External Attack Path Simulation
External attack path simulation in cybersecurity is the process of modeling and simulating the sequences of actions an attacker could take to compromise an organization's systems and data, focusing exclusively on attack vectors that originate from outside the organization's network.
Here's a breakdown of what it involves:
Modeling External Attack Vectors: This involves creating representations of how an attacker could attempt to gain initial access from the internet or other external networks. Common external attack vectors include:
Exploiting vulnerabilities in public-facing web applications
Phishing attacks targeting employees
Exploiting weaknesses in DNS or other internet-facing services
Attempting to compromise cloud-based services
Simulating Attack Sequences: Once the external attack vectors are modeled, the simulation process involves stepping through the possible sequences of actions an attacker might take after gaining initial access. This could include:
Attempting to escalate privileges on a compromised system
Trying to move laterally to other systems on the network
Searching for and attempting to exfiltrate sensitive data
Analyzing Potential Outcomes: The simulation aims to predict the potential outcomes of each attack path, including:
The likelihood of a successful compromise
The extent of the damage that could be caused
The effectiveness of existing security controls in detecting and preventing the attack
Focus on External Perspective: A key characteristic of external attack path simulation is its emphasis on the attacker's viewpoint. It seeks to understand how an attacker would perceive and interact with the organization's defenses from the outside.
By using external attack path simulation, organizations can proactively identify weaknesses in their security posture and prioritize remediation efforts to reduce the risk of successful attacks.
Here's how ThreatNG can be used to support external attack path simulation:
ThreatNG's external discovery capability is the starting point for simulating external attack paths. It allows security teams to map out the organization's external-facing assets (websites, applications, servers, etc.) as an attacker would see them, providing the foundation for understanding potential entry points.
ThreatNG's external assessments provide the details necessary to model how an attacker might progress through different stages of an attack:
Web Application Hijack Susceptibility: This assessment helps simulate attacks that begin with the compromise of a web application. A high susceptibility score indicates a higher probability of this attack path's success.
Subdomain Takeover Susceptibility: This allows for the simulation of attacks where attackers gain an initial foothold by taking over a subdomain and then use that access to target other systems.
Cyber Risk Exposure: This assessment provides data on exposed ports, services, and vulnerabilities. These are key elements in simulating how an attacker might move laterally after gaining initial access.
Code Secret Exposure: This capability helps simulate attacks where attackers find and use exposed credentials (API keys, passwords) to gain access to systems and data.
Mobile App Exposure: This assessment enables the simulation of attacks that start with the compromise of a mobile app, potentially leading to access to backend systems.
3. Reporting
ThreatNG's reporting can present the results of attack path simulations in a clear and actionable format. Reports can highlight the most likely or most damaging attack paths, allowing security teams to prioritize mitigation efforts. For example, a report could show that a high Web Application Hijack Susceptibility combined with exposed credentials creates a critical attack path.
External attack paths can change as new vulnerabilities are discovered or systems are reconfigured. ThreatNG's continuous monitoring allows for the simulation of attack paths, ensuring that security teams continuously work with up-to-date information.
ThreatNG's investigation modules provide detailed information for more accurate attack path simulations:
Domain Intelligence: This module provides data on domain names, DNS records, and subdomains, which helps simulate how attackers might use domain-related vulnerabilities to carry out attacks.
Sensitive Code Exposure: This module details exposed credentials and other sensitive information crucial for simulating credential compromise attacks.
Cloud and SaaS Exposure: This module helps simulate attacks that target cloud-based services and SaaS applications.
ThreatNG's intelligence repositories provide context for attack path simulations:
Dark Web Presence: Information on compromised credentials found on the dark web can be used to simulate attacks involving stolen credentials.
7. Working with Complementary Solutions
While the document does not explicitly detail integrations, ThreatNG can work with other security solutions to enhance external attack path simulation:
Vulnerability Management Tools: ThreatNG's external attack path simulations can be combined with internal vulnerability scan data to create more comprehensive attack models.
Penetration Testing Tools: ThreatNG can help penetration testers identify the most promising external attack paths to focus on.
Risk Management Platforms: ThreatNG's attack path simulation results can be fed into risk management platforms to quantify and prioritize security risks.
ThreatNG provides a platform for external attack path simulation by combining external discovery, assessment, reporting, continuous monitoring, and detailed investigation modules with relevant intelligence repositories.
