What Are Common Use Cases for Attack Surface Management?

Common use cases for attack surface management span all on-premise and hosted hardware, software, network infrastructure, SaaS, and cloud assets. Protecting this sprawling digital footprint (i.e., the attack surface) requires a complex mesh of cybersecurity solutions.

Attack surface management refers to the continuous process of identifying, classifying, prioritizing, and securing all various internet-facing attack vectors from which an attacker could compromise digital assets. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, understanding and managing the vulnerability of potential entry points is essential for any organization looking to protect its data, reputation, and operations.

What Is the Purpose of Attack Surface Management?

Security teams deploy attack surface management strategies and dedicated staff to support their proactive cyber defense tactics. The attack surface management lifecycle presents an ongoing approach to identifying, analyzing, prioritizing, and rectifying cybersecurity risks, guiding the priority setting.

This comprehensive cybersecurity endeavor tackles everything from public-facing and internal systems to supply chains and shadow IT risk management efforts. The issues unearthed through attack surface management also supplement digital risk protection service (DRPS) initiatives.

Legacy infrastructure and manual processes create challenges for your teams

Decoding the Attack Surface: Ten Examples

To better understand attack surface management use cases, let's examine the following examples of an attack surface:

• APIs—for cloud computing resources, social media, payment processing, and website analytics
• Cloud services (public, private, and hybrid cloud)—storage, applications, and databases
• Endpoints—laptops, smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices
• Hardware devices—computers, servers, mobile devices, IoT devices, and peripherals (e.g., printers, copy machines, and scanners)
• Network infrastructure—routers, switches, firewalls, and other networking devices
• Software applications—commercial, open-source, or custom-built
• Transmission channels—unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and FTP
• User interfaces—login pages or input forms
• Users—any connected user (e.g., social engineering and phishing)
• Web applications—productivity and office tools, email services, and e-commerce platforms

Understanding ASM from the Threat Actor’s Perspective

Threat actors, from solo hackers to advanced cybercriminal groups, persistently scan the external entry points of targeted organizations. They aim to identify any vulnerability and potential attack vector across the broad external attack surface.

Their cyber attack techniques range from credential theft and phishing to exploiting misconfigurations and launching DDoS attacks. Despite employing similar tactics, these approaches continue to evolve as threat actors always seek the path of least resistance for a cyber attack.

Ethical Hackers and Attack Surface Management: A Unique Use Case

Ethical hackers are invaluable for cyber asset attack surface management (CAASM) and understanding security risks that threat actors could exploit. Known as white-hat hackers, ethical hackers emulate threat actors, launching controlled attacks as part of external attack surface management (EASM) risk assessment exercises. Their attack surface analysis covers numerous use cases, revealing an organization’s security posture gaps. Their simulated attacks probe across the entire asset inventory—from every known endpoint to previously unknown assets that form part of shadow IT.

The work of ethical hackers involves a blend of in-depth manual penetration testing (or pen testing) and tools to automate this work for continuous attack surface management. The ethical hacker attack surface management use case is arguably one of the most valuable, offering unique insights into the mechanisms and motivations behind cyber attacks. Ethical hackers operate as part of internal security teams or are engaged by third-party organizations.

CISOs, learn how to save money and stay safe with ASM: A CISO’s Guide to Attack Surface Management.

Examples of Attack Surface Management Use Cases

Attack surface management empowers security teams to stay ahead of security risks with a proactive approach that continually assesses digital assets. The goal? To spot any vulnerability before an attacker does.

ASM uses Several core capabilities to help security teams outpace attackers, including digital footprint discovery, contextual prioritization, continuous monitoring, and integration with other security workflows. Below, we explore some common use cases for attack surface management that demonstrate how it works and can improve an organization’s security posture, enabling proactive remediation.

Unmasking and Mitigating Unknown Risks with ASM

A tremendous value of attack surface management is providing visibility into unknown risks with asset discovery. Knowing their existence makes remediating this group of potential attack vectors possible. This leaves an organization exposed to the attacker who finds the vulnerabilities. Once at-risk assets are discovered, ASM can help prioritize remediation efforts. The following are several examples of unknown risks that attack surface management solutions routinely uncover.

Spotting Outdated Software and Systems

ASM solutions can use automated tools to detect outdated or unpatched software and systems, helping security teams manage resources effectively as they strive to stay updated on patches and software upgrades.

Uncovering Insider Threats

Attack surface management's continuous monitoring capabilities can be used to track unusual network behavior, often a telltale sign of insider threats.

Monitoring IoT Devices

The proliferation of IoT devices has led to a significant increase in attack surface exposures. However, ASM provides the visibility that security teams need to secure these widely distributed, often unknown assets, constituting a large part of shadow IT assets.

Spotting Misconfigurations in Cloud Environments

Cloud environments are notorious potential attack vectors. Because they are relatively easy to deploy, vulnerabilities often go undetected. Attack surface management solutions help identify risks and remediate issues, such as misconfigurations or insecure APIs. Continuous monitoring also helps keep security up to date.

Conducting Network Exposure Assessment

With a comprehensive view of an organization’s network, attack surface management can automate scans to detect risky open ports and unsecured network protocols that attackers could exploit.

Discovering Shadow IT

ASM tools can detect unauthorized or unknown IT systems and software being used within an organization. Often referred to as shadow IT, these unsanctioned assets represent a significant vulnerability. Identifying them is the first step in mitigating potential risks. In addition, with continuous monitoring, real-time ASM tools can quickly detect devices and services, identifying any newly added shadow IT tools.

Managing Third-party and Vendor Risks

Attack surface management can uncover risks associated with internet-facing assets connected to third-party vendors and software. It can also help identify issues across an extended supply chain through continuous monitoring of systems and input from other security systems through integrations.

Leveraging ASM for Ransomware Prevention and Asset Protection

Attack surface management is a highly effective tool for ransomware prevention. Its several capabilities enable it to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.

Let's take a look at some of them:

Securing Data Backups

An essential function of ASM is ensuring that backups are secure, up-to-date, and not accessible for modification or deletion by ransomware.

Bolstering Endpoint Security

ASM includes endpoint protection to block these common entry points for ransomware. This includes ensuring all endpoint devices are updated, monitored, and secured against ransomware threats.

Monitoring and Alerting in Real-Time

Real-time monitoring and alerting mechanisms in ASM can detect unusual activities indicative of a ransomware attack in progress, such as mass file encryption. This early detection allows security teams to isolate the attacker and minimize damage and disruption quickly.

Implementing Network Segmentation and Access Control

ASM facilitates effective network segmentation, ensuring critical assets are isolated and access is tightly controlled. This approach limits the ability of ransomware to spread laterally across a network after the initial infiltration.

Preventing Phishing Attacks

ASM can reduce the risk of introducing ransomware via phishing campaigns by identifying and managing potential phishing vectors, such as email systems and web gateways.

Reducing Exposure of Sensitive Data

ASM helps locate where sensitive data is stored and initiate measures to secure it. By minimizing unnecessary data exposure, organizations can reduce their attack surface and minimize the potential impact of a ransomware attack.

Identifying and Patching Vulnerabilities

Prompt remediation of vulnerabilities is critical to prevent attackers from using them as an attack vector to launch a ransomware attack. ASM tools continuously scan and identify vulnerabilities in an organization's network, such as unpatched software or insecure configurations that could be exploited.

ASM for Rapid Response to Zero Day Exploits

Attack surface management capabilities help security teams respond swiftly when zero-day exploits are detected. Here are some ways in which ASM mitigates the impact of zero-day security risks:

Early Detection of Vulnerabilities

ASM facilitates the early detection of potential zero-day vulnerabilities by continuously scanning and analyzing the network and software systems for unusual behaviors or anomalies.

Enhanced Monitoring and Alerting

ASM systems can be configured to provide enhanced monitoring and immediate alerts when any indication of a zero-day attack, such as unusual data traffic or access patterns, is detected.

Rapid Incident Response

ASM facilitates a rapid response to a successful zero-day attack by providing detailed information about the impacted systems. This helps teams expedite containment and prioritize remediation efforts.

Implementing Network Segmentation

Implementing network segmentation as part of ASM helps contain the spread and impact of a successful zero-day attack by isolating different network parts.

Post-Attack Analysis and Adaptation

ASM includes post-incident analysis to identify the root cause and help security teams improve defenses and adapt strategies to better protect against similar exploits in the future.

Real Time Threat Intelligence

Real-time threat intelligence can be integrated into ASM, enabling organizations to stay informed about emerging zero-day threats and be prepared to respond quickly.

Reducing Attack Vectors

By constantly assessing and minimizing the attack surface, ASM limits the potential entry points that could be used to launch a zero-day attack.

Using ASM to Thwart Subdomain Takeover

Attack surface management provides visibility across web properties to prevent subdomain takeover attacks. Below are specific ways ASM can mitigate security risks associated with subdomain takeover.

Inventory and Monitoring of Subdomains

ASM can be used to maintain an up-to-date inventory of all registered subdomains. Continuous monitoring ensures that each subdomain is configured correctly and actively managed, reducing the attack surface.

Verifying External Services

Often, subdomain takeovers result from misconfigured external services. For example, a subdomain, as part of the DNS configurations, points to an external service (e.g., a cloud services provider), and that service is misconfigured or retired. ASM prevents this by verifying that all linked services are valid and have been configured correctly and that DNS records for subdomains only point to active, intended destinations.

Automated Detection and Removal of Orphaned DNS Records

ASM tools can automatically detect orphaned DNS records, which occur when a subdomain points to a service that is no longer being used. By promptly identifying and removing these records, attack surface management eliminates vulnerability.

Reducing the Attack Surface

Attack surface management helps security teams minimize the number of points in a network where an attacker can gain unauthorized access or extract data. This is achieved by eliminating unnecessary software and services, tightening access controls, and regularly updating and patching systems.

Prioritizing with Context

ASM involves assessing and ranking vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and providing context. This contextual prioritization helps security teams assess security incidents' severity, impact, and potential implications.

Continuously Monitoring

Continuous monitoring is a cornerstone of attack surface management. It involves the ongoing surveillance and analysis of an organization's network and digital assets. Continuous monitoring gives security teams the insights to take proactive measures to secure systems, networks, and data against emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and changes. Often, alerts are provided in real-time, enabling an immediate response to potential security risks and the ability to maintain a dynamic defense against evolving cyber threats.

Discovering the Digital Footprint

An essential function of ASM is mapping and analyzing an organization's digital assets, including public-facing websites, network infrastructure, and online services. This helps identify potential attack vectors and provides a comprehensive view of the attack surface. This visibility allows security teams to implement targeted enhancements and enhance risk management practices.

Integrating with Security Workflows

Attack surface management can be seamlessly embedded into existing cybersecurity operations, becoming part of routine security practices. This integration allows for real-time data sharing, coordinated responses to threats, and streamline remediation efforts that reinforce the organization's defensive strategies against cyber attacks.

Managing Privileges

In attack surface management, privilege management entails controlling and monitoring user privileges and access rights within an organization's network. Specifically, ASM helps minimize user access to essential resources and implement least privilege principles.

Common Use Cases for Attack Surface Management FAQ