What is MITRE ATT&CK Framework? Overview of Tactics and Techniques

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a comprehensive and globally-accessible knowledge base that documents adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations of cyberattacks. It was developed by the MITRE Corporation to help organizations understand and improve their cybersecurity defenses by modeling the behaviors of attackers across various stages of an attack. 

Key elements of the MITRE ATT&CK framework include: 

1. Tactics: These are the high-level objectives or goals that attackers aim to achieve, such as initial access, execution, persistence, or exfiltration of data. 

1. Techniques: These are specific methods or strategies used by adversaries to accomplish a tactic. For example, a technique for gaining initial access might be spearphishing, while a technique for persistence could involve creating new user accounts. 

1. Sub-techniques: These provide more granular details under each technique, outlining the specific ways a technique may be carried out. 

1. Use Cases: Security teams and researchers use the ATT&CK framework for threat detection, defense gap analysis, red teaming, and incident response, among other cybersecurity functions. 

The framework covers various platforms such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and cloud environments, making it highly versatile. By adopting the MITRE ATT&CK framework, organizations can more effectively anticipate, detect, and respond to cyber threats by understanding the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of attackers. 

It is widely regarded as one of the most detailed and practical resources for threat intelligence and is used by both private enterprises and governmental agencies to bolster their cybersecurity strategies. 

MITRE ATT&CK framework Tactics and Techniques

The MITRE ATT&CK framework consists of 14 tactics, each representing a specific goal that adversaries aim to achieve during a cyberattack. Below is a detailed overview of each tactic. Each MITRE ATT&CK tactic encompasses multiple techniques, which describe the specific methods adversaries use to achieve their tactical goals. For example, under the tactic of Initial Access, techniques might include phishing or exploiting software vulnerabilities. The current ATT&CK framework includes over 200 techniques, along with numerous sub-techniques that provide further detail on how each technique can be executed. 

1. Reconnaissance 

Goal: Gather information to plan future operations. 

• Adversaries collect data about the target environment, including network configurations, user accounts, and potential vulnerabilities. 

• Techniques may include social engineering, searching public databases, and scanning networks. 

2. Resource Development 

Goal: Establish resources for future operations. 

• This tactic involves preparing tools and infrastructure for attacks, such as creating accounts or acquiring malware. 

• Techniques can include setting up command-and-control (C2) servers or developing phishing kits. 

3. Initial Access 

Goal: Gain entry into a target network. 

• Adversaries exploit vulnerabilities or use social engineering to gain initial access. 

• Techniques may involve spear phishing, exploiting software vulnerabilities, or using stolen credentials. 

4. Execution 

Goal: Run malicious code on a target system. 

• This involves executing payloads that carry out the attacker's objectives. 

• Techniques can include running scripts, exploiting software vulnerabilities, or using scheduled tasks. 

5. Persistence 

Goal: Maintain a foothold in the network. 

• Adversaries implement methods to ensure continued access after initial exploitation. 

• Techniques might include creating new user accounts, modifying startup programs, or using scheduled tasks. 

6. Privilege Escalation 

Goal: Gain higher-level permissions on a system. 

• This tactic focuses on increasing access rights to perform more significant actions within the network. 

• Techniques may involve exploiting vulnerabilities or using credential dumping tools. 

7. Defense Evasion 

Goal: Avoid detection by security measures. 

• Adversaries employ various strategies to bypass security controls and remain undetected. 

• Techniques can include obfuscating code, disabling security software, or using legitimate credentials. 

8. Credential Access 

Goal: Obtain user credentials for further access. 

• This involves stealing login information to facilitate lateral movement within the network. 

• Techniques might include keylogging, credential dumping, or phishing attacks. 

9. Discovery 

Goal: Understand the environment and its components. 

• Adversaries gather information about the internal network and its users to identify valuable targets. 

• Techniques can include network scanning, querying system information, or enumerating user accounts. 

10. Lateral Movement 

Goal: Move through the network to access additional resources. 

• After gaining initial access, adversaries seek to navigate within the environment to reach their objectives. 

• Techniques may involve using remote services or exploiting trust relationships between systems. 

11. Collection 

Goal: Gather data of interest from the target environment. 

• This involves collecting sensitive information that aligns with the attacker's objectives. 

• Techniques can include data staging for exfiltration or using keyloggers to capture user input. 

12. Command and Control (C2) 

Goal: Establish communication with compromised systems. 

• Adversaries set up channels to control compromised systems remotely and execute commands. 

• Techniques might involve using web traffic for C2 communication or employing encrypted channels. 

13. Exfiltration 

Goal: Remove data from the target environment. 

• This tactic focuses on transferring sensitive data outside of the organization’s control. 

• Techniques can include compressing and encrypting data before transfer or using legitimate protocols for data transmission. 

14. Impact 

Goal: Cause damage or disruption to the target organization. 

• Adversaries aim to achieve their ultimate objective by disrupting operations or corrupting data. 

• Techniques may involve deploying ransomware, deleting files, or manipulating data integrity. 

Each of these tactics is further supported by multiple techniques and sub-techniques that detail how adversaries implement their strategies in real-world scenarios. The MITRE ATT&CK framework is an invaluable tool for cybersecurity professionals in understanding and defending against cyber threats effectively . 

Applications of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework 

1. Threat Detection and Response 

• Behavioral Analytics: The framework provides a comprehensive catalog of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that adversaries utilize during cyberattacks. By monitoring for these behaviors, organizations can detect potential threats more effectively. 

• Incident Response: Security teams can use the framework to guide their response strategies during an incident, helping them understand the attacker's methods and prioritize their actions accordingly. 

2. Vulnerability Management 

• Prioritization of Vulnerabilities: Organizations can map Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) to specific TTPs outlined in the framework. This allows security practitioners to prioritize which vulnerabilities to address first based on their potential impact if exploited. 

• Resource Allocation: By understanding which TTPs are most relevant to their environment, organizations can allocate resources more effectively, focusing on the vulnerabilities that pose the greatest risk. 

3. Security Operations Center (SOC) Maturity Assessment 

• The framework can be used to evaluate how well a SOC detects, analyzes, and responds to breaches. Organizations can identify gaps in their defenses and improve their overall security posture by aligning with the tactics and techniques in ATT&CK. 

4. Threat Intelligence Integration 

• The ATT&CK framework enhances threat intelligence efforts by providing detailed descriptions of adversarial behaviors. This information helps organizations assess their security strengths and weaknesses against known threats, enabling more informed decision-making. 

5. Red Teaming and Penetration Testing 

• Security professionals use the framework to simulate attacks from an adversary's perspective, allowing red teams to test defenses against real-world scenarios based on documented TTPs. This helps identify weaknesses in security controls before actual attackers exploit them. 

6. Training and Skill Development 

• The MITRE ATT&CK framework serves as an educational resource for cybersecurity teams, helping bridge knowledge gaps and improve skills related to threat detection and response strategies. It provides a common language for discussing adversarial behaviors across different teams within an organization. 

7. Tool Evaluation and Vendor Assessment 

• Organizations can utilize the framework to evaluate cybersecurity tools and vendor offerings by testing how well these solutions align with the tactics and techniques documented in ATT&CK. This ensures that investments in security technologies are effective against real-world threats. 

8. Improving Overall Security Posture 

• By adopting the MITRE ATT&CK framework, organizations enhance their ability to anticipate potential attacks and implement proactive measures to mitigate risks. This shift towards a behavior-driven approach allows for more robust defenses against evolving cyber threats. 

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