What is a high risk open service?

A high-risk open service refers to a network service that, when exposed to the public or unauthorised users without proper security controls, poses a significant security risk due to the potential for unauthorised access, data breaches, exploitation, or other malicious activities. The risk level is determined by the sensitivity of the data or functionality the service exposes and the potential impact of its exploitation. High-risk open services often involve access to critical system functionalities, sensitive personal or financial data, or administrative controls.

Examples of high-risk open services include:

Database Services: Open database services (like MongoDB, MySQL, or Microsoft SQL Server) without authentication can allow attackers to access, modify, or delete sensitive data.

Remote Desktop Services: Services like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Virtual Network Computing (VNC) that are exposed to the internet without strong authentication and encryption can give attackers full control over the systems they connect to.

File Transfer Services: Unsecured FTP (File Transfer Protocol) services can allow unauthorised file uploads or downloads, leading to data leakage or the distribution of malware.

Network Management Services: Services used for network management and monitoring (such as SNMP or Telnet) that are not secured can provide attackers with detailed information about network configurations and vulnerabilities.

Mail and Messaging Services: Improperly configured mail servers (SMTP, IMAP, POP3) can be exploited for spam distribution, phishing attacks, or interception of sensitive communications.