Threat Vector
In cybersecurity, a threat vector is a method or path a malicious actor or threat agent can use to gain access to a computer or network to deliver a payload or achieve a malicious outcome.
Here's a breakdown of the key components:
Method or Path: A threat vector is not the attack itself but rather the route it takes. It's the "how" an attacker gets in.
Malicious Actor (Threat Agent): This refers to anyone who attacks, such as an individual hacker, a criminal group, or even a nation-state.
Access to a Computer or Network: The goal of a threat vector is to allow the attacker to enter the target environment.
Deliver a Payload: The "payload" is the malicious code or action the attacker intends to execute once inside. This could be anything from a virus or ransomware to data theft or system disruption.
Achieve a Malicious Outcome: This is the attacker's ultimate objective, such as stealing data, causing damage, extorting money, or committing espionage.
A threat vector represents a specific way an attacker can exploit a vulnerability to compromise a system.
Here's how ThreatNG helps identify and analyze threat vectors:
ThreatNG's external discovery capabilities are fundamental to identifying potential threat vectors. By performing external unauthenticated discovery, ThreatNG maps out the organization's digital footprint as it appears to an attacker. This reveals potential entry points that threat actors could use, such as:
These discovered assets represent the "path" aspect of a threat vector.
ThreatNG's external assessment capabilities provide in-depth information about the vulnerabilities associated with those potential entry points, highlighting the ways a threat vector can be exploited:
Web Application Hijack Susceptibility: This assessment identifies vulnerabilities in web applications that attackers could exploit to hijack them, such as weak authentication or authorization mechanisms. These weaknesses form a key part of the threat vector.
Subdomain Takeover Susceptibility: ThreatNG's analysis of subdomains, DNS records, and SSL certificates can reveal subdomains vulnerable to takeover attacks. Subdomain takeovers are a specific threat vector.
BEC & Phishing Susceptibility: By assessing susceptibility to business email compromise (BEC) and phishing, ThreatNG helps identify threat vectors that rely on social engineering to deceive users and gain access.
Data Leak Susceptibility: ThreatNG's identification of potential data leaks through cloud and SaaS exposure, dark web presence, and other sources highlights threat vectors that could lead to unauthorized access and exfiltration of sensitive information.
Cyber Risk Exposure: ThreatNG's analysis of domain intelligence parameters, including certificates, subdomain headers, vulnerabilities, and sensitive ports, directly identifies potential threat vectors related to vulnerable services and configurations.
Code Secret Exposure: Discovering exposed code repositories and sensitive data within them reveals threat vectors involving compromising credentials and other secrets.
Cloud and SaaS Exposure: ThreatNG's evaluation of cloud services and SaaS solutions identifies misconfigurations and vulnerabilities that represent threat vectors for cloud-based attacks.
Mobile App Exposure: Analysis of mobile apps for exposed credentials and other vulnerabilities uncovers threat vectors that target mobile platforms.
3. Reporting
ThreatNG's reporting capabilities present the findings of its assessments in a structured and actionable format. These reports can highlight the most critical threat vectors, allowing security teams to prioritize their mitigation efforts. For example, a report might detail:
A list of exposed web applications with high hijack susceptibility scores, emphasizing web application hijacking as a key threat vector.
A summary of exposed code secrets, highlighting the threat vector of credential compromise.
Threat vectors are not static; they change as systems evolve and new vulnerabilities are discovered. ThreatNG's continuous monitoring capabilities help organizations stay aware of emerging threat vectors by constantly scanning the external attack surface for changes.
ThreatNG's investigation modules provide detailed information that helps security analysts understand and investigate potential threat vectors:
Domain Intelligence: Provides in-depth information about domains, DNS records, subdomains, and related information. For example, subdomain intelligence can reveal vulnerable subdomains or exposed ports, providing key details about potential threat vectors.
Sensitive Code Exposure: This module helps identify threat vectors related to exposed code and secrets, giving details about the specific credentials and data at risk.
Mobile Application Discovery: This module provides detailed information about mobile apps and their vulnerabilities, enabling the analysis of threat vectors targeting mobile platforms.
Search Engine Exploitation: This module helps identify threat vectors related to information exposure through search engines, such as exposed files or directories.
Cloud and SaaS Exposure: This module provides detailed information about cloud services and SaaS applications, enabling the analysis of threat vectors related to cloud environments.
Dark Web Presence: Monitoring the dark web for compromised credentials and other information helps identify threat vectors related to credential theft and dark web activity.
ThreatNG's intelligence repositories provide valuable context for threat vector analysis. For example, information on compromised credentials helps assess the risk associated with threat vectors that involve credential theft.
7. Working with Complementary Solutions
ThreatNG's threat vector analysis capabilities can be enhanced by integrating it with other security solutions:
Vulnerability Management Tools: ThreatNG's external view of threat vectors can be combined with internal vulnerability scans to provide a more comprehensive picture of an organization's security posture.
SIEM Systems: ThreatNG can feed threat intelligence to SIEM systems, enriching security alerts with context about potential threat vectors.
ThreatNG offers a comprehensive platform for identifying, assessing, and monitoring threat vectors. Providing detailed external visibility and assessment capabilities empowers security teams to manage their attack surface and mitigate potential threats proactively.
