Mobile Threat Catalogue

Parallelized Brute Force

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Threat Category: Mobile OS & Vendor Infrastructure

ID: ECO-9

Threat Description: A brute-force attack parallelized across many computers could theoretically be attempted on the authentication data and cryptographic keys (passwords, etc.) stored in the cloud.

Threat Origin

iOS Security: iOS 9.3 or later 1

Exploit Examples

Not Applicable

CVE Examples

Not Applicable

Possible Countermeasures

Mobile Device User

To reduce the probability an attacker will successfully launch a brute-force attack against cloud-based cryptographic keys, periodically change authentication credentials, digital certificates, or any cryptographic secret used to derive keys that protect access to the account or data associated with it.

As the strength of cryptographic mechanisms generally increases relative to that of any passwords or cryptographic secrets used, prefer or enforce the use of stronger passwords (increasing length, complexity, and randomness).

Enterprise

To reduce the probability an attacker will successfully launch a brute-force attack against cloud-based cryptographic keys, periodically change authentication credentials, digital certificates, or any cryptographic secret used to derive keys that protect access to the account or data associated with it.

As the strength of cryptographic mechanisms generally increases relative to that of any passwords or cryptographic secrets used, prefer or enforce the use of stronger passwords (increasing length, complexity, and randomness).

References

  1. iOS Security: iOS 9.3 or later, white paper, Apple, 2016. www.apple.com/business/docs/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf [accessed 8/24/16].