Steve works as an analyst in a UK-based firm. He was asked to perform network monitoring to find any evidence of compromise. During the network monitoring, he came to know that there are multiple logins from different locations in a short time span. Moreover, he also observed certain irregular log in patterns from locations where the organization does not have business relations. This resembles that somebody is trying to steal confidential information.
Which of the following key indicators of compromise does this scenario present?
The scenario described by Steve's observations, where multiple logins are occurring from different locations in a short time span, especially from locations where the organization has no business relations, points to 'Geographical anomalies' as a key indicator of compromise (IoC). Geographical anomalies in logins suggest unauthorized access attempts potentially made by attackers using compromised credentials. This is particularly suspicious when the locations of these logins do not align with the normal geographical footprint of the organization's operations or employee locations. Monitoring for such anomalies can help in the early detection of unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Reference:
SANS Institute Reading Room, 'Indicators of Compromise: Reality's Version of the Minority Report'
'Identifying Indicators of Compromise' by CERT-UK
Kathy wants to ensure that she shares threat intelligence containing sensitive information with the appropriate audience. Hence, she used traffic light protocol (TLP).
Which TLP color would you signify that information should be shared only within a particular community?
In the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP), the color amber signifies that the information should be limited to those who have a need-to-know within the specified community or organization, and not further disseminated without permission. TLP Red indicates information that should not be disclosed outside of the originating organization. TLP Green indicates information that is limited to the community but can be disseminated within the community without restriction. TLP White, or TLP Clear, indicates information that can be shared freely with no restrictions. Therefore, for information meant to be shared within a particular community with some restrictions on further dissemination, TLP Amber is the appropriate designation. Reference:
FIRST (Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams) Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) Guidelines
CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) TLP Guidelines
An XYZ organization hired Mr. Andrews, a threat analyst. In order to identify the threats and mitigate the effect of such threats, Mr. Andrews was asked to perform threat modeling. During the process of threat modeling, he collected important information about the treat actor and characterized the analytic behavior of the adversary that includes technological details, goals, and motives that can be useful in building a strong countermeasure.
What stage of the threat modeling is Mr. Andrews currently in?
During the threat modeling process, Mr. Andrews is in the stage of threat profiling and attribution, where he is collecting important information about the threat actor and characterizing the analytic behavior of the adversary. This stage involves understanding the technological details, goals, motives, and potential capabilities of the adversaries, which is essential for building effective countermeasures. Threat profiling and attribution help in creating a detailed picture of the adversary, contributing to a more focused and effective defense strategy. Reference:
'The Art of Threat Profiling,' by John Pirc, SANS Institute Reading Room
'Threat Modeling: Designing for Security,' by Adam Shostack
Moses, a threat intelligence analyst at InfoTec Inc., wants to find crucial information about the potential threats the organization is facing by using advanced Google search operators. He wants to identify whether any fake websites are hosted at the similar to the organization's URL.
Which of the following Google search queries should Moses use?
The 'related:' Google search operator is used to find websites that are similar or related to a specified URL. In the context provided, Moses wants to identify fake websites that may be posing as or are similar to his organization's official site. By using the 'related:' operator followed by his organization's URL, Google will return a list of websites that Google considers to be similar to the specified site. This can help Moses identify potential impersonating websites that could be used for phishing or other malicious activities. The 'info:', 'link:', and 'cache:' operators serve different purposes; 'info:' provides information about the specified webpage, 'link:' used to be used to find pages linking to a specific URL (but is now deprecated), and 'cache:' shows the cached version of the specified webpage. Reference:
Google Search Operators Guide by Moz
Google Advanced Search Help Documentation
Which of the following characteristics of APT refers to numerous attempts done by the attacker to gain entry to the target's network?
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are characterized by their 'Multiphased' nature, referring to the various stages or phases the attacker undertakes to breach a network, remain undetected, and achieve their objectives. This characteristic includes numerous attempts to gain entry to the target's network, often starting with reconnaissance, followed by initial compromise, and progressing through stages such as establishment of a backdoor, expansion, data exfiltration, and maintaining persistence. This multiphased approach allows attackers to adapt and pursue their objectives despite potential disruptions or initial failures in their campaign. Reference:
'Understanding Advanced Persistent Threats and Complex Malware,' by FireEye
MITRE ATT&CK Framework, detailing the multiphased nature of adversary tactics and techniques
