Bridging the gap between DF & IR: MITRE ATT&CK ® framework integration in Magnet Axiom Cyber
Incident response forensics investigations are crucial for understanding security breaches, mitigating damage, and preventing future incidents. Leveraging frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK® (Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge) significantly enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of these investigations. MITRE ATT&CK is a globally accessible knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations. Here’s why incorporating this framework into incident response forensics is so valuable.
1. Knowing Your Enemy
MITRE ATT&CK provides an extensive and detailed catalog of adversary behaviors, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). This comprehensive knowledge base allows incident responders to understand the entire lifecycle of a cyber attack, from initial access to data exfiltration and impact.
By referencing this framework, investigators can systematically identify and trace the actions of an attacker, which helps in building a complete picture of the incident. This understanding is critical for determining the scope of the breach and for identifying all affected systems and data.
2. A Common Language
One of the major benefits of using MITRE ATT&CK is its standardized terminology. Whether it’s one team or adjacent teams handling digital forensics and incident response, this common language facilitates clear and consistent communication among the SOC, IR, Threat Intel and other security teams and stakeholders. When everyone is on the same page regarding the definitions and descriptions of adversary actions, it reduces misunderstandings and improves collaboration.
This standardized approach also aids in training and onboarding new team members, as they can quickly become familiar with the framework and its application in real-world scenarios. What’s more, analysts can incorporate MITRE ATT&CK details into their reports automatically exporting insights to Magnet Exhibit Builder (included with Axiom Cyber).
3. Accelerated Detection and Response
Integrating MITRE ATT&CK into incident response processes accelerates detection and response times. By mapping observed malicious activities to the techniques and tactics in the ATT&CK framework, responders can quickly identify the nature and stage of an attack. This rapid identification allows for faster decision-making and action to contain and mitigate the threat.
Additionally, many security tools and solutions now incorporate MITRE ATT&CK mappings, enabling automated detection and correlation of adversary behaviors, further speeding up the response process.
4. Improved Threat Intelligence
Using MITRE ATT&CK enhances the quality and relevance of threat intelligence. By correlating observed incidents with the ATT&CK framework, organizations can enrich their threat intelligence feeds with context-specific information about adversary behaviors. This enriched intelligence helps in predicting future attack patterns and in developing proactive defense strategies.
Furthermore, sharing threat intelligence that is mapped to MITRE ATT&CK with the wider security community improves collective defense capabilities and fosters collaboration among organizations facing similar threats.
5. Enhanced Post-Incident Analysis
Post-incident analysis and reporting are critical components of the incident response process.
MITRE ATT&CK facilitates thorough and structured post-incident analysis by providing a detailed framework for documenting and understanding adversary actions. This structured analysis helps in identifying gaps in defenses, understanding the effectiveness of existing security controls, and developing strategies to prevent future incidents. The insights gained from such analyses are invaluable for continuous improvement of the organization’s security posture.
MITRE ATT&CK also helps organizations align their security strategies and investments with real-world threats. By understanding which techniques and tactics are most commonly used by adversaries, organizations can prioritize their security initiatives and resources more effectively. This alignment ensures that security measures are focused on the most relevant and impactful threats, leading to more efficient use of budgets and resources. Additionally, the framework can guide the development and implementation of security policies, procedures, and controls that are directly tied to mitigating specific adversary behaviors.
MITRE ATT&CK and Magnet Axiom Cyber
Digital forensics solutions, such as Magnet Axiom Cyber, provide a deeper understanding (root cause analysis) of why and how an intrusion occurred and spread. This knowledge helps to minimize the impact of threats, reduce downtime, and prevent future damage by identifying vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
We heard your feedback and recognized the potential disconnect and subsequent challenges of forensics examiners who support incident response investigations.
Incorporating MITRE ATT&CK into incident response forensics investigations provides significant value by offering a comprehensive, standardized, and actionable framework for understanding and combating cyber threats. Its ability to enhance detection and response times, improve threat intelligence, facilitate post-incident analysis, and guide strategic security investments makes it an indispensable tool for modern cybersecurity operations. As cyber threats continue to evolve, leveraging frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK will be essential for staying ahead of adversaries and ensuring robust incident response capabilities.
Since Axiom Cyber’s launch in January 2020, we’ve continually added new features that support the investigation of cyber-attacks such as YARA rules integration, MFT parsing, and targeted collections.
Now, with the integration of the ATT&CK framework to run SIGMA rules and identify TTPs within Axiom Cyber, we’re expanding on the IR-focused features to bring incident response and digital forensics teams closer together than ever before.
It’s an excellent starting point for any IR investigation.
Depending on your situation, use it for:
- Quick triage – when you need insights as fast as possible, collect just the Windows Event Logs using Axiom Cyber, Magnet Nexus (or Magnet Response, a free tool) for faster processing and explore files and folders to identify suspicious activity using MITRE ATT&CK scanning to point you to where you need to investigate further.
- Deep dive post-incident analysis, run SIGMA rules against Windows Event Logs during your deep dive analysis of an image.
Check out how to run the ATT&CK framework against Windows Event Logs, in either a triage or deep dive scenario, in this interactive demo:
Learn more about Magnet Forensics solutions for Incident Response
- Join us for Episode 3 of Cyber Unpacked: Exploring enterprise DFIR where Doug Metz, Senior Security Forensics Specialist, shares real examples of how this new integration helps to significantly improve your cyber investigations.
- Check out the Cyber Unpacked webinar series for more insights from Magnet Forensics experts, including real world use cases tailored to DFIR professionals in the private sector
- Learn more about how to enhance your IR playbook with Magnet Forensics solutions in this blog post
- Try out the MITRE ATT&CK integration in Axiom Cyber for yourself! Request a free trial here.