Recent research by AppOmni reveals a troubling trend in SaaS application attacks. By analyzing 230 billion log events from over 20 SaaS platforms, they found that many cyber attacks are quick, simple smash-and-grab operations. Attackers use stolen credentials to access and download data rapidly, often within just 30 minutes. This approach bypasses traditional attack methods like establishing persistence or lateral movement, rendering the MITRE ATT&CK framework's kill chain less relevant for such incidents.
What is the MITRE ATT&CK Framework?
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is a tool used in cybersecurity to help understand how hackers attack and what they do once they get into a system. Developed by MITRE, a not-for-profit organization specializing in cybersecurity and defense, the framework provides a structured approach to understanding how attackers operate throughout the different stages of an attack. Think of it like a detailed guide that maps out the different tricks and techniques hackers use to break into computers and networks. The framework is divided into different sections called matrices, each covering various environments like regular computers, cloud systems, and mobile devices.
Here’s how it works in practice:
Identifying Threats: Security teams use the framework to identify and understand the methods hackers might use. For example, if hackers are using phishing emails to steal passwords, the framework helps recognize this as a specific attack technique.
Improving Defenses: By knowing the common tactics hackers use, companies can strengthen their defenses. For instance, if the framework shows that hackers often use fake login pages to steal credentials, companies might set up better email filters and more secure login procedures.
Responding to Attacks: If an attack happens, the framework helps security teams figure out what the hackers are doing and how to stop them. For example, if hackers are moving around inside a network looking for valuable data, the framework helps identify this behavior and guides how to stop it.
In short, the MITRE ATT&CK Framework is like a playbook for cybersecurity, helping experts understand and defend against various hacking methods.
Analyzing the Attack Tactics Discovered
The smash-and-grab attacks identified in the recent AppOmni analysis represent a significant shift in attack strategies, particularly targeting SaaS applications. Let's delve deeper into each of these tactics to understand their implications and why they pose such a threat.
Credential Theft
Understanding the Mechanism
Credential theft is the initial and crucial step in a smash-and-grab attack. Attackers obtain valid user credentials through various methods:
Phishing: Tricking users into revealing their login details through deceptive emails or websites.
Infostealers: Malware that collects and sends stolen credentials from infected devices.
Credential Stuffing: Using stolen credentials from one breach to gain access to accounts on other platforms, assuming users reuse passwords.
Implications
Once attackers have legitimate credentials, they bypass the need for sophisticated hacking techniques. This method is highly effective because:
Reduced Detection: Legitimate credentials make the attack blend in with normal user activity, reducing the likelihood of immediate detection by traditional security measures.
Increased Access: Attackers can access data and perform actions as if they are legitimate users, leveraging the same permissions and capabilities.
Rapid Data Exfiltration
Understanding the Mechanism
After gaining access, attackers execute their primary goal—data exfiltration—swiftly. The process typically involves:
Bulk Downloads: Using built-in functionalities of SaaS platforms to download large volumes of data quickly. For example, in platforms like Google Workspace or Salesforce, attackers can download entire folders or databases in a single operation.
Direct Transfers: Moving data directly to external cloud storage services, bypassing organizational controls and monitoring tools.
Implications
Rapid data exfiltration is particularly concerning due to:
High Efficiency: Attackers can collect vast amounts of data in a short period, minimizing the time window for detection and response.
Minimal Interaction: The focus is on speed and volume rather than complex interaction or modification of the environment, which can bypass traditional data protection measures.
Lack of Persistence
Understanding the Mechanism
Unlike traditional attacks that involve setting up persistent access or establishing communication channels with a Command and Control (C&C) server, smash-and-grab attacks are characterized by:
One-Time Access: Attackers aim to achieve their objective in a single session, without the need for follow-up access.
No Long-Term Setup: There’s no effort to create backdoors or maintain ongoing access, as the goal is rapid theft rather than prolonged exploitation.
Implications
The lack of persistence changes the dynamics of threat detection and response:
Reduced Forensic Evidence: With no ongoing presence, traditional methods of tracking attacker activity or gathering evidence are less effective.
Focus on Immediate Detection: Security measures must prioritize detecting and responding to unusual access patterns and rapid data transfers rather than looking for signs of persistent threats.
Limitations of the MITRE Framework
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is a valuable resource for understanding and defending against cyber threats by cataloging various Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) used by attackers. However, it has some limitations, particularly when addressing modern SaaS (Software as a Service) attack tactics:
Focus on Traditional Techniques
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is predominantly oriented toward traditional attack methods, which include establishing persistence, lateral movement within networks, and maintaining Command and Control (C&C) communications. These methods are essential for understanding long-term, sophisticated attacks that involve ongoing access and manipulation.
However, many modern attacks, especially those targeting SaaS applications, are characterized by their simplicity and speed. For instance, attackers may perform quick smash-and-grab operations where they gain access using stolen credentials and immediately exfiltrate data without setting up backdoors or engaging in complex lateral movements. The framework's focus on these traditional techniques means it may not fully capture or address these rapid, high-reward attacks.
Limited Coverage of SaaS-Specific Threats
MITRE's ATT&CK Framework is primarily designed with enterprise environments in mind, focusing on on-premises systems and legacy technologies. SaaS applications, which are increasingly used for a wide range of business functions, often operate differently. They usually involve cloud-based access, dynamic permission management, and real-time data handling that can fall outside the framework's detailed coverage.
For example, SaaS platforms like Salesforce or Google Workspace present unique access and data manipulation challenges that the MITRE Framework may not fully address. As a result, the framework's guidance on defending against threats specific to these modern cloud environments might be limited.
Credential-Based Attacks
MITRE's ATT&CK Framework includes techniques related to credential-based attacks, such as credential stuffing and password spraying. However, its coverage is relatively narrow compared to the complexity of these attacks. Credential-based attacks in the context of SaaS applications often involve rapid and large-scale credential theft, where attackers use stolen or compromised credentials to gain immediate access and perform data exfiltration. This rapid access and data theft can bypass more complex attack detection and response mechanisms. The framework's emphasis on more elaborate attack vectors may leave a gap in addressing the straightforward but impactful nature of these credential-based attacks.
Suggestions for MITRE Framework Improvement
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is an essential tool in the cybersecurity arsenal, but it needs to adapt to evolving threats, particularly those targeting SaaS environments and leveraging credential-based attacks. Here are some recommendations for improving the framework to better address these modern challenges:
Expand SaaS Coverage
Current Limitation
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework currently emphasizes tactics and techniques associated with traditional enterprise environments. However, SaaS environments operate differently, with unique risks that aren't fully addressed by the framework.
Recommendations
Introduce SaaS-Specific Techniques
Create new techniques under relevant tactics such as Initial Access, Credential Access, and Exfiltration that specifically address common SaaS application threats. For instance, include techniques like OAuth Token Abuse, API Misuse for Data Exfiltration, and Exfiltration via Cloud Storage Integration.
Example
Tactic: Credential Access
Proposed Technique: OAuth Token Abuse
Description: Adversaries may use stolen or maliciously obtained OAuth tokens to gain unauthorized access to SaaS applications, bypassing traditional authentication mechanisms.
Enhance Existing Techniques
Expand existing techniques to include SaaS-relevant scenarios. For example, the technique Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism (T1548) could be expanded to include scenarios where adversaries abuse SaaS-specific permissions or API privileges to escalate their access within cloud environments.
Enhance Coverage of Credential-Based Attacks
Current Limitation
The framework covers credential-based attacks such as Credential Dumping and Brute Force, but these do not fully encompass the speed and methods used in modern attacks against SaaS environments, where attackers may quickly exploit stolen credentials to access and exfiltrate data.
Recommendations
Detail Rapid Credential Exploitation
Develop sub-techniques under existing credential-based techniques that emphasize the rapid exploitation and minimal persistence often seen in SaaS attacks.
Example
Tactic: Credential Access
Proposed Sub-Technique: Rapid Credential Exploitation
Description: Attackers rapidly use compromised credentials to access SaaS applications and exfiltrate data before detection mechanisms can respond.
Focus on Anomalous Credential Usage Detection
Include specific detection strategies and mitigations that focus on identifying and responding to anomalies in credential usage, such as logins from unexpected geolocations, rapid access to multiple files, or unusual data transfer activities.
Adapt to Emerging Attack Patterns
Current Limitation
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is regularly updated, but the rapidly evolving threat landscape, especially with the adoption of new technologies and cloud services, requires more agile and frequent updates.
Recommendations
Establish a Real-Time Update Mechanism
Implement a more agile process for incorporating new techniques and sub-techniques based on the latest research and incident reports. This could involve collaboration with cloud service providers and cybersecurity firms that specialize in SaaS environments.
Example
Regularly include new techniques that arise from reported incidents or emerging threats, such as techniques related to AI-driven attacks or advanced cloud misconfigurations.
Incorporate Machine Learning and AI-Driven Attacks
As AI and machine learning are increasingly used in both cyber defenses and attacks, the framework should be updated to reflect techniques that leverage AI, both for malicious purposes and for detecting such activities.
Introduce Cross-Domain Techniques
Current Limitation
The current matrix structure is primarily domain-specific (e.g., Enterprise, Cloud, Mobile). However, modern attacks often span multiple environments.
Recommendations
Develop Cross-Domain Matrices
Introduce techniques that acknowledge and address the complexity of attacks that may start in one environment (e.g., phishing in a mobile context) and propagate into another (e.g., lateral movement in a cloud or enterprise environment).
Example
Tactic: Initial Access
Proposed Cross-Domain Technique: Phishing via Mobile to SaaS
Description: Attackers initiate phishing attacks on mobile devices, leading to credential theft and subsequent unauthorized access to SaaS applications.
Additional MITRE ATT&CK Improvements For Consideration
In the face of modern threats and changes in technology, these recommendations aim to enhance the MITRE ATT&CK Framework's relevance and effectiveness. By incorporating these changes the framework could provide more comprehensive coverage of the techniques used by attackers in today's rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Refine the Tactic of Exfiltration
Observation
The Exfiltration tactic includes several methods for data exfiltration, but the techniques listed are somewhat generalized and could benefit from more specificity, particularly in the context of modern cloud and SaaS environments.
Recommendations
Introduce Cloud-Specific Exfiltration Techniques
Add specific techniques that cover exfiltration methods unique to cloud and SaaS environments, such as Exfiltration via API Calls or Exfiltration via SaaS Integration Points.
Example
A new technique could be Exfiltration via Cloud API, which would cover scenarios where adversaries use legitimate cloud APIs to extract data.
Expand Techniques on Encrypted Traffic
Include techniques that discuss exfiltration over encrypted channels specific to cloud services, such as Exfiltration Over Encrypted API Connections or Exfiltration Over Encrypted Cloud Storage Links.
Enhance the Persistence Tactic for Cloud Environments
Observation
The Persistence tactic in the current framework includes techniques like Account Manipulation and Additional Cloud Credentials, but these could be expanded to cover more nuanced cloud-specific persistence methods.
Recommendations
Add Techniques for Long-Term Cloud Persistence
Introduce techniques that describe how adversaries maintain persistence in cloud environments by exploiting specific cloud features.
Example
Persistence via Cloud Configuration Exploits, where attackers leverage misconfigurations in cloud security settings to maintain access.
Cover Multi-Tenant Cloud Persistence
Include techniques that explain how adversaries might achieve persistence across multiple tenants in a cloud environment by exploiting shared infrastructure.
Example
Persistence via Shared Cloud Resources, addressing the risks of multi-tenant environments where an adversary could potentially persist by exploiting shared resources.
Expand the Discovery Tactic for SaaS Applications
Observation
The Discovery tactic covers how adversaries gather information about systems and networks, but the coverage for SaaS applications is limited.
Recommendations:
Introduce SaaS-Specific Discovery Techniques
Add techniques that detail how attackers might discover sensitive information within SaaS platforms, such as Discovery via SaaS Audit Logs or Discovery via SaaS Configuration APIs.
Example
Discovery via SaaS Metadata, which would cover how attackers could use metadata within SaaS platforms to gather information about the environment and potential vulnerabilities.
Highlight Techniques for API Discovery
Given the heavy reliance on APIs in SaaS environments, include techniques like API Enumeration where adversaries might probe and enumerate available APIs to find potential entry points or vulnerabilities.
Introduce a New Tactic for Supply Chain Compromise
Observation
Supply chain attacks are increasingly common, but there is no dedicated tactic for this in the current MITRE ATT&CK Framework.
Recommendations
Create a Supply Chain Compromise Tactic
Introduce a new tactic that focuses specifically on techniques used to compromise the supply chain, including both software and hardware supply chains.
Example
Techniques like Software Dependency Hijacking or Compromise of Third-Party Services could be included under this new tactic.
Include Techniques for SaaS Supply Chain Risks
Address the risks associated with third-party integrations and dependencies in SaaS applications by introducing techniques like Compromise via SaaS Integration or Third-Party SaaS Vendor Exploitation.
Enhance Command and Control Tactics for Cloud Environments
Observation
The Command and Control tactic includes general techniques for establishing and maintaining control over compromised systems, but it could be expanded to include more cloud-specific scenarios.
Recommendations
Add Cloud-Native Command and Control Techniques
Include techniques that cover how attackers might use cloud-native tools and services to maintain command and control in a compromised environment.
Example
Command and Control via Cloud Management Interfaces, which would address how attackers use legitimate cloud management tools to control compromised assets.
Address Serverless and Container-Based C2 Channels
Introduce techniques that explain how attackers might use serverless functions or containers as part of their command and control infrastructure.
Example
C2 via Serverless Functions, detailing how attackers could exploit serverless architectures to hide their command and control channels.
These suggested changes would enhance the MITRE ATT&CK Framework’s relevance and effectiveness in addressing the unique challenges posed by modern SaaS applications and rapidly evolving attack techniques. This would ensure that the framework remains a vital tool for organizations looking to improve their cybersecurity defenses.
Conclusion
As cyber threats continue to evolve, particularly with the increasing use of SaaS applications, it is crucial for the tools we rely on, like the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, to adapt accordingly. The smash-and-grab tactics identified in recent research highlight significant gaps in the framework's ability to address modern, high-speed attacks that bypass traditional methods like persistence and lateral movement. By expanding the framework to better cover SaaS-specific threats, enhancing its focus on credential-based attacks, and introducing new tactics like supply chain compromise, the MITRE ATT&CK Framework can remain a critical resource in the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity. These improvements would not only help organizations better defend against current threats but also ensure they are prepared for the challenges posed by emerging technologies and attack patterns.
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