1462  Network Security Analyzer

Interactive Tool for Analyzing IoT Network Security Configurations

interactive-tool
security
network-analysis
threat-modeling
vulnerability-assessment

1462.1 Network Security Analyzer

Analyze your IoT network security configurations, identify vulnerabilities, and receive actionable recommendations. This comprehensive tool performs security assessments including STRIDE threat modeling, attack surface visualization, and compliance checking.

NoteTool Overview

This analyzer allows you to:

  1. Build network topology: Add devices, define connections, and specify protocols
  2. Run security analysis: Check for unencrypted connections, missing authentication, exposed ports
  3. Perform STRIDE threat modeling: Identify Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, DoS, and Elevation of Privilege threats
  4. Visualize attack surfaces: See color-coded risk levels and threat paths
  5. Generate recommendations: Get prioritized fixes with implementation difficulty ratings
  6. Use preset scenarios: Learn from common security configurations
TipHow to Use This Tool
  1. Step 1: Add devices to your network using the device palette
  2. Step 2: Define connections between devices with protocol specifications
  3. Step 3: Click “Analyze Security” to run the comprehensive assessment
  4. Step 4: Review the threat model and vulnerability findings
  5. Step 5: Implement recommended fixes based on priority

1462.2 Understanding Network Security Analysis

This tool performs comprehensive security assessments based on industry best practices and threat modeling frameworks.

1462.2.1 Security Assessment Categories

Category What It Checks Risk Impact
Authentication Device identity verification Prevents unauthorized access
Encryption Data protection in transit Prevents eavesdropping
Protocol Security Built-in protocol protections Reduces attack surface
Exposed Ports Unnecessary open services Limits entry points
Firmware Updates Patch management capability Enables vulnerability fixes
Network Segmentation Isolation between device types Contains breaches

1462.2.2 Protocol Security Comparison

TipSecure vs Insecure Protocol Variants
Insecure Secure Alternative Key Difference
MQTT (1883) MQTTS (8883) TLS encryption
HTTP (80) HTTPS (443) TLS encryption + auth
CoAP (5683) CoAPS (5684) DTLS encryption
AMQP (5672) AMQPS (5671) TLS encryption
Modbus (502) Modbus/TCP + VPN Requires external security

Always prefer the secure variant when available. Legacy protocols like Modbus require network-level security (VPN, TLS tunnels, or dedicated security gateways).

1462.3 STRIDE Threat Modeling

STRIDE is a threat modeling framework developed by Microsoft to systematically identify security threats:

1462.3.1 STRIDE Categories Explained

Category Threat Type IoT Examples
Spoofing Impersonating another entity Fake sensor data, device cloning
Tampering Modifying data or code Command injection, firmware modification
Repudiation Denying actions occurred Missing audit logs, anonymous access
Information Disclosure Exposing protected data Cleartext transmission, data leakage
Denial of Service Making services unavailable Network flooding, resource exhaustion
Elevation of Privilege Gaining unauthorized access Default credentials, privilege escalation

1462.3.2 Applying STRIDE to IoT Networks

WarningCommon IoT Threat Patterns
  1. Spoofing: Attacker impersonates a legitimate sensor to inject false data
  2. Tampering: Man-in-the-middle attack modifies commands to actuators
  3. Repudiation: No logging of who changed device configurations
  4. Information Disclosure: Credentials transmitted over unencrypted MQTT
  5. Denial of Service: Flooding gateway with malformed packets
  6. Elevation of Privilege: Exploiting default admin credentials to gain control

1462.4 Attack Surface Analysis

The attack surface represents all the ways an attacker can potentially interact with your system:

1462.4.1 Attack Surface Components

  1. Network Interfaces: Every exposed port is an entry point
  2. Protocols: Each protocol has unique vulnerabilities
  3. Authentication Boundaries: Where trust is established or assumed
  4. Data Flows: Paths where sensitive data travels
  5. Management Interfaces: Admin access points

1462.4.2 Reducing Attack Surface

Best Practices:
├── Close unnecessary ports
├── Use secure protocol variants
├── Implement least privilege
├── Segment networks by function
├── Enable authentication everywhere
└── Monitor and log access

1462.5 Security Checklist Deep Dive

1462.5.1 Device Authentication

  • X.509 Certificates: Strongest option for device identity
  • Pre-Shared Keys (PSK): Simpler but requires secure distribution
  • Username/Password: Least secure, avoid if possible
  • Mutual TLS (mTLS): Both client and server verify each other

1462.5.2 Data Encryption

  • TLS 1.3: Current best practice for transport security
  • DTLS: TLS for UDP-based protocols (CoAP, custom)
  • End-to-End Encryption: Protect data beyond transport layer
  • Key Management: Secure storage and rotation of encryption keys

1462.5.3 Access Control

  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assign permissions by role
  • Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Dynamic policy evaluation
  • Network Access Control (NAC): Gate network access on compliance
  • Zero Trust: Verify every access request regardless of source

1462.5.4 Firmware Updates

  • Over-the-Air (OTA): Enable remote security patches
  • Secure Boot: Verify firmware integrity at startup
  • Code Signing: Ensure updates come from trusted source
  • Rollback Protection: Prevent downgrade attacks

1462.5.5 Network Segmentation

  • VLANs: Logical network separation
  • Firewalls: Control traffic between segments
  • Microsegmentation: Fine-grained isolation
  • DMZ: Buffer zone for internet-facing services

1462.6 Preset Scenario Analysis

1462.6.1 Insecure Smart Home

This scenario demonstrates common consumer IoT vulnerabilities:

  • Sensors and cameras without authentication
  • Unencrypted MQTT and HTTP connections
  • Gateway with multiple exposed ports
  • No firmware update capability on edge devices

Typical Attack Path: Compromise camera via exposed web interface, pivot to gateway, access cloud credentials.

1462.6.2 Partially Secured Industrial

Mixed security posture common in industrial environments:

  • Legacy Modbus devices without security
  • Secure gateway handling protocol translation
  • SCADA server with both secure and insecure interfaces
  • Cloud connection properly secured

Challenge: Legacy protocols require compensating controls (VPN, monitoring).

1462.6.3 Best Practice Implementation

Demonstrates security by design:

  • All devices with authentication, encryption, and updates
  • Secure protocol variants throughout
  • No unnecessary exposed ports
  • Gateway provides network segmentation

Result: Minimal attack surface with defense in depth.

1462.7 What’s Next

This analyzer implements:

  1. Device management: Add/remove devices with security properties
  2. Connection builder: Define links with protocol specifications
  3. Vulnerability scanning: Check authentication, encryption, ports
  4. STRIDE threat modeling: Categorize threats by type
  5. Risk scoring: Weighted vulnerability assessment
  6. Recommendation engine: Prioritized fixes with difficulty ratings
  7. Visual indicators: Color-coded security status on network diagram
  8. Security checklist: Track compliance with best practices

Educational simplifications:

  • Real security assessments include penetration testing
  • Vulnerability databases (CVE) integration needed for comprehensive analysis
  • Network traffic analysis reveals additional issues
  • Physical security not addressed
  • Supply chain security not evaluated

1462.8 Practice Exercises

NoteExercise 1: Secure the Insecure Smart Home
  1. Load the “Insecure Smart Home” preset
  2. Run security analysis
  3. Implement the recommendations one by one
  4. Achieve a risk score below 20

Hint: Focus on critical issues first (authentication and encryption).

NoteExercise 2: Design a Secure Industrial Network
  1. Start with a blank network
  2. Add: 3 sensors, 1 gateway, 1 cloud service, 1 SCADA server
  3. Configure all devices with proper security settings
  4. Use appropriate protocols for each connection
  5. Achieve “SECURE” rating on the security checklist

Challenge: Include a legacy Modbus device and still maintain security.

NoteExercise 3: STRIDE Threat Analysis
  1. Load the “Partially Secured Industrial” preset
  2. Run analysis and review STRIDE threats
  3. For each threat category with findings:
    • Identify the specific vulnerability
    • Propose a mitigation strategy
    • Implement the fix in the tool
  4. Reduce threats in each STRIDE category to zero