Data sent between two websites must be encrypted and secure. How HTTPS inspection works?
How HTTPS inspection works?
HTTPS Inspection is a feature in the next-generation firewalls that enables administrators to decrypt and inspect traffic that uses HTTPS. It is used to monitor and enforce web security policies on HTTPS traffic.
Also, it uses a combination of TLS/SSL to encrypt data between the client and the server.
When a user attempts to view a secure website using HTTPS, the user is redirected to an HTTPS version of the site. In addition, the user’s browser must verify the identity of the site by validating a digital certificate provided by the website’s server. To do so, the browser performs a series of checks.
This includes verifying that the certificate was signed by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). Then verifying that it has not expired or been revoked by its issuer.
When Did It Start?
HTTPS inspection is not new, it has been around for nearly 20 years in one form or another. The first-generation firewalls used to have a feature called SSL Decryption where they decrypt SSL traffic to inspect it. But also decrypting it could leave data vulnerable to attacks like BEAST and POODLE.
These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in older versions of SSL/TLS protocols. It could lead to attackers getting access to sensitive data transmitted over an encrypted connection. So, the second-generation firewalls came with SSL Inspection features where they decrypt SSL traffic at wire speed.
But do not decrypt it entirely; instead, they only decrypt enough of it. So that they can see what is inside it and make decisions based on that information. Decrypting only specific portions of encrypted traffic allowed them to reduce vulnerabilities associated with SSL Decryption.
Because only specific portions are decrypted for inspection purposes. Hence, leaving other portions encrypted for further protection as well as to speed up the inspection process. Because less work is required for decryption compared to the complete decryption and encryption cycle required by first-generation firewalls.
What Is Happening Now?
The third-generation firewalls are now able to encrypt data using encryption keys. This is before sending them over the network using TLS/SSL protocols. It makes complete decryption unnecessary.
This means that they can inspect HTTP traffic without decrypting them completely. Hence, eliminating many vulnerabilities associated with first-generation as well as second-generation firewalls. It makes them secure against attacks like BEAST and POODLE.
HTTPS inspection is now becoming the default feature in third-generation firewalls. It is being used to secure the data transmitted over HTTPS connections. So, it is an important feature because it allows administrators to enforce web security policies on HTTPS traffic.
It is important because attackers may use unsecured HTTP connections to deliver malicious payloads to users. Thus, it can be used to protect users against attacks like Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks and Clickjacking attacks. MitM attack occurs when an attacker establishes a connection with you and pretends to be a different website that you are attempting to connect with.
Therefore, when you try to connect with the site you want to visit, you are connecting with another site. This is what the attacker wants you to visit instead. Thus, this attack is also known as URL hijacking or phishing attack.