CISA Warns of Rising Bulletproof Hosting Threat
▼ Summary
– CISA and partners released a joint guide to help ISPs and defenders combat cybercrime enabled by bulletproof hosting infrastructure.
– Bulletproof hosting services are used to support ransomware, phishing, and malware attacks by ignoring takedown requests and hiding malicious operations.
– The guide recommends defensive steps like identifying malicious resources, improving traffic visibility, and applying targeted filters to reduce BPH effectiveness.
– Key actions include curating lists of malicious resources, conducting traffic analysis, sharing threat intelligence, and deploying network filters.
– Applying these measures could force cybercriminals to use legitimate infrastructure providers that cooperate with law enforcement.
A new collaborative guide from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and its global partners provides internet service providers and network defenders with actionable strategies to combat the escalating threat of bulletproof hosting (BPH) infrastructure. This specialized guidance arrives amid a surge in cybercrime operations that depend on BPH services to conduct ransomware campaigns, phishing schemes, malware distribution, and attacks on critical infrastructure sectors.
CISA highlights that bulletproof hosting providers deliberately ignore legal takedown notices and abuse complaints, leasing or reselling infrastructure to malicious actors. These services help criminals conceal their activities, rapidly cycle through IP addresses, and host illegal content while evading detection. Common criminal operations running through BPH networks include fast flux techniques, command and control servers, and data extortion schemes.
The joint publication outlines a series of defensive measures aimed at reducing the operational effectiveness of BPH infrastructure. These recommendations focus on identifying malicious internet resources, improving traffic visibility, and applying targeted filtering methods that minimize unintended consequences for legitimate systems.
Acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, “Bulletproof hosting is one of the core enablers of modern cybercrime.” He added that by exposing these illicit infrastructures and providing concrete defensive actions, authorities are making it more difficult for criminals to operate anonymously while empowering partners to better protect essential systems.
Key recommendations for network defenders include developing and maintaining a “high confidence” list of malicious internet resources.
Nick Andersen, executive assistant director for CISA’s Cybersecurity Division, commented on the persistent nature of this threat: “Cybercriminals persist in their efforts to disrupt networks and systems while remaining undetectable and difficult to trace. BPH providers are increasingly becoming common accomplices, posing an imminent and significant risk.”
The guide encourages internet service providers to notify customers about potential threats, offer optional filtering tools, and establish sector-wide standards for preventing BPH abuse. Implementing these measures could potentially force cybercriminals to migrate toward legitimate infrastructure providers who cooperate with law enforcement and respond to abuse reports, creating additional friction for malicious operations.
(Source: NewsAPI Cybersecurity & Enterprise)
