Analysis of STIX and the 10 Top Level Cyber Threat Clusters Concept
The Structured Threat Information eXpression (STIX) is a widely adopted framework for sharing cyber threat intelligence. However, a critical examination reveals significant opportunities for enhancement, particularly in the areas of high-level threat categorization and attack path representation:
Current State of STIX
STIX provides a rich set of objects and relationships for describing cyber threat information, but it has limitations:
Objects (e.g., Threat Actor, Attack Pattern, Malware)
Describe individual elements of cyber threats
Lacks a standardized high-level categorization system
Relationships
Connect different STIX objects to represent complex scenarios
No standardized way to represent attack sequences or paths
Intrusion Set
Represent adversary behaviors and resources
Focuses on actor behaviors rather than threat categories or attack progressions
Comprehensive Analysis: Enhancing STIX with JSON Implementation Examples
The following analysis provides detailed implementation examples for extending STIX with the 10 Top-Level Cyber Threat Clusters, including specific JSON structures for each approach.
Proposal 1: Threat Cluster as STIX Domain Object
This approach introduces a new dedicated STIX object type with complete cluster specification:
- Basic Threat Cluster Object:
{
"type": "threat-cluster",
"spec_version": "2.1",
"id": "threat-cluster--a6493994-97cb-4953-a7d0-8d534e2896b3",
"created": "2024-10-27T12:00:00.000Z",
"modified": "2024-10-27T12:00:00.000Z",
"name": "Exploiting Client",
"description": "Targeting vulnerabilities in client-side software or applications.",
"external_references": [
{
"source_name": "mitre-attack",
"external_id": "T1192"
}
]
}
- Linking to Existing Objects:
{
"type": "malware",
"id": "malware--16f4f3f9-1b68-4eba-b1c9-df5c15c73d5f",
"threat-cluster-refs": [
"threat-cluster--a6493994-97cb-4953-a7d0-8d534e2896b3"
]
}
Proposal 2: Marking Definition Implementation
Using STIX marking definitions provides a lightweight categorization approach:
- Marking Definition Structure:
{
"type": "marking-definition",
"id": "marking-definition--f88d31f6-486f-44da-b317-01333bde0b82",
"created": "2024-10-27T12:00:00.000Z",
"definition_type": "threat-cluster",
"definition": {
"threat_cluster_name": "Exploiting Client",
"cluster_id": 3,
"severity_level": "high"
}
}
- Applying to STIX Objects:
{
"type": "attack-pattern",
"id": "attack-pattern--d7b066aa-4091-4276-a142-29d5d81c3484",
"object_marking_refs": [
"marking-definition--f88d31f6-486f-44da-b317-01333bde0b82"
]
}
Proposal 3: Custom Property Extension
Adding custom properties offers simple integration with existing objects:
- Extended STIX Object:
{
"type": "indicator",
"id": "indicator--2e17f6fe-3a4d-438a-911a-e509ba1b9933",
"created": "2024-10-27T12:00:00.000Z",
"x_threat_cluster": {
"name": "Exploiting Client",
"cluster_id": 3,
"confidence_score": 85
}
}
Proposal 4: Attack Path with Threat Clusters
Combining threat clusters with attack path representation:
- Attack Path Object:
{
"type": "attack-path",
"id": "attack-path--7e33d23f-93f9-4c76-8a25-5f962cba5e4c",
"created": "2024-10-27T12:00:00.000Z",
"name": "Client Exploitation Chain",
"sequence": [
"threat-cluster--social-engineering",
"threat-cluster--exploiting-client",
"threat-cluster--malware"
],
"confidence": 90,
"seen_in_campaigns": [
"campaign--83422c77-904c-4dc1-aff5-5c38f3a2c55c"
]
}
- Campaign Reference:
{
"type": "campaign",
"id": "campaign--83422c77-904c-4dc1-aff5-5c38f3a2c55c",
"attack_path_refs": [
"attack-path--7e33d23f-93f9-4c76-8a25-5f962cba5e4c"
]
}
Benefits of Integration
json definition for the 10 cyber threat clusters
Integrating the 10 Top Level Cyber Threat Clusters and attack path concept into STIX would offer several advantages:
- Provides a standardized framework for high-level threat categorization
- Enables representation and analysis of attack progressions
- Facilitates better communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Enhances strategic threat analysis and risk management capabilities
- Maintains STIX's granularity while adding crucial high-level structure
By integrating these concepts, STIX would be significantly enhanced, providing a more comprehensive and structured approach to representing, analyzing, and communicating about cyber threats. This integration bridges the gap between detailed threat data and strategic risk management, offering a more complete picture of the cyber threat landscape.
Enhancing Strategic Threat Analysis and Risk Management
By integrating the 10 Top Level Cyber Threat Clusters into STIX, organizations can achieve:
- Holistic Threat Visibility: Understand not just individual threats but how they relate to each other in the context of broader attack strategies.
- Proactive Defense Posture: Anticipate potential attack paths and implement controls to mitigate risks before exploitation occurs.
- Efficient Resource Allocation: Prioritize security investments based on the most relevant Threat Clusters and Attack Paths affecting the organization.
- Regulatory Compliance and Reporting: Use standardized categories and representations to meet compliance requirements and facilitate reporting to stakeholders.
Conclusion
Integrating the 10 Top Level Cyber Threat Clusters into the STIX framework is a strategic enhancement that aligns with the goals of improving threat intelligence sharing and provides a more structured and comprehensive approach to understanding and combating cyber threats. This integration offers significant benefits, including standardized threat categorization, attack path representation, and enhanced strategic threat analysis.
By adopting this approach, organizations can better bridge the gap between technical threat data and high-level risk management, leading to more effective cybersecurity strategies and improved communication across all levels of the organization. It maintains the granularity and detail of STIX while adding an essential layer of high-level structure, ultimately contributing to a more resilient cyber defense posture.
Proposal (ChatGPT o1-preview -10/24): Example extending STIX with 10 Top Level Cyber Threat Clusters
Integrating the 10 Top Level Cyber Threat Clusters into the Structured Threat Information eXpression (STIX) framework is a logical and valuable enhancement. This integration provides a more comprehensive and structured approach to representing, analyzing, and communicating cyber threats, bridging the gap between detailed technical data and high-level strategic risk management.
Key Enhancements
-
Standardized Threat Categorization:
- Introduction of Threat Clusters as a New STIX Domain Object:
- Defines the 10 Top Level Cyber Threat Clusters as a new object type within STIX, providing a consistent, high-level categorization system.
- Facilitates better organization, sharing, and understanding of threat intelligence across different organizations and sectors.
-
Attack Path Representation:
- Implementation of a New STIX Object Type for Attack Paths:
- Creates an object to represent attack paths as sequences of Threat Clusters, allowing for modeling the progression of cyber attacks.
- Example: Representing an attack sequence like #9 (Social Engineering) -> #3 (Exploiting Client) -> #7 (Malware) provides clear insight into how attackers operate.
-
Strategic Overview:
- Enhancing Strategic Threat Analysis:
- Integrates high-level threat clusters with detailed STIX data, enabling organizations to visualize and analyze threats from both tactical and strategic perspectives.
- Improves communication between technical teams and executive management, aiding in decision-making and risk management.
Implementation Approach
-
Create a New STIX Domain Object: "Threat Cluster"
Definition: Each Threat Cluster corresponds to one of the 10 Top Level Cyber Threat Clusters.
Attributes might include:
- Name: E.g., "Social Engineering."
- Description: Detailed explanation of the threat cluster.
- Associated Vulnerabilities: Links to common vulnerabilities exploited.
- Related Attack Patterns: Connections to specific tactics and techniques.
-
Develop a New STIX Relationship Object: "Sequence" or "Attack Path"
Purpose:
- Represents the progression between Threat Clusters in an attack path.
- Captures the sequence and relationships between different stages of an attack.
Attributes:
- Source Threat Cluster: The starting point of the attack sequence.
- Target Threat Cluster: The next stage in the attack.
- Order/Step Number: To define the sequence.
-
Extend Existing STIX Objects to Reference Threat Clusters and Attack Paths
- Intrusion Sets, Campaigns, and Threat Actors:
- Add relationships linking these objects to relevant Threat Clusters and Attack Paths.
- This integration provides context on how specific actors utilize certain threat clusters in their operations.
- Attack Patterns and Malware:
- Reference Threat Clusters to show which high-level threats they are associated with.
Example Integration
Threat Cluster
New STIX Domain Object
"Social Engineering" Threat Cluster Object
Name: "Social Engineering"
Description: Manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information.
Associated Techniques: Phishing, Pretexting, Baiting.
Mitigation Strategies: Security awareness training, verification procedures.
Attack Path
Sequence of Threat Cluster Objects
Attack Path Represented as #9 -> #3 -> #7
1. #9 Social Engineering: The attacker deceives an employee into clicking a malicious link.
2. #3 Exploiting Client: The link exploits a client-side vulnerability in the employee's browser.
3. #7 Malware: Malware is installed on the system, providing the attacker with access.
Intrusion Set
Existing Object with New Relationships
An APT group's Intrusion Set
Linked Threat Clusters: Social Engineering, Exploiting Client, Malware
Linked Attack Paths: Multiple sequences showing different strategies used by the group.
Benefits of Integration
- Standardized High-Level Categorization: Facilitates consistent communication and understanding of threats across different teams and organizations.
- Representation of Attack Progressions: Enables modeling and analysis of how attacks unfold, aiding in the development of defensive strategies.
- Enhanced Strategic Threat Analysis: Provides a bridge between detailed technical data and high-level risk management, supporting informed decision-making.
- Improved Communication: Helps technical and non-technical stakeholders discuss threats using a common framework, enhancing collaboration.
- Maintained Granularity with Added Structure: Keeps the detailed information that STIX is known for while adding an overarching structure for better organization.
Implementation Considerations
- Alignment with STIX Standards:
- Ensure that new objects and relationships comply with STIX specifications and best practices.
- Collaborate with the OASIS Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) community to align efforts.
- Schema Extensions:
- Carefully design schema extensions to avoid conflicts with existing STIX structures.
- Provide documentation and examples to aid adoption.
- Tool and Platform Support:
- Update threat intelligence platforms and tools to support the new objects and relationships.
- Engage with vendors and open-source projects to encourage integration.
- Community Collaboration:
- Share the enhancements with the broader cybersecurity community.
- Solicit feedback and iterate on the design based on real-world use cases.
Conclusion
No additional updates are scheduled at this time. last update: concept check with ChatGPT o1-preview 18/09/2024