Malware often hides communications with its command and control (C2) server over HTTPS. The encryption in HTTPS usually conceals the compromise long enough for the malware to accomplish its goal. This makes detecting malware that uses HTTPS challenging, but once in a while, you will catch a break, as in the case here with AsyncRAT, a Windows remote access tool that has been deployed over the past year to target organizations that manage critical infrastructure in the United States.

In this blog, we will demonstrate how Zeek’s metadata approach can help focus patching efforts related to the recent SSH “Terrapin” attack. One of the interesting aspects to bear in mind as you read this is that Zeek provides visibility of the vulnerable elements of this encrypted protocol, and thus serves as a reminder that network monitoring is still very much relevant, even in a heavily encrypted world.

Securing a network against the myriad of evolving cyber threats requires more than just a robust firewall or endpoint protection platform; it demands a multifaceted approach. Corelight’s Open Network Detection and Response (NDR) Platform complements and significantly enhances the effectiveness of next-generation firewalls (NGFWs). Here are 9 reasons why adding Corelight to your cybersecurity arsenal, alongside existing NGFWs, is not just an upgrade but a strategic necessity.