Lateral VLAN Segmentation Bypass is a sophisticated attack where an attacker gains unauthorized access to resources in a different VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) segment within the same network infrastructure.
To mitigate this type of attack, you need a comprehensive approach that includes a combination of network segmentation, access controls, monitoring, and continuous updates to security policies.
Lateral VLAN Segmentation Bypass
Implement VLAN Segmentation: Properly segment your network using VLANs to logically separate different parts of your network. This segmentation limits the scope of potential lateral movement for attackers within your network.
Access Control Lists (ACLs): Use ACLs to control traffic between VLANs. ACLs allow you to define rules that permit or deny traffic based on various criteria such as source and destination IP addresses, protocols, and ports. By carefully configuring ACLs, you can restrict communication between VLANs to only what is necessary
Lateral VLAN Segmentation Bypass
Firewalls: Deploy firewalls at the boundaries between VLANs to inspect and filter traffic. Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) offer advanced capabilities such as intrusion prevention, application control, and deep packet inspection, which can help detect and block lateral movement attempts.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS): Deploy IDPS solutions to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and known attack patterns. IDPS systems can detect unauthorized attempts to bypass VLAN segmentation and alert administrators in real-time.
Lateral VLAN Segmentation Bypass
Network Access Control (NAC): Implement NAC solutions to enforce security policies and ensure that only authorized devices and users can access specific VLANs. NAC solutions can authenticate devices and users before granting access to the network, thereby preventing unauthorized access and reducing the risk of lateral movement.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Implement RBAC to assign granular permissions to users based on their roles and responsibilities. This ensures that users only have access to the resources and VLANs necessary for their job functions
Lateral VLAN Segmentation Bypass
Network Segmentation Best Practices: Follow best practices for network segmentation, such as using separate VLANs for sensitive data, isolating critical systems, and segmenting IoT devices from the rest of the network. Additionally, implement micro-segmentation techniques to further restrict lateral movement within VLANs.