In this lesson,
we're going to dive deeper
into attack path mapping.
It is all about figuring out the different ways an attacker
might move through a network to reach valuable targets.
Now, understanding these paths helps us see
where the defenses may be weak and how to strengthen them.
First, we need to gather all the information
we can about the target environment.
This includes things like the network layout,
system settings,
and what security measures are in place.
Knowing this helps us spot potential entry points like open
ports, weak passwords, or vulnerable software.
For example, if we find that a web server has a publicly
accessible admin interface,
that may be a potential point of entry for an attacker.
Once we know where an attacker might get in,
we start mapping out the steps that would take
from there. We think about
how they can move deeper into the network,
what techniques they may use,
and what they could try to access.
Tools like Bloodhound in active director environment
and different attack frameworks
like the MITRE ATT&CK framework
can help us organize this process,
making it easier to see the possible
paths and attacker might take.
Understanding common attack methods is key here.
We look at different things like software exploits,
password attacks, phishing, and configuration flaws.
By considering these, we can predict the routes an attacker
might take or that we could use during our penetration test.
Let's look at a couple examples.
Suppose we have a scenario
where an attacker gains access to a company's network
through a phishing email.
The attacker sends a legitimate
looking email to an employee,
tricking them into clicking a malicious link.
This link installs malware on the employee's computer,
giving the attacker foothold in the network.
From there, the attacker might use tools
to escalate privileges on a compromised machine,
gaining administrative access
With the admin rights, attacker can then
start scanning the network for other targets.
They might find a file server
with sensitive data that's not adequately secured.
Using the compromised admin credentials,
the attacker can access the file server, exfiltrate data,
or even deploy ransomware.
In this example, the attack path began
with the phishing email,
moved through privilege escalation,
and then ended with data theft from a file server.
Another example of a path we might take
during a pentest is exploiting
a vulnerable web application.
Imagine there's a company website
that has a SQL injection vulnerability.
We then discover the flaws
and use it to gain access to the backend database.
From there, we can extract user credentials.
If the credentials are reused across other systems,
we can then use them to log into other parts of the network.
With these credentials, we can then gain access
to email accounts or internal systems
that contain system business information.
In this case,
the attack path started with a SQL injection,
moved through database access,
and ended with credential theft
and further unauthorized access.
As we map these attack paths,
we document every step in detail.
This includes the methods we use,
the systems accessed,
and the security measures that we had to overcome.
This detailed record helps us understand the attack routes
and provides a roadmap
for fixing the weaknesses that we find.
It is also important to work closely
with the organization's IT and security teams.
They can give us valuable insights about
the system and potential weak spots.
Sharing our findings with them help ensure
that they can take action to improve security.
Keeping our attack path maps up-to-date is essential.
As systems change
and new vulnerabilities emerge,
we need to adjust our maps just to stay relevant.
This ongoing effort ensures we're always prepared
to identify and address new threats.
So remember, attack path mapping is all about identifying
entry points, mapping potential attacker movements,
and documenting every single step.
This helps us prioritize our testing
and improve overall security.