Importance of Mitre Attack Framework

In continuation of our cyber journey , the very important that all the cyber professional have in-hand is MITRE ATTACK FRAMEWORK.

What is Mitre?

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a globally accessible, knowledge-based resource that catalogs the tactics and techniques used by adversaries during a cyberattack. The name "ATT&CK" is an acronym for Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge. It's a comprehensive matrix that breaks down the different stages of an attack, from initial access to command and control, and then details the specific methods an attacker might use to achieve their goals within each stage. Security professionals, including threat hunters, incident responders, and red teams, use this framework to understand adversary behavior, assess their organization's security posture, and develop more effective defenses. It provides a common language for describing cyberattacks, which helps in improving communication and collaboration within the cybersecurity community. The framework is not a tool but rather a model that helps to organize and structure information about how cyberattacks are carried out.

What it Contains?

It contains the TTP’s [ Tactics , Techniques , Procedure] for few technique there can be Sub-Techniques will also be there.

Highlighted in Red is Tactics

Highlighted in Blue is Technique

The section that has Black marking contains Sub-Techniques

Mitre Information :

Every Mitre Techniques has the specific layout :

1. Description about the technique

2. Procedure Example

3. Mitigation

4. Detection

5. References

what do they mean?

1. Description about the Technique: It explains about the technique information for ex : Content-Injection- it tells how this technique is used by other adversaries and definition about it.

2. Procedure Example: This is Rock-Solid, it explain how the attacker has used this technique to achieve the objectives in a real-world scenario.

3. Mitigation : From the specific technique , how can you prevent from this technique and add the additional layer of defenser.

4. Detection: Often called as Detection Source , this actually provides the evidence of the technique that is being used by the attacker.

5. Reference : Worth to read , how other authors are utilising it and adding into the attack flow.

What is TTP’s?

• Tactics (the "why"): This is the high-level objective or goal of the attacker. Think of it as the chapter titles in the playbook. Examples include "Initial Access" (the goal is to get into the network), "Credential Access" (the goal is to steal login details), or "Exfiltration" (the goal is to steal data).

• Techniques (the "how"): This is the general method an attacker uses to achieve a tactic. It's the heading within a chapter. For example, to achieve the "Initial Access" tactic, an attacker might use the technique of "Phishing." To achieve "Credential Access," they might use the technique of "OS Credential Dumping."

• Procedures (the "what"): This is the specific, detailed implementation of a technique. It's the actual step-by-step instructions in the playbook. For example, the procedure for the "OS Credential Dumping" technique might involve using a specific tool like Mimikatz on a Windows server to extract credentials from memory.

Mapping

Mapping of Mitre Tactics, Technique really depends on the Attacker Objectives [ For ex: Brand Reputation , Exfiltration , Execution of Malicious process , Ransomware etc..,]

How do we map?

Let’s understand from the below scenario

You’re working in a Incident Response team and security tool flags an alert:
Suspicious access to lsass.exe using procdump64.exe.
Upon investigation, you identify that an attacker gained a foothold via phishing, escalated privileges, and attempted lateral movement using dumped credentials

Step 1: Understand the Attacker’s Action or Log Event

Ask: “What exactly did the attacker do?”

Examples:

• Ran procdump.exe on lsass.exe → Goal: steal credentials.

• Used powershell -EncodedCommand → Goal: execute a script.

• Modified registry run keys → Goal: persistence after reboot.

Step 2: Determine the ATT&CK Tactic (the 'Why')

Now, ask: “What was the attacker trying to achieve with this action?”

Tactics are always about intent. One action might serve multiple tactics depending on context.

Step 3: Identify the Technique and Sub-Technique (the 'How')

Ask: “How did the attacker achieve that tactic?”

Now map to a technique and then, if available, to a sub-technique.

Pro Tips for Accurate Mapping

1. Start With the Evidence

Use EDR alerts, Sysmon logs, audit logs, memory dumps, or command-line history. You can’t map what you don’t understand.

2. One Action = One Technique

Don’t overmap. For example, just because PowerShell was used doesn’t mean you map every related PowerShell technique. Focus on what the command actually did.

3. Context is Everything

If RDP is used:

• For access from outside = TA0001 Initial Access → T1133 External Remote Services

• For moving within network = TA0008 Lateral Movement → T1021.001 Remote Services: RDP

4. Avoid Generic Buckets Unless Needed

Techniques like:

• T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter (generic)

• T1082 System Information Discovery (broad)

→ Use these only when no sub-technique or more specific match is available.

5. Validate with Known Threat Reports

Compare your mappings with public reports from Mandiant, Microsoft, Cisco Talos, or CISA advisories. Most APT and ransomware reports include ATT&CK mappings.

Practicing the above steps as per the case by case will make your MITRE Analysis stronger

Conclusion:

Correctly mapping Tactics and Techniques from the MITRE ATT&CK framework isn't just a checkbox exercise — it’s a way to standardize your security insights, align with global threat intelligence, and elevate the quality of your incident reporting, detection engineering, and threat hunting practices.

Whether you’re a SOC analyst, incident responder, or detection engineer, developing the habit of precise MITRE mapping will:

Help you understand attacker behavior with clarity Enable better collaboration across blue and red teams Make your threat reports immediately useful for decision-makers and automation systems Build a strong foundation for purple teaming and MITRE-based detection coverage reviews

Final Thoughts:

Every log has a story. Every alert reflects an intention. MITRE ATT&CK helps us turn raw signals into adversary insights.”

Start small: pick one alert, investigate it deeply, and try mapping it. Over time, this skill becomes second nature — and your entire team benefits from the shared understanding.