Common MITRE ATT&CK Techniques Seen in OT Incidents

MITRE ATT&CK in OT Environments

In today’s industrial landscape, Operational Technology (OT) environments are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks. These environments, critical to industries such as manufacturing, energy, utilities, and transportation, often rely on legacy systems that are vulnerable to evolving cyber threats. One of the most effective frameworks for understanding and addressing these cyber threats is MITRE ATT&CK.

The MITRE ATT&CK framework, widely known in the IT and cybersecurity community, is a knowledge base that maps adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). While initially developed for IT networks, the framework has proven invaluable in the OT domain, where attackers are increasingly targeting industrial control systems (ICS) and IoT devices.

This article explores the most common MITRE ATT&CK techniques observed in OT incidents, highlighting how they manifest in real-world scenarios, the implications for industrial security, and strategies to protect OT systems.

Understanding OT Incidents: The Cybersecurity Landscape

Operational Technology systems manage physical processes in critical industries. These systems include industrial control systems (ICS) such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and other embedded devices. They control processes like power distribution, water treatment, oil and gas pipelines, and factory automation.

OT environments differ significantly from IT networks. OT devices often run on proprietary protocols, use outdated or unsupported software, and are integrated into networks that may have limited security oversight. When these systems are compromised, the consequences can be catastrophic, leading to physical damage, financial loss, and even threats to human life.

The rise in cyberattacks targeting OT systems has increased the need for advanced cybersecurity measures. One such measure is leveraging the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which offers a systematic approach to identifying and mitigating the TTPs employed by adversaries.

Common MITRE ATT&CK Techniques in OT Incidents

1. Initial Access Techniques

Initial access is the first step in any attack, and several techniques are used to gain access to OT systems.

• Exploitation of Remote Services (T1076): Attackers often exploit vulnerabilities in remote access services to gain entry into OT networks. In OT environments, these services could be used to remotely manage SCADA systems or access IoT devices. The use of default credentials or poor configuration practices can further exacerbate these risks.
• Spearphishing (T1566): Just as in traditional IT environments, spearphishing is a common method used by attackers to compromise OT systems. Malicious emails, often targeting human operators or administrators, can deliver malware or credentials that allow attackers to gain a foothold within OT networks.
• External Remote Services (T1133): Many OT systems rely on third-party service providers for maintenance and support. This creates an opportunity for attackers to exploit external connections to access OT networks. By targeting the remote services, attackers can bypass traditional security controls.

2. Execution Techniques

Once inside an OT environment, attackers execute commands to further their attack.

• Command and Scripting Interpreter (T1059): Adversaries may use scripting languages like PowerShell or Python to execute malicious code on OT devices. By utilizing these interpreters, attackers can bypass detection methods and execute their payloads stealthily within OT systems.
• PowerShell (T1059.001): PowerShell scripts are often leveraged to interact with OT devices, manipulate settings, or exfiltrate data. The ability to run PowerShell commands remotely on OT systems allows attackers to control these devices without raising immediate suspicion.

3. Persistence Techniques

Persistence ensures that attackers maintain access to OT systems over time, even if initial compromises are detected and remediated.

• Create or Modify System Process (T1543): Attackers may create or modify system processes that enable them to maintain control over compromised OT devices. This technique can allow adversaries to manipulate critical infrastructure processes without being detected.
• Registry Run Keys/Startup Folder (T1547): Attackers often place malicious code in registry run keys or startup folders on OT systems. By doing this, the malware is triggered whenever the system reboots, ensuring the attacker maintains control.

4. Privilege Escalation

In OT incidents, elevating privileges allows attackers to gain more control over critical devices and systems.

• Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068): Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in OT systems to escalate their privileges. Once an attacker gains access to a less privileged account, they may exploit vulnerabilities to elevate their access to higher-privileged accounts that control critical infrastructure.
• Bypass User Account Control (T1088): In some cases, attackers may bypass security controls like User Account Control (UAC) to run commands with elevated privileges. This is especially common in OT systems that run legacy software without modern access controls.

5. Defense Evasion Techniques

Defense evasion techniques help attackers avoid detection and maintain stealth within the OT network.

• Obfuscated Files or Information (T1027): Attackers often obfuscate their malware to evade detection by security tools. In OT environments, where the focus on cybersecurity is typically lower, obfuscation makes it harder to identify malicious activities, even during routine network scans.
• Indicator Removal from Tools (T1070): Attackers may remove evidence of their presence by deleting logs, clearing traces of their actions, or using tools that avoid detection by traditional security systems. This makes it difficult for incident responders to understand the scope of the attack.

6. Credential Dumping (T1003)

Credential dumping is a common technique where attackers collect login credentials from OT systems to move laterally within the environment or access higher-level systems. By stealing credentials, attackers can impersonate legitimate users and gain deeper access into critical devices and networks.

• Credential Dumping through LSASS (T1003.001): Attackers use tools to dump credentials from the LSASS (Local Security Authority Subsystem Service) process. In OT environments, where weak or shared credentials are common, this can lead to significant security breaches.

7. Lateral Movement

Lateral movement allows attackers to move across OT networks to access other vulnerable systems or critical infrastructure.

• Remote Services (T1021): Once attackers gain access to an OT system, they may use remote services like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to move laterally through the network. RDP is commonly used in industrial environments to access SCADA systems or control devices, making it a prime target for adversaries.
• Internal Spearphishing (T1534): Internal spearphishing is used by attackers to target internal employees with malicious emails containing links or attachments. These emails aim to infect internal systems and expand the scope of the attack within the OT network.

8. Impact Techniques

The goal of any cyberattack is to disrupt the functionality of the target system. In OT environments, this impact can range from system downtime to physical damage.

• Data Destruction (T1485): Attackers may destroy data critical to OT systems, causing downtime or rendering systems inoperable. In industries like energy or manufacturing, this can have catastrophic consequences.
• Denial of Service (T1499): A denial of service (DoS) attack disrupts the availability of critical OT systems, leading to widespread operational disruption. This is especially damaging in environments where real-time data processing is crucial.

Mitigating MITRE ATT&CK Techniques in OT Environments

To defend against these common MITRE ATT&CK techniques, organizations should implement a multi-layered cybersecurity approach:

1. Network Segmentation and Access Control: By segmenting OT and IT networks, organizations can reduce the risk of lateral movement and limit the impact of a breach. Access control should be strict, ensuring only authorized personnel can access critical systems.
2. Regular Patching and Updates: Ensure that all OT devices and systems are regularly updated to minimize vulnerabilities. Many OT devices rely on outdated software that is easily exploitable by attackers.
3. Strong Authentication Mechanisms: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access to OT systems. This adds an additional layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.
4. Threat Detection and Monitoring: Invest in advanced threat detection and monitoring tools that are capable of identifying suspicious activities and anomalies in real time. This allows organizations to quickly detect and respond to potential attacks.
5. Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly test an incident response plan to ensure that your team is prepared for OT-specific cybersecurity incidents. This should include coordination with law enforcement and third-party vendors.

Conclusion

The evolving landscape of cyber threats requires OT organizations to adopt a proactive cybersecurity stance. By understanding the MITRE ATT&CK techniques commonly seen in OT incidents, organizations can better prepare their defenses and respond effectively to attacks. A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, including threat detection, response plans, and continuous monitoring, is essential to safeguarding OT systems from adversaries.