The PaloAltoRCE Lab simulates a real-world cybersecurity investigation into a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting Palo Alto Networks' next-generation firewalls. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access, system compromise, and data exfiltration. Since firewalls play a crucial role in protecting an organization's network, an attacker gaining control over them can bypass security measures, establish persistence, and launch further attacks within the environment. In this scenario, we take on the role of a security analyst responding to a suspected compromise. The investigation begins with identifying signs of exploitation by analyzing firewall logs and searching for suspicious indicators that suggest unauthorized access. By leveraging ELK (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana), we examine logs to detect anomalies, track the attacker's movements, and determine how the initial compromise occurred. Understanding the sequence of events helps in reconstructing the attack timeline and assessing the impact on the system. As the investigation unfolds, we analyze patterns in command execution to uncover how the attacker maintained access to the system. Persistence mechanisms are crucial for adversaries, and identifying these techniques is essential for effective remediation. We also explore potential data exfiltration attempts, examining how sensitive information may have been staged for retrieval and disguised to evade detection. Recognizing these techniques allows us to understand the attacker's objectives and the full scope of the incident.
This lab provides hands-on experience in log analysis, forensic investigation, and threat hunting, equip