As technology advances, so do the tactics of cyber criminals. The increasing adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA) has led to a cat-and-mouse game between security professionals and attackers. In this article, we’ll delve into the latest methods used by hackers to bypass MFA and provide practical tips on how to prevent and mitigate these attacks.
The Rise of Advanced MFA Bypass Techniques
In recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in cyberattacks targeting organizations with MFA in place. According to Kroll’s 2023 report, 90% of organizations that already have MFA are being targeted by hackers. Cisco Talos also reported that 50% of their incident responses involved MFA bypass attacks in the first quarter of 2024.
Common Methods Used by Hackers
So, what are the most common methods used by hackers to bypass MFA? Here are six prevalent techniques:
MFA fatigue, also known as prompt bombing, involves harassing users with repeated authentication notifications until they confirm the request. Attackers use high-volume push notifications to overwhelm users, making them more susceptible to phishing attacks.
Solution: Limit login attempts and implement measures to prevent MFA fatigue attacks, such as locking accounts that send suspiciously high numbers of MFA prompts in a short period.
In session hijacking, attackers steal cookies that store data from a legitimate user authentication session and exploit those cookies to access an account.
Solution: Use secure authentication methods like FIDO2 authentication, and implement robust cookie management practices, such as using HTTPS and Secure Cookies.
In man-in-the-middle attacks, cybercriminals direct users to a proxy server, intercepting their login credentials and session cookies.
Solution: Use secure communication protocols like TLS, and implement measures to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
Attackers use psychological manipulation techniques to compel users into sharing sensitive information or confirming OTPs.
Solution: Implement phishing-resistant MFA methods, such as FIDO2 authentication, and educate users on how to recognize and avoid social engineering tactics.
In SIM swapping, cyber criminals persuade mobile carriers to move a user’s phone number to their device.
Prevention: Monitor user signals and account activity with fraud detection controls, and implement measures to prevent SIM swapping attacks, such as using phone number verification.
Attackers use brute force attacks – attempting various password combinations until they achieve a successful match.
Prevention: Enforce strong password policies, use secure authentication methods like FIDO2 authentication, and implement measures to detect and prevent brute force attacks, such as rate limiting and IP blocking.
While no solution is foolproof, implementing the following strategies can help protect your users and decrease the severity of bypass attacks:
By understanding these advanced MFA bypass techniques and implementing effective countermeasures, you can protect your organization’s users from these threats and maintain a stronger security posture.
