A rootkit is a collection of computer software, typically malicious, that is designed to grant an unauthorized user access to a computer or certain programs. Once a rootkit is installed, it is easy to mask its presence, so an attacker can maintain privileged access while remaining undetected. Etymologically, \u201croot\u201d refers to the targeted admin account, and \u201ckit\u201d refers to the software components that implement the tool.<\/p>\n
Rootkits grant attackers full control over a system, which means they can modify existing software at will\u2014particularly the software designed to detect its presence. As a result, rootkit detection is difficult since the software responsible for detecting it is often usurped or blinded by an attack. Typically, the only visible symptoms are slower-than-average system speeds and irregular network traffic. Unfortunately, with increasingly high-speed computers and high bandwidth networks, it can become easy for users or administrators to not notice the additional CPU or network activity.<\/p>\n
Rootkits work by using a process called modification\u2014the changing of user account permissions and security. Usually this is a process only granted by a computer administrator. While modification is often used in computing to make positive changes that seek to improve systems, attackers wanting full control will use modification to grant themselves unlimited access so they can cause damage. Additionally, attackers tend to use clandestine methods of infection since rootkits are not designed to spread by themselves.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s more, an attacker can install a rootkit once they\u2019ve obtained root or administrator access. Attackers can gain this access through the exploitation of known vulnerabilities, such as privilege escalation, or by\u00a0obtaining private passwords via phishing<\/a>. Alarmingly, this process can sometimes be automated.<\/p>\n Technically speaking, rootkits are not malware themselves, but rather a process used to deploy malware on a target. However, the term does carry a negative connotation since it is so often referenced in relation to cyberattacks. The way rootkits work is ultimately similar to malware\u2014 they run without restrictions on a target computer, go undetected by security products and IT administrators, and work to steal something from the targeted computer. Clearly, rootkits threaten customer security, and must be prevented and addressed.<\/p>\n There are different types of rootkits, and they are classified by the way they infect a targeted system. Here are the most commonly used ones:<\/p>\n Attackers will use rootkits for many purposes, but most commonly they will be utilized to improve stealth capabilities in malware. Increased stealth can ensure that malicious payloads remain undetected while they exfiltrate or destroy data from a network. It is also fairly common for rootkits to be used to help unauthorized users gain backdoor access into systems. Rootkits achieve this by subverting login mechanisms to accept\u00a0secret login access for an attacker<\/a>.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, rootkits can be deployed to compromise a computer so an attacker can use it as bot for a distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. In these cases, if a DDoS is detected and traced, it will lead the victim to the compromised computer instead of the attacker\u2019s. These compromised computers are often referred to as \u201czombie computers\u201d and in addition to being used in DDoS attacks<\/a>, they can be deployed in click fraud efforts or spam distribution.<\/p>\n There are occasions where rootkits can be employed by administrators for good uses, but it is not quite as common. Occasionally, IT teams will run rootkits in a honeypot to detect attacks, to enhance their emulation and security software, or to improve device anti-theft protection. However, more often than not, rootkits will be used externally and against a system, so it\u2019s important for managed services providers (MSPs) to know how to detect and defend their customers against them.<\/p>\n Because there aren\u2019t many commercial rootkit removal tools available that can locate and remove rootkits, the removal process can be complicated, sometimes even impossible. This is especially true in cases where the root resides in the kernel. Reinstallation of an operating system is sometimes the only viable solution to the problem. In the case of firmware rootkits, removal may require hardware replacement or specialized equipment.<\/p>\n One of the best methods MSPs can utilize for their customers is a rootkit scan. Rootkit scans must be operated by a separate clean system when an infected computer is powered down. The scan will look for signatures left by hackers and can identify if there has been any foul play on the network.<\/p>\n Additionally, a memory dump analysis can be an effective strategy in detecting rootkits, especially considering that bootkits latch onto a system\u2019s memory to operate. If there is a rootkit in your customer\u2019s network, it won\u2019t be hidden if it is executing commands from memory, and MSPs will be able to see the instructions it is sending out.<\/p>\n Another reliable method of detecting rootkits is behavioral analysis. Rather than looking for a rootkit directly by searching memory or playing a game of cat and mouse with attack signatures, you can look for rootkit symptoms in a system\u2014slow operating speeds, odd network traffic, or other common deviant patterns of behavior.<\/p>\n A highly advisable strategy MSPs can deploy in customers\u2019 systems is the principle of least privilege (PoLP). This is when a system restricts every module on a network so it can only gain access to the information and resources that are necessary for its specific purpose. Not only does this ensure tighter security between the arms of a network, it also prevents unauthorized users from installing malicious software to network kernels, thereby preventing rootkits from breaking in.<\/p>\n Luckily, rootkit attacks are generally in decline as OS security systems continue to improve endpoint defenses and more CPUs utilize built-in kernel protection modes. But they still exist, and MSPs must know how to prevent rootkits and stop breaches that may be harming their customers\u2019\u00a0IT infrastructures<\/a>.<\/p>\nIs rootkit a malware?<\/b><\/h3>\n
What are the types of rootkit?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Why is a rootkit used?<\/b><\/h3>\n
How to detect a rootkit\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n