Simulating MITRE ATT&CK techniques using Breach & Attack Simulation (BAS)
Simulating MITRE ATT&CK techniques using Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) is becoming a powerful tool for cyber security professionals to test and improve cyber defences. By replicating the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by real-world cyber adversaries, BAS tools can help companies to identify and address vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited.
The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a widely-adopted resource that catalogues and classifies the TTPs used by cyber adversaries. It is organised into different stages, each representing a specific phase in the attack ‘kill chain’ and by the type of attack or threat actor. The framework is constantly updated to reflect the latest tactics and techniques being used in the wild, making it a valuable resource for understanding and defending against current and emerging threats.
MITRE ATT&CK Framework
Being able to regularly simulate these TTPs without causing damage or network latency in order to test cyber defences is becoming an attractive option for security teams over the traditional alternatives of manual penetration testing and Red Team testing.
Using Breach and Attack Simulation to simulate MITRE ATT&CK techniques allows companies to gain a deeper understanding of how their systems and defences would respond to a real-world attack. This can help them identify and prioritise areas for improvement, as well as develop and test effective countermeasures.
Simulating MITRE ATT&CK techniques and behaviours using BAS tools
There are a few different ways to use BAS tools to simulate MITRE ATT&CK techniques. One approach is to use a tool that is specifically designed to replicate the TTPs outlined in the framework. Validato is an example of such a tool. These tools often come with a library of pre-built attack scenarios that can be used to test an organisation’s defences.
Validato – simulating MITRE ATT&CK threat scenarios
Creating custom attack scenarios
Another approach is to use a general-purpose BAS platform and create custom attack scenarios based on the TTPs outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. This requires a deeper understanding of the framework and the tools and techniques used by cyber adversaries, but can be a more flexible and customizable approach.
At Validato, we firmly believe that organisations need to ensure that they are regularly testing against the 80% of known threat actor TTPs and behaviours. Once they are comfortable that their security posture has been validated, then deploying more advanced custom threat simulation scenarios can be an option.
Conclusion
Regardless of the approach taken, using BAS tools to simulate MITRE ATT&CK techniques is an effective way for organisations to test and improve their cybersecurity defences. By replicating the tactics and techniques used by real-world attackers, BAS tools can help organisations to identify vulnerabilities and develop effective countermeasures, ultimately increasing their resilience to cyber threats.
