PID In Linux

A PID is an acronym for the process identification number. PID is automatically assigned to each process when it is created on a linux operating system. The init or systemd is always the first process on the linux operating system and is the parent of all other processes. PID In Linux

How do i find the PID in linux?

1) Open the terminal application
2) Type the pidof command as follows to find PID for firefox process: pidof firefox.
3) Or use the ps command along with grep command as follows: ps aux| grep -i firefox/
4) To look up or signal processess based on name use.

Every time a user or the system (Linux) launches a program, the kernel will create a process. A process holds execution details of the program in memory such as its input and output data, variables and so on.

Importantly, since Linux is a multitasking operating system, it executes several programs simultaneously.

The kernel identifies each process using a process ID (PID), a every instance of process must have a unique PID from other processes which is assigned when the process is invoked, to avoid any execution errors.

The /proc file system stores information about currently running processes on your system, it contains directories for each process.



$ ls /proc
OR
$ ls /proc | less

You can monitor processes and their PIDs using traditional Linux commands such as ps, top and relatively new glances command plus many more as in the examples below:


$ ps aux
 

Show Running Processes with PID

Disclaimer

All tutorials are for informational and educational purposes only and have been made using our own routers, servers, websites and other vulnerable free resources. we do not contain any illegal activity. We believe that ethical hacking, information security and cyber security should be familiar subjects to anyone using digital information and computers. Hacking Truth is against misuse of the information and we strongly suggest against it. Please regard the word hacking as ethical hacking or penetration testing every time this word is used. We do not promote, encourage, support or excite any illegal activity or hacking.



  - Hacking Truth by Kumar Atul Jaiswal

Hello guys, This is writeup for the room of tryhackme Dunkle Materie from the TryHackMe platform. This room is a medium room that lets users investigate the ransomware attack using an application called ProcDOT.

 

The firewall alerted the Security Operations Center that one of the machines at the Sales department, which stores all the customers' data, contacted the malicious domains over the network. When the Security Analysts looked closely, the data sent to the domains contained suspicious base64-encoded strings. The Analysts involved the Incident Response team in pulling the Process Monitor and network traffic data to determine if the host is infected. But once they got on the machine, they knew it was a ransomware attack by looking at the wallpaper and reading the ransomware note.

I place the logfile into the procmon as in the figure below.

It doesn't seem to work, so I added the traffic file to Windump.

1) Provide the two PIDs spawned from the malicious executable. (In the order as they appear in the analysis tool)

 

Ans- 8644, 7128

 

2) Provide the full path where the ransomware initially got executed? (Include the full path in your answer)

 

We can see that the red box is the full path where the malware is initially executed, which is the second question.

(The path is redacted for the learning purposes of each user.)

Ans- c:\users\sales\appdata\local\temp\exploreer.exe

3) This ransomware transfers the information about the compromised system and the encryption results to two domains over HTTP POST. What are the two C2 domains? (no space in the answer)

 

 

On the second exploreer.exe, I also found one.

Ans- mojobiden.com,paymenthacks.com

4) What are the IPs of the malicious domains? (no space in the answer)
 

Ans- 146.112.61.108,206.188.197.206





5) Provide the user-agent used to transfer the encrypted data to the C2 channel.

 

For this question, it wanted us to identify the user-agent used to transfer the encrypted data to the C2 channel.

So, by right-clicking the site we found previously, we click on “Follow TCP Stream”.

Ans- Firefox/89.0










6) Provide the cloud security service that blocked the malicious domain.

 

Now, we require to identify the cloud security service that blocked the malicious domain.

So, at the same window, scroll down a bit more. And we can see the server name.

Ans- Cisco Umbrella







7) Provide the name of the bitmap that the ransomware set up as a desktop wallpaper.

 

Ans- ley9kpi9r.bmp







8) Find the PID (Process ID) of the process which attempted to change the background wallpaper on the victim's machine.

 

Ans- 4892







9) The ransomware mounted a drive and assigned it the letter. Provide the registry key path to the mounted drive, including the drive letter.

 

For this part, we need to find the registry key path to the mounted drive, with the drive letter. So, I started with exploreer.exe. I look into each process in detail but failed to find the path.

This really cost me so much time. As I was looking into the registry process and back to exploreer.exe, without realizing that I did not turn off the “no path” option. I wasted like an hour until I realize it. So, after in a rabbit hole for an hour, I manage to find the path.

Ans- HKLM\SYSTEM\MountedDevices\DosDevices\Z:




10) Now you have collected some IOCs from this investigation. Provide the name of the ransomware used in the attack. (external research required)

 

This also takes me a lot of time to research. I do not have an idea on what keyword should I use to search for it.

I tried to search on “ransomware targeting mount drive” and other doesn't help at all. But suddenly I think about the site “hacker” used before. So, I try to use one of the websites and look at it on Google. And BAM! I got it!

Ans- Blackmatter Ransomware

Disclaimer

All tutorials are for informational and educational purposes only and have been made using our own routers, servers, websites and other vulnerable free resources. we do not contain any illegal activity. We believe that ethical hacking, information security and cyber security should be familiar subjects to anyone using digital information and computers. Hacking Truth is against misuse of the information and we strongly suggest against it. Please regard the word hacking as ethical hacking or penetration testing every time this word is used. We do not promote, encourage, support or excite any illegal activity or hacking.



  - Hacking Truth by Kumar Atul Jaiswal

The following blog is going to outline some of the fundamental principles of information security. The frameworks used to protect data and systems to the elements of what exactly makes data secure.

The measures, frameworks and protocols discussed throughout this room all play a small part in "Defence in Depth."

Defence in Depth is the use of multiple varied layers of security to an organisation's systems and data in the hopes that multiple layers will provide redundancy in an organisation's security perimeter.

The CIA Triad

The CIA triad is an information security model that is used in consideration throughout creating a security policy. This model has an extensive background, ranging from being used in 1998.


This history is because the security of information (information security) does not start and/or end with cybersecurity, but instead, applies to scenarios like filing, record storage, etc.


Consisting of three sections: Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA), this model has quickly become an industry standard today. This model should help determine the value of data that it applies to, and in turn, the attention it needs from the business.

The CIA triad is unlike a traditional model where you have individual sections; instead, it is a continuous cycle. Whilst the three elements to the CIA triad can arguably overlap, if even just one element is not met, then the other two are rendered useless (similar to the fire triangle). If a security policy does not answer these three sections, it is seldom an effective security policy.


Whilst the three elements to the CIA triad are arguably self-explanatory, let's explore these and contextualise them into cybersecurity.

Confidentiality

This element is the protection of data from unauthorized access and misuse. Organisations will always have some form of sensitive data stored on their systems. To provide confidentiality is to protect this data from parties that it is not intended for.


There are many real-world examples for this, for example, employee records and accounting documents will be considered sensitive. Confidentiality will be provided in the sense that only HR administrators will access employee records, where vetting and tight access controls are in place. Accounting records are less valuable (and therefore less sensitive), so not as stringent access controls would be in place for these documents. Or, for example, governments using a sensitivity classification rating system (top-secret, classified, unclassified)

Integrity

The CIA triad element of integrity is the condition where information is kept accurate and consistent unless authorized changes are made. It is possible for the information to change because of careless access and use, errors in the information system, or unauthorized access and use. In the CIA triad, integrity is maintained when the information remains unchanged during storage, transmission, and usage not involving modification to the information. Steps must be taken to ensure data cannot be altered by unauthorised people (for example, in a breach of confidentiality).


Many defences to ensure integrity can be put in place. Access control and rigorous authentication can help prevent authorized users from making unauthorized changes. Hash verifications and digital signatures can help ensure that transactions are authentic and that files have not been modified or corrupted.

Availability

In order for data to be useful, it must be available and accessible by the user.

The main concern in the CIA triad is that the information should be available when authorised users need to access it.

Availability is very often a key benchmark for an organisation. For example, having 99.99% uptime on their websites or systems (this is laid out in Service Level Agreements). When a system is unavailable, it often results in damage to an organisations reputation and loss of finances. Availability is achieved through a combination of many elements, including:
 

Having reliable and well-tested hardware for their information technology servers (i.e. reputable servers)
 

Having redundant technology and services in the case of failure of the primary    

Implementing well-versed security protocols to protect technology and services from attack




1) What element of the CIA triad ensures that data cannot be altered by unauthorised people?

Ans - Integrity


2) What element of the CIA triad ensures that data is available?

Ans - Availability


3) What element of the CIA triad ensures that data is only accessed by authorised people?

Ans - confidentiality


 

Principles of Privileges

It is vital to administrate and correctly define the various levels of access to an information technology system individuals require.


The levels of access given to individuals are determined on two primary factors:

• The individual's role/function within the organisation
• The sensitivity of the information being stored on the system

Two key concepts are used to assign and manage the access rights of individuals, two key concepts are used: Privileged Identity Management (PIM) and Privileged Access Management (or PAM for short).


Initially, these two concepts can seem to overlap; however, they are different from one another. PIM is used to translate a user's role within an organisation into an access role on a system. Whereas PAM is the management of the privileges a system's access role has, amongst other things.


What is essential when discussing privilege and access controls is the principle of least privilege. Simply, users should be given the minimum amount of privileges, and only those that are absolutely necessary for them to perform their duties. Other people should be able to trust what people write to.


As we previously mentioned, PAM incorporates more than assigning access. It also encompasses enforcing security policies such as password management, auditing policies and reducing the attack surface a system faces.







1) What does the acronym "PIM" stand for?

Ans- Privileged identity management



2) What does the acronym "PAM" stand for?

Ans - Privileged Access Management



3) If you wanted to manage the privileges a system access role had, what methodology would you use?

Ans - PAM


4) If you wanted to create a system role that is based on a users role/responsibilities with an organisation, what methodology is this?

Ans - PIM

Security Models Continued

Before discussing security models further, let's recall the three elements of the CIA triad: Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability. We've previously outlined what these elements are and their importance. However, there is a formal way of achieving this.


According to a security model, any system or piece of technology storing information is called an information system, which is how we will reference systems and devices in this task.


Let's explore some popular and effective security models used to achieve the three elements of the CIA triad.

The Bell-La Padula Model

The Bell-La Padula Model is used to achieve confidentiality. This model has a few assumptions, such as an organisation's hierarchical structure it is used in, where everyone's responsibilities/roles are well-defined.


The model works by granting access to pieces of data (called objects) on a strictly need to know basis. This model uses the rule "no write down, no read up".

The Bell LaPadula Model is popular within organisations such as governmental and military. This is because members of the organisations are presumed to have already gone through a process called vetting. Vetting is a screening process where applicant's backgrounds are examined to establish the risk they pose to the organisation. Therefore, applicants who are successfully vetted are assumed to be trustworthy - which is where this model fits in.

Biba Model

The Biba model is arguably the equivalent of the Bell-La Padula model but for the integrity of the CIA triad.


This model applies the rule to objects (data) and subjects (users) that can be summarised as "no write up, no read down". This rule means that subjects can create or write content to objects at or below their level but can only read the contents of objects above the subject's level.


Let's compare some advantages and disadvantages of this model in the table below:

The Biba model is used in organisations or situations where integrity is more important than confidentiality. For example, in software development, developers may only have access to the code that is necessary for their job. They may not need access to critical pieces of information such as databases, etc.





1) What is the name of the model that uses the rule "can't read up, can read down"?

Ans - The Bell-La Padula Model



2) What is the name of the model that uses the rule "can read up, can't read down"?

Ans - the biba model



3) If you were a military, what security model would you use?

Ans - The Bell-La Padula Model



4) If you were a software developer, what security model would the company perhaps use?

Ans - the biba model

Threat Modelling & Incident Response

Threat modelling is the process of reviewing, improving, and testing the security protocols in place in an organisation's information technology infrastructure and services.


A critical stage of the threat modelling process is identifying likely threats that an application or system may face, the vulnerabilities a system or application may be vulnerable to. 

The threat modelling process is very similar to a risk assessment made in workplaces for employees and customers. The principles all return to:

• Preparation
• Identification
• Mitigations
• Review

It is, however, a complex process that needs constant review and discussion with a dedicated team. An effective threat model includes:

• Threat intelligence
• Asset identification
• Mitigation capabilities
• Risk assessment

To help with this, there are frameworks such as STRIDE (Spoofing, identity, Tampering with data, Repudiation threats, Information disclosure, Denial of Service and Elevation of privileges) and PASTA (Process for Attack Simulation and Threat Analysis) infosec never tasted so good!. Let's detail STRIDE below. STRIDE, authored by two Microsoft security researchers in 1999 is still very relevant today. STRIDE includes six main principles, which I have detailed in the table below:Know About Principles Of Security

A breach of security is known as an incident. And despite all rigorous threat models and secure system designs, incidents do happen. Actions taken to resolve and remediate the threat are known as Incident Response (IR) and are a whole career path in cybersecurity.


Incidents are classified using a rating of urgency and impact. Urgency will be determined by the type of attack faced, where the impact will be determined by the affected system and what impact that has on business operations.

An incident is responded to by a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) which is prearranged group of employees with technical knowledge about the systems and/or current incident. To successfully solve an incident, these steps are often referred to as the six phases of Incident Response that takes place, listed in the table below:

1) What model outlines "Spoofing"?

Ans - STRIDE



2) What does the acronym "IR" stand for?

Ans - incident response



3) You are tasked with adding some measures to an application to improve the integrity of data, what STRIDE principle is this?

Ans - Tampering



4) An attacker has penetrated your organisation's security and stolen data. It is your task to return the organisation to business as usual. What incident response stage is this?

Ans - Recovery

Master Local Area Network (LAN) Topologies In Just A Few Hours!

Local Area Network (LAN) Topologies

Over the years, there has been experimentation and implementation of various network designs.  In reference to networking, when we refer to the term "topology", we are actually referring to the design or look of the network at hand. Let's discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these topologies below. Master Local Area Network (LAN) Topologies In Just A Few Hours!

Ring Topology

The ring topology (also known as token topology) boasts some similarities. Devices such as computers are connected directly to each other to form a loop, meaning that there is little cabling required and less dependence on dedicated hardware such as within a star topology.

A ring topology works by sending data across the loop until it reaches the destined device, using other devices along the loop to forward the data. Interestingly, a device will only send received data from another device in this topology if it does not have any to send itself. If the device happens to have data to send, it will send its own data first before sending data from another device.

Because there is only one direction for data to travel across this topology, it is fairly easy to troubleshoot any faults that arise. However, this is a double-edged sword because it isn't an efficient way of data travelling across a network, as it may have to visit many multiple devices first before reaching the intended device.

Lastly, ring topologies are less prone to bottlenecks, such as within a bus topology, as large amounts of traffic are not travelling across the network at any one time. The design of this topology does, however, mean that a fault such as cut cable, or broken device will result in the entire networking breaking.

This lab will take you through the flaws in different network topologies

• In a ring topology, all devices are a connector to two others to create a full circle

• Packets of data travel from one device to the next until they have reached their destination

• One of the major flaws with a ring topology is that if a device goes down or a cable is broken, then data will no longer be passed
  

• If you hover over the middle of the network cable, you can cut it and see what happens to the packets
  

• If you hover over the middle of the network cable, you can cut it and see what happens to the packets
  

• The packets can now no longer travel around the network, and no devices can talk to each other

  

 

 

 

 
Whilst you know where to send information in real life to the correct department, networks need to know as well. Network administrators use subnetting to categorise and assign specific parts of a network to reflect this.

Subnetting is achieved by splitting up the number of hosts that can fit within the network, represented by a number called a subnet mask. Let's refer back to our diagram from the first room in this module: