1. Malware
Malicious software designed to
damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to systems.
- Types: Viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware.
- Impact: Data theft, system corruption, financial loss.
- Example: Ransomware like WannaCry encrypts files and demands
payment for decryption.
2. Phishing
Social engineering attacks that
trick users into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware.
- Types: Email phishing, spear phishing, smishing (SMS
phishing), vishing (voice phishing).
- Impact: Credential theft, financial fraud, data breaches.
- Example: An email pretending to be from a bank asking the user
to reset their password.
3. Denial
of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
Attacks that overwhelm systems,
networks, or services to make them unavailable to users.
- Types: Volume-based attacks, protocol attacks,
application-layer attacks.
- Impact: Service downtime, loss of revenue, reputational
damage.
- Example: A DDoS attack floods a website with traffic, causing
it to crash.
4. Insider
Threats
Threats originating from within the
organization, either maliciously or unintentionally.
- Types: Malicious insiders, negligent employees, compromised
accounts.
- Impact: Data leaks, intellectual property theft, sabotage.
- Example: An employee accidentally shares sensitive data on a
public forum.
5. Advanced
Persistent Threats (APTs)
Long-term targeted attacks where
attackers infiltrate a network and remain undetected for extended periods.
- Characteristics: Highly sophisticated, often state-sponsored, focused
on data exfiltration.
- Impact: Theft of sensitive data, espionage, financial loss.
- Example: APT groups like APT28 (Fancy Bear) targeting
government agencies.
6. Man-in-the-Middle
(MitM) Attacks
Attackers intercept and manipulate
communication between two parties.
- Types: Session hijacking, Wi-Fi eavesdropping, IP spoofing.
- Impact: Data theft, unauthorized transactions, credential
theft.
- Example: An attacker intercepts login credentials during an
unsecured Wi-Fi connection.
7. SQL
Injection
Exploiting vulnerabilities in web
applications to manipulate databases.
- Impact: Data theft, data corruption, unauthorized access.
- Example: Injecting malicious SQL queries into a login form to
extract user data.
8. Zero-Day
Exploits
Attacks that target previously
unknown vulnerabilities in software or hardware.
- Impact: Severe damage due to lack of patches or defenses.
- Example: Exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in a popular
operating system.
9. Credential
Stuffing
Using stolen usernames and passwords
from one breach to gain unauthorized access to other accounts.
- Impact: Account takeover, data breaches, financial fraud.
- Example: Attackers use leaked credentials to access users'
online banking accounts.
10. Insider
Threats
Threats originating from within the
organization, either maliciously or unintentionally.
- Types: Malicious insiders, negligent employees, compromised
accounts.
- Impact: Data leaks, intellectual property theft, sabotage.
- Example: An employee accidentally shares sensitive data on a
public forum.
11. Fileless
Malware
Malware that operates in memory
without leaving traces on the disk, making it harder to detect.
- Impact: Data theft, system compromise, persistence.
- Example: Using PowerShell scripts to execute malicious code in
memory.
12. Cryptojacking
Unauthorized use of a system's
resources to mine cryptocurrency.
- Impact: Reduced system performance, increased energy costs.
- Example: Malicious scripts on a website that mine
cryptocurrency using visitors' CPUs.
13. IoT-Based
Attacks
Exploiting vulnerabilities in
Internet of Things (IoT) devices to gain access to networks.
- Impact: Network compromise, data theft, DDoS attacks.
- Example: Hackers exploit weak passwords on smart cameras to
infiltrate a network.
14. Social
Engineering
Manipulating individuals into
divulging confidential information or performing actions.
- Types: Phishing, pretexting, baiting, tailgating.
- Impact: Data breaches, financial loss, unauthorized access.
- Example: An attacker poses as IT support to trick an employee
into revealing their password.
15. Supply
Chain Attacks
Compromising third-party vendors or
software to target an organization.
- Impact: Widespread damage, data breaches, reputational harm.
- Example: The SolarWinds attack, where malicious code was
inserted into a software update.
16. Fileless
Malware
Malware that operates in memory
without leaving traces on the disk, making it harder to detect.
- Impact: Data theft, system compromise, persistence.
- Example: Using PowerShell scripts to execute malicious code in
memory.
17. Cryptojacking
Unauthorized use of a system's
resources to mine cryptocurrency.
- Impact: Reduced system performance, increased energy costs.
- Example: Malicious scripts on a website that mine
cryptocurrency using visitors' CPUs.
18. IoT-Based
Attacks
Exploiting vulnerabilities in
Internet of Things (IoT) devices to gain access to networks.
- Impact: Network compromise, data theft, DDoS attacks.
- Example: Hackers exploit weak passwords on smart cameras to
infiltrate a network.
19. Social
Engineering
Manipulating individuals into
divulging confidential information or performing actions.
- Types: Phishing, pretexting, baiting, tailgating.
- Impact: Data breaches, financial loss, unauthorized access.
- Example: An attacker poses as IT support to trick an employee
into revealing their password.
20. Supply
Chain Attacks
Compromising third-party vendors or
software to target an organization.
- Impact: Widespread damage, data breaches, reputational harm.
- Example: The SolarWinds attack, where malicious code was
inserted into a software update.
SOC's
Role in Mitigating Threats
A SOC is responsible for:
- Monitoring: Continuously observing network traffic and system
logs for anomalies.
- Detection: Identifying potential threats using tools like SIEM
(Security Information and Event Management).
- Analysis: Investigating alerts to determine their severity and
impact.
- Response: Taking action to contain and remediate threats.
- Prevention: Implementing proactive measures to reduce the risk of
future attacks.
By understanding these threats, SOC teams can better defend their organizations against cyberattacks.