An attack path refers to the sequence of steps or actions an attacker can take to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to a target system or network. It represents an attacker's route or path from their initial entry point to the final objective, such as data exfiltration, system compromise, or unauthorized control.

Attack paths typically involve a series of interconnected stages, each relying on specific vulnerabilities or weaknesses within the target environment. These stages may include reconnaissance (gathering information about the target), initial access (gaining a foothold in the system), privilege escalation (obtaining higher levels of access rights), lateral movement (moving laterally across the network), and ultimately achieving the attacker's end goal.

The concept of attack paths highlights that attackers often exploit a combination of vulnerabilities and attack vectors to infiltrate a target system. For example, an attack path might involve:

• Exploiting a software vulnerability to gain initial access.

• Using stolen credentials to escalate privileges.

• Moving laterally through the network to access sensitive data.

Understanding attack paths is crucial for organizations when assessing their security posture. By identifying and analyzing potential attack paths, organizations can proactively address vulnerabilities, implement appropriate security controls, and minimize the likelihood of successful attacks. This approach allows organizations to strengthen their defenses and ensure more robust security against threats.

ThreatNG assists organizations in managing attack paths by providing comprehensive visibility into the attack surface, detecting and mitigating digital risks, and offering security ratings. It identifies vulnerabilities in external-facing systems, helping organizations understand potential attack routes and address weaknesses to disrupt attack paths. With digital risk protection, ThreatNG monitors online channels to detect threats that could exploit attack paths. Security ratings evaluate the organization's resilience and guide resource allocation for vulnerability mitigation. By integrating these capabilities, ThreatNG enables proactive vulnerability management, disruption of attack paths, and enhanced protection against potential attackers.