The Cyber Kill Chain, developed by Lockheed Martin, describes the stages an attacker follows to compromise a system or network. Understanding these phases is crucial for identifying, preventing, and mitigating cybersecurity threats.
Today, I explored this concept in-depth by completing the Cyber Kill Chain room on TryHackMe, which provided hands-on exercises to reinforce these ideas. Below is a breakdown of each phase:
1. Reconnaissance
What is it?
This is the phase where attackers gather information about the target, including IP addresses, domain names, employees, systems, and software in use.
How is it done?
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): Using tools like Maltego or Shodan.
Social Engineering: Identifying targets through social media or corporate websites.
TryHackMe Insight:
During the room, I learned how attackers use OSINT tools to collect data and identify potential vulnerabilities. It demonstrated how easy it is for attackers to gather sensitive information if it's publicly available.
2. Weaponization
What is it?
In this stage, the attacker creates the "weapon" that will be used to exploit the target, such as malware, exploits, or malicious scripts.
TryHackMe Insight:
The exercise explained how payloads are created and the importance of knowing common file types used for malware delivery.
3. Delivery
What is it?
This is the method used by the attacker to deliver the weapon to the target.
TryHackMe Insight:
I practiced identifying phishing attempts and malicious links, which are common delivery mechanisms.
4. Exploitation
What is it?
The attacker exploits a vulnerability in the target’s system to execute the attack.
TryHackMe Insight:
This phase emphasized the importance of keeping systems updated to minimize vulnerabilities.
5. Installation
What is it?
At this stage, the attacker installs a foothold in the compromised system, such as a backdoor or trojan.
TryHackMe Insight:
The hands-on exercise showed how attackers establish persistence, and I learned ways to detect these actions using monitoring tools.
6. Command and Control (C2)
What is it?
The attacker establishes a secure communication channel between the compromised system and their control server.
TryHackMe Insight:
The room explained how attackers use encrypted channels to communicate with their tools and demonstrated ways to detect unusual outbound traffic.
7. Actions on Objectives
What is it?
At this stage, the attacker executes their final goal, such as stealing data, installing ransomware, or compromising additional systems.
TryHackMe Insight:
I explored real-world scenarios where attackers exfiltrate data and execute ransomware. The exercise highlighted the importance of having robust incident response strategies.
How TryHackMe Helped Me
This practical learning experience gave me hands-on insights into how each stage of the Cyber Kill Chain unfolds. The room also provided techniques to recognize and mitigate threats at each phase. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in strengthening their cybersecurity knowledge.
You can check out the room here: Cyber Kill Chain - TryHackMe
I hope this post helps you understand how cyberattacks progress and how defenders can disrupt them. If you’re curious about this topic or have any questions, let’s discuss it in the comments!
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