The abbreviation MITRE ATT&CK stands for MITRE Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge (ATT&CK). The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is a curated knowledge collection and framework for evaluating threat or malicious actor adversarial behaviors. It describes in detail the various stages of an attack, as well as the platforms or systems that may be or are vulnerable to attacks by threat actors. The framework was created in 2013 by the MITRE Corporation. Since it was created based on real-world observations, this framework or documentation has grown with the threat environment and has become well-known in the industry for understanding attacker concepts, methods, and mitigation strategies.
MITRE ATT&CK Framework Has Three Main Components:
- Tactics: These are the objectives that a threat actor or malicious actor may wish to achieve in order to successfully attack a system or network.
- Techniques: These explain the tactics or approaches used by the threat actor to attain the tactical aims.
- The framework also includes detailed facts regarding prior adversary use of the techniques, as well as some metadata about them.
This architecture contains several versions or “matrices,” the most well-known of which is the Enterprise Matrix. Enterprise Matrix discusses threat actors’ methods and approaches used against enterprises or platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Office 365, and so on. The following techniques are described in the Enterprise matrix:
- Reconnaissance: The collecting of information about a target or targets that may be beneficial in carrying out or preparing an assault in secret.
- Resource Development: Choosing or assembling resources and tools for an attack.
- Initial Access: acquiring a first footing on a system or network by acquiring access to usernames, passwords, and so on.
- Execution: The deployment of resources and instruments necessary to carry out the assault.
- Persistence: Maintaining control or presence over a network despite the use of mitigation mechanisms by the opposing party, but without being noticed.
- Escalation of Privileges: Obtaining many higher-level privileges, such as administrator or root-level controls.
- Defense Evasion: Attempting to go around the network’s security systems to evade discovery while compromising the system(s).
- Credential Access: Obtaining access to critical accounts and passwords.
- Discovery: The process of determining the target environment.
- Lateral Movement: Moving further into the target network to obtain sensitive information or any other type of information that might be beneficial to the party whose system or network is being hacked.
- Collecting important facts about the target that may aid in the achievement of a goal.
- Command & Control: Once the attacker has gotten all types of access and the systems have been compromised, he/she employs this strategy to gain control of the network or system and exploit it to his/her benefit.
- Exfiltration: The theft of data from hacked systems.
- Impact: Manipulation, disruption, or destruction of systems and data contained inside.
Data is extremely crucial in today’s environment. As the amount of important data grows, so does the number of enemies who seek access to it. This framework is one such tool that can help people, organizations, and governments keep their systems and networks safe from hostile actors in cyberspace.
Benefits Of The Mitre ATTACK framework
The following are some of the framework’s broad advantages:
- A more detailed description of antagonistic behaviors.
- An assessment of not just threat indicators, but also threat groupings. Businesses may utilize Mitre to not only identify but also educate themselves about who is executing the behavior’s and monitor them across different attacker groups. Its assault page includes information based on groups.
- With sector-specific danger information, it is widely utilized and trusted across numerous sectors.
- Takes a collaborative approach to threat reporting, ensuring that information is up to date and reviewed by the public as well as Mitre.
A company can use the framework to perform the following:
- Assign attack behavior to several groupings
- Network penetration testing
- Discover network vulnerabilities and link ATT&CK methods to threats
- Find network misconfigurations
- Share its cybersecurity expertise with the rest of the community; and
- To build a more unified security strategy, standardize different security technologies and procedures.
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