The Importance of EDR Bypass Testing: Why Your Security May Not Be as Solid as You Think

at

• 4 min read
The Importance of EDR Bypass Testing: Why Your Security May Not Be as Solid as You Think

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools are often seen as a front-line defense. They provide visibility, detect suspicious activity, and respond to threats on endpoints—essentially, they’re supposed to stop attacks before they do damage. However, EDR tools aren’t foolproof. In fact, some advanced threats can bypass them entirely, leaving your systems vulnerable despite your investment in these security measures. That’s where EDR Bypass Testing comes into play.

At DeepTide, we conduct EDR Bypass Testing to ensure that your EDR solution is as strong as it needs to be. By identifying weaknesses and simulating real-world attack techniques, we help companies understand their actual level of security. Here, we’ll dive into what EDR Bypass Testing is, why it’s important, and how it strengthens your cybersecurity defenses.

What is EDR Bypass Testing?

EDR Bypass Testing is a way to test the effectiveness of your endpoint security solution by simulating tactics that attackers might use to avoid detection. In these tests, we examine if your EDR can detect or block certain types of attacks, such as DLL and XLL injections. These types of injections are commonly used in malware attacks because they allow the malware to run stealthily without raising red flags in many EDR solutions.

By simulating these bypass techniques, we’re essentially “red-teaming” your defenses, mimicking what a real attacker might do to see if they can avoid detection. The end goal is to identify areas where your defenses could use improvement.

Why Do Attackers Target EDR Solutions?

EDR tools are built to detect anomalies and respond to them. But attackers are constantly adapting, learning how these tools work, and finding ways to get around them. Here are some reasons why attackers target EDR solutions specifically:

  1. Evasion Tactics: Attackers know that once they’re detected, their attack will likely be shut down. So, they use evasion tactics like injecting malicious code in ways that are harder to detect or disguising their activity as normal system processes.
  2. Stealthy Attacks: Many modern attacks are designed to be “low and slow,” meaning they operate under the radar without triggering alarms. By bypassing EDR tools, attackers can maintain access for longer periods without being noticed.
  3. Disrupting Incident Response: Some attackers intentionally disable or crash EDR processes to prevent incident response teams from reacting to an attack in real time.
  4. Access to Sensitive Data: If attackers can bypass your EDR defenses, they gain easier access to sensitive data on endpoints, from intellectual property to financial information.

Key Components of EDR Bypass Testing

Here are some of the primary techniques and tools used in EDR Bypass Testing:

  • DLL and XLL Injection Tests: These involve injecting malicious code via DLL (Dynamic Link Library) and XLL (Excel Add-In) files. Since these file types are often trusted by the operating system, they can fly under the radar if your EDR isn’t properly configured.
  • RunDLL32 Network Blocking: By testing if RunDLL32 is able to access the network, we see if your system is blocking network-based DLL command-and-control (C2) attempts. Attackers commonly use RunDLL32 for C2 because it allows them to execute code through a legitimate Windows process.
  • Behavioral Analysis of Known Attack Patterns: By simulating known attack patterns and observing if the EDR detects them, we get a clearer view of how well your security tool actually performs against real-world threats.

The Benefits of EDR Bypass Testing

  1. Identify Gaps in Your EDR Solution: Bypass testing helps you discover where your EDR solution falls short, whether in detecting DLL-based attacks, blocking specific processes, or flagging unusual behavior.
  2. Strengthen Endpoint Security: Once you understand your EDR’s limitations, you can work with your provider to make adjustments or add additional controls. Strengthening endpoint security means fewer gaps for attackers to exploit.
  3. Proactive Defense: Rather than waiting to discover a weakness after an attack, bypass testing allows you to address these gaps proactively, reducing the likelihood of a successful breach.
  4. Build a More Resilient Security Posture: EDR Bypass Testing ensures that your defenses can withstand advanced attacks. By addressing weaknesses, you make your organization’s overall security posture more resilient.

How Often Should You Conduct EDR Bypass Testing?

EDR Bypass Testing isn’t a one-time solution. As new threats and techniques emerge, it’s crucial to keep your defenses up-to-date. Here’s a recommended schedule for bypass testing:

  • Quarterly Testing: Conducting tests every three months helps you stay on top of evolving threats.
  • Post-EDR Update: Any time your EDR provider rolls out a major update, it’s wise to re-test, as updates can sometimes introduce new vulnerabilities.
  • After Significant System Changes: If you make major changes to your system architecture or add new applications, bypass testing can ensure your defenses haven’t been affected.

Real-Life Example: The Cost of Not Testing

Consider a company that assumed their EDR solution was handling all threats effectively. They didn’t conduct any bypass testing and, unfortunately, were hit with a sophisticated malware attack that bypassed their defenses. By the time they realized the issue, the attacker had already exfiltrated sensitive data and compromised several endpoints.

If the company had conducted EDR Bypass Testing, they would have identified the vulnerabilities early and could have worked with their EDR provider to strengthen their defenses. Instead, they faced significant financial and reputational damage—damage that could have been avoided with proactive testing.

Why Choose DeepTide for EDR Bypass Testing?

At DeepTide, we believe that security isn’t just about having tools; it’s about knowing how well those tools actually work in real-world scenarios. Our EDR Bypass Testing is designed to give you clear, actionable insights into the effectiveness of your EDR solution. We don’t just run tests and leave—we provide a full report and work with you to understand the results and strengthen your defenses.

With DeepTide, you get a team of experts who understand the latest attack techniques and know how to test your systems in a way that truly simulates real-world conditions. We’re here to help you close security gaps, make informed adjustments, and stay one step ahead of the attackers.

Conclusion

EDR solutions are essential, but they aren’t foolproof. Without regular EDR Bypass Testing, you might be unknowingly exposed to advanced threats that can bypass your defenses. At DeepTide, we’re dedicated to helping organizations like yours understand and strengthen their security postures. With thorough EDR Bypass Testing, you can ensure that your endpoint protection is doing its job—protecting your organization’s critical assets.