In this lesson, we will explore
the MITRE ATT&CK framework
which is a widely used tool in the field of cybersecurity.
It was developed to improve
our understanding of threat behaviors
and better our defenses.
MITRE is the name of the company
and the ATT&CK acronym stands
for Adversarial, Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge.
They offer a matrix that catalogs a wide range of tactics
and techniques observed during real-world attacks.
This framework is an important resource
for penetration testers, enabling the development
of accurate threat modeling and methodologies.
Funded by the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team
and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
MITRE provides this framework,
among other resources, free of charge,
promoting a wide-reaching standardization
in handling cybersecurity threats.
This framework itself can be accessed
at https://attack.mitre.org,
where you can explore a variety of tactical columns
and outline numerous cybersecurity tasks
and techniques such as Drive-by Compromise,
Supply Chain Compromise, and External Remote Services
in the Initial Access Category;
or account creation,
modification of authentication processes,
and the use of browser extensions
in the Persistence category.
MITRE also provides research
and shares information on vulnerabilities
and weaknesses within software
so the ATT&CK framework remains relevant.
The MITRE ATT&CK framework is designed to provide
detailed insights into the behavior
of advanced persistent threats
throughout different phases of a cyber attack.
It spans from the initial access to data exfiltration
and it's organized into matrices
that cater to various environments
such as Enterprise, Mobile, and Cloud.
Each matrix is specifically tailored
to the environment it addresses,
detailing potential attack vectors
for systems including Windows, macOS,
Linux, cloud services, and network-based devices.
Now, a core strength of the MITRE ATT&CK framework
is a structured approach
to cataloging adversarial tactics and techniques
which significantly enhance a penetration tester's ability
to simulate known threats.
The framework divides these categories
or tactics such as Initial Access,
Execution, Persistence, Privilege Escalation,
and Defense Evasion, with each category
further separating into specific techniques
describing methods of execution.
For example, within the Initial Access category,
techniques like Spear Phishing
or Drive-by Compromise provide detailed methods
adversaries used to infiltrate systems.
Understanding these techniques equips penetration testers
with the knowledge to anticipate
and strengthen defenses against such methods.
Now let's consider the following scenario.
A red team is conducting a security assessment
using the 'Spear Phishing Attachment' technique
listed under the Initial Access category
to test a company's defense against phishing attacks.
Spear phishing with an attachment
sets itself apart from other phishing methods
by incorporating a malware-hidden attachment into the email.
Unlike broad phishing campaigns that target large groups,
spear phishing is a form
of electronically delivering social engineering
that is highly targeted,
focusing on specific individuals, companies, or industries.
In this targeted attack,
the adversary crafts an email tailored to the recipient,
attaching a file that, upon execution,
initiates the malicious activity.
The types of files used as attachments can vary widely
including but not limited to Microsoft Office documents,
executable files, PDFs,
and archive files like ZIPs.
Each of these files can be weaponized in different ways,
exploiting specific vulnerabilities related to their formats
or executing malicious code directly when opened.
For example, an attacker posing as a regulatory agent
sends an email to John Snow in the finance department.
The email includes an attachment
supposedly containing new compliance guidelines,
but actually contains a PDF rigged with an exploit.
Upon receiving the email,
the employee is persuaded
to open the attachment for two reasons:
the sender appears to be trusted authority
and the content seems relevant to their role.
The email cleverly explains that due to security settings,
the document might prompt a warning
that provides detailed instructions
on how to bypass these protections
to access the important information.
Now, this is an example of how attackers
can use the details of a MITRE matrix
to formulate this type of attack.
Beyond its role in offensive security,
the MITRE ATT&CK framework
also helps enhance defensive strategies.
Penetration testers and security teams utilize the framework
to not only understand how attacks are executed,
but also how to spot the indicators of compromise
and the behaviors associated
with different attack techniques.
This knowledge allows for quicker
and more accurate detection
and mitigation of threats.
So remember, integrating the MITRE ATT&CK framework
into a penetration test
immensely helps orchestrate a well-crafted attack.
The framework's detailed breakdown of adversarial tactics
and techniques ensures that security teams
are well-prepared to attack,
as well as counteract sophisticated threats,
making it an indispensable asset
in the cybersecurity toolkit.