10 OSINT Tools We Use in Our SOC
In our modern digital era, virtually every individual and institution generates a traceable online presence, leaving behind a wealth of information. This digital trail, or footprint, holds potential intelligence that can be collected without explicit consent.
While one might acknowledge the existence of such information, obtaining it is not as straightforward as plucking data from the public domain. The process of gathering intelligence is a nuanced science that demands an understanding of where and how to uncover pertinent details. This is precisely where the significance of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools emerges.
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OSINT tools serve the purpose of pinpointing and aggregating essential intelligence on a target from the intricate network of interconnected online platforms. As these tools are openly accessible, they are available for use by anyone, although they are predominantly utilized by hackers and security professionals who rely on this information extensively.
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These OSINT tools are adaptable for both offensive and defensive purposes, contingent on the user’s objectives. As someone entrenched in information security practices, I aim to enlighten peers about the role of OSINT in our day-to-day operations. In this discussion, we will delve into the composition of OSINT, its necessity, the typical sought-after intelligence, the various users employing these methodologies, and a curated compilation of essential OSINT resources crucial for security investigations.
What does OSINT mean?
OSINT, short for Open-Source Intelligence, denotes the practice of collecting intelligence from openly available sources and data. In contrast to classified information requiring specific access, OSINT relies on accessible data that can be legally obtained without constraints. This encompasses data on the internet, public records, news articles, social media platforms, and commercial data sources, among others.
In the realm of cybersecurity, OSINT serves information security teams by amassing intelligence regarding external threats targeting an organization. It aids in charting an organization’s digital presence and potential points of attack by consolidating pertinent publicly accessible data. This empowers security analysts to pinpoint potential vulnerabilities within the organization’s online sphere that could be exploited by malicious actors. Common applications of OSINT in cybersecurity encompass external threat analysis, mapping the attack surface, surveying infrastructure, identifying network vulnerabilities, and more.
Why Utilize OSINT in Our Security Operations Center (SOC)?
As mentioned earlier, security professionals find great value in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools for simplifying otherwise laborious tasks. Within our Security Operations Center (SOC), we leverage a selection of OSINT tools and methodologies to fortify our security stance:
- Threat Intelligence — OSINT empowers us to explore the latest hacking methodologies, emerging threats, real-world vulnerabilities, and exploits. This external threat intelligence assists us in enhancing infrastructure security against contemporary attack vectors.
- Incident Response — OSINT aids in swiftly gathering context during security incidents surrounding suspicious indicators such as IP addresses, domains, and file hashes potentially involved in an attack. This expedites incident investigation and response efforts.
- Attack Surface Mapping — Through OSINT utilization, we unveil exposed systems, open ports, utilized technologies, subdomains, and other outward-facing assets. This process enables us to map potential attack surfaces and mitigate associated risks.
- Infrastructure Mapping — OSINT tools provide comprehensive visualization of our entire online infrastructure footprint encompassing cloud providers, domains, networks, and services. Such holistic visibility of assets significantly bolsters security measures.
- Breach Assessment — In scenarios of suspected compromise, OSINT techniques assist in assessing the impact by scouring for organizational data on sale within dark web markets and other public sources.
Ultimately, integrating OSINT equips our SOC with enhanced context, visibility, and insights to prepare for, detect, respond to, and recover from security threats targeting the organization.
10 OSINT Tools We Use in Our SOC
Within our SOC, we integrate a blend of both paid and free OSINT tools into our operational workflows to gather, analyze, and visually represent security intelligence. While each tool possesses distinct strengths and limitations, collectively, they facilitate ongoing surveillance, comprehensive visibility, and informed decision-making in the face of a rapidly changing threat landscape. Among the crucial components of our Open Source Intelligence toolkit are:
1. Recon-ng:
Recon-ng stands as an open-source web reconnaissance framework coded in Python, offering high extensibility. Our utilization of Recon-ng involves harvesting intelligence concerning domains, companies, individuals, etc., by accessing numerous APIs and public data sources.
Pros:
- Free and open-source nature
- Simple installation and usage
- Exceptional customization via modules
- Extensive coverage of APIs and data sources
- Valuable for collecting threat intelligence
Cons:
- Solely operates through a command-line interface
- The steep learning curve at the outset
- Complex workflows necessitate scripting
- Vulnerable to dependency and compatibility issues
Recon-ng empowers even junior analysts to automate data collection from diverse public sources and APIs on the internet. Its interactive interpreter simplifies module configurations and command execution. Equipped with numerous built-ins, the framework caters to common reconnaissance tasks such as domain resolution, subdomain discovery, and WHOIS record retrieval.
However, the true versatility of Recon-ng lies in its support for user-developed custom modules. Analysts can craft modules tailored to specific data acquisition requirements, integrating proprietary data feeds. This capability enables the use of Recon-ng for targeted objectives like gathering intelligence on threat actors, compromised credentials, vulnerable systems, and more. It outputs results to a database, enabling convenient filtering, analysis, and correlation.
Due to its adaptable, extendable, and automation-friendly nature, Recon-ng serves as a fundamental tool in our daily security reconnaissance activities. It aids in uncovering latent threats and contributes to improved decision-making processes within our operations.
2. Maltego
Maltego serves as a proprietary investigative tool specialized in graphical link analysis, aimed at gathering and interconnecting publicly available information dispersed across the internet. Within our operations, we harness Maltego’s visualization capabilities for impromptu research endeavors and delving into threat investigations.
Pros:
- Robust visual link analysis
- Integration with valuable online data sources
- Useful case management functionalities
- Availability in desktop and cloud-based versions
Cons:
- Costly licensing
- Usage limitations in the cloud offering
- Potential scalability constraints
- Steep learning curve
Maltego operates by ingesting initial data points such as phrases, names, websites, domains, etc., transforming them into a graphical network map that illustrates connections and associations between relevant entities. This graphical representation simplifies comprehension of intricate real-world interrelationships, providing a more intuitive approach compared to perusing data tables.
Through the visual interface, analysts swiftly gather intelligence on threats. For instance, commencing from a suspicious IP address, an analyst can navigate through proprietors, linked hosts, utilized technologies, geographic correlations, and associated breaches, unveiling concealed threats. Its case management tools facilitate collaborative incident investigation efforts.
Maltego seamlessly integrates with other security tools, ensuring smooth operational workflows. The desktop client suits small localized teams, while the cloud-based version caters to globally distributed teams.
While the pricing structure might pose scalability challenges for smaller teams, Maltego’s distinctive graphical link analysis and user-friendly interface render it an invaluable addition to a SOC’s OSINT toolkit. It aids in proactive threat hunting and expedites incident investigations.
3. URL Scan
URL Scan proves to be an invaluable, cost-free online service that plays a pivotal role within our SOC by scrutinizing and scanning websites for potential threats. This service safely renders submitted pages and extracts pertinent security insights.
Pros:
- Free online service
- Swift analysis of page content
- Integration capability with various tools
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Provision of valuable website forensic data
Cons:
- Limited options for customization
- May overlook dynamically loaded content
- Restricted scan history
- Requires manual analysis
URL Scan functions by accepting a website URL and rendering the page within a secure sandboxed environment, allowing our analysts to observe content loading without directly exposing our assets to potential threats.
This service extracts valuable metadata, including set cookies, loaded resources, followed redirects, executed scripts, and more. Such insights provide visibility into the actions attempted by websites upon visitation. URL Scan also identifies certain known threats and vulnerabilities by analyzing service fingerprints and common patterns.
URL Scan significantly aids in the swift initial reconnaissance of suspicious websites, domains, and pages encountered during threat-hunting activities. Analysts can easily share reports enriched with additional context and forensic snapshots, facilitating collaboration with other teams.
Despite its limitations in automation, customization, and data retention compared to other offerings, URL Scan’s accessibility, ease of use, and the provision of valuable website security insights make it an indispensable addition to our web-centric Open Source Intelligence capabilities.
4. SpiderFoot
SpiderFoot stands as an Open Source Intelligence automation tool integrating over 200 modules, designed to collate intelligence from diverse public data sources. Within our operations, we harness SpiderFoot for reconnaissance on domains, netblocks, emails, names, and more.
Pros:
- Free and open-source nature
- Highly automated data collection process
- Valuable for threat-hunting endeavors
- Integration with diverse and useful data sources
- Availability of a cloud-hosted option
Cons:
- Outdated user interface
- Steep learning curve
- Complex data flows
- Limited scalability
SpiderFoot operates by utilizing initial inputs like IP addresses, domains, emails, etc., and automatically queries a multitude of public data sources, such as search engines, Pastebin, WHOIS records, satellite maps, and beyond, to map associated entities. This process unveils correlated infrastructure, technologies, documents, leaks, and more with minimal manual intervention.
Analysts can select from pre-built modules and feeds covering threats, networks, and locations, among others. Results are stored locally in a database for streamlined filtering and analysis. The web-based user interface enables the management of scans and review of results. For larger teams, SpiderFoot offers a cloud-hosted option with shared accessibility.
Despite its dated user interface and complex workflows, particularly challenging for beginners, SpiderFoot’s wide array of data sources, automation capabilities, and tactical integrations render it a versatile addition to a modern SOC’s arsenal for external intelligence gathering. It proves beneficial for both threat-hunting initiatives and expediting incident response procedures.
5. FOCA
FOCA (Fingerprinting Organizations) serves as an open-source OSINT tool designed to unveil an organization’s digital footprint by extracting metadata and concealed information from public documents and files. Within our operations, we employ FOCA to gather intelligence from document formats like PDFs and DOCX during investigative procedures.
Pros:
- Automated extraction of data from documents
- Handling multiple file types
- Beneficial for investigative purposes
- Free and open-source tool
Cons:
- Officially compatible only with Windows
- Outdated command-line interface
- Limited integrations
- Information is presented in a scattered manner
FOCA enables the uploading of potentially sensitive documents, such as financial reports, presentations, and spreadsheets obtained during organizational reconnaissance. It systematically retrieves metadata, authorship information, hashes, URLs, emails, and other embedded data within files.
This capability allows analysts to efficiently extract intelligence from documents without laborious manual review, revealing identification details, associated entities, usage patterns, and more. FOCA possesses the capacity to recursively scan documents and websites, constructing an ‘organization pyramid’ that visualizes structural relationships.
The gathered information is displayed across various web interface tabs, minimizing the need for manual analysis to connect the dots. Despite shortcomings in both the command-line interface (CLI) and user interface (UI), FOCA’s automated extraction of document data offers invaluable support to a SOC’s OSINT toolkit. It proves beneficial for insider threat investigations and complements incident data gathering.
6. theHarvester
theHarvester stands as a practical Open Source Intelligence tool designed for harvesting emails, names, subdomains, IPs, URLs, and more from numerous public sources. Within our operations, we employ theHarvester to automate preliminary external reconnaissance efforts.
Pros:
- Straightforward and user-friendly interface
- Consistent and dependable results
- Compatible with Linux and Windows platforms
- Wide coverage of public sources
Cons:
- Primarily console-based interface initially
- Requires additional analysis of results
- Complex configuration of data sources
- Limited customization options
theHarvester expedites initial reconnaissance tasks by enabling analysts to specify domains, companies, or keywords for automatic scanning across search engines, DNS records, WHOIS databases, PGP repositories, job boards, and other sources. This facilitates the retrieval of linked email addresses, hosts, employee names, and preliminary intelligence.
This process offers a swift, broad overview of an entity’s online presence before delving into more specialized tools. All collected information is compiled into a local HTML report, allowing for further refinement and exploration.
Despite theHarvester necessitating initial comfort with command-line interface usage and lacking native visualization features, its ease of use, reliability, and extensive access to public sources make it a crucial initial inclusion in many SOC OSINT gathering workflows. This approach permits a focused application of higher-value customized tools on intelligence leads validated through theHarvester’s automated initial scans.
7. Google Dorks
Google Dorks empowers the meticulous mining of hidden insights while utilizing Google’s widespread search functionality. These specialized searches, created with advanced operators, uncover concealed organizational intelligence.
Pros:
- Utilizes a free public search platform
- Unveils invaluable insights
- Valuable for initial reconnaissance
- Broad coverage of data sources
Cons:
- Subject to usage restrictions imposed by Google
- Risk of false positives in results
- The steep learning curve for users
- Manual verification is required for accuracy
Google Dorks creatively harnesses Google’s vast indexed data through clever search syntax and specialized settings. This technique enables analysts to comprehensively scan the surface web, uncovering exposed documents, credentials, sensitive processes, and more through the adept use of Dorks.
For example, tailored searches can reveal vulnerable systems via unintended public exposure of login portals, backup files, server manuals, etc. Dorked Google searches can also unveil insider threats through exposed employee credentials and data in caches, code repositories, and inadvertent uploads.
Despite appearing innocuous individually, weaving insights from strategic Google Dorking across people, domains, locations, and technologies uncovers hidden relationships and enhances threat intelligence. This, however, requires skillful crafting of search queries while considering usage limits.
Through unparalleled access to globally indexed data, the strategic use of Google Dorks serves as a foundation for many SOC OSINT explorations, aiding the proactive detection of concealed threats and expediting incident investigations through exposure research.
8. Creepy
Creepy serves as a specialized Open Source Intelligence tool leveraged for gathering location intelligence from images and social media profiles. It aids analysts in visually mapping subject movements and activities.
Pros:
- Specialized in geolocation data
- Gathers movement data of targets
- Integrates with useful sources
- Free and open-source
Cons:
- No longer actively developed
- Limited scope reduces utility
- Manual verification is required for accuracy
- Caution is needed for legal compliance
Creepy enables analysts to input social media profiles or feed URLs, automatically scraping and mapping all embedded geotagged images onto a visual timeline map. This visualizes subject movements and events over time.
Analysts can discern patterns related to personal or work locations, establish lifestyle routines, track relationships, and identify discrepancies warranting closer investigation. Geofencing capabilities can alert on movements into areas of interest.
However, legal considerations dictate caution — although analyzing ostensibly public posts, informed consent remains essential, particularly under specific privacy regimes. Outdated libraries can also affect current reliability.
Nevertheless, exercised with discretion, Creepy’s unique capacity to consolidate scattered public location data into individual movement intelligence proves a valuable addition to an SOC’s OSINT toolkit. It supports insider threat monitoring and contextualizes external incidents.
9. OSINT Framework
The OSINT Framework serves as a pivotal public resource, acting as a centralized directory of OSINT tools and sources, conveniently organized by data type. Our SOC contributors continually explore and evaluate new additions to bolster our capabilities.
Pros:
- A central hub for OSINT resources
- Tools categorized by data sources
- Constantly updated with new resources
- Accelerates research and discovery
Cons:
- Potential information overload
- Varying quality among individual tools
- Requires manual verification
- Dependency on external links
The OSINT Framework curates over 450 OSINT tools across various categories like networks, email, usernames, documents, imagery, and locations. This significantly expedites the discovery of capabilities aligned with analytical needs.
Framework curation helps assess tool coverage, capabilities, and gaps, suggesting potential substitutions or areas necessitating custom in-house solutions. Competitive analysis ensures access to the best tools in an evolving vendor landscape.
This reference architecture provides SOC teams with a template to construct tailored OSINT pipelines by selecting and combining components. However, a thorough examination of tool capabilities is crucial before integration due to the open nature of additions.
By facilitating structured knowledge sharing on public platforms, resources like the OSINT Framework contribute significantly to the advancement of open-source intelligence methodologies.
10. TweetDeck
TweetDeck functions as a customizable social media dashboard, allowing real-time stream curation from platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Our SOC utilizes TweetDeck for monitoring pertinent threats, campaigns, and events.
Pros:
- Specialized in real-time monitoring
- Aggregates content across platforms
- Convenient integration and filters
- Valuable for tactical threat intel
Cons:
- Limited to social media sources
- Requires manual curation
- Verification needed for accuracy
- Privacy considerations
TweetDeck enables the creation of tailored feeds and alerts across social networks, providing analysts with insights into threat actors, exploit discussions, vulnerability mentions, brand threats, and leaks — all consolidated in a single screen.
Keyword alerts, geo-tags, and user filters assist in separating important information from background noise. The intelligence collected is shared with incident response teams, aiding in mitigating threats like account takeovers and early exploitation alerts.
However, analysts need to cautiously validate the credibility of user posts due to potential leaks, misinformation, and impersonation risks. Discretion is crucial since seemingly public posts might still expect privacy.
Nevertheless, TweetDeck’s specialization in consolidating real-time social media discourse worldwide offers a swift and convenient overview of emerging external threats — serving proactive threat visibility for SOCs and expediting contextual responses.
Who Else Can Use These OSINT Tools?
While our focus has been on OSINT tools within the context of our security operations center (SOC), these techniques and tools have diverse applications across various functions. Penetration testers and bug bounty hunters use them to gather public intelligence on organizations, aiding in prioritizing testing based on exposed technologies and vulnerabilities. Cyber threat analysts research the latest hacking techniques, campaigns, and vulnerable software versions for enhancing threat detection. Incident responders pivot swiftly on indicators like IP addresses or file hashes to determine the extent of security compromises. Security researchers monitor hacking forums and code dumps to understand adversary tactics. Investigators and journalists ethically piece together public information to uncover details about inquiry subjects. Business analysts monitor competitors for technology shifts and product roadmaps, advising internal stakeholders accordingly. Geopolitical analysts leverage foreign language sources for a better understanding of localized perspectives impacting global interests and events.
You don’t need to be in the security landscape to utilize these tools since they are open-source and accessible to anyone. OSINT tools have diverse applications across different industries and roles. Cybersecurity professionals use these tools to identify threats and vulnerabilities. Law enforcement agencies employ them for investigations and monitoring activities. Journalists and researchers rely on OSINT tools for uncovering stories and gathering information. Intelligence agencies utilize these tools for national security purposes and monitoring international developments. In the corporate sector, intelligence and risk analysts use OSINT for competitive intelligence and due diligence investigations. Human rights organizations and NGOs use these resources for documentation and crisis monitoring. Private investigators use OSINT for background checks and evidence gathering. Activists leverage these tools for various causes, while IT and network administrators use them for cybersecurity threat awareness.
Each group utilizes OSINT tools for different purposes, ranging from security assessments and investigations to research, journalism, and educational activities. Ethical and legal guidelines should be considered when using these tools.
Conclusion
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) involves the ethical and legal collection and analysis of publicly available information from various sources. This data encompasses details on threats, adversaries, vulnerabilities, technologies, movements, motivations, and more.
The integration of OSINT techniques has become increasingly crucial for security teams, providing external context and intelligence beyond internal security tools. This integration significantly strengthens Security Operations Centers (SOCs) by enhancing visibility, aiding in anticipation, detection, response, and recovery from contemporary security threats across the cyber kill chain.
We discussed the types of technical intelligence sought after by SOCs through OSINT, such as insights into adversary campaigns, vulnerable infrastructure, compromised credentials, and breach indicators. Furthermore, we highlighted key ethical considerations for collecting and safeguarding aggregated data.
In today’s dynamic digital landscape, organizations cannot rely solely on internal threat visibility. Publicly available data offers critical clues. As malicious actors exploit OSINT to target victims, security teams must innovate to leverage open data effectively.
We outlined popular OSINT tools used in our SOC, both free and paid, showcasing their strengths, capabilities, and limitations. While each tool has unique advantages, combining OSINT techniques selectively empowers risk-focused responses. Ensuring ethical and legal usage remains imperative.
The amalgamation of surface, deep, and dark web data forms a comprehensive intelligence mosaic. A comprehensive OSINT perspective leaves few places for threats to conceal, minimizing blind spots. Moreover, controlled OSINT usage aids in gathering essential public data intelligence, convincing traditionally cautious leadership of the importance of security investments.
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