MITRE ATTACK Framework: 2024 Updates and Enhancements

In 2022, Cyber Citadel released a comprehensive video explaining the MITRE ATT&CK Framework: what it is, how it is compiled, and how best to use it. Since then, MITRE has updated and introduced new features to its ATT&CK framework, and we thought it was time to highlight these for any business that relies on MITRE for their cybersecurity hygiene and to draw attention to this service for businesses missing out.

The Evolution of the MITRE ATT&CK Framework

The MITRE ATT&CK framework has been a critical resource for mapping out tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by adversaries across various stages of an attack. It provides a structured approach for organizations to research and learn to defend against known threats and thereby enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.

In 2022, the framework was organized into matrices, a condensed format for visualizing information arranged into columns of tactics and rows of techniques, and detail how defenders could mitigate these threats. These matrices are categorized into Enterprise, Mobile, and Industrial Control Systems (ICS). The Enterprise category contains matrices focusing on different operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS as well as data services like cloud computing platforms.

Fast forward to 2024, and the MITRE ATT&CK framework has undergone significant evolution to reflect the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape. One of the most notable updates is the expansion of its coverage to include cloud environments, internet of things (IoT), and operational technology (OT).

The 2024 framework also integrates threat intelligence and real-time data feeds, which allows organizations to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and tactics and which facilitates continuous monitoring and assessment, now widely recognized as a pillar of good cybersecurity posture. This dynamic approach ensures that defenders are not just responding to historical threats but are prepared for emerging attack approaches.

Enhanced Features and Functionality

The user interface and accessibility of the framework have seen significant improvements. In 2024, MITRE ATT&CK offers enhanced visualization tools, interactive features, and integration capabilities with other cybersecurity tools and platforms.

One of these new features is an attack simulation tool called the MITRE ATT&CK Navigator. This web-based tool is used to visualize defensive coverage, plan attack simulations (red-team exercises) and defensive strategies against these attacks by the blue-team. The tool can also be used to monitor the frequency of detected techniques. You can filter the MITRE ATT&CK Navigator based on whether you are concerned with Enterprise, Mobile, or ICS attacks, and sub-filter by platform or operating system, and even the threat actors currently operating.

Whether you are a security analyst, incident responder, or threat intelligence researcher, these updates make it easier to navigate and apply the wealth of information provided by MITRE ATT&CK in practical scenarios.

The MITRE ATT&CK framework also provides a valuable tool to organize data and create defensive strategies which are more readily presentable to C-suite executives more concerned with overall progress in security posture improvement and the management of cyber risk.

Community and Collaboration

The MITRE ATT&CK framework has fostered a vibrant community of cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and organizations. Through collaborative efforts and feedback loops, the framework continues to evolve, ensuring it remains a relevant and indispensable tool in the fight against cyber threats.

By sharing insights, best practices, and threat intelligence, this community-driven approach strengthens the overall resilience of global cybersecurity defenses.

Prospects

At Cyber Citadel, we believe that the MITRE ATT&CK framework can be used in two key ways: to analyze threat actor TTPs and to map these TTPs to an organization’s defenses. In this way we aim to answer questions like:

• What methods are threat actors using for initial access, lateral movement, and exfiltration?
• Which attack TTPs is your organization robustly defended against?
• Where are the gaps in defenses?
• Are these gaps in prevention, detection, or mitigation?

Cyber Citadel embraces the new advancements in the MITRE ATT&CK framework and considers it an important collaborative tool for continuously updating our own TTPs and aiming to stay one step ahead of adversaries.