What is a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack?

An attack known as a man-in-the-middle (MITM) occurs when a threat actor positions himself between two parties, usually a user and an application, in order to intercept their data transfers and communications and utilize them for malevolent intents such as hacking or making illegal transactions.

A cybercriminal can readily steal sensitive data by surreptitiously obstructing a trusted system, like a website or application, from the user. The user voluntarily gives over financial information, login passwords, or other sensitive information because they believe they are only engaging with a reliable website.

The Risk of Attacks by Man-in-the-Middle

Man-in-the-Middle attacks allow hackers a method to intercept sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and bank account details. Because the user is unaware that their data is being redirected to a malevolent party or that there is another presence between them and the program they are engaging with, it is harmful.

A criminal can alter account credentials, steal money, or make unlawful purchases once they have this information. Due to its reach, MITM attackers frequently target users of software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms, online merchants, and banks.

Within companies, man-in-the-middle assaults are frequently employed as the first entry point for ongoing advanced persistent threat (APT) operations. Hackers can enter an entire network to mine company data, interfere with production environments, or take over the entire IT infrastructure by gaining access to a user’s credentials for particular apps.

Man-in-the-Middle Attack Types

any situation in which a threat actor positions themselves between a user and an entity, like a network, website, or application, in order to gain information is considered a man-in-the-middle attack in the context of cyber security. Hackers use various types of spoofing, which is a technique for posing as reliable online organizations or websites, to get such information. Among the primary categories of MITM attacks are:

IP Spoofing: A cybercriminal spoofs a website, email address, or device by changing its Internet Protocol (IP) address, giving the impression that the user is communicating with a reliable source when, in reality, they are sending data to a malevolent actor.

DNS Spoofing: To obtain user passwords or other information, a spammer constructs and runs a phony website that a user is acquainted with and directs them to it.

When someone uses HTTPS spoofing, they believe that a website is Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), which encrypts their computer data and sends it to the website server. But they were surreptitiously transferred to an insecure HTTP website, which made it possible for hackers to monitor interactions and steal data.

Email Hijacking: In order to track transactions and steal data, attackers covertly obtain access to a bank’s or credit card company’s email accounts. They may even provide customers misleading instructions, such depositing money into a new checking account, using the email account or a counterfeit email address that is marginally different from the real one.

Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: Spammers set up public hotspots or networks that look like a local company or other reliable source. Sensitive information and all of the users’ activities are then intercepted.

An extension of HTTPS spoofing, SSL hijacking occurs when a hacker takes control of the Secure Sockets Layers (SSL) protocol, which encrypts HTTPS connections, and intercepts user data as it moves between the user and the server they are connecting to.

Session hijacking, also referred to as browser cookie theft, is when a hacker takes advantage of data kept in web browser cookies, including passwords.

What Is the Process of a Man-in-the-Middle Attack?

Interception and decryption are the two stages of the man-in-the-middle attack method.

Interception
The cybercriminal tries to place oneself in between the client and server—usually a user and a web application—during the interception phase. There are several methods the attacker could use, depending on the kind of man-in-the-middle attack:

Creating an unsecured hotspot or Wi-Fi network in a busy place so that users can connect and access their data.

Gaiing access to a Wi-Fi network, usually by installing a packet sniffer or exploiting a weak password to examine data and look for openings, vulnerabilities, and potential targets.

Building a phony website with a DNS spoof and either rerouting the user from the intended HTTPS site or phishing them.

Altering IP protocols in order to influence users to log in to an application or change their passwords.

Decryption
Cybercriminals utilize data capture tools to send any login credentials and online activity back to the targets after they have been identified and fall for the bait. They then decrypt the data into legible text. The thief can use the intercepted data during the decryption stage.

For instance, the cybercriminal will utilize login credentials that were taken from the fraudulent website on the real one. They could then use the credentials for more serious attacks or longer-term projects like a workplace network, alter the user’s password, or steal important financial data.

Concepts of MITM Attacks to Understand
The following are some ideas to understand in order to better understand an MITM attack:

Spoofing is a technique frequently employed in man-in-the-middle attacks, in which a trusted system, like an IP address or website, replicates or deludes a target into believing it is something else.

Hijacking: An MITM tactic in which a hacker completely seizes control of a website, SSL, or email account in order to put oneself in the middle of a user-system interaction.

Phishing: Usually carried out via email or websites, this technique is frequently employed in Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks, in which a spammer or criminal tries to distribute malware or steal data by posing as a reliable sender or reputable website.

A successful hacker can overhear data transmissions and communications between two users or between users and services by eavesdropping, which is a step in the MITM attack process.