What is SMB? SMB Vulnerabilities with its mitigations?

SMB

Server Message Block (SMB) is a network protocol used by Windows-based computers that allows for the sharing of files, printers, and serial ports. It enables users to access resources on a network as if they were on their own local computer.

The port number for SMB is 445

SMB has undergone several versions and updates over the years, including 

  • SMB 1.0, 
  • SMB 2.0, 
  • SMB 2.1, and 
  • SMB 3.0.

There are several vulnerabilities that have been identified in SMB. Some of these vulnerabilities include:

SMB Relay Attacks: These attacks involve an attacker intercepting SMB traffic and "relaying" it to another device on the network, potentially allowing the attacker to gain unauthorized access to the target device. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to use network segmentation and access controls to limit the spread of any potential compromise.

SMB Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: These attacks involve an attacker intercepting and altering SMB traffic as it is transmitted between two devices. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to use secure communication channels such as SSL/TLS and to deploy firewalls to block unauthorized access.

SMB Brute Force Attacks: These attacks involve an attacker attempting to guess a user's login credentials through repeated attempts. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to use strong, unique passwords and to enable account lockouts after a certain number of failed login attempts.

SMB Worms: These are malicious programs that can spread through networks by exploiting vulnerabilities in SMB. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest security patches, and to use antivirus software to scan for and remove any malicious software.

It is also important to note that many of these vulnerabilities can be mitigated by simply disabling SMB if it is not needed.