A novel attack technique termed Win-DDoS has been unveiled by researchers from SafeBreach, indicating a serious vulnerability in Windows platforms that could allow malicious actors to orchestrate distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. The technique was presented at the DEF CON 33 security conference by researchers Or Yair and Shahak Morag, who explained that it exploits a significant flaw in the Windows Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) client code.
According to the researchers, the Win-DDoS technique enables attackers to exploit thousands of public domain controllers (DCs) to form a botnet, which can generate a massive volume of traffic directed at targeted victim servers. The process bypasses the need for compromised infrastructure, transferring the burden of conducting an attack onto the public DCs themselves without any requirement for code execution.
The method operates through Remote Procedure Call (RPC) interactions, with attackers manipulating referral processes to orchestrate requests that flood targeted servers. This allows the attacker to effectively leverage the resources of numerous DCs worldwide, crafting a botnet that can deliver significant bandwidth for DDoS attacks, all while evading detection.
In addition to the Win-DDoS technique, the findings revealed multiple vulnerabilities within the Windows domain environment that are particularly alarming. These vulnerabilities are categorized as zero-click and unauthenticated, allowing for potential service denial without the need for user interaction. Researchers urged organizations to rethink their cybersecurity strategies in light of these findings, highlighting the urgent need for defenses against such sophisticated threats.
For more information, refer to SafeBreach’s detailed report and analysis of these vulnerabilities.