Threat Hunting — (Threat Intelligence)

Threat hunting is a proactive security technique that actively searches for potential threats and vulnerabilities within a network. This approach is used by security professionals to identify potential threats and mitigate them before they can cause damage to an organization. Threat intelligence, on the other hand, is the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information about current and future threats.

Threat intelligence can play a critical role in threat hunting by providing a context for threat hunters to understand the threats they are looking for and the methods and tools used by attackers. In this blog post, we’ll take a comprehensive look at how threat intelligence can be used in threat hunting, including a deep dive into the different types of threat intelligence and real-world examples of how they can be used in threat hunting.

What is Threat Intelligence?

Threat intelligence refers to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information about current and future threats. It can include information on the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by attackers, as well as information about the infrastructure, motivations, and goals of threat actors. Threat intelligence can come from a variety of sources, including:

• Open-source intelligence (OSINT): Information that is publicly available, such as news articles, social media posts, and government reports.
• Technical intelligence: Information obtained from technical sources, such as logs, network traffic, and malware samples.
• Human intelligence (HUMINT): Information obtained through direct communication with individuals, such as employees or contractors.
• Commercial intelligence: Information obtained from commercial vendors, such as security firms and threat intelligence platforms.

Types of Threat Intelligence

Threat intelligence can be divided into two main categories: strategic and tactical.

1. Strategic Threat Intelligence:

Strategic threat intelligence provides a broader understanding of the threat landscape and is used to inform long-term security strategies. This type of threat intelligence can help organizations to understand the motivations, goals, and tactics of different threat actors, and can be used to inform decision-making on investment in security technologies, personnel, and processes.

2. Tactical Threat Intelligence:

Tactical threat intelligence, on the other hand, is focused on specific, actionable intelligence that can be used to defend against immediate threats. This type of threat intelligence is used to inform short-term security operations, such as incident response and threat hunting. Tactical threat intelligence can include information on current malware campaigns, zero-day exploits, and malicious IP addresses.

How Threat Intelligence Supports Threat Hunting

Threat hunting is an iterative process that involves actively searching for threats within a network. Threat intelligence can play a critical role in threat hunting by providing a context for threat hunters to understand the threats they are looking for and the methods and tools used by attackers.

By leveraging threat intelligence, threat hunters can:

• Focus their efforts on specific threats and vulnerabilities.
• Identify the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by attackers.
• Gain insight into the infrastructure, motivations, and goals of threat actors.
• Prioritize their efforts based on the most pressing threats.
• Utilize intelligence to inform their investigations and decision-making.

Real-World Examples of Threat Intelligence in Threat Hunting

Let’s take a look at a few real-world examples of how threat intelligence can be used in threat hunting.

Example 1: Detecting Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)

Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are long-term, targeted attacks that are often used to steal sensitive data from organizations. APTs can be difficult to detect as they are often stealthy and can persist in a network for a long time before being detected. Threat intelligence can help organizations detect APTs by providing information on the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by attackers.

For example, suppose a threat intelligence report provides information on a new APT group that is known to use a specific type of malware and a specific set of infrastructure. In that case, a threat hunter can use this information to search for instances of this malware and infrastructure within their own network. If they find any matches, they can further investigate to determine if an APT has infiltrated the network.

Example 2: Detecting and Responding to Zero-Day Exploits

A zero-day exploit is a vulnerability that is actively exploited by attackers before the vendor is aware of it. Zero-day exploits can be particularly dangerous as they can be used to compromise systems before a patch is available. Threat intelligence can help organizations detect zero-day exploits by providing information on new exploits as they become known.

For example, if a threat intelligence report provides information on a new zero-day exploit in a popular software application, a threat hunter can use this information to search for instances of this software within their own network and determine if any systems are vulnerable to the exploit. If any systems are vulnerable, the threat hunter can take steps to protect the systems until a patch is available.

Example 3: Detecting Malware Campaigns

Malware campaigns are coordinated attacks that use malware to compromise multiple systems. Threat intelligence can help organizations detect malware campaigns by providing information on new malware campaigns as they are launched.

For example, suppose a threat intelligence report provides information on a new malware campaign that is using a specific type of malware. In that case, a threat hunter can use this information to search for instances of this malware within their own network. If they find any instances, they can further investigate to determine if the network has been compromised and take steps to remove the malware.

Threat intel for Red Teaming

Red teaming is a simulated attack on a system, network, or organization that is used to test its security posture and identify weaknesses. Threat intelligence plays a crucial role in red teaming by providing the red team with information on the latest threats and tactics used by attackers. This information is then used to inform the design and execution of the simulated attack, making it more realistic and effective.

For example, if a threat intelligence report provides information on a new type of phishing attack that is being used to compromise sensitive information, the red team can incorporate this information into their simulated attack. By doing so, they can test the organization’s ability to detect and respond to this type of attack and identify any areas where the organization’s defenses can be improved.

Another example of how threat intelligence can be used in red teaming is in the form of information on known vulnerabilities. If a threat intelligence report provides information on a specific vulnerability in a commonly used software application, the red team can use this information to test the organization’s ability to detect and respond to attacks that exploit this vulnerability.

Overall, threat intelligence provides red teams with a more comprehensive view of the threat landscape, allowing them to design and execute more realistic and effective simulated attacks. By using threat intelligence in red teaming, organizations can identify their weaknesses, improve their security posture, and better prepare for real-world attacks.

Conclusion

Threat intelligence is a valuable tool for threat hunters, providing them with a context for understanding the threats they are looking for and the methods and tools used by attackers. By leveraging threat intelligence, threat hunters can focus their efforts on the most pressing threats, prioritize their efforts, and utilize intelligence to inform their investigations and decision-making.

It’s important to remember that threat intelligence is just one tool in the threat hunter’s toolkit and should be used in conjunction with other security tools and techniques. A comprehensive threat-hunting program should also include regular security assessments, penetration testing, and incident response planning.

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