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Impair Defenses

What is "Impair Defenses"?

"Impair Defenses" is a sub-category within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the "Defense Evasion" tactic. This category encompasses techniques that adversaries use to avoid detection by disabling or interfering with security measures in place on a system. These defenses can include antivirus programs, event logging, firewall settings, and other security monitoring tools that are designed to detect malicious activities.

How Do Attackers Impair Defenses?

  1. Disable or Modify Tools: Adversaries may disable security software or modify their configurations to evade detection. This can be achieved by killing processes related to security tools, modifying registry values, or altering configuration files.

  2. Impair Command and Control Data: By manipulating network traffic or disabling network-based services required for security tool communication, attackers can prevent these tools from updating or sending alerts.

  3. Deception via Rootkit Installation: Rootkits allow attackers to hide their presence on a system by intercepting and manipulating operating system calls. They can hide files, processes, and network connections from monitoring tools.

  4. Log Manipulation: Adversaries may clear event logs or manipulate log entries to hide their tracks or confuse forensic analysis.

  5. Indicator Blocking: This involves blocking security tools from receiving indications of compromise (IoCs) by altering firewall rules or modifying host-based intrusion detection configurations.

Where is "Impair Defenses" Applied?

These techniques are typically applied at various levels within an IT environment:

  • Endpoint Devices: On workstations and servers where local security tools are installed.
  • Network Devices: On firewalls, routers, and other network devices where network traffic analysis and filtering occur.
  • Cloud Environments: In cloud-based infrastructure where cloud-native security features might be disabled or misconfigured.

Why Do Attackers Impair Defenses?

The primary objective of impairing defenses is to maintain persistence within a target environment without being detected. By disabling security mechanisms:

  • Attackers can execute malicious activities more freely.
  • The risk of being discovered by automated monitoring tools is reduced.
  • The effectiveness of manual forensic investigations is diminished.

This approach allows adversaries more time to explore the environment, access sensitive data, establish additional footholds, and potentially escalate privileges while avoiding triggering alerts that could lead to containment and eradication efforts by defenders.

In conclusion, "Impair Defenses" represents a critical set of techniques within the broader context of cyber threats aimed at undermining the effectiveness of defensive measures through various means of manipulation and disruption. Understanding these techniques helps in fortifying defenses against sophisticated cyber attacks.