Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems generate numerous alerts daily, making it difficult for security teams to identify genuine threats promptly. The MITRE ATT&CK (Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge) framework bridges this gap, offering a structured way to transform SIEM alerts into actionable insights. This blog provides a step-by-step approach to mapping SIEM alerts to MITRE ATT&CK and explains its benefits for enhancing threat detection and incident response.

What is the MITRE ATT&CK Framework?

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a globally recognized knowledge base of adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). It provides a standardized taxonomy that helps organizations effectively understand and respond to cybersecurity threats.

Core Components of the Framework

  • Tactics: High-level objectives attackers aim to achieve (e.g., Initial Access, Persistence).
  • Techniques: Methods used to accomplish tactics (e.g., Credential Dumping).
  • Sub-techniques: Specific approaches under a technique (e.g., NTDS Dumping under Credential Dumping).
  • Integrating SIEM alerts with this framework helps security teams gain deeper insights into potential attack patterns and respond effectively.

Why Map SIEM Alerts to MITRE ATT&CK?

  1. Improved Contextualization: Mapping SIEM alerts to ATT&CK techniques connects isolated events to broader attack patterns, providing a more precise context for potential threats.
  2. Comprehensive Threat Detection: The ATT&CK framework ensures complete coverage of all adversary tactics and techniques, helping identify gaps in detection rules and enhancing overall visibility.
  3. Streamlined Incident Response: Categorizing alerts by ATT&CK techniques enables security teams to prioritize high-impact threats, accelerating response times.
  4. Proactive Threat Hunting: By analyzing mapped alerts, security teams can anticipate adversary movements and implement preventive measures before an attack escalates.
MITRE ATT&CK TACTICS

MITRE ATT&CK TACTICS

How to Map SIEM Alerts to MITRE ATT&CK: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Identify Relevant SIEM Alerts

  • Filter SIEM alerts to focus on events with security implications.
  • Remove routine system activities to avoid false positives.

Example:

  • Alert: Repeated failed login attempts followed by success.
  • Mapped Tactic: Credential Access.
  • Mapped Technique: Brute Force (T1110).

Step 2: Map Alerts to ATT&CK Tactics

  • Categorize each alert by its associated ATT&CK tactic, such as Initial Access, Execution, or Exfiltration.
  • Use the official MITRE ATT&CK framework as a reference.

Example:

  • Alert: Unusual data transfer to an external IP.
  • Mapped Tactic: Exfiltration.
  • Mapped Technique: Data Exfiltration Over Unencrypted Channels (T1048).

Step 3: Map Alerts to Techniques and Sub-techniques

  • Analyze alert details (log source, timestamp, and event description) to identify specific techniques and sub-techniques.

Example:

  • Alert: Phishing email with a malicious attachment.
  • Mapped Tactic: Initial Access.
  • Mapped Technique: Phishing (T1566).
  • Mapped Sub-technique: Spear Phishing Attachment (T1566.001).

Step 4: Analyze and Prioritize Alerts

  • Group alerts to identify patterns, such as coordinated attacks or lateral movement.
  • Prioritize alerts based on their severity, potential impact, and likelihood of exploitation.

Step 5: Integrate with Incident Response

  • Embed mapped alerts into your incident response workflow.
  • Use the MITRE ATT&CK framework to refine detection rules and enhance threat-hunting processes.

MITRE ATT&CK FRAMEWORK

Real-World Use Cases

Detecting Spear Phishing

  • Alert: Malicious email detected.
  • Mapped Tactic: Initial Access.
  • Mapped Technique: Phishing (T1566).

Identifying Lateral Movement

  • Alert: Unauthorized Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection.
  • Mapped Tactic: Lateral Movement.
  • Mapped Technique: Remote Desktop Protocol (T1021).

Responding to Malware Execution

  • Alert: Suspicious file executions on multiple systems.
  • Mapped Tactic: Execution.
  • Mapped Technique: Malicious File (T1204).

Benefits of MITRE ATT&CK Integration

  1. Improved Threat Visibility: Understand attacker tactics and techniques in context.
  2. Enhanced Defense Strategies: Identify and address gaps in detection and response.
  3. Faster Incident Resolution: Prioritize and respond to high-impact alerts quickly.
  4. Proactive Cybersecurity: Stay ahead of adversaries with a structured approach.

Conclusion

Mapping SIEM alerts to the MITRE ATT&CK framework empowers organizations to bridge the gap between raw data and actionable threat intelligence. By contextualizing alerts, identifying detection gaps, and streamlining incident response, security teams can build a proactive defense against sophisticated adversaries. This integration provides a robust, proactive approach to cybersecurity, enabling security teams to effectively detect, respond, and prevent sophisticated cyber threats.