Greetings, fellow hackers and pen testers! Welcome back to our blog, where we delve into the depths of the cyber realm to uncover the secrets behind the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Last week, we explored the world of Cyber Threat Hunting, and this week, we’re continuing our journey into the dark arts by examining Cyber Threat Intelligence ( CTI) - Collection and Analysis Techniques.

As seasoned professionals, we know that CTI is a vital component of a robust cybersecurity posture. In this article, we’ll explore various collection techniques, discuss the challenges of analyzing CTI, and learn how to apply these insights to our red team operations and penetration testing engagements.

So, buckle up and grab your favorite caffeinated beverage as we embark on this exciting journey of learning, sharing, and improving our craft.

What is Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)?

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) is the process of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating actionable information about adversaries, their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and the overall threat landscape. CTI enables organizations to better understand their adversaries, anticipate their moves, and effectively counter their attacks.

In the context of red teaming and pen testing, CTI provides invaluable insights that can be leveraged to simulate realistic attack scenarios, identify potential weaknesses, and enhance overall security posture. As professionals, we must be constantly aware of the latest threats and trends to stay one step ahead of the game.

CTI Collection Techniques

CTI can be gathered through various methods, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. Let’s discuss some of the most common CTI collection techniques used in the wild.

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)

OSINT refers to the collection of information from publicly available sources. These sources can include social media, forums, blogs, news articles, and even the dark web. OSINT is an essential first step in CTI collection as it provides a wealth of information at little to no cost. However, keep in mind that OSINT data can sometimes be unverified or outdated.

Example: TheHarvester

TheHarvester is a popular OSINT tool used for gathering email addresses, subdomains, virtual hosts, and more from various public sources. Here’s an example of using TheHarvester to gather email addresses from a target domain:

$ theharvester -d example.com -l 100 -b google

In this example, we’re using the -d flag to specify the target domain, the -l flag to limit the number of results, and the -b flag to specify the search engine (Google in this case).

Technical Intelligence (TECHINT)

TECHINT involves the collection of technical data, such as malware samples, network traffic, and system logs. This information can be obtained through honeypots, sandboxes, or other means. TECHINT provides a more in-depth understanding of an attacker’s TTPs, allowing for better detection and mitigation of threats. However, analyzing TECHINT data can be more complex and resource-intensive compared to OSINT.

Example: Cuckoo Sandbox

Cuckoo Sandbox is an open-source automated malware analysis system. It can analyze malicious files, URLs, and even full PCAPs, providing detailed reports on the malware’s behavior, network activity, and more. Here’s an example of how to submit a sample to Cuckoo Sandbox for analysis:

$ cuckoo submit sample.exe

In this example, we’re submitting the sample.exe file to the Cuckoo Sandbox for analysis. Once the analysis is complete, we can view the generated report to gain valuable insights into the malware’s behavior and TTPs.

Human Intelligence (HUMINT)

HUMINT is the process of collecting information through human sources, such as insiders, undercover agents, or even by leveraging social engineering techniques. HUMINT can provide unique and highly valuable insights that may not be attainable through other collection methods. However, HUMINT can be risky and ethically challenging, especially when it comes to social engineering.

Example: Phishing Campaign

A phishing campaign can be an effective HUMINT technique for obtaining credentials or other sensitive information. For instance, a red team could craft a convincing phishing email targeting employees of a specific organization, directing them to a malicious website designed to capture their credentials. Once the credentials are obtained, they can be used to gain further access to the target organization’s network and systems.

CTI Analysis Techniques

Once CTI has been collected, it must be analyzed to generate actionable insights. There are several methodologies for analyzing CTI, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore some of the most widely used CTI analysis techniques.

Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT)

Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT) are a set of methodologies designed to improve the accuracy and consistency of intelligence analysis. Some common SATs used in CTI analysis include:

  • Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH): ACH is a technique for evaluating multiple competing hypotheses to determine the most likely explanation for a given set of data. This can help analysts avoid biases and tunnel vision when interpreting CTI.
  • Key Assumptions Check: This technique involves identifying and challenging the key assumptions underlying an intelligence assessment, ensuring that they are well-founded and not based on unfounded beliefs or biases.
  • Red Teaming: Red teaming is the practice of challenging an organization’s security posture by simulating the actions of an adversary. This can help identify potential weaknesses and blind spots that may not be apparent through traditional security assessments.

The Diamond Model

The Diamond Model is a framework for analyzing and understanding the relationships between various elements of a cyber attack, including the adversary, the victim, the infrastructure, and the capabilities. By examining these elements and their interdependencies, analysts can gain a deeper understanding of the adversary’s TTPs, motivations, and objectives.

The Cyber Kill Chain

The Cyber Kill Chain is a model developed by Lockheed Martin to describe the stages of a cyber attack, from initial reconnaissance to the final exfiltration of data. By mapping collected CTI to the various stages of the Cyber Kill Chain, analysts can better understand the attacker’s progression and identify potential gaps in their security posture.

The MITRE ATT&CK Framework

The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is a comprehensive knowledge base of adversary TTPs, organized into a matrix of tactics and techniques. By mapping collected CTI to the ATT&CK Framework, analysts can gain a better understanding of the adversary’s TTPs, identify trends, and prioritize defensive measures.

CTI Tools and Platforms

There are various tools and platforms available to help collect, analyze, and manage CTI. Let’s discuss some of the most popular and widely used CTI tools and platforms in the industry.

Maltego

Maltego is a powerful OSINT and data mining tool that can be used to gather information about individuals, organizations, websites, and more. With its graphical interface, Maltego enables users to visualize complex relationships between data points, making it easier to identify patterns and trends. Maltego can be extended with custom transforms, allowing for seamless integration with various data sources and APIs.

Example: Using Maltego to Visualize Domain Relationships

After installing Maltego, start by dragging a “Domain” entity onto the canvas and setting its value to the target domain (e.g., “example.com”). Next, right-click the domain entity and select “Run Transform > All Transforms,” which will execute all available transforms on the domain. Maltego will then display a graph depicting the relationships between the domain and other entities, such as IP addresses, email addresses, and subdomains.

Shodan

Shodan is a search engine for Internet-connected devices, allowing users to discover vulnerable systems, open ports, and more. Shodan can be a valuable tool for CTI collection, as it enables researchers to identify potential targets, gather information about their infrastructure, and uncover potential vulnerabilities.

Example: Using Shodan to Find Vulnerable Systems

  1. To use Shodan, first, sign up for a free account and obtain an API key.

  2. Then, install the Shodan CLI using the following command:

$ pip install shodan
  1. Next, initialize the Shodan CLI with your API key:
$ shodan init YOUR_API_KEY
  1. Now, you can use Shodan to search for vulnerable systems. For example, to find systems running outdated versions of Apache web server, you can use the following command:
$ shodan search --fields ip_str,port,org,hostnames "Apache/2.2.22"

MISP

The Malware Information Sharing Platform (MISP) is an open-source platform for sharing, storing, and correlating threat data. MISP allows users to create and manage events, which can include information about malware, indicators of compromise (IOCs), and more. MISP also supports automated imports and exports of threat data, making it easy to integrate with other tools and platforms.

Example: Creating a MISP Event

To create a MISP event, first, log in to your MISP instance and navigate to “Events > Add Event.” Next, fill out the event details, such as the date, threat level, and description. Once the event has been created, you can add attributes, such as IP addresses, domains, or file hashes, to describe the IOCs associated with the event. You can also add tags to help categorize and search for the event.

VirusTotal

VirusTotal is a popular online service that analyzes files, URLs, and IP addresses for malicious content. VirusTotal aggregates data from multiple antivirus engines, as well as various tools and databases, providing a comprehensive overview of the potential threats. VirusTotal can be a valuable resource for CTI collection, as it allows users to quickly assess the maliciousness of a given file or URL.

Example: Using VirusTotal API to Check a File Hash

To use the VirusTotal API, first, sign up for a free account and obtain an API key. Then, install the requests Python library using the following command:

$ pip install requests

Next, create a Python script to query the VirusTotal API with the file hash you want to check:

import requests

API_KEY = 'YOUR_API_KEY'
FILE_HASH = 'FILE_HASH_TO_CHECK'
URL = f'https://www.virustotal.com/api/v3/files/{FILE_HASH}'

headers = {
    'x-apikey': API_KEY
}

response = requests.get(URL, headers=headers)

if response.status_code == 200:
    json_response = response.json()
    print(json_response)
else:
    print(f'Error: {response.status_code}')

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your VirusTotal API key and FILE_HASH_TO_CHECK with the hash of the file you want to check. Then, run the script to query the VirusTotal API and retrieve the analysis results.

Real-World Examples

Now that we’ve discussed various CTI collection and analysis techniques, let’s take a look at some real-world examples to understand how these methods can be applied in practice.

Example 1: WannaCry Ransomware

The WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 affected over 200,000 computers in 150 countries, causing widespread disruption and financial losses. CTI played a critical role in understanding the attack’s origins, TTPs, and potential mitigations.

By analyzing the WannaCry malware sample, researchers were able to identify the exploit used to propagate the ransomware (EternalBlue) and the kill switch domain that could be used to stop its spread. This information was crucial in helping organizations protect their systems from the attack and mitigate its impact.

Example 2: APT29 (Cozy Bear)

APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, is a sophisticated state-sponsored threat actor believed to be associated with the Russian government. The group has been linked to several high-profile cyber espionage campaigns, including the 2016 DNC hack and the 2020 SolarWinds supply chain attack.

CTI analysis of APT29’s activities has provided valuable insights into the group’s TTPs, infrastructure, and objectives. For instance, by mapping APT29’s activities to the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, researchers have been able to identify their preferred techniques, such as spear-phishing and supply chain compromise, and prioritize defensive measures accordingly.

Conclusion

Cyber Threat Intelligence is a critical component of a robust cybersecurity posture. By understanding the various collection and analysis techniques, as well as leveraging the right tools and platforms, red teams and pen testers can stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape and improve their ability to anticipate, detect, and counter cyber attacks.

Remember, knowledge is power, and as professional hackers, we must continually refine our skills and expand our understanding of the cyber realm. So, keep learning, keep hacking, and stay curious, my friends. Until next time!