MITRE Att&ck Containers Matrix

MITRE Att&ck Containers Matrix Overview

The Containers Matrix from MITRE ATT&CK is a framework designed to describe the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by adversaries specifically targeting containerized environments. Similar to the original ATT&CK matrix, which focuses on traditional IT environments, the Containers Matrix organizes adversarial behaviors into various tactics and techniques that align with the stages of an attack lifecycle within a containerized infrastructure.

Key Aspects of the Containers Matrix:

1. Tactics:

   • Initial Access: Methods that adversaries use to gain entry into the container environment.

   • Execution: Techniques for running malicious code within containers.

   • Persistence: Strategies to maintain access and control over containers after initial compromise.

   • Privilege Escalation: Techniques to gain higher privileges within the container or host environment.

   • Defense Evasion: Methods used to avoid detection or bypass security measures.

   • Credential Access: Techniques to obtain credentials for gaining access to resources.

   • Discovery: Methods to gather information about the container environment and its resources.

   • Lateral Movement: Techniques to move within the environment, from one container to another, or to the host.

   • Collection: Strategies to gather and exfiltrate data from the containerized environment.

   • Impact: Techniques that directly affect the availability or integrity of container resources.

2. Techniques:

   • The matrix includes specific techniques under each tactic. These techniques are actions an adversary might take within a containerized environment, such as exploiting container vulnerabilities, manipulating container runtimes, or accessing sensitive data within the container.

3. Focus on Containers:

   • The Containers Matrix is tailored to the unique aspects of containerized environments, including orchestration platforms like Kubernetes, container runtimes like Docker, and other container-specific components. It highlights the risks and attack vectors that are particular to these technologies.

4. Use Cases:

   • Defenders: Security teams can use the Containers Matrix to understand potential attack paths and prioritize defenses based on the techniques most relevant to their environment.

   • Red Teams: The matrix provides a framework for simulating real-world attacks on containerized environments, helping to improve detection and response capabilities.

5. Integration with Other Frameworks:

   • The Containers Matrix can be used alongside other MITRE ATT&CK matrices, such as the Cloud Matrix, to provide a comprehensive view of adversarial tactics across hybrid or cloud-native environments.

Application in Security Operations:

• Threat Hunting: The Containers Matrix offers a guide for identifying suspicious activity within container environments, allowing threat hunters to focus on specific tactics and techniques.

• Incident Response: The framework helps responders understand the potential scope and impact of a container-related breach, guiding them through investigation and remediation steps.

• Security Posture Assessment: Organizations can use the matrix to evaluate their defenses against container-specific threats, identifying gaps and implementing stronger security controls.

Summary

The Containers Matrix is an evolving framework, regularly updated to reflect new threats and attack vectors as containerization continues to grow in popularity and complexity.

References

Matrix - Enterprise - Containers | MITRE ATT&CK®