ECCouncil ICS-SCADA ICS/SCADA Cyber Security Exam Exam Practice Test

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.

The maximum transmission unit (MTU) for Ethernet, which is the largest size of an Ethernet packet or frame that can be sent over the network, is typically 1500 bytes. This size does not include the Ethernet frame's preamble and start frame delimiter but does include all other headers and the payload. Ethernet's MTU of 1500 bytes is a standard for most Ethernet networks, especially those conforming to the IEEE 802.3 standard.References:

IEEE 802.3-2012, "Standard for Ethernet".

A Security Association (SA) in the context of IPsec is a one-way logical connection used for secure communication between two endpoints. IPsec requires two SAs to establish a secure, bidirectional communication channel—one for each direction (inbound and outbound). This arrangement ensures that each direction is independently secured, with its own set of security parameters.References:

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

IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) has two modes: Transport mode and Tunnel mode.

Tunnel mode is used to create a secure connection tunnel between two endpoints (e.g., two gateways, or a client and a gateway) and it encapsulates the entire IP packet.

This mode not only protects the payload but also the header information of the original IP packet, thereby providing a higher level of security compared to Transport mode, which only protects the payload.

References

Kent, S. and Seo, K., "Security Architecture for the Internet Protocol," RFC 4301, December 2005.

"IPsec Services," Microsoft TechNet.

The Authentication Header (AH) is a component of the IPsec protocol suite that provides authentication and integrity to the communications. AH ensures that the contents of the communications have not been altered in transit (integrity) and verifies the sending and receiving parties (authentication). However, AH does not provide confidentiality, which would involve encrypting the payload data. Confidentiality is provided by the Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP), another component of IPsec.References:

RFC 4302, "IP Authentication Header".

A vulnerability that is exploited before the vendor has issued a patch or even before the vulnerability is known to the vendor is referred to as a "zero-day" vulnerability. The term "zero-day" refers to the number of days the software vendor has had to address and patch the vulnerability since it was made public—zero, in this case.References:

Symantec Security Response, "Zero Day Initiative".

LACNIC (Latin American and Caribbean Network Information Centre) is the regional Internet registry for Latin America and parts of the Caribbean. It manages the allocation and registration of Internet number resources (such as IP addresses and AS numbers) within this region and maintains the registry of domain owners in South America.References:

LACNIC official website, "About LACNIC".

NIST Special Publication 800-82, "Guide to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security," provides guidance on securing industrial control systems, including SCADA systems, distributed control systems (DCS), and other control system configurations such as programmable logic controllers (PLC). It offers practices and recommendations for protecting and securing ICS systems against disruptions, malicious activities, and other threats to their integrity and availability.References:

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

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 IT Security Model commonly refers to the CIA Triad, which stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

An attack on "Availability" is aimed at disrupting the normal functioning and access to data or resources in a network. This type of attack can include actions such as DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service), where overwhelming traffic is sent to a system to make it unresponsive.

The main goal of attacks on availability is to prevent legitimate users from accessing systems or information, which can have significant implications for business operations and security.

References

Understanding the CIA Triad in Cybersecurity: https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/publications/cia-triad

Denial of Service – What it is and how to prevent it: https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-015

Thenetstatcommand is a versatile networking tool used for various network-related information-gathering tasks, including displaying all network connections, routing tables, interface statistics, masquerade connections, and multicast memberships.

The specific option-rwith thenetstatcommand is used to display the routing table.

This information is critical for troubleshooting network issues and understanding how data is routed through a network, identifying possible points of failure or security vulnerabilities.

References

"Linux Network Administrator's Guide," by O'Reilly Media.

Man pages fornetstatin UNIX/Linux distributions.

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.

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".

Port mirroring (also known as SPAN - Switched Port Analyzer) is considered one of the best ways to counter packet monitoring on a switch. This technique involves copying traffic from one or more switch ports (or an entire VLAN) to another port where the monitoring device is connected. Port mirroring allows administrators to monitor network traffic in a non-intrusive way, as it does not affect network performance and is transparent to users and endpoints on the network.References:

Cisco Systems, "Catalyst Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN) Configuration Example".

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.

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".

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and SCADA networks typically operate in environments where the available bandwidth is limited. They are often characterized by:

Low processing threshold: ICS/SCADA devices generally have limited processing capabilities due to their specialized and often legacy nature.

Legacy systems: Many ICS/SCADA systems include older technology that might not support newer security protocols or high-speed data transfer.

Weak network stack: These systems may have incomplete or less robust network stacks that can be susceptible to specific types of network attacks.

High bandwidth networks are not typical of ICS/SCADA environments, as these systems do not usually require or support high-speed data transmission due to their operational requirements and the older technology often used in such environments.

References

"Navigating the Challenges of Industrial Control Systems," by ISA-99 Industrial Automation and Control Systems Security.

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

One weakness of a vulnerability scanner is that it is not designed to go through filters or bypass security controls like firewalls or intrusion detection systems. Vulnerability scanners typically perform well in identifying known weaknesses within the perimeter of a network or system but might not effectively assess systems that are shielded by robust security measures, which can filter out the scanner's attempts to probe or attack.References:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), "Technical Guide to Information Security Testing and Assessment".

Eavesdropping and interception primarily attack the confidentiality component of the IT Security Model. Confidentiality is concerned with protecting information from beingaccessed by unauthorized parties. Eavesdropping involves listening to private communication or capturing data as it is transmitted over a network, thereby breaching the confidentiality of the information.References:

William Stallings, "Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice".

In the context of network security policies, a "Paranoid" stance typically means adopting a default-deny posture. This security approach is one of the most restrictive, where all access is blocked unless explicitly allowed.

A default deny strategy is considered best practice for securing highly sensitive environments, as it minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and reduces the attack surface.

This approach contrasts with more open stances such as Permissive or Promiscuous, which are less restrictive and generally allow more traffic by default.

References

"Network Security: Policies and Guidelines for Effective Network Management," by Jonathan Gossels.

"Best Practices for Implementing a Security Awareness Program," by Kaspersky Lab.

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.

The PSH (Push) flag in the TCP header instructs the receiving host to push the data to the receiving application immediately without waiting for the buffer to fill. This is used to ensure that data is not delayed, thus improving the efficiency of communication where real-time data processing is required. It effectively tells the system that the data in the packet should be considered urgent.References:

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