The MITRE ATT&CK which is pronounced as "miter attack - framework" describes about the latest behaviors of cyber adversaries or cyber attackers to help security teams improve their cybersecurity strategies. The acronym ATT&CK stands for Adversarial Tactics, Techniques and Common Knowledge, which is the basis for the framework and accompanies ATT&CK knowledge base. This framework helps in improving cybersecurity strategies significantly by offering a intelligence-driven, structured approach to understand, detect, and mitigate cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
This blog explains the fundamentals of what is MITRE ATT&CK Framework and its tactics and techniques.
What is the MITRE ATT&CK Framework?
The MITRE ATT&CK® Framework is a globally accessible knowledge base that categorizes and describes cyber adversary behaviors based on real world observations. This framework is developed by the MITRE Corporation and it acts as a foundational tool for cybersecurity teams to understand, identify, mitigate threats and vulnerabilities. All this is possible by providing a common language and structure for describing how adversaries operate.
MITRE ATT&CK framework also helps security teams simulate attacks, strengthen security policies and incident response, and fine-tune technologies to better detect and counter cyberthreats. Its standardized taxonomy of adversary tactics, techniques, and sub-techniques allows a shared language for threat analysis and collaboration. In addition it easily integrates with tools like UEBA, XDR, SOAR, and SIEM to improve threat detection and response.
Image source: spacesecurity
MITRE ATT&CK Matrices
The MITRE ATT&CK framework is categorized into several matrices where each of them are designed for specific technology domains and threat environments. These matrices provide structured models of adversary tactics and techniques, helping organizations understand and defend against cyber threats across different platforms.
Enterprise ATT&CK Matrix
Enterprise ATT&CK Matrix focuses on attacks against traditional IT environments. It includes Windows, macOS, Linux, cloud (SaaS, IaaS), network devices, containers, ESXi, and identity providers. It also helps security teams model and defend against attacks targeting IT infrastructure and corporate networks.
Mobile ATT&CK Matrix
Mobile ATT&CK Matrix addresses threats to mobile devices, especially iOS and Android platforms. It focuses on techniques used to compromise mobile devices, that includes device-based and network-based attacks, and those not requiring physical access.
ICS (Industrial Control Systems) ATT&CK Matrix
Industrial Control Systems ATT&CK Matrix is designed particularly for industrial environments such as power grids, factories, and manufacturing plants. Models adversary behaviors targeting critical infrastructure and operational technology (OT).
PRE-ATT&CK Matrix
PRE-ATT&CK Matrix focuses on the initial stages of the attack lifecycle-before an adversary gains access to a target network. It helps organizations anticipate and defend against pre-compromise activities such as information gathering, target selection, and infrastructure setup by adversaries. Currently PRE-ATT&CK has been incorporated into the Enterprise matrix as a “PRE” platform.
Cloud Matrix (Subsection of Enterprise)
Cloud Matrix addresses cloud-specific threats and tactics, including those targeting Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Azure AD, SaaS, and IaaS. It provides specialized insights to defend cloud environments, reflect their unique attack vectors and shared responsibility models.
What are MITRE ATT&CK Tactics?
The MITRE ATT&CK framework defines distinct sets of tactics for each matrix such as Enterprise, Mobile, and ICS. It is specially designed to unique threats and operational realities of those environments. Each tactic represents a high-level adversary goal or phase in the attack lifecycle, and the specific set of tactics varies by matrix.
The Enterprise matrix covers attacks against IT environments such as Linux, Windows, macOS, cloud, and network devices. It defines 14 tactics:
Reconnaissance: Collect information to plan future operations.
Resource Development: Set up resources to assist operations, such as creating accounts or developing malware.
Initial Access: Access entry into a target system or network.
Execution: Run malicious code on a victim's system.
Persistence: Maintain a foothold in the system despite credential changes or restarts.
Privilege Escalation: Gain higher-level permissions to access more resources.
Defense Evasion: Avoid detection and bypassing security measures.
Credential Access: Steal user account credentials.
Discovery: Identify system and network information to inform further actions.
Lateral Movement: Move through the network to access additional systems.
Collection: Gather data related to the attacker's objectives.
Command and Control: Set up communication channels to control compromised systems.
Exfiltration: Transfers stolen data out of the network.
Impact: Manipulate, interrupt or destroy systems and data.
It is important to note that the specific tactics can vary between different matrices. For example, the Mobile Matrix includes tactics such as Network Effects and Remote Service Effects, that are not available in the Enterprise Matrix, and it skips tactics like Reconnaissance and Resource Development.
What are MITRE ATT&CK Techniques?
MITRE ATT&CK techniques are extensive methods utilized by cyber attackers to achieve their goals during various phases of a cyberattack. Each technique describes a specific approach, a cyber attacker might use to compromise a target system or network. These techniques range from straightforward methods like phishing and brute-force attacks to more sophisticated strategies such as DLL search order hijacking and process injection. Understanding these techniques enables organizations to better defend against and respond to cyber threats.
The MITRE ATT\&CK framework categorizes these techniques under specific tactics where each of them represent a phase in the attack lifecycle. The primary tactics include:
Initial Access: This method is used to gain an initial foothold on a target system, such as phishing or exploiting vulnerabilities.
Execution: Techniques that result in the execution of adversary-controlled code on a local or remote system.
Persistence: Techniques that adversaries use to maintain their foothold on systems across restarts, changed credentials, and other interruptions.
Privilege Escalation: Techniques that allow adversaries to get higher-level permissions on a network or system.
Defense Evasion: Methods used to avoid detection and bypass security controls.
Credential Access: Techniques for stealing account names and passwords.
Discovery: Techniques used to get knowledge about the system and internal network.
Lateral Movement: Methods that allow adversaries to move through a network to access additional systems.
Collection: Techniques used to gather information relevant to the adversary's goals.
Exfiltration: Methods used to steal data from a network.
Command and Control: Techniques that lets adversaries interact with compromised systems within a target network.
By tracking or mapping cybersecurity threats to these techniques, security teams can identify vulnerabilities in their defenses and implement appropriate mitigations. This structured approach aids in threat detection, response planning, and enhancing overall security posture.
Use Cases of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework
Security teams use MITRE ATT\&CK matrices in various ways to improve their security posture. Here are some of the main use cases:
Defensive Gap Assessment
By mapping or tracking current security measures against the techniques described in the MITRE ATT\&CK framework, security teams can identify vulnerabilities or "gaps" in their defenses. This process helps in pinpointing areas where detection or prevention mechanisms are absent and allows for targeted improvements.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Maturity Assessment
The framework supports evaluating the effectiveness of a SOC, by testing its ability to detect and respond to various attack techniques. By simulating different adversary behaviors, security teams can evaluate their SOC's readiness and identify areas for improvement.
Threat Intelligence Integration
Incorporating MITRE ATT\&CK with threat intelligence enables security teams to contextualize threats and understand adversary tactics better. This integration allows informed decision-making in threat identification and response strategies.
Red and Blue Team Exercises
The framework provides a structured approach for conducting red (offensive) and blue (defensive) team exercises. Red teams can simulate attacks using documented techniques, while blue teams can test their detection and response capabilities which eventually results in strengthening overall security.
Security Tool Assessment
Security teams can use the MITRE ATT\&CK Matrix to assess the coverage and effectiveness of their security tools. By mapping tool capabilities to specific techniques, it is possible to identify strengths and weaknesses in detection and prevention which guides procurement and configuration decisions.
Final Thoughts
Overall, implementing the MITRE ATT\&CK framework lets security teams to implement structured approach to cybersecurity that improves the ability to predict, detect, and respond to adversary behaviors effectively and stay ahead to prevent organizations from future threats and vulnerabilities.
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