Cyber attacks are becoming more common, targeting organizations with ever-sophisticated technologies and techniques. Cyber security professionals are striving daily to safeguard their network; however, with the help of some advanced solutions and frameworks like MITRE ATT &CK, this may be possible.
The MITRE ATT&CK is a framework that provides a knowledge base of cybercriminals’ tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). When combined with a Network Detection and Response solution, it solidifies an organization’s security capabilities against cyber threats.
Understand the Basics of NDR and MITRE ATT&CK
Before exploring the integration of MITRE ATT&CK into an NDR solution, it is important to understand what NDR is and how it works. The NDR is often deemed the central nervous system of an organization’s IT infrastructure. It ensures that the computer network is monitored for threats. The NDR employs artificial intelligence, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence to detect and respond to threats on organizational networks. This is different from traditional security solutions that often rely on signature-based techniques.
MITRE ATT&CK, on the other hand, is a public, accessible knowledge base catalog that observes threat attacks in real-time. When integrated with a cyber security solution like Stella Cyber, this resource is valuable to organization network systems, enhancing threat detection and responses.
Integrating MITRE ATT&CK: Enhancing Detection and Response
When users integrate MITRE ATT&CK into NDR solutions, it maximizes the effectiveness of threat detection and response. MITRE ATT&CK’s detailed catalog of TTPs allows security analysts to identify malicious behaviors and attack patterns quickly. This integration enhances the investigative capabilities of security teams, helping them detect and understand potential attack methods and respond accordingly.
For example, let’s take a situation in an organization network. An NDR solution detects a series of suspicious activities within the network and maps these activities to the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Based on this trend, security analysts can determine whether the adversary is attempting lateral movement, a tactic used to expand control within a network. If so, they can implement appropriate countermeasures to mitigate the threat.
Rapid Identification of Malicious Behaviors
One key advantage of integrating MITRE ATT&CK with NDR is the rapid identification of malicious behaviors. The framework provides a structured approach to categorizing and understanding various stages of an attack. For instance, if an NDR solution detects unusual network traffic, it can correlate this activity with known TTPs in the MITRE ATT&CK matrix, quickly identifying the adversary’s tactics and techniques.
This identification process will not only help in mitigating the immediate threat but also aid in preventing future attacks.
Enhancing Investigation and Understanding
Integrating MITRE ATT&CK into an NDR solution will help the security team with the appropriate information to investigate and understand cyber threats. They can use the detailed information provided by the framework to gain insights into potential attack methods. This includes using the “Mitigations” section of MITRE ATT&CK, which offers recommendations to counteract or reduce the impact of specific techniques.
For instance, if an NDR solution detects a phishing attempt, the security team can refer to the MITRE ATT&CK framework to understand the typical progression of such an attack. They can then implement the suggested mitigations to prevent the attacker from further advancing into the network. This approach does not address only the immediate threat but also strengthens the entire security structure of the organization.
Ensuring Compliance and Alignment with Security Standards
Choosing an NDR solution that integrates MITRE ATT&CK must align with industry security standards, best practices, and recommendations. Many regulatory frameworks and compliance standards now emphasize the need for comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities. So, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to transparency by integrating MITRE ATT&CK.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates that organizations implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk.
Detection of Procedures and Mapping to the Matrix
NDR solutions detect a wide range of attack procedures, such as vulnerability scanning, denial-of-service attacks, and command-and-control communications with solution tools like Stellar Cyber. These detected procedures are then contextualized based on IP addresses, temporality, and other factors and mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework to identify attack patterns.
For example, when an NDR solution detects a vulnerability scan using tools like Stellar Cyber, it can map this activity to the “Discovery” tactic in the MITRE ATT&CK matrix. This will then provide security analysts with a clear understanding of the adversary’s intent and help them take the following steps.
Key Tactics Detected by NDR
- Discovery
- Lateral Movement
- Collection
- Command
- Control
Components of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework
- Tactics: These represent the “why” of an attack—the adversary’s objectives. Tactics correspond to different phases of an attack lifecycle, such as initial access, execution, and exfiltration.
- Techniques: These refer to “how” an adversary achieves its objective. There are multiple techniques that can be employed for each tactic. For example, under the “initial access” tactic, techniques might include spear-phishing and exploiting public-facing applications.
- Sub-techniques: These are more specific forms of techniques. They provide a detailed-oriented view of how an adversary might achieve their objective.
- Procedures: These are specific ways in which adversaries implement techniques. They offer real-world examples or case studies of techniques in action.
- Mitigations: These are recommendations to counteract or reduce the impact of techniques. The framework provides potential mitigations for each technique to help security professionals defend their systems.
- Detection: For each technique or sub-technique, there’s advice on how to detect its occurrence. This helps security teams identify and respond to threats effectively.
Benefits of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework
- Threat Modeling
Organizations can use the framework to understand potential threat scenarios against their infrastructure, such as helping security teams to identify vulnerabilities and implement appropriate defenses.
2. Enhanced Incident Response
Aligning real-world incidents with the ATT&CK matrix provides a structured way to categorize and respond to threats. This will approach ensures that no aspect of an incident is overlooked and all responses are consistent and effective.
3. Improved Red and Blue Teaming
The ATT&CK matrix is invaluable for both red and blue teaming exercises. Red teams can use the matrix to emulate adversarial behaviors, while blue teams can enhance their detection capabilities and attackers’ tactics and techniques.
4. Security Posture Assessment
Organizations can evaluate their defensive measures against the techniques listed in the ATT&CK framework to help identify areas of improvement and guide the implementation of stronger defenses.
Conclusion
Integrating MITRE ATT&CK into an NDR solution is more than just a technical enhancement. It is a strategic fight against cyber threats, which can be achieved by using the detailed knowledge base provided by MITRE ATT&CK. NDR solutions, on the other hand, can help to enhance detection and response capabilities, enabling organizations to identify malicious behaviors quickly, understand potential attack methods, and implement effective countermeasures.
