Hacking Methodologies and Frameworks: A Beginner’s Guide

In the world of cybersecurity, getting to know how hackers work is key to defending against cyber threats. In this blog, we’ll introduce you to various hacking methods and frameworks that cybersecurity pros use to spot, analyze, and counter cyber attacks. We’ll dive into the CEH Hacking Methodology, Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), Adversary Behavioral Identification, Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), Categories of IoCs, the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, and the Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis.

1. CEH Hacking Methodology (CHM)

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Hacking Methodology is a friendly and structured way to approach ethical hacking. Ethical hackers, also known as white-hat hackers, use this methodology to simulate attacks and find vulnerabilities in systems before the bad guys can exploit them. The CEH Methodology involves these steps:

1. Reconnaissance: Gathering information about the target. This can be passive, like collecting data from public sources, or active, like scanning the target’s network.
2. Scanning: Identifying open ports, services, and vulnerabilities on the target system. Tools like Nmap and Nessus are commonly used in this phase.
3. Gaining Access: Exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. This could involve using exploits or social engineering techniques.
4. Maintaining Access: Ensuring continued access to the target system. This might involve installing backdoors or other malware.
5. Covering Tracks: Removing evidence of the attack to avoid detection. This includes deleting logs or altering system files.

2. Cyber Kill Chain Methodology

The Cyber Kill Chain, created by Lockheed Martin, breaks down the steps of a cyber attack from the attacker’s viewpoint. By understanding these steps, defenders can spot and stop attacks at different stages. Here are the stages:

1. Reconnaissance: Researching and identifying targets. This is like the reconnaissance phase in CHM.
2. Weaponization: Creating a deliverable payload (e.g., malware). The attacker gets the tools ready for the attack.
3. Delivery: Sending the payload to the target (e.g., via email, USB, or website). This is when the attack starts to reach the target.
4. Exploitation: Executing the payload to exploit a vulnerability. This stage involves breaking into the target system.
5. Installation: Installing malware on the target system. This ensures the attacker can keep access.
6. Command and Control (C2): Establishing communication with the compromised system. The attacker sets up a channel to control the infected system remotely.
7. Actions on Objectives: Achieving the attacker’s goals (e.g., data theft, espionage, or system destruction).

3. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)

Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) describe how attackers operate in cybersecurity. Understanding these TTPs is super important for cybersecurity professionals because it helps them anticipate potential threats and take proactive steps to prevent attacks. Here’s a friendly breakdown of TTPs:

• Tactics: These are high-level descriptions of what an attacker aims to achieve. Think of them as the big-picture goals like gaining initial access to a network, staying hidden within the system, or moving through the network to reach more valuable targets. Each tactic is a stage in the attacker’s overall plan and helps defenders grasp what the attacker ultimately wants to do.
• Techniques: Techniques are the specific tricks attackers use to achieve their tactics. For example, to gain initial access, an attacker might use phishing, where they send sneaky emails to trick people into giving up their credentials or downloading malware. For moving through the network, attackers might use tools like Mimikatz to steal credentials and move around unnoticed. By studying these techniques, defenders can spot patterns and come up with ways to stop the attackers.
• Procedures: Procedures are the detailed, step-by-step actions attackers take to carry out a technique. This includes the exact commands, scripts, and tools they use. For instance, if an attacker uses phishing to get in, the procedure would detail how they create the phishing email, send it, and what they use to compromise the target. Knowing these procedures helps defenders recognize signs of an attack and respond more effectively.

By breaking down attacks into tactics, techniques, and procedures, cybersecurity teams can better understand potential threats and develop stronger defense strategies. This holistic approach to threat analysis is key to staying one step ahead of attackers and protecting valuable assets.

4. Adversary Behavioral Identification

Adversary Behavioral Identification is all about spotting the patterns and behaviors linked to specific attackers. By diving into historical data and pinpointing common tactics, techniques, and procedures, cybersecurity pros can anticipate and fend off future attacks. This proactive strategy helps create a strong security stance. It involves getting to know an adversary’s favorite methods, tools, and targets.

In the world of cybersecurity, getting to know how hackers work is key to defending against cyber threats. In this blog, we’ll introduce you to various hacking methods and frameworks that cybersecurity pros use to spot, analyse, and counter cyber-attacks. We’ll dive into the CEH Hacking Methodology, Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), Adversary Behavioral Identification, Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), Categories of IoCs, the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, and the Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis.

5. Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) are pieces of evidence that suggest a system has been breached. IoCs help detect and respond to cyber threats. Common IoCs include:

• Unusual network traffic: Unexpected data flow, like large amounts of data being sent to an unknown location.
• Unfamiliar files or programs: Unknown or suspicious files found on the system.
• Suspicious account activity: Unusual login times or multiple failed login attempts.
• Anomalous system behavior: Unexpected system crashes, slowdowns, or changes in system configurations.

6. Categories of Indicators of Compromise

IoCs can be categorized into different types to help analysts quickly identify and respond to threats. The main categories include:

• File-based IoCs: Malicious files or suspicious modifications. For example, finding a file that matches a known malware signature.
• Network-based IoCs: Unusual network activity, such as unexpected IP addresses or domains communicating with your network.
• Host-based IoCs: Anomalous behavior on a specific system, like unauthorized access attempts or changes in user privileges.
• Email-based IoCs: Indicators found in email communications, such as phishing attempts, malicious attachments, or suspicious links.

7. MITRE ATT&CK Framework

The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is a comprehensive knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations. It helps organizations understand how attackers operate and develop effective defenses. The framework is organized into several categories, including:

• Initial Access: How attackers gain entry into a network (e.g., phishing, drive-by downloads).
• Execution: How malicious code is run on a system (e.g., PowerShell scripts, exploitation of application software).
• Persistence: How attackers maintain their foothold (e.g., creating new user accounts, registry modifications).
• Privilege Escalation: How attackers gain higher-level permissions (e.g., exploiting vulnerabilities, credential dumping).

Each category contains detailed techniques and examples, making it a valuable resource for understanding and defending against cyber threats.

8. Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis

The Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis provides a structured approach to analyzing cyber threats. It emphasizes the relationship between four core elements:

1. Adversary: The attacker or threat actor. This could be an individual hacker, a criminal organization, or a nation-state.
2. Capability: The tools and techniques used by the adversary. This includes malware, exploits, and hacking tools.
3. Infrastructure: The systems and networks used by the adversary. This could be command and control servers, compromised hosts, or delivery mechanisms.
4. Victim: The target of the attack. This could be an individual, an organization, or a specific system within an organization.

By examining these elements and their relationships, analysts can gain a deeper understanding of the attack and develop more effective defenses. For example, identifying the infrastructure used by an adversary can help defenders block or monitor communication channels.

Conclusion

Understanding hacking methodologies and frameworks is crucial for anyone involved in cybersecurity. By familiarizing yourself with the CEH Hacking Methodology, Cyber Kill Chain Methodology, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), Adversary Behavioral Identification, Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, and the Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis, you’ll be better equipped to defend against cyber threats and protect your organization’s valuable assets. Remember, knowledge is power in the world of cybersecurity!