácio, Pedro R. M. (2014-04-01). "Security issues in cloud environments: a survey" (in en). International Journal of Information Security 13 (2): 113–170. doi:10.1007/s10207-013-0208-7. ISSN 1615-5270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10207-013-0208-7. 
  5. ↑ Paes de Barros, Augusto (15 September 2005). "O futuro dos backdoors - o pior dos mundos" (in pt). Sao Paulo, Brazil: Congresso Nacional de Auditoria de Sistemas, Segurança da Informação e Governança - CNASI. http://www.paesdebarros.com.br/backdoors.pdf. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gühring, Philipp (27 January 2007). "Concepts against Man-in-the-Browser Attacks". http://www2.futureware.at/svn/sourcerer/CAcert/SecureClient.pdf. 
  7. ↑ Dunn, John E (2010-07-03). "Trojan Writers Target UK Banks With Botnets". http://www.pcworld.com/article/200448/trojan_writers_target_uk_banks_with_botnets.html. 
  8. ↑ Dunn, John E (2010-10-12). "Zeus not the only bank Trojan threat, users warned". http://news.techworld.com/security/3243894/zeus-not-the-only-bank-trojan-threat-users-warned/. 
  9. ↑ Curtis, Sophie (2012-01-18). "Facebook users targeted in Carberp man-in-the-browser attack". http://news.techworld.com/security/3330728/facebook-users-targeted-in-carberp-man-in-browser-attack/. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Marusceac Claudiu Florin (2008-11-28). "Trojan.PWS.ChromeInject.B Removal Tool". http://www.bitdefender.com/VIRUS-1000451-en--Trojan.PWS.ChromeInject.B.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Nattakant Utakrit, School of Computer and Security Science, Edith Cowan University (2011-02-25). "Review of Browser Extensions, a Man-in-theBrowser Phishing Techniques Targeting Bank Customers". http://ro.ecu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=ism. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Symantec Marc Fossi (2010-12-08). "ZeuS-style banking Trojans seen as greatest threat to online banking: Survey". http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/120810-trojan-bank.html. 
  13. ↑ Ted Samson (2011-02-22). "Crafty OddJob malware leaves online bank accounts open to plunder". http://www.infoworld.com/t/cyber-crime/crafty-oddjob-malware-leaves-online-bank-accounts-open-plunder-326. 
  14. ↑ Symantec Marc Fossi (2008-01-23). "Banking with Confidence". http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/banking-confidence. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Trusteer. "Trusteer Rapport". http://www.trusteer.com/product/trusteer-rapport. 
  16. ↑ CEO of Trusteer Mickey Boodaei (2011-03-31). "Man-in-the-Browser attacks target the enterprise". http://www.networkworld.com/news/tech/2011/033111-mitb-attacks-enterprise.html. 
  17. ↑ www.net-security.org (2011-05-11). "Explosive financial malware targets Windows". http://www.net-security.org/malware_news.php?id=1719. 
  18. ↑ "Tatanga: a new banking trojan with MitB functions". 2011-02-25. http://securityblog.s21sec.com/2011/02/tatanga-new-banking-trojan-with-mitb.html. 
  19. ↑ "Tiny 'Tinba' Banking Trojan Is Big Trouble". 31 May 2012. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/47633142/ns/technology_and_science-security/t/tiny-tinba-banking-trojan-big-trouble/#.VtKB2GorKVN. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Borean, Wayne (2011-05-24). "The Mac OS X Virus That Wasn't". http://semiaccurate.com/2011/05/24/the-mac-os-x-virus-that-wasnt/. 
  21. ↑ Fisher, Dennis (2011-05-02). "Crimeware Kit Emerges for Mac OS X". http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/crimeware-kit-emerges-mac-os-x-050211. 
  22. ↑ F-secure. "Threat DescriptionTrojan-Spy:W32/Zbot". http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojan-spy_w32_zbot.shtml. 
  23. ↑ "Trojan.Wsnpoem Technical Details". Symantec. 2008-07-24. http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2008-072400-0415-99&tabid=2. 
  24. ↑ Microsoft (2010-04-30). "Encyclopedia entry: Win32/Zbot - Learn more about malware - Microsoft Malware Protection Center". Symantec. https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Threat/Encyclopedia/Entry.aspx?Name=Win32%2fZbot. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Trusteer (2009-09-14). "Measuring the in-the-wild effectiveness of Antivirus against Zeus". http://www.trusteer.com/files/Zeus_and_Antivirus.pdf. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Richard S. Westmoreland (2010-10-20). "Antisource - ZeuS". http://www.antisource.com/article.php/zeus-botnet-summary. 
  27. ↑ Horowitz, Michael (2012-02-06). "Online banking: what the BBC missed and a safety suggestion". http://blogs.computerworld.com/19692/online_banking_what_the_bbc_missed_and_a_safety_suggestion. 
  28. ↑ Purdy, Kevin (2009-10-14). "Use a Linux Live CD/USB for Online Banking". http://lifehacker.com/5381466/use-a-linux-live-cdusb-for-online-banking. 
  29. ↑ Konoth, Radhesh Krishnan; van der Veen, Victor; Bos, Herbert (2017). "How Anywhere Computing Just Killed Your Phone-Based Two-Factor Authentication". in Grossklags, Jens; Preneel, Bart (in en). Financial Cryptography and Data Security. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 9603. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. pp. 405–421. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-54970-4_24. ISBN 978-3-662-54970-4. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-662-54970-4_24. 
  30. ↑ Finextra Research (2008-11-13). "Commerzbank to deploy Cronto mobile phone-based authentication technology". http://www.finextra.com/news/fullstory.aspx?newsitemid=19280. 
  31. ↑ Chickowski, Ericka (2010-10-05). "'Man In The Mobile' Attacks Highlight Weaknesses In Out-Of-Band Authentication". http://www.darkreading.com/authentication/167901072/security/application-security/227700141/man-in-the-mobile-attacks-highlight-weaknesses-in-out-of-band-authentication.html. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Schwartz, Mathew J. (2011-07-13). "Zeus Banking Trojan Hits Android Phones". http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/mobile/231001685. 
  33. ↑ Balan, Mahesh (2009-10-14). "Internet Banking & Mobile Banking users beware – ZITMO & SPITMO is here !!". http://www.qadit.com/blog/?p=2130. 
  34. ↑ Sartain, Julie (2012-02-07). "How to protect online transactions with multi-factor authentication". http://howto.techworld.com/security/3335614/how-protect-online-transactions-with-multi-factor-authentication/. 
  35. ↑ Imperva (2010-02-14). "Threat Advisory Boy in the Browser". http://www.imperva.com/DefenseCenter/ThreatAdvisories/Boy_in_the_Browser. 

External links



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