Incident Response Playbook for Website Defacement (Updated 2025)

This Website Defacement Incident Response Playbook provides a structured approach to detecting, containing, remediating, and recovering from defacement attacks. This guide includes modern security practices, such as integrating Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), using threat intelligence, and employing advanced monitoring tools to prevent and mitigate future attacks.

1. Preparation

Objective: Establish proactive measures to ensure quick detection and response to website defacements.

Key Steps:

1. Implement Security Controls:

   • Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to block known attack patterns.

   • Use intrusion prevention systems (e.g., fail2ban) to mitigate brute force attacks and other threats.

   • Ensure content integrity by enabling monitoring of critical files and directories.

2. Maintain Documentation:

   • Create detailed diagrams of web server components and network architecture.

   • Document all third-party content sources (e.g., APIs, embedded widgets).

3. Backup and Redundancy:

   • Maintain up-to-date backups of website content, configurations, and databases.

   • Deploy a backup server or static maintenance page to use in case of defacement.

4. Log and Time Synchronisation:

   • Export web server logs to a secure external location.

   • Synchronise server clocks with a reliable Network Time Protocol (NTP) server to ensure accurate timestamps for log analysis.

5. Establish Contacts:

   • Ensure operational contacts with hosting providers are up to date.

   • Have predefined communication templates ready for incident notifications.

6. Regular Audits and Testing:

   • Perform regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.

   • Audit website components, including CMS plugins, for known vulnerabilities.

2. Identification

Objective: Detect the defacement, determine its scope, and notify relevant stakeholders.

Detection Methods:

1. Website Monitoring:

   • Use automated tools to check for unauthorised changes in web page content.

   • Enable services like Google Safe Browsing to alert on malicious content.

2. User Reports:

   • Monitor feedback channels for user-reported issues, such as altered content or suspicious redirects.

3. Log Analysis:

   • Analyse web server logs for signs of compromise, including:

     • Suspicious file modifications.

     • Unusual administrative activity (e.g., changes to permissions).

     • Anomalous POST or GET requests.

4. Code Inspection:

   • Review the source code of the defaced page to identify injected scripts, iframes, or malicious links.

5. Scope Assessment:

   • Determine whether the defacement originated internally (e.g., compromised admin credentials) or externally (e.g., third-party content).

3. Containment

Objective: Limit the damage caused by the defacement and prevent further malicious activity.

Steps:

1. Backup and Evidence Collection:

   • Create a bit-by-bit image of the compromised server for forensic purposes.

   • Secure copies of logs, altered files, and other evidence.

2. Isolate Affected Components:

   • Disable compromised services to prevent further damage.

   • Block external connections associated with the attack vector.

3. Investigate the Source:

   • Identify vulnerabilities that enabled the attack, such as:

     • Unpatched CMS or plugins.

     • Insecure API endpoints.

     • SQL injection vulnerabilities.

4. Temporary Content Replacement:

   • Deploy a static maintenance page to inform users that the site is temporarily unavailable.

   • Use a clean backup server, if available, to maintain partial service.

4. Remediation

Objective: Remove all traces of the attack, close vulnerabilities, and secure the system.

Steps:

1. Replace Altered Content:

   • Remove all malicious content and replace compromised files with clean versions from backups.

2. Patch Vulnerabilities:

   • Apply updates and patches to all software, including the operating system, CMS, and plugins.

   • Correct code vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection points, and disable unused services or features.

3. Review and Update Security Policies:

   • Strengthen access controls and implement least privilege for administrative accounts.

   • Enforce secure coding practices for web applications.

5. Recovery

Objective: Restore the website to full functionality and monitor for residual threats.

Steps:

1. Credential Rotation:

   • Change all credentials, including:

     • Administrative and service account passwords.

     • API keys and SSL/TLS certificates, if compromised.

2. Restore Services:

   • Gradually re-enable affected services, ensuring that all vulnerabilities are remediated.

3. Enhanced Monitoring:

   • Implement continuous monitoring to detect any signs of ongoing attacks.

   • Review logs regularly for abnormal activity.

4. Communicate with Users:

   • If user accounts were compromised, notify users and recommend password resets.

   • Provide transparency by issuing a public statement if the defacement was highly visible.

6. Lessons Learned

Objective: Document the incident, discuss improvements, and enhance future response capabilities.

Steps:

1. Incident Report:

   • Create a comprehensive report detailing:

     • Initial detection and scope of the incident.

     • Actions taken during containment, remediation, and recovery.

     • Root cause analysis and attack vectors.

2. Post-Incident Review:

   • Evaluate the effectiveness of the response process.

   • Identify areas for improvement, including detection gaps and procedural bottlenecks.

3. Update Playbooks:

   • Incorporate lessons learned into response playbooks and security policies.

4. Ongoing Security Improvements:

   • Increase frequency of website vulnerability scans and security audits.

   • Train developers and administrators on secure coding and web security best practices.

Conclusion

This Website Defacement Incident Response Playbook outlines a robust strategy for handling website defacements, from detection to post-incident review. By maintaining proactive security measures and regularly testing response capabilities, organisations can reduce downtime and improve resilience against future attacks.

For additional resources, including log analysis scripts, monitoring tools, and communication templates, please contact the cybersecurity support team.