ICS-SCADA ICS/SCADA Cyber Security Exam Questions and Answers

The term "Dropper" in cybersecurity refers to a small piece of software used in malware deployment that is designed to install or "drop" malware (like viruses, ransomware, spyware) onto the target system.

The Dropper itself is not typically malicious in behavior; however, it is used as a vehicle to install malware that will perform malicious activities without detection.

During the infection process, the Dropper is usually the first executable that runs on a system. It then unpacks or downloads additional malicious components onto the system.

References

Common Malware Enumeration (CME): https://cme.mitre.org

Microsoft Malware Protection Center:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi

TCP flags are used in the header of TCP segments to control the flow of data and to indicate the status of a connection. Valid TCP flags include:

FIN: Finish, used to terminate the connection.

PSH: Push, instructs the receiver to pass the data to the application immediately.

URG: Urgent, indicates that the data contained in the segment should be processed urgently.

RST: Reset, abruptly terminates the connection upon error or other conditions.

SYN: Synchronize, used during the initial handshake to establish a connection.These flags are integral to managing the state and flow of TCP connections.References:

Douglas E. Comer, "Internetworking with TCP/IP Vol.1: Principles, Protocols, and Architecture".

The protocol number 6 represents TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) in the Internet Protocol suite. TCP is a core protocol of the Internet Protocol suite and operates at thetransport layer, providing reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of a stream of bytes between applications running on hosts communicating via an IP network.References:

RFC 793, "Transmission Control Protocol," which specifies the detailed operation of TCP.

NIST SP 800-53 is a publication that provides a catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations and promotes the development of secure and resilient federal information and information systems.

According to the NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, the framework defines a comprehensive set of controls, which are divided into different families. Among these families, there are specifically nine families categorized under management controls. These include categories such as risk assessment, security planning, program management, and others.

References

"NIST Special Publication 800-53 (Rev. 5) Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations."

NIST website:https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-53r5.pdf

Modbus RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) is a communication protocol based on a master-slave architecture that uses serial communication. It is one of the earliest communication protocols developed for devices connected over serial lines. Modbus RTU packets are transmitted in a binary format over serial lines such as RS-485 or RS-232.References:

Modbus Organization, "MODBUS over Serial Line Specification and Implementation Guide V1.02".

Code Red is not ICS specific malware; it was a famous worm that targeted computers running Microsoft's IIS web server. Unlike Flame, Havex, and Stuxnet, which were specifically designed to target industrial control systems or perform espionage related to ICS environments, Code Red was aimed at exploiting vulnerabilities in internet-facing software to perform denial-of-service attacks and other malicious activities.References:

CERT Coordination Center, "Code Red Worm Exploiting Buffer Overflow In IIS Indexing Service DLL".

IEC 62443 defines multiple security levels (SLs) tailored to address different types of threats and attackers in industrial control systems.

Security Level 4 (SL4) is designed to protect against sophisticated attacks by adversaries such as hacktivists or terrorists. SL4 involves threats that are targeted with specific intent against the organization, using advanced skills and means.

This level assumes that the adversary is capable of sustained and focused efforts with significant resources, including state-level actors or well-funded groups, aiming at causing widespread disruption or damage.

References

IEC 62443-3-3: System security requirements and security levels.

"Industrial Network Security: Securing Critical Infrastructure Networks for Smart Grid, SCADA, and Other Industrial Control Systems," by Eric Knapp.

Among the options listed, Nessus is primarily a vulnerability assessment tool, not an exploit tool. It is used to scan systems, networks, and applications to identify vulnerabilities but does not exploit them. On the other hand, Canvas, Core Impact, and Metasploit are exploit tools designed to actually perform attacks (safely and legally) to demonstrate the impact of vulnerabilities.References:

Tenable, Inc., "Nessus FAQs".

To determine the correct Security Association (SA) in the context of IPsec, several elements are required:

SPI (Security Parameter Index): Uniquely identifies the SA.

Partner IP address: The address of the endpoint with which the SA is established.

Protocol: Specifies the type of security protocol used (e.g., AH or ESP). All these components collectively define and identify a specific SA for secure communication between parties.References:

RFC 4301, "Security Architecture for the Internet Protocol".

Modification attacks directly impact the integrity of data within the IT Security Model. Integrity ensures that information is accurate and unchanged from its original form unless altered by authorized means. An attack that involves modification manipulates data in unauthorized ways, thereby compromising its accuracy and reliability.References:

Shon Harris, "CISSP Certification: All-in-One Exam Guide".

IEC 62443 is a series of standards designed to secure Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). It provides a framework for implementing cybersecurity measures in the context of industrial environments.

The Defense in Depth (DiD) approach outlined in IEC 62443 involves multiple layers of security measures to protect industrial networks. This method ensures that if one layer fails, others are in place to continue protection.

Specifically, the IEC 62443 framework describes six fundamental steps in setting up a Defense in Depth strategy, covering aspects from physical security to network segmentation and device hardening.

References

International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC 62443 Series.

"Understanding IEC 62443 for Industrial Cybersecurity," by ISA99 Committee.

The IEC 62443 standard outlines a comprehensive framework for securing industrial automation and control systems (IACS). The Defense in Depth concept within this standard includes six steps designed to ensure robust security.

Step 1: Identification and Authentication Control (IAC): Ensuring only authorized users and devices can access the system.

Step 2: Use Control (UC): Managing permissions and access controls to restrict actions users can perform.

Step 3: System Integrity (SI): Ensuring the system remains in a trustworthy state, protected from unauthorized changes.

Step 4: Data Confidentiality (DC): Protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access and disclosure.

Step 5: Restricted Data Flow (RDF): Controlling and monitoring data flows to prevent unauthorized data transmission.

Step 6: Timely Response to Events (TRE): Implementing mechanisms to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents.

These steps collectively form the Defense in Depth strategy prescribed by IEC 62443.

References

"IEC 62443 - Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security," International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC 62443.

"Defense in Depth," Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Defense in Depth.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) have evolved through several generations, each characterized by different technological capabilities and integration levels.

The third generation of ICS/SCADA systems is considered networked. This generation incorporates more advanced digital and networking technologies, allowing for broader connectivity and communication across different systems and components within industrial environments.

Third-generation SCADA systems are often characterized by their use of standard communication protocols and networked solutions, improving interoperability and control but also increasing the attack surface for potential cyber threats.

References

"Evolution of Industrial Control Systems and Cybersecurity Implications," IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

"Network Security for Industrial Control Systems," by Department of Homeland Security.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) typically requires two Security Associations (SAs) for a secure communication session. One SA is used for inbound traffic, and the other for outbound traffic.

In the context of IPsec, which is often used to secure VPN connections, these two SAs facilitate the bidirectional secure exchange of packets in a VPN tunnel.

Each SA uniquely defines how traffic should be securely processed, including the encryption and authentication mechanisms. This ensures that data sent in one directionis handled independently from data sent in the opposite direction, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of both communication streams.

References

"Understanding IPSec VPNs," by Cisco Systems.

"IPsec Security Associations," RFC 4301, Security Architecture for the Internet Protocol.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a connection-oriented protocol used in the majority of internet communications.

Connection-oriented protocols like TCP require a connection to be established between the communicating devices before data is transmitted. This ensures reliable and ordered delivery of data.

TCP manages this by establishing a handshake mechanism (TCP three-way handshake) to set up the connection prior to transmitting data and properly terminating the connection once the communication session has completed.

References

"TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols" by W. Richard Stevens.

Postel, J., "Transmission Control Protocol," RFC 793.

In ICS/SCADA systems, the highest priority typically is Availability, due to the critical nature of the services and infrastructures they support. These systems often control vital processes in industries like energy, water treatment, and manufacturing. Any downtimecan lead to significant disruptions, safety hazards, or economic losses. Thus, ensuring that systems are operational and accessible is a primary security focus in the context of ICS/SCADA security.References:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), "Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security".

The Wayback Machine is an internet service provided by the Internet Archive that allows users to see archived versions of web pages across time, enabling them to browse past versions of a website as it appeared on specific dates.

It captures and stores snapshots of web pages, making it an invaluable tool for accessing the historical state of a website or recovering content that has since been changed or deleted.

Other options like Google Cache may also show snapshots of web pages, but the Wayback Machine is dedicated to this purpose and holds a vast archive of historical web data.

References

Internet Archive:https://archive.org

"Using the Wayback Machine," Internet Archive Help Center.

The default size of a Windows Echo Request packet, commonly known as a ping request, is 28 bytes. This size is derived from the following components:

ICMP Header: The Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) header is 8 bytes.

IPv4 Header: The IP header for an IPv4 packet is typically 20 bytes.

Therefore, the total size of the default Windows Echo Request packet is 28 bytes (8 bytes for ICMP header + 20 bytes for IPv4 header).

References

"Ping (networking utility)," Wikipedia,Ping.

"ICMP Header Format," Cisco, ICMP Header.

Stuxnet is a highly sophisticated piece of malware discovered in 2010 that specifically targeted Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems used to control and monitor industrial processes.

The primary targets of Stuxnet were Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), which are critical components in industrial control systems.

Stuxnet was designed to infect Siemens Step7 software PLCs. It altered the operation of the PLCs to cause physical damage to the connected hardware, famously used against Iran's uranium enrichment facility, where it caused the fast-spinning centrifuges to tear themselves apart.

References

Langner, R. "Stuxnet: Dissecting a Cyberwarfare Weapon." IEEE Security & Privacy, May-June 2011.

"W32.Stuxnet Dossier," Symantec Corporation, Version 1.4, February 2011.

LACNIC, the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry, is the regional internet registry (RIR) responsible for allocating and administering IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Function: LACNIC manages the distribution of internet number resources (IP addresses and ASNs) in its region, maintaining the registry of domain owners and other related information.

Coverage: The organization covers over 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including countries like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.

Services: LACNIC provides a range of services including IP address allocation, ASN allocation, reverse DNS, and policy development for internet resource management in its region.

Given this role, LACNIC is the correct answer for the registrar that contains information for domain owners in Latin America.

References

"About LACNIC," LACNIC, LACNIC Overview.

"Regional Internet Registries," Wikipedia,Regional Internet Registries.