Episode 109: Creative Recon - Alternative Techniques
Feb 6, 2025
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Dive into the latest drama surrounding DeepSeek and the implications of AI in security measures like CAPTCHA and 2FA. Discover the challenges of AI training costs and the vulnerabilities linked to an AI database. Explore innovative vulnerability reporting techniques, highlighting 'report pointers' for credibility. Get insights into alternative reconnaissance methods in bug hunting, and learn how to uncover hidden assets and vulnerabilities using modern tools and AI. An exciting blend of technology and security awaits!
Human oversight is crucial in cybersecurity despite automated systems, ensuring nuanced decision-making during active threats and incidents.
The controversy surrounding DeepSeek's AI model raises questions about the authenticity of its claims and the implications for the AI development market.
Exploring alternative recon techniques, such as passive DNS queries, reveals hidden vulnerabilities and emphasizes the value of unconventional approaches in security assessments.
Deep dives
Importance of Human Oversight in Cybersecurity
Having human oversight in cybersecurity operations is essential for effective incident response. Automated systems, like ThreatLocker's CyberHero Managed Detect and Response, offer constant monitoring, but human expertise remains invaluable in critical situations, especially when facing active threats. Past strategies that involved attacking during off-hours reveal the importance of persistence in engaging with adversaries. Human oversight not only enhances response capabilities but also ensures that nuanced decisions can be made during malicious activity.
Concerns Over New AI Models
Recent discussions focus on the controversy surrounding a new AI model from DeepSeek, which claims to efficiently train models for significantly lower costs than competitors like OpenAI. Skepticism arises regarding the authenticity of their claims, as the implications suggest that the extensive funding received by major players may have been unnecessary. Speculation suggests that if DeepSeek's model is indeed effective at a fraction of the cost, it raises questions about the current market strategy for AI development and model training. The blurred lines regarding data sourcing and potential misuse of outputs from established AI models further complicate the situation.
Utilizing WAF Bypass Techniques
Portsweger Research introduced a new bypass method for web application firewalls (WAFs), addressing issues arising from TLS fingerprinting detection. Their Bypass Bot Detection (BAP) solution provides means to emulate various browser fingerprints, making it easier for legitimate automated processes to trick the detection mechanisms. This method highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing security measures while facilitating access for valid users. As the internet landscape evolves, constant adaptation to methods of evasion becomes crucial for maintaining effective application security.
Exploiting Cookie Legacy Parsing
New research reveals a unique technique leveraging legacy cookie parsing to manipulate session cookies within web applications. The strategy involves utilizing specific characters in cookie formatting that induce legacy behavior in modern web servers. By doing so, attackers can manage to extract or manipulate session cookies previously thought to be secure. This sophisticated manipulation underscores the importance of rigorous security testing and awareness of legacy code behaviors in web application environments.
Innovative Alternative Recon Techniques
Exploring alternative recon techniques allows security experts to uncover hidden vulnerabilities. Techniques like querying passive DNS for domains sharing name servers or utilizing change logs for API endpoints provide insights into evolving digital assets. These innovative strategies emphasize the value of unconventional approaches in a landscape where traditional methods may have been exhausted. By diversifying reconnaissance methodologies, attackers can pinpoint critical opportunities that others might overlook, ultimately leading to valuable findings in their security assessments.
Episode 109: In this episode of Critical Thinking - Bug Bounty Podcast we start off with a quick recap of some of the DeepSeek Drama that’s been going down, and discuss AI in CAPTCHA and 2FA as well. Then we switch to cover some other news before settling in to talk about Alternative Recon Techniques
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