☁️
CTHFM: Azure
  • Welcome
  • Getting Started
    • Account Setup
      • Account Creation Instructions
  • Azure Fundamentals
    • Azure Fundamentals Overview
      • Azure Documentation
      • Azure Entra
      • Azure Hierarchy
      • Identities
      • Azure Entra Roles
      • Azure RBAC
      • Azure Licensing Overview
        • Azure Entra ID Premium Licenses Comparison
      • Azure Shared Responsibility Model
      • Azure Frameworks
      • Azure Security Services
      • Conditional Access Policies
        • How Conditional Access Policies Work
        • Benefits of Conditional Access
        • Best Practices for Conditional Access
        • Conditions for Conditional Access
        • Conditional Access Controls
        • Sign-In Risk and Identity Protection
        • Conditional Access Session Control
        • Name Locations IP Location
      • Azure Quotas
      • Azure Tokens
        • Access Tokens
        • ID Tokens
        • Refresh Tokens
          • Invalidate Refresh Tokens
        • Primary Refresh Tokens
        • Continuous Access Evaluation (CAE)
        • Token Protection: Conditional Access (Public Preview)
  • Azure CLI
    • Introduction to Azure CLI
    • Installing Azure CLI
    • CLI Commands
    • Resource Group Management
    • Creating and Managing Resources with Azure CLI
    • Managing IAM
    • Azure CLI Automation
    • Monitoring and Troubleshooting in Azure CLI
    • Azure CLI Overview
      • Azure CLI: Linux
      • Azure CLI: Windows
      • Azure CLI: MacOS
  • KQL
    • KQL Overview
      • KQL Introduction
      • Data Types
      • Quick Reference
      • Render
      • Basic Queries
  • Powershell
    • PowerShell for Azure
      • Powershell Documentation
      • Powershell Basics
      • Understanding Powershell Variables
      • Understanding Cmdlets
      • Powershell Console & ISE
      • Powershell: Entra Module
        • Module Reference & Getting Started
      • Powershell: Azure Module
        • Installation Instructions
        • Powershell Azure CLI: Windows
        • Powershell Azure CLI: Linux
        • Powershell Azure CLI: MacOS
        • Example Azure Cmdlets
  • Bicep
    • Bicep File Structure
    • Variable Types
  • Azure Logging References
    • Logging
      • Log Retention Strategies
      • Azure Log Types
      • Azure Activity Logs
        • Administrative Event Schema
        • Service Health Notification Schema
        • Resource Health
        • Alert Category
        • Autoscale
        • Security
        • Recommendation
        • Policy
      • Entra ID Logging
        • Identity Based Logs
          • Audit Logs
          • Sign-In Logs
            • AADNonInteractiveUserSignInLogs
            • AADManagedIdentitySignInLogs
            • AADServicePrincipalSignInLogs
            • First Party Sign-In Activity
          • Provisioning Logs (AADProvisioningLogs)
          • Microsoft Graph Activity
          • Identity Protection
            • Risk Detections
            • AADRiskyServicePrincipals
            • AADRiskyUsers
            • AADUserRiskEvents
            • AADServicePrincipalRiskEvents
        • Additional Entra ID Logs
      • Azure Key Vault
        • Azure Key Vault Logging Overview
      • Network Watcher
        • RBAC Permissions
        • Flow Log Types
          • NSG Flow Log Schema
          • VNET Flow Log Schema
        • Enabling Logs
          • NSG Flow Logs
          • VNET Flow Logs
        • Packet Capture
          • Packet Capture: VM
          • Packet Capture: Scale Sets
      • Compute Resources
        • Azure Monitor Agent
        • VM Insights
          • VM Insights Tables
      • Storage Accounts
        • Storage Account Logging
          • File
            • Enable StorageFileLogs
            • StorageFileLogs
          • Blob
            • Enable Blob Logging
            • StorageBlobLogs
          • Queue
            • Enable Queue Logging
            • StorageQueueLogs Table
          • Table
            • Enable Table Logging
            • StorageTableLogs Table
      • Azure App Service
        • Log Types
        • Enabling Logging
      • Azure Monitor
        • Resource Logs
          • Resource Log Top Level Documentation
        • Log Analytics Workspace
          • Setup
        • Workbooks
        • Dashboards
        • Alerts
        • Azure Monitor Documentation
      • Defender for Cloud
      • Intune
      • Sysmon
      • Purview Audit Log Schema
      • Kubernetes Audit Log (AKS)
  • Threat Hunting
    • Threat Hunting in Azure
      • Threat Hunting Introduction
      • Threat Hunting Process
        • Hypothesis Generation
        • Investigation
        • Identification
        • Resolution & Follow Up
      • Pyramid of Pain
      • Azure Threat Hunting Ideas
      • Hands On Threat Hunting Examples
      • OSINT Feeds
  • Sigma
    • Sigma Rule Structure
  • Microsoft Defender TI
    • Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence
      • Data Sets
      • Reputational Scoring
      • Analyst Insights
      • Microsoft Defender TI: Copilot Integration
  • MITRE Att&ck
    • MITRE Att&ck
      • MITRE Att&ck Concepts
      • MITRE Data Sources
      • MITRE Att&ck Mitigations
      • MITRE Att&ck: Azure
        • MITRE Att&CK: Azure Security Control Mapping
  • Microsoft Resources
    • Microsoft Incident Response Ninja Hub
    • Microsoft Defender XDR Ninja Hub
  • Azure Threat Research Matrix (ATRM)
  • Security Research & Resources
    • Azure Goat
    • Azure Security Research
      • Azure Related CVEs
  • Defender XDR
    • Defender XDR Overview
    • Defender XDR Licensing
    • Defender XDR Default Retention
    • Defender XDR Advanced Hunting Table Schemas
    • Automated Response Requirements
    • Supported Response Actions
  • Azure Sentinel
    • Sentinel Overview
    • Azure Sentinel Deployments
    • Supported Data
    • Workbook, Playbook, Notebook Comparison
    • Sentinel Workbooks
    • Entities
    • User and Entity Behavior Analytics
    • Anomaly Detection
    • Mult-Stage Attack Detection
    • Sentinel: Az CLI
  • Microsoft Defender
    • Microsoft Defender for Cloud References
    • Defender for Cloud: Az CLI
  • Azure Policy
    • Azure Policy
    • Azure Policy Components
    • Azure Policy Rules
    • Scope Azure Policy
    • Policy Assignments
    • Policy Effect
    • Initiative Definition
    • Policy Parameters
    • Remediation Task Structure
    • Use Cases for Azure Policy
    • Azure Policy: Az CLI
  • Intune
    • Intune Overview
    • Intune Licensing
    • Intune API Permission Scopes
    • Intune Sample Script Resources
  • Intune Logging
    • Configure Logging
    • Logging Schema References
    • Intune Queries and Resources
  • Windows Host Security
    • Windows System Architecture and OS Fundamentals
    • SysInternals
    • Basic vs Advanced Security Auditing
    • Sysmon
  • Adversary Emulation
    • AzureHound
    • AADInternals
      • Install
    • RoadTools
      • Install
    • Oh365UserFinder
    • GraphRunner
  • Incident Response
    • Incident Response
      • Azure IR Program Development Cheat Sheet
      • Azure IR Playbooks (MS Guidance)
      • Ransomware (MS Guidance)
  • Automation
    • Automation Overview
    • Logic Apps
      • How Logic Apps Work
      • Logic App Types
      • Triggers
      • Connectors
      • Conditional Logic and Control Flow
      • APIs in Logic Apps
      • Handling Large Workflows with Stateful Logic Apps
      • External Service Integration
      • Securing, Managing, and Scaling Azure Logic Apps
      • Logic Apps: Az CLI
  • Packet Analysis
    • Wireshark Cheatsheet
    • TShark Cheatsheet
    • TCPDUMP Cheatsheet
    • Protocol Analysis Basics
    • HTTP Response Code Cheatsheet
    • RFC Protocol Mappings
    • PCAP Acquisition
  • Detection Lab
    • Detection Lab Introduction
    • Account Creation Instructions
    • Enable MFA Within Azure Tenant
    • Create an Azure Admin With Cloud Shell
    • Setup and Install Instructions
  • VSCode and Code Setup
  • Deploying Code
  • Enabling Logs for Log Analytics Workspace
  • Logging Into Windows VM
  • Verifying Logs in Log Analytics Workspace
  • Creating Detections: Azure Monitor
  • Cost Management: Billing Alarms
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Overview
  • 1. Hash Values
  • 2. IP Addresses
  • 3. Domain Names
  • 4. Network/Host Artifacts
  • 5. Tools
  • 6. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)
  • 7. Adversary Intent/Goals
  1. Threat Hunting
  2. Threat Hunting in Azure

Pyramid of Pain

Last updated 11 months ago

Overview

The Pyramid of Pain is a framework designed to help cybersecurity professionals understand the effectiveness of different types of indicators in detecting and responding to cyber threats. Developed by David Bianco, the pyramid categorizes indicators based on how difficult they are for adversaries to change, and thus, how much "pain" they inflict on attackers when these indicators are effectively utilized by defenders. Here’s a breakdown of each level of the Pyramid of Pain:

1. Hash Values

At the base of the pyramid are hash values, which are unique identifiers generated from the contents of a file. Hash values are easy for defenders to use in identifying known malicious files. However, they are also easy for attackers to alter by making minor changes to their malware, thereby generating a new hash. This makes hash values the least painful for adversaries to overcome.

2. IP Addresses

The next level up includes IP addresses. While IP addresses can be useful in identifying the source or destination of network traffic associated with malicious activity, attackers can change these relatively easily. They might use proxy servers, VPNs, or compromised systems to alter their apparent IP address.

3. Domain Names

Domain names, used for identifying and locating computers on networks, are slightly more challenging for adversaries to change frequently. However, techniques like fast flux (rapidly changing DNS records) and domain generation algorithms (DGAs) can still allow adversaries to evade detection based on static domain lists.

4. Network/Host Artifacts

This category includes specific elements that might be left on a host or network, such as unique malware file paths, registry changes, or persistent configurations. These artifacts can provide more reliable indicators of compromise (IoCs) because they require more effort for an adversary to modify extensively across different attacks.

5. Tools

The tools that attackers use (e.g., software kits, exploit tools) are harder to replace or alter without significant cost or effort. Detecting and blocking specific tools can disrupt an attacker’s operations more substantially, as it forces them to develop or acquire new capabilities.

6. Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)

TTPs are the behaviors and methods used by attackers in their operations. Understanding and identifying TTPs are highly effective for defense because they are harder for adversaries to change. This level correlates with frameworks like the MITRE ATT&CK, which documents common TTPs used by threat actors.

7. Adversary Intent/Goals

At the top of the pyramid, understanding the adversaries' overarching goals or strategic intents is the most painful for them to mitigate against. If defenders can anticipate and counter the objectives of an attack, they can implement strategic defenses that preemptively disrupt attackers' plans.

The Pyramid of Pain highlights that while basic indicators like hashes and IP addresses are useful, they often result in lower-impact defenses. As defenders move up the pyramid, the indicators become more challenging for attackers to adjust, leading to more effective and enduring security measures.

https://phxtechsol.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Screenshot-2020-09-21-at-18.10.29-scaled-1.jpg