The cyber kill chain: what is it? All the information you require

The cyber kill chain: What is it?

Martin modified this approach to protect computer systems from sophisticated persistent threats ( APTs ) such as malware, ransomware, Trojan horses, spoofing, and social engineering techniques. This strategy is used by professionals and businesses to spot and stop future malicious activity and cyberattacks.

The cyber kill chain’s seven steps

Cybersecurity professionals can recognize and stop attacks at various stages thanks to the cyber kill chain model, which uses seven different phases to dissect the external attack process. Let’s find out what each of these actions entails.

Reconnaissance

The cyber kill chain process’s information-gathering stage, known as reconnaissance, involves the attacker looking into potential targets and spotting vulnerabilities. To learn as much as they can about the victim, they use search engines, web archives, packet sniffers, port scanners, public cloud services, network mapping, and other web browsing tools and techniques. The attacker becomes more familiar with your networks, applications, and databases as a result of each method of information gathering.

A bad actor might also look into third parties like company employees who are connected to the target. The attacker might have the information they need for a phishing attack by looking up their personal information on social media. The objective is to find technological or behavioral flaws that attackers can take advantage of.

Weaponization

The attacker creates one or more attack vectors to take advantage of the vulnerability that has been discovered after learning more about the victim. These vectors frequently contain viruses, malware, or ransomware, allowing criminals to access your data without authorization. A hacker may also build back doors during weaponization, enabling them to launch attacks even after system administrators find and shut down their main entry point.

Hackers typically take into account several factors when planning and carrying out a cyberattack, such as processing power, target vulnerability, cost, traceability of the crime, and time to value. They frequently choose the simplest and least difficult route to your application or network. Therefore, it’s crucial to conduct routine security checks and evaluate all potential network access points.

Poor encryption, system misconfiguration, flimsy or stolen passwords, remote access tools, relationships between systems or devices, social engineering, zero-day attacks, brute force attacks ( SQL injection ), Trojan horses, and many others are some of the most popular ways for attackers to access a computer or network.

A hacker will start looking for ways to move around, gather as much useful information as possible, and remain undetected for as long as they can as soon as he or she enters your network. Therefore, think about using zero-trust security procedures, which let you check everything that tries to connect to your systems before granting access and preventing malicious activity.

Delivery

An attacker delivers the weapon to the target during the delivery phase. Depending on the vulnerability found during the reconnaissance phase and an attack vector chosen in the weaponization step, the specific enforcement of the attack is dependent. Email phishing, social engineering techniques, drive-by downloads from websites, infected USB drives, or direct network connections are typically used by the attacker to introduce the attack vector into your systems.

Hackers can carry out cyberattacks in a variety of ways. For instance, they can program cyberattacks to start after a delay or are triggered by an individual user action or make malware act right away. These attacks typically involve just one intrusion, during which the attacker enters the system, gets what they need, and then leaves. However, malicious programs can occasionally be installed by hackers to monitor and control your activity while remaining inside your system.

Exploitation

The attacker activates the intended malware or virus during exploitation in order to take advantage of a flaw in the targeted system. These programs occasionally use masking features to conceal their malicious activity within the network and go undetected.

Installation

After the exploit is finished, the attacker installs additional software or malware to keep control of the system and guarantee ongoing access. Attackers may be able to enter and exit the system undetected thanks to a backdoor, remote access Trojan, or other types of malware.

Without using the initial attack vectors, hackers can reenter the system using rootkits or weak credentials. The invasion may be difficult to detect until these intrusion techniques do n’t raise suspicion for system administrators, allowing attackers to prowl around internal systems indefinitely.

Control and command ( C2 )

The attacker develops a strategy to manage the compromised system and remotely exfiltrate sensitive data during the command and control phase. In order to extract valuable assets, attackers may need to install spyware or ransomware on the target network as part of the data retrieval process. As a result, malicious actors can move laterally through the system, creating more entry points.

The hackers are already in your system if you notice an invasion in the C2 phase. In order to stop malicious behavior before it’s too late, it is essential to have intrusion detection systems and other security procedures in place.

Actions with goals in mind

Finally, the attacker acts to accomplish their main goals. These might include wiping data and disrupting services, gathering strategic company information, or even getting ready for more serious security breaches. These could also include stealing sensitive corporate or personal data for financial gain.

System administrators must act right away in this stage of the kill chain because the attacker will move as quickly as possible to extract sensitive data and maximize profit. The potential risk decreases the faster a security team detects malicious activity on the network.

Cons of the cyber-kill chain

The cyber kill chain has its drawbacks despite being a useful framework for comprehending and defending against cybersecurity threats and attack vulnerabilities. First, rather than preventing external attacks, the model was initially created to identify them that have already started. Although it focuses on external threats, it ignores potential insider threats from contractors and employees.

Some of the cyber kill chain model’s techniques are out-of-date and vulnerable to sophisticated attacks in 2024 because it was created in 2011. Additionally, its static design and emphasis on perimeter security imply that attacks always take the same form. Hackers can occasionally retrace their steps, making it difficult to spot an invasion. This framework can be resource-demanding, requiring a sizable investment of money, technology, and expertise, in addition to all the previously mentioned drawbacks.

Alternatives to the cyber kill chain

Let’s look at the alternatives to the cyber kill chain process in light of its drawbacks. Different methodologies for defending against cyber threats are provided by Mitsubishi ATT&amp, CK, and unified kill chain solutions.

ATT&amp, Mitre,CK. CK is more multidimensional and provides a thorough breakdown of the attack strategies used by hackers at various stages of an invasion as opposed to Mitre ATT&amp’s linear cyber kill chain model. Threat modeling, security testing, and enhancing defense mechanisms are typically uses for it.
• Unified murderous chain. The unified kill chain is a development of the framework for cyber kill chains. It combines the Mitre ATT&amp, CK, and kill chain principles to offer a complete picture of an attack. In contrast to the linear cyber kill chain method, it is more receptive to sophisticated threats.

How can cyber kill chain techniques benefit businesses?

The cyber kill chain can assist organizations in improving their overall cybersecurity posture, even though it is merely a framework created to break down the process of an attack. They may be able to create a targeted company security strategy by better understanding how attackers function. Security teams can also identify security gaps, prioritize where to allocate system resources, and enhance response strategies by being aware of the typical stages of a cyberattack.

Although the cyber kill chain is a useful tool for reducing cybersecurity risks, businesses should also use other full-scale defense tactics:

zero confidence in security. A crucial security tool is zero trust, which makes the automatic assumption that no network user or device can be trusted without being verified. Strict authentication is necessary for users and devices to access systems or private areas of a network.
• regular updates to software. Regularly update your software to protect it from known flaws.
• System for intrusion detection ( IDS ). To track incoming and outgoing network traffic, use an intrusion detection system.
• Virtual private network(VPN) To ensure connectivity between remote users and the company’s network, use a VPN. It will encrypt data transmission over public networks that could be insecure.
• audits of security. Conduct routine security reviews to spot any potential security gaps.