Definition #

Virtual patching emerges as a pivotal strategy in the realm of cybersecurity, offering swift protection against evolving threats even before official patches are available. This approach utilizes policies, rules, and security tools to effectively block access to vulnerabilities until permanent solutions can be implemented.

Vulnerabilities stemming from zero-day threats or legacy systems often lack immediate patches, leaving systems exposed to potential exploitation. In such scenarios, virtual patching steps in, providing a proactive defense by obstructing potential attack paths until permanent fixes are devised.

How it works #

Virtual patching operates by leveraging rules, mitigations, and protective measures, typically at the intrusion prevention system (IPS) or firewall level. By implementing these measures, networks are fortified against attackers or malware attempting to exploit vulnerabilities. Unlike traditional patches applied to individual assets, virtual patches are deployed at the network level, creating a protective shield around vulnerable assets.

In practice, intrusion prevention systems (IPS) play a vital role in virtual patching by monitoring and inspecting network traffic while actively blocking malicious activities. Through the deployment of virtual patches, IPS can swiftly identify and halt attempts targeting specific vulnerabilities, effectively safeguarding vulnerable assets.

How it provides security #

To ensure efficacy, virtual patching must prioritize business-critical network traffic, demonstrate effectiveness in shielding vulnerable assets, and facilitate seamless deployment across various environments, including mobile, cloud, hybrid, or web. Additionally, the ability to conduct deep packet inspection enables virtual patching to intercept and neutralize malicious packets and attempted attacks concealed within web and network traffic.

How to implement it #

The implementation of virtual patching follows several key phases, including preparation, identification, analysis, virtual patch creation, implementation and testing, and recovery and follow-up. Each phase is essential in ensuring the successful deployment and ongoing effectiveness of virtual patches.

Ultimately, virtual patching serves as a critical interim solution in the cybersecurity arsenal, bridging the gap between vulnerability discovery and official patch availability. By providing rapid and proactive protection against emerging threats, virtual patching empowers organizations to mitigate risks and safeguard their digital assets in today’s dynamic threat landscape.

How to use RELIANOID WAF LB for Virtual Patching #

Virtual patching is a security practice that involves applying temporary fixes to vulnerabilities in web applications without modifying the actual application code. In the context of RELIANOID WAF LB (Web Application Firewall Load Balancer), you can implement virtual patching using the following steps:

Enable WAF Module #

Ensure that the WAF module is enabled in RELIANOID. This can typically be done through the RELIANOID web interface or configuration files.

Update WAF Rules #

Regularly update and customize the WAF rules to include protections against known vulnerabilities. RELIANOID may provide predefined rulesets that cover common vulnerabilities, and you can also create custom rules based on your specific application and security requirements.

Utilize Rule-Based Protections #

Leverage rule-based protections to create specific rules that target vulnerabilities in your web applications. These rules can include conditions that match known attack patterns or exploit attempts associated with the vulnerabilities.

Implement Signature-Based Protections #

Use signature-based protections to detect and block specific patterns or signatures associated with known vulnerabilities. This can help in identifying and preventing attacks targeting known vulnerabilities without modifying the application code.

Monitor Security Feeds #

Stay informed about the latest security vulnerabilities and exploits. Security feeds and databases provide information about newly discovered vulnerabilities, and you can use this information to create or update virtual patching rules in RELIANOID WAF LB.

Customize WAF Policies #

Customize WAF policies to match the specific requirements of your web applications. Adjust parameters such as allowed HTTP methods, cookie handling, and request validation to enhance protection against known vulnerabilities.

Testing and Validation #

Conduct thorough testing to validate that the implemented virtual patching rules do not negatively impact the functionality of your web applications. Ensure that legitimate requests are not being blocked or hindered.

Logging and Monitoring #

Enable logging for the WAF module and regularly monitor the logs for any suspicious activity related to known vulnerabilities. Configure alerts to notify administrators of potential exploit attempts.

Regular Updates #

Keep the virtual patching rules up-to-date. Regularly review and update the rules based on changes in your application, new security threats, and evolving attack patterns.

Collaborate with Development Teams #

Work closely with your application development teams to address vulnerabilities at the source. While virtual patching is a valuable interim solution, collaborating with developers to fix vulnerabilities in the application code is a more sustainable approach.

By following these steps, you can implement virtual patching with RELIANOID WAF LB to protect your web applications against known vulnerabilities and exploits. Remember that virtual patching is not a substitute for regular software updates and code fixes but serves as a supplementary layer of protection against immediate threats.