Pervasive memory scraping enables hackers to grab personally identifiable information from users' PCs

(28/02/2011)

The SANS Institute has reported a new trend in hacking techniques, used by hackers to grab personally identifiable information (PII) from users' PCs. Known as ‘pervasive memory scraping,’ the technique relies on the fact that certain areas of Windows memory are only occasionally overwritten, meaning that data from software that has been closed down on the PC, can still remain for some time after.

“The SANS Institute is reported to have spotted evidence of this type of attack methodology on an increasing basis. This means that, where a Windows PC user loads a secure application to view data, views that data and then closes the application, there is a chance that the data may continue to reside in the computer's memory for some time after," said Phil Lieberman, CEO of Lieberman Software.

“Put simply, this means that, even if the secure software checks for the presence of trojans and similar credential scanning malware - and locks down the malware whilst it is loaded - once the application is closed, the contents of the computer memory can still be subsequently lifted by a remote scanning piece of malcode,” he added.

The solution to this is quite simple said Lieberman. Users must either use a secure Web browser with a memory sandbox feature - meaning all trace of the viewed data disappears along with the browser as it closes - or that secure data should not be loaded on to the computer in the first place.

Secure/sandbox browser sessions, he explained, are easy to set up and use, but their functionality and interaction with third-party applications on the host computer is severely restricted.

This means, said Lieberman, that the only real solution to the problem of pervasive memory scraping is to store and control private data on a centrally-managed basis. Using this methodology, he added, ensures that private information is stored and accessed using a data-centric, policy-based protection basis across all endpoints.

"It also, unlike secure/sandbox Web browsing, means that there is minimal impact on the user experience and operational processes in the course of regular business operations," he said.

“The fact that the SANS Institute has expressed concern about this security issue should be a red flag in itself. IT security managers need to be aware of this problem, and how to remediate it without it costing the earth, and causing efficiency issues within their organisation,” he said.

Related topics:  Hacking and intrusion prevention   Internet and Web security   Security threats and vulnerabilities 

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