Network Segregation Test
Trusted Cyber Security Experts
25+ Years Industry Experience
Ethical, Professional & Pragmatic
Network Segregation Testing involves a series of passive and active tests which identify poor network isolation between adjacent networks on a firewall or VLAN-segregated network.
Poorly-configured firewall rules or vulnerabilities in devices which may span multiple networks can provide a way for an attacker to pivot an attack between networks that were designed to be isolated. Depending on the networks in use, this could present a significant risk to an organisation and could lead to an attacker being able to pivot an attack across the network between trusted and untrusted networks.
Depending on the type of data your organisation handles, network segregation can often be a mandatory requirement for various compliance standards, such as PCI-DSS and ISO 27001. Network segregation also plays an important role in organisations defending against ransomware attacks.
Our network segregation testing is performed by our experienced, CREST accredited penetration testing team. During a network segregation test, we look for ways in which firewall rules can be bypassed using both active & passive attack methods and identify security vulnerabilities in the surrounding infrastructure that could aid an attacker in pivoting an attack between your networks.
What types of vulnerabilities can a Network Segregation Test identify?
Conducting a network segregation test provides you with an insight into how robust your network device configuration is and whether it may be circumvented. Some common vulnerabilities that we regularly find during network segregation testing include:
- Device firmware vulnerabilities
- Badly configured network devices
- VLAN hopping possible
- IP forwarding permitted
- Information disclosure through broadcast traffic
- Weak firewall rules
Testing Process & Methodology
Using a combination of automated and manual testing, a series of tests are conducted which are designed to exploit known vulnerabilities or configuration weaknesses that are common in firewalls, network switches or “multi-homed” servers which connect to more than one segment of the network.
The following tests are included as part of the overall test methodology:
Active Firewall Rule Assessment
An automated port scan is conducted from each network against a SecureTeam network device which has been installed in the adjacent network(s). The network device is configured to listen on all TCP and UDP ports; therefore, any network ports that are returned as ‘open’ on the port scan indicate that segregation is not in place and the test identifies the network ports that are being permitted through the firewall or VLAN.
VLAN Hopping
Attempts will be made to circumvent VLAN segregation in network switches through a process known as ‘VLAN Hopping’. Although ‘VLAN Hopping’ is an attack which is rarely possible these days, misconfigurations in network switches can make it possible for an attacker to access other VLANs that they should not have access to. This could allow the attacker to gain access to other network subnets, with the potential to exploit vulnerable hosts and further their attack.
Network Traffic Capture
During the assessment, network traffic is passively captured from all networks to identify if any broadcast or multicast network traffic is being ‘leaked’ through the firewall. Checks are also made for any network protocols (such as Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) or VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP)) which may assist an attacker in identifying useful VLAN information, such as VLAN tags or management IP addresses of network switches.
Vulnerabilities in Multi-Homed Devices
‘Multi-Homed’ devices are devices which contain multiple network interfaces, which may often be connected between adjacent networks. If vulnerabilities are present in the host (such as Port Forwarding), it may be possible for an attacker to use the ‘multi-homed’ device as a router and to use it access hosts on other adjacent networks. During the assessment, specific testing will be conducted to identify hosts that may be ‘multi-homed’ and to identify any exploitable vulnerabilities on them.
Preparing for your Network Segregation Test
- A signed & completed Testing Consent Form (TCF)
- A network architecture diagram
- List of the IP ranges that are in use within each of the networks to be tested
- Wired network connection to each of the in-scope networks
- Ensure that any Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) have been disabled or that SecureTeam’s IP range is white-listed for the duration of the test
- A copy of PCI-DSS or ISO 27001 scope documents so we can validate the segregation matches the certification scope. (if applicable)
Reporting
Our clear & concise penetration test reports enable everyone in your organisation to understand the vulnerabilities that have been identified and the real-world risk that your systems and data are exposed to.
Our reports include:
- A “board-level friendly” Executive Summary
- Comprehensive, evidence-based vulnerability reporting
- Risk-based vulnerability ranking with CVSS Scoring
- Technical references and links for further research by your technical team
Debrief Call
Once you have received our final report, you have the option of attending a conference call between the consultant(s) involved in delivering your project and individuals within your organisation who you feel would benefit from a more in-depth discussion of the report’s findings.
After Care
Once our consultancy engagement is complete and our final report has been delivered to you, our consultancy team remain available to you indefinitely for any questions you may have surrounding the report’s findings or our consultancy engagement with you.
Why Choose SecureTeam?
- UK-based Consultancy Team
- Customer Focused
- Security Vetted Consultants
- Ethical Scoping & Pricing
- 25+ Years Industry Experience
- ISO 9001 & 27001 Certified
- CREST Accredited
- Comprehensive Reporting
Ready to take your cyber security to the next level ?
Trusted Cyber Security Experts
As an organisation, SecureTeam has provided penetration testing and cyber security consultancy to public & private sector organisations both in the United Kingdom and worldwide. We pride ourselves in taking a professional, pragmatic and customer-centric approach, delivering expert cyber security consultancy – on time and within budget – regardless of the size of your organisation.
Our customer base ranges from small tech start-ups through to large multi-national organisations across nearly every sector – in nearly every continent. Some of the organisation’s who have trusted SecureTeam as their cyber security partner include:
Customer Testimonials
"Within a very tight timescale, SecureTeam managed to deliver a highly professional service efficiently. The team helped the process with regular updates and escalation where necessary. Would highly recommend"
IoT Solutions Group Limited
“First class service as ever. We learn something new each year! Thank you to all your team.”
Royal Haskoning DHV
“We’ve worked with SecureTeam for a few years to conduct our testing. The team make it easy to deal with them; they are attentive and explain detailed reports in a jargon-free way that allows the less technical people to understand. I wouldn’t work with anyone else for our cyber security.”
Capital Asset Management
“SecureTeam provided Derbyshire's Education Data Hub with an approachable and professional service to ensure our schools were able to successfully certify for Cyber Essentials. The team provided a smooth end-to-end service and were always on hand to offer advice when necessary.”
Derbyshire County Council
“A very efficient, professional, and friendly delivery of our testing and the results. You delivered exactly what we asked for in the timeframe we needed it, while maintaining quality and integrity. A great job, done well.”
AMX Solutions
“We were very pleased with the work and report provided. It was easy to translate the provided details into some actionable tasks on our end so that was great. We always appreciate the ongoing support.”
Innovez LtdGet in touch today
If you’d like to see how SecureTeam can take your cybersecurity posture to the next level, we’d love to hear from you, learn about your requirements and then send you a free quotation for our services.
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Get in touch with us today and a member of our team will be in touch to provide you with a quotation.
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“We were very impressed with the service, I will say, the vulnerability found was one our previous organisation had not picked up, which does make you wonder if anything else was missed.”
Aim Ltd Chief Technology Officer (CTO)