Creating a Brute Force Attack Diagram

Understanding the Attack Flow: Visualizing a Cyberattack

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, defending against sophisticated attacks requires a deep understanding of how threats operate. One of the most effective tools for visualizing and analyzing an attack is an attack diagram. By mapping out each stage of an attack, security professionals can better anticipate vulnerabilities and prepare defense mechanisms.

Let’s break down the diagram and explain the six phases of the attack.

Phase 1: Initial Access

The attack begins with an RDP Brute Force attack, where the attacker, using a machine running Kali Linux, attempts to gain access to a Windows Server over the internet. Brute force attacks systematically try various username-password combinations to break into the system. Once the attacker successfully authenticates, they gain access to the Windows server.

- Tools Involved: Kali Linux, Windows Server

- Tactics: Brute Forcing (RDP)

Phase 2: Discovery

After gaining access, the attacker moves into the Discovery phase. Using tools like whoami, ipconfig, netstat, and net group, they gather information about the system and network environment. This step is crucial for understanding the layout of the compromised system, including network settings, user groups, and current connections.

- Tools Involved: Built-in Windows commands like whoami, ipconfig

- Objective: Gather system information

- Tactics: System and network discovery

Phase 3: Defense Evasion

In this phase, the attacker uses HTA (HTML Application) scripts to disable security mechanisms like Windows Defender. This step ensures that future malicious activities, such as malware execution, go undetected. Disabling the defender is an essential step in ensuring the success of subsequent attack phases.

- Tools Involved: HTA scripts

- Objective: Disable security tools (Windows Defender)

- Tactics: Evasion of defenses

Phase 4: Execution

With defenses disabled, the attacker proceeds with the Execution phase. They use PowerShell IEX (Invoke-Expression) to download and execute a Mythic Agent, which communicates back to a Mythic C2 (Command and Control) server. The agent allows the attacker to execute commands and control the compromised system remotely.

- Tools Involved: PowerShell IEX, Mythic Agent, Mythic C2

- Objective: Run malicious code and maintain access

- Tactics: Remote execution of malicious code

Phase 5: Command and Control (C2)

Once the Mythic Agent is running on the Windows Server, the attacker can establish full command and control (C2). This allows the attacker to maintain persistent access to the system and perform any operations remotely. The Mythic C2 server acts as the control hub, sending commands to the agent installed on the compromised server.

- Tools Involved: Mythic C2

- Objective: Establish and maintain C2 communication

- Tactics: Command and control

Phase 6: Exfiltration

Finally, the attacker moves into the Exfiltration phase, where they extract valuable data from the compromised system. In this case, they download password files or other critical data using the Mythic C2 connection.

- Tools Involved: Mythic C2

- Objective: Steal sensitive data

- Tactics: Data exfiltration

Conclusion

This attack diagram clearly demonstrates how a cyberattack unfolds, from initial access via brute force to data exfiltration through command and control. By understanding the stages of an attack, cybersecurity professionals can implement more robust defense strategies and develop response plans for each step in the attack flow.

Visualizing an attack not only enhances our comprehension but also prepares us to counter these threats effectively. Understanding each phase helps in identifying potential weaknesses in systems and allows for proactive mitigation efforts.

This blog post provides a comprehensive explanation of the attack diagram and breaks down each phase for easier understanding.