Advanced Application Protection with Azure WAF

Editor's Notes

• #7: Customizable Rules for TOR Blocking and Monitoring: Azure WAF allows you to set up rules that either block TOR traffic outright or monitor it without blocking. You can create custom policies tailored to your needs, allowing flexibility between blocking harmful traffic while still allowing legitimate users access. Leveraging Azure Threat Intelligence Feeds: Azure WAF can integrate with threat intelligence feeds that automatically update your policies based on known malicious IPs, including TOR exit nodes. This keeps your protection current without manual effort. Granular Control and Flexibility: Azure WAF offers detailed controls over how you manage traffic. You can create rules that specifically target TOR traffic based on headers, IPs, and behavior patterns, allowing you to fine-tune your security measures while minimizing false positives. Integration with Azure Sentinel for Advanced Threat Detection: Azure WAF can work with Azure Sentinel to monitor and respond automatically to TOR traffic. You can set up alerts, block suspicious IPs, and analyze incidents in real time, ensuring deeper security management. Protection Against Evolving Attack Techniques: Azure WAF is continuously updated to counter new threats. As attackers adapt, Azure WAF’s rule sets also improve, ensuring you stay protected against emerging methods. Scalable and Cost-Effective Solution: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Azure WAF scales with your needs. Its pay-as-you-go model and auto-scaling features ensure you have protection without unnecessary costs. Automation and Regular Updates for TOR Exit Node Lists: Managing TOR exit node lists is made easy with Azure WAF’s automation capabilities. You can set up automatic updates using Azure Logic Apps or Azure Functions, keeping your blocklists current with minimal manual work.
• #8: IMPERVA WAF
• #9: DDoS Attacks: Malicious users can leverage TOR’s anonymity to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against websites. Since the real IP address is hidden behind several layers, it becomes difficult to trace or block the origin of the attack. Scraping and Brute-Force Attacks: Attackers often use TOR to automate scraping of content or execute brute-force login attempts. The use of rotating IP addresses makes it challenging to implement traditional rate-limiting or IP-blocking mechanisms against such activities. Dark Web and Illicit Markets: TOR is closely associated with the dark web, where illegal markets, forums, and activities take place. Criminal activities like drug trafficking, weapon sales, and identity theft often rely on TOR’s anonymity for secure transactions. Data Exfiltration: In the event of a data breach, attackers may use TOR to securely transfer stolen data, making it difficult for defenders to track or stop the exfiltration process. The anonymity provided by TOR exit nodes shields the attacker from detection. Phishing and Malware Distribution: TOR can be used as a vector for distributing phishing attacks or hosting malicious websites. Because the network is designed to be resistant to censorship and takedown attempts, these sites can remain operational longer, spreading malware or stealing credentials.
• #10: Increased Attack Surface: TOR users can easily mask their IP addresses, making it easier for them to probe your infrastructure, search for vulnerabilities, and launch attacks without being identified. Difficulty in Monitoring and Enforcement: Traditional security controls, such as IP blocking and geofencing, are rendered ineffective against TOR traffic. This limits your ability to enforce location-based rules or identify malicious actors. Negative Impact on Business Reputation: If your services are abused through TOR, such as hosting illegal content or facilitating data exfiltration, it can damage your business’s reputation, potentially leading to legal liabilities.
• #12: Open Logs from the Front Door
• #13: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/azure-network-security-blog/azure-waf-custom-rule-samples-and-use-cases/ba-p/2033020 azure-docs/articles/web-application-firewall/afds/waf-front-door-monitor.md at main · MicrosoftDocs/azure-docs (github.com)