Man in the Middle (MITM) Attack

A Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack occurs when an unauthorized entity inserts itself as an intermediary between two parties within a network who are communicating with each other. Once the attack is launched, the bad actor can intercept and alter the communication between the two parties, making them believe they are still directly communicating with each other. This position in the middle enables the attacker to eavesdrop on the data being exchanged or manipulate the information for malicious purposes.

By leveraging MITM attacks, cybercriminals can wreak havoc on many different types of communication channels, including internet connections, Wi-Fi networks – and in some instances, even physical cables.

In exploiting vulnerabilities in these channels, the attacker gains access to sensitive information such as user login information, personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive financial details, trade secrets, or any other confidential data being transmitted. The two parties involved in the communication are typically unaware of the intrusion, and that’s because the attacker is able to maintain the facade of a legitimate connection.

MITM attacks pose significant threats to data security and privacy and are the root cause of several infamous security incidents. Some noteworthy examples include:

• In 2011, a Dutch certificate authority called DigiNotar was breached in a devastating MITM attack. The attackers issued fraudulent certificates for some of the most used websites in the world, such as Google and Facebook, allowing them to intercept and monitor encrypted communications of users who visited those sites.
• In 2015, computer manufacturer Lenovo came under fire when it was revealed that some of their laptops came pre-installed with adware called “Superfish.” This software used a MITM technique to insert ads into websites by intercepting and modifying HTTPS traffic.
• The Wi-Fi Pineapple is a popular tool used by ethical hackers and cybercriminals alike to execute MITM attacks on Wi-Fi networks. It can spoof Wi-Fi hotspots that impersonate legitimate networks and intercept communications from unsuspecting users who unknowingly connect to these spoofed access points.
• In 2010, a harmful Firefox browser extension called “Firesheep” was released to the public. This tool exploited the lack of security in several websites, allowing attackers to hijack user sessions on open Wi-Fi networks. Even non-technical actors could carry out attacks using this extension, underscoring how easy MITM attacks are to launch.

Of course, the use cases for successful MITM attacks are plentiful. Attackers can use stolen information for identity theft, financial fraud, unauthorized access to accounts, and more.

Perhaps most importantly, MITM attacks can serve as a stepping stone for more extensive cyber attacks, allowing attackers to gain access to secured systems or networks and execute data breaches or other activities that further compromise the security of individuals or organizations.