SCADA Systems Security
This project aimed to secure Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in their communication protocols and control applications. SCADA systems are critical for industrial automation and infrastructure, making them prime targets for cyber attacks. The primary focus was to enhance the security posture of these systems through fuzzing techniques combined with other analysis methods. The key activities involved:
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Protocol Analysis and Reverse Engineering:
Conducted reverse engineering of SCADA protocols to understand their structure, behavior, and potential vulnerabilities. Developed custom parsers for undocumented or proprietary protocols used in industrial control systems to facilitate fuzzing and vulnerability detection.
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Fuzzing Implementation for SCADA Protocols:
Implemented fuzzing frameworks tailored for SCADA systems, focusing on field device communication and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) interactions. Applied generation-based fuzzing to craft input sequences that mimic realistic yet potentially malicious communications, maximizing the potential for uncovering security flaws.
- Used mutation-based fuzzing to generate a wide range of malformed and boundary case inputs, targeting the resilience and robustness of SCADA components.
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Vulnerability Detection and Mitigation:
Analyzed the results of fuzzing tests to detect anomalies, such as unexpected crashes, memory corruption, and protocol deviations, indicating potential vulnerabilities. Conducted root cause analysis for identified vulnerabilities and collaborated with development teams to design patches or mitigation techniques, enhancing the overall security of SCADA systems.
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Information Flow and Data Integrity Monitoring:
Applied information flow tracking within SCADA environments to ensure data integrity and trace unauthorized modifications or leakages during fuzzing tests. Integrated these insights with fuzzing outcomes to gain a comprehensive understanding of how vulnerabilities could impact system operations and lead to data breaches.
Skills Applied:
- Protocol Reverse Engineering: Deciphered proprietary and standard SCADA protocols, creating custom fuzzing scripts and parsers.
- Fuzzing: Developed and applied specialized fuzzing techniques to uncover vulnerabilities unique to SCADA communication and control systems.
- Vulnerability Analysis: Investigated the root causes of security flaws and suggested fixes or mitigations to strengthen SCADA system resilience.
- Information Flow Analysis: Tracked and validated data flow to detect unauthorized activities, ensuring the security and integrity of SCADA components.
This project contributed to the development of more secure and resilient SCADA systems by identifying vulnerabilities that could have been exploited by attackers. It demonstrated the effectiveness of combining fuzzing techniques with information flow analysis, reinforcing expertise in OT and ICS security.
Related Topics:
Sanoop Mallissery, Ph.D.
Lecturer
School of Information Technology
My research interests include advancing dependable systems security, privacy preservation, and cybersecurity in Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS).