As a Red Teamer or Pen Tester, one of the most important things you can do to help organizations improve their security posture is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in their systems, networks, and applications. To do this effectively, you need to go beyond simple vulnerability scanning and use a more comprehensive testing methodology that involves Scenario-Based Testing.

Scenario-Based Testing, also known as “attack simulation,” involves creating scenarios that mimic the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of real-world attackers. This approach allows you to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that may not be apparent through traditional testing methods. In this article, we will discuss Scenario-Based Testing in detail and provide examples of how it can be used in Red Team Exercises.

What is Scenario-Based Testing?

Scenario-Based Testing (SBT) is a form of security testing that simulates real-world attack scenarios in order to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in an organization’s security posture. SBT involves creating specific scenarios that mimic real-world attack scenarios and testing an organization’s security defenses against these scenarios.

SBT is different from traditional penetration testing in that it focuses on specific scenarios rather than general vulnerability assessments. SBT is also different from Red Team Exercises, which are more comprehensive in nature and involve a broader range of attack vectors and scenarios.

The goal of SBT is to identify weaknesses in an organization’s security defenses that may not be detected through traditional vulnerability assessments or penetration testing. By simulating real-world attack scenarios, SBT can help organizations identify vulnerabilities that may be specific to their environment or industry.

SBT can be performed using a variety of techniques and tools, including social engineering, web application attacks, physical security attacks, and insider threats. Each scenario is designed to test a specific aspect of an organization’s security defenses and can be customized to fit the specific needs of the organization.

One important aspect of SBT is the use of threat intelligence. Threat intelligence involves collecting and analyzing data on known threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques. This data can then be used to design specific scenarios that mimic real-world attacks and test an organization’s defenses against these attacks.

SBT can be performed by internal security teams or by external security consultants. The process typically involves several steps, including:

  1. Defining the scope: The first step in SBT is to define the scope of the exercise. This includes identifying the scenarios to be tested, the systems and applications to be included, and the goals of the exercise.
  2. Designing the scenarios: The next step is to design the scenarios to be tested. This involves selecting specific attack techniques and developing a plan for executing these techniques.
  3. Executing the scenarios: Once the scenarios have been designed, the next step is to execute them against the target systems and applications. This may involve using automated tools, manual testing techniques, or a combination of both.
  4. Analyzing the results: After the scenarios have been executed, the results must be analyzed to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the organization’s security defenses. This analysis may involve reviewing logs, conducting forensics investigations, and performing vulnerability assessments.
  5. Reporting and remediation: The final step in SBT is to report the results of the exercise to the organization and provide recommendations for remediation. This may involve implementing new security controls, updating policies and procedures, or providing additional security awareness training to employees.

Benefits of Scenario-Based Testing

Scenario-Based Testing (SBT) is a highly effective way to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in an organization’s security defenses. SBT involves simulating real-world attack scenarios and testing an organization’s defenses against these scenarios. There are several benefits of using SBT as part of a comprehensive security testing program, including:

  1. Realistic Testing: SBT allows organizations to test their security defenses against realistic attack scenarios. By simulating real-world attack scenarios, organizations can identify vulnerabilities that may not be detected through traditional vulnerability assessments or penetration testing. This can help organizations better understand their security posture and make more informed decisions about how to improve their defenses.
  2. Customization: SBT can be customized to fit the specific needs of an organization. Each scenario can be designed to test a specific aspect of an organization’s security defenses, and the scenarios can be customized to fit the specific environment and industry of the organization. This allows organizations to focus their testing efforts on areas of greatest risk and vulnerability.
  3. Proactive Security: SBT allows organizations to take a proactive approach to security testing. By identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses before they are exploited by attackers, organizations can take steps to improve their defenses and reduce the risk of successful attacks. This can help organizations stay ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving threat landscape.
  4. Collaboration: SBT can promote collaboration between different teams within an organization. By involving different teams in the testing process, such as IT, security, and business teams, organizations can gain a more comprehensive understanding of their security posture and identify vulnerabilities that may not be apparent to any one team.
  5. Compliance: SBT can help organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements. Many regulatory frameworks, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA, require organizations to conduct regular security testing. SBT can help organizations meet these requirements by providing a more comprehensive and realistic testing approach.

To achieve the benefits of SBT, it is important to follow a structured approach. This includes defining the scope of the testing, designing specific scenarios, executing the scenarios, analyzing the results, and providing recommendations for remediation. SBT should be performed by experienced security professionals who have a deep understanding of the organization’s environment, industry, and security posture.

Examples of Scenario-Based Testing in Red Team Exercises

Scenario-Based Testing is an essential component of Red Team Exercises, and there are several examples of how it can be used in these exercises. Here are some examples:

Social engineering

Social engineering is a common attack vector used by real-world attackers. In a Red Team Exercise, you can use social engineering techniques to test the organization’s security awareness and identify potential weaknesses. Here are some examples of how to perform a Social Engineering-based Red Team Exercise:

  1. Phishing campaign: A phishing campaign involves creating a series of phishing emails that are sent to employees to see how many fall for the trap. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can create a phishing email that appears to be from a trusted source, such as the IT department, and includes a malicious link or attachment. The goal is to see how many employees click on the link or download the attachment, and to identify any vulnerabilities in the organization’s security awareness training.
  2. Phone-based social engineering: Phone-based social engineering involves using a phone to manipulate the target into divulging sensitive information or performing a specific action. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can use pretexting to establish trust with the target, such as impersonating a trusted individual or using a sense of urgency to prompt the target to act quickly. For example, the Red Teamer or Pen Tester could call an employee and pose as a vendor who needs access to the network in order to fix a critical issue.
  3. Physical social engineering: Physical social engineering involves gaining unauthorized access to a secure area by posing as a visitor or contractor. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can use a pretext to establish trust with the target, such as wearing a uniform or badge that appears to be legitimate. For example, the Red Teamer or Pen Tester could pose as a repair technician and gain access to a secure area by pretending to fix a broken piece of equipment.
  4. USB baiting: USB baiting involves leaving USB drives in public areas that are labeled with tempting names, such as " Employee Salary Information" or “Executive Meeting Minutes”. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can leave the USB drives in a public area, such as a break room or parking lot, and wait for an employee to pick them up and insert them into their computer. The USB drives can be loaded with malware that will infect the employee’s computer and provide access to the network.

To perform a successful Social Engineering-based Red Team Exercise, the Red Teamer or Pen Tester must have a good understanding of the target organization, including its employees, policies, and procedures. They may use a variety of tactics to gather information, such as dumpster diving, online research, or even direct observation.

Web application attacks

Web applications are a common target for attackers, and there are several types of attacks that can be used to exploit vulnerabilities in these applications. Here are some examples of how to perform Web Application-based Scenario-Based Testing in Red Team Exercises:

  1. SQL injection attack: SQL injection attacks are a type of web application attack that can be used to exploit vulnerabilities in an application’s database. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can create a SQL injection payload that is designed to extract sensitive information from the database, such as usernames and passwords. They can then use this information to gain unauthorized access to the application or network. The payload can be crafted using tools such as SQLMap or manually using programming languages such as Python.
  2. Cross-site scripting (XSS) attack: XSS attacks are a type of web application attack that can be used to inject malicious code into a web page. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can create an XSS payload that is designed to steal sensitive information from the user, such as their session ID or login credentials. The payload can be crafted using tools such as BeEF or manually using programming languages such as JavaScript.
  3. File upload vulnerability: File upload vulnerabilities are a type of web application vulnerability that can be used to upload malicious files to a web server. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can create a payload that is designed to upload a malicious file to the server, such as a backdoor or a web shell. They can then use this file to gain unauthorized access to the application or network. The payload can be crafted using tools such as Burp Suite or manually using programming languages such as Python.
  4. Path traversal attack: Path traversal attacks are a type of web application attack that can be used to bypass access controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive files on the server. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can create a payload that is designed to traverse the directory structure of the server and access sensitive files, such as configuration files or user databases. The payload can be crafted using tools such as Burp Suite or manually using programming languages such as Python.

To perform a successful Web Application-based Scenario-Based Testing in a Red Team Exercise, the Red Teamer or Pen Tester must have a good understanding of the target application’s architecture, technologies used, and potential vulnerabilities. They can use a combination of automated tools and manual testing techniques to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the application.

Physical security

Physical security is an often-overlooked aspect of an organization’s security posture. Here are some examples of how to perform Physical security-based Scenario-Based Testing in Red Team Exercises:

  1. Tailgating: Tailgating is a physical social engineering attack that involves following closely behind an authorized individual who is entering a secure area in order to gain unauthorized access. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can pose as an employee or visitor and follow closely behind an authorized individual to gain access to a secure area. They can then attempt to extract sensitive information or plant a physical device, such as a keylogger or a wireless access point.
  2. Dumpster diving: Dumpster diving involves searching through trash in order to find sensitive information or equipment that can be used to gain unauthorized access. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can search through the organization’s trash to find discarded documents that contain sensitive information, such as passwords or confidential documents. They can then use this information to gain unauthorized access to the organization’s network or physical facilities.
  3. Social engineering: Social engineering attacks can be used to gain access to physical facilities by manipulating individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that may be detrimental to the security of the organization. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can use pretexting to establish trust with the target, such as impersonating a trusted individual or using a sense of urgency to prompt the target to act quickly. For example, the Red Teamer or Pen Tester could pose as a repair technician and gain access to a secure area by pretending to fix a broken piece of equipment.
  4. Lock picking: Lock picking is a physical security attack that involves using specialized tools to bypass physical locks in order to gain unauthorized access to a secure area. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can use lock picking tools to gain access to a locked area and attempt to extract sensitive information or plant a physical device, such as a keylogger or a wireless access point.

To perform a successful Physical security-based Scenario-Based Testing in a Red Team Exercise, the Red Teamer or Pen Tester must have a good understanding of the target organization’s physical security measures, including access controls, surveillance systems, and security personnel. They can use a combination of physical tools and social engineering tactics to gain access to secure areas and extract sensitive information or plant physical devices.

Insider threats

Insider threats are a significant concern for many organizations, and they can be challenging to detect. Here are some examples of how to perform Insider Threat-based Scenario-Based Testing in Red Team Exercises:

  1. Credential theft: Credential theft is a common tactic used by insider threats to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or systems. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can create a payload that is designed to steal credentials from an employee’s computer, such as a keylogger or a remote access trojan. They can then use these credentials to gain unauthorized access to the organization’s network or sensitive information.
  2. Data exfiltration: Data exfiltration is a technique used by insider threats to steal sensitive information from an organization and transfer it to an external location. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can create a payload that is designed to exfiltrate sensitive information from an organization’s network, such as customer data or financial information. They can then attempt to transfer this information to an external location, such as a cloud storage service or a personal email account.
  3. Malicious insider: A malicious insider is an employee who uses their access privileges to steal or manipulate sensitive information. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can pose as a new employee and attempt to establish trust with the target in order to gain access to sensitive information or systems. They can then attempt to steal or manipulate this information, or plant a physical device, such as a keylogger or a wireless access point.
  4. Social engineering: Social engineering attacks can be used by insider threats to manipulate other employees into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that may be detrimental to the security of the organization. The Red Teamer or Pen Tester can pose as a trusted individual, such as a supervisor or a vendor, and use this position of authority to convince the target to provide sensitive information or perform a specific action.

To perform a successful Insider Threat-based Scenario-Based Testing in a Red Team Exercise, the Red Teamer or Pen Tester must have a good understanding of the target organization’s policies, procedures, and access controls. They can use a combination of social engineering tactics and technical payloads to gain access to sensitive information or systems and attempt to exfiltrate or manipulate this information.

Tools for Scenario-Based Testing

Scenario-Based Testing (SBT) requires a variety of tools to create and execute realistic attack scenarios. These tools can range from simple command-line utilities to sophisticated frameworks that automate the testing process. Here are some tools that are commonly used for SBT:

  1. Metasploit Framework: Metasploit Framework is an open-source framework for creating and executing exploit code against a target system. It includes a large library of exploits and payloads, and can be used to test a wide range of systems and applications.
  2. Burp Suite: Burp Suite is a popular web application testing tool that can be used to test web applications for vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and CSRF. It includes a proxy, scanner, and other tools for testing web applications.
  3. SET (Social Engineering Toolkit): SET is a framework for performing social engineering attacks, including phishing, spear phishing, and credential harvesting. It includes a variety of attack vectors, including email, SMS, and voice.
  4. Nmap: Nmap is a network mapping and port scanning tool that can be used to identify hosts, services, and vulnerabilities on a network. It includes a variety of scanning options and can be used to test both internal and external networks.
  5. Cobalt Strike: Cobalt Strike is a commercial penetration testing tool that includes a variety of features, including client-side attacks, social engineering, and post-exploitation tools. It is designed to be used in Red Team Exercises and other advanced security testing scenarios.
  6. PowerShell Empire: PowerShell Empire is an open-source post-exploitation framework that can be used to perform a variety of tasks on a compromised system. It includes a variety of modules for performing tasks such as privilege escalation, credential harvesting, and lateral movement.
  7. Mimikatz: Mimikatz is a tool that can be used to extract credentials from a compromised system. It can be used to extract passwords, hashes, and other sensitive information from memory or the Windows Registry.

To perform SBT effectively, it is important to select the right tools for the job. The tools selected should be based on the specific scenarios being tested, the systems and applications being targeted, and the skills of the testing team. It is also important to use the tools ethically and with the full knowledge and consent of the organization being tested.

In addition to using specific tools, it is important to have a solid understanding of security principles and techniques. This includes knowledge of network protocols, operating systems, programming languages, and web application development. It is also important to have experience in security testing and a deep understanding of the target organization’s environment, industry, and security posture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Scenario-Based Testing (SBT) is an effective way to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in an organization’s security defenses. By simulating real-world attack scenarios, SBT can help organizations better understand their security posture, take a proactive approach to security, and reduce the risk of successful attacks.

SBT can be performed using a variety of techniques and tools, including social engineering, web application attacks, physical security attacks, and insider threats. Each scenario can be designed to test a specific aspect of an organization’s security defenses and can be customized to fit the specific needs of the organization.

To achieve the benefits of SBT, it is important to follow a structured approach and work with experienced security professionals. This includes defining the scope of the testing, designing specific scenarios, executing the scenarios, analyzing the results, and providing recommendations for remediation.

SBT should be conducted ethically and with the full knowledge and consent of the organization being tested. The process of SBT can help organizations stay ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving threat landscape and reduce the risk of successful attacks.