Our opponents in the cyberspace never stop evolving. Threat actors like nothing more than experimenting with different strategies and methods to attack targets and accomplish their nefarious goals.Anyone may become a target of cyberattacks these days at almost any time. The framework known as MITRE ATT&CK acts as a beacon of light, assisting you in evaluating your current security protocols and strengthening endpoint and device security defenses against these constantly changing cyberthreats.The definition and background of MITRE ATT&CK are explained in this page, along with a summary of its matrices and a breakdown of their individual components. Of course, we'll also take a quick look at the ATT&CK framework's numerous application cases.
What is MITRE ATT&CK?
A vast, open repository of real-world tactics, methods, and procedures (TTPs) used by attackers is called MITRE ATT&CK. This material is based on TTPs that threat actors have really utilized in assaults, therefore it is not theoretical.
The MITRE Corporation, a non-profit with decades of experience that currently assists businesses, governments, and academic institutions, maintains this structure. "MITRE ATT&CK" is an acronym for Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge, combined with the name of the organization.
MITRE ATT&CK seeks to assist in creating unique threat models. It addresses a range of industries, such as government, business, and cybersecurity services. MITRE offers strategies for identifying and eliminating opponents as well as attack methodologies. The MITRE ATT&CK knowledge base describes matrices, strategies, and procedures that are applicable to industrial control systems (ICS), mobile control systems, and enterprise control systems.
MITRE ATT&CK's past
The ATT&CK project was started by the MITRE Corporation in 2013 to record hostile activity that occurs after a system has been hacked. The ATT&CK matrix, which includes strategies and tactics for corporate systems, particularly Windows, was made publicly available by MITRE in 2015.
The project grew to include cloud environments, Linux, and macOS during the ensuing years. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) tactics and methods metrics were added to the collection in 2019. Additionally, MITRE unveiled ATT&CK for Mobile, which supports Android and iOS.
Based on the most recent information and research, the MITRE ATT&CK architecture is still evolving today, including new methods and updating those that already exist.
The project grew to include cloud environments, Linux, and macOS during the ensuing years. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) tactics and methods metrics were added to the collection in 2019. Additionally, MITRE unveiled ATT&CK for Mobile, which supports Android and iOS.
Based on the most recent information and research, the MITRE ATT&CK architecture is still evolving today, including new methods and updating those that already exist.
The Matrices of the ATT&CK Framework
There are now three ATT&CK matrices in the MITRE ATT&CK framework:
- Enterprise
- Mobile
- Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
The strategies employed by opponents are arranged into columns in each matrix. Each approach has a matrix row beneath it that offers a collection of related methods along with sub-techniques based on the type of technique. Each matrix does not appear to be a true matrix as a result. Instead, it resembles an organizational chart with various parts arranged in sub-levels or hierarchies.
You may view a condensed version of each matrix on the website and enlarge it to examine each technique's sub-techniques. An example of the ATT&CK Matrix for Enterprise may be seen here:
You may view a condensed version of each matrix on the website and enlarge it to examine each technique's sub-techniques. An example of the ATT&CK Matrix for Enterprise may be seen here:
Items that make up the ATT&CK matrix
The three main parts of any matrix are the tactics, techniques, and sub-techniques. Each tactic, method, and sub-technique in the collection has its own unique id due to the way it is arranged.
Strategies
An attacker's choice of methods or sub-techniques is motivated by a tactic. Put differently, what makes the attacker choose a specific method to employ on the compromised system? Here are a few instances:
- In defense evasion, the attacker's objective is to conceal themselves in some way in order to avoid being discovered.
- The objective of the adversaries using the credential access strategy is to obtain access to systems by stealing credentials, such as passwords and usernames.
The ICS matrix outlines 12 strategies, but the enterprise and mobile matrices have 14. There are several methods that are similar in all three environments: the impact, lateral movement, execution, and initial access approaches are all the same in all three matrices.
The number of methods under each approach is shown visually by the framework, and the number of related sub-techniques is shown for each technique. There are 14 strategies in the Enterprise matrix as of this writing:
The number of methods under each approach is shown visually by the framework, and the number of related sub-techniques is shown for each technique. There are 14 strategies in the Enterprise matrix as of this writing:
- Reconnaissance: TA0043 (10 techniques)
- Development of Resources: TA0042 (8 methods)
- First Access: TA0001 (9 methods)
- Implementation: TA0002 (14 methods)
- Presistence: TA0002 (19 methods)
- Escalation of Privilege: TA0004 (13 methods)
- Defense Evasion: TA0005 (42 methods)
- Access Credential: TA0006 (17 methods)
- Finding: TA0007 (31 methods)
- Lateral Motion: TA0008 (9 methods)
- Gathering: TA0009 (17 methods)
- Command & Control: TA0011 (16 methods)
- Exfiltration: TA0010 (9 methods)
- Effect: TA0040 (13 methods)
Methods
Techniques are the means by which enemies carry out their strategy or objective. Thus, we might characterize tactics as the means by which the opponent will carry out the tactic.
Think about the scouting strategy, for example. In this case, the adversaries' objective is to gather the necessary data on a specific target in order to organize strikes in the future. They employ strategies like vulnerability scanning, active scanning, and scanning vulnerability IP blocks to accomplish this recon approach.
Each approach is defined or given an overview in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. From there, it offers illustrations of pertinent protocols and practical applications of the methods. For every method example, they include helpful details such as...
Think about the scouting strategy, for example. In this case, the adversaries' objective is to gather the necessary data on a specific target in order to organize strikes in the future. They employ strategies like vulnerability scanning, active scanning, and scanning vulnerability IP blocks to accomplish this recon approach.
Each approach is defined or given an overview in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. From there, it offers illustrations of pertinent protocols and practical applications of the methods. For every method example, they include helpful details such as...
- An explanation of the process
- Methods employed
- Organizations utilizing that program
- Campaigns
Every methodology also offers a set of mitigation and detection methods that users may apply to their data components in order to discover anomalies. You may view other information, such as the platforms that are susceptible to the method and the individuals that have added to the body of knowledge.
Sub-Manoeuvres
While some methods have one or more sub-techniques, some do not. For instance, spear phishing attachments, links, and services are the three categories into which adversarial phishing strategies may be further subdivided.
Similar to main techniques, each sub-technique page explains methods for detection, mitigation, and process examples.
The user may obtain a thorough grasp of the many techniques and sub-techniques employed, along with the mitigation and preventative strategies, by consulting certain approaches.
Similar to main techniques, each sub-technique page explains methods for detection, mitigation, and process examples.
The user may obtain a thorough grasp of the many techniques and sub-techniques employed, along with the mitigation and preventative strategies, by consulting certain approaches.
Additional helpful data from MITRE ATT&CK
Apart from the aforementioned trio of matrix components, the MITRE ATT&CK furnishes the community with distinct documentation pertaining to an array of facts.
sources of data
What may be learned from sensors or logs is described by data sources. For each data source, the Data Sources paper provides a brief description of the data components, or what may be seen, gathered, and identified.Businesses can, for instance, employ mailbox audit logs from application log data sources to spot vulnerable regions and detect updates to folders.
Teams
Groups are just a collection of colloquial phrases, such as danger or activity groups, that specialists may refer to using distinct terminology. Sometimes, various specialists label the same group differently, even when the group is exhibiting the same characteristics under different titles.The MITRE ATT&CK team monitors name overlaps. Documentation includes details on each group, including software, methods, and a brief explanation.
Applications
program consists of a list of methods that are either publicly known to be utilized or that the program itself is capable of using. A group is "mapped" or connected to a certain piece of software if it is known that they utilize it. It lists the many software programs that are available to malware attackers, threat actors, and the defensive party.Campaigns
Online campaigns that aim to accomplish common objectives are listed on the Campaigns page. In the event that these activities lack a designated name, the team will offer a distinctive label. The team labels "Associated Campaigns" on the website when reports or individuals have distinct names in the hopes that researchers would make the connection.
If public reports have connected those efforts to certain organizations or pieces of software, they will additionally mention it. Along with explaining how they got this information, they also discuss any known tactics employed in a campaign.
If public reports have connected those efforts to certain organizations or pieces of software, they will additionally mention it. Along with explaining how they got this information, they also discuss any known tactics employed in a campaign.
The MITRE ATT&CK framework's use scenarios
Your company may make use of the data found in the MITRE ATT&CK architecture in several ways. Let's see what you are capable of.
Find weaknesses in security
This methodology may certainly be used to assess the efficacy of your current security measures for strategies and procedures that are well-known. Your current structure's weaknesses and vulnerabilities will be exposed by that examination, emphasizing the places where security needs to be strengthened.
Of course, your company needs to prioritize these depending on its particular business, industry, risk appetite, and risk tolerance.
Of course, your company needs to prioritize these depending on its particular business, industry, risk appetite, and risk tolerance.
Assemble threat intelligence
Next, employ the framework to gather threat intelligence, or details on certain malware families and threat groups. Organizations may keep up-to-date knowledge on their enemies by using the ATT&CK matrix to track the activities of particular threat groups.
You also have an integrated, consistent method for classifying and characterizing assault behaviors. Don't create your own terminology for different TTPs anymore.
You also have an integrated, consistent method for classifying and characterizing assault behaviors. Don't create your own terminology for different TTPs anymore.
Look out for dangers
Threat hunting is a clear use case for MITRE ATT&CK, as it is a complete knowledge library of known enemy TTPs. Threat hunters can utilize any ATT&CK matrix as a guide for creating their procedures, which include formulating a hypothesis, setting priorities, gathering information, and documenting it.
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