CySA+ (Exam CS0-003) Study Guide (beta)

Lesson 1: Understanding Vulnerability Response, Handling, and Management

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Topic 1A: Understanding Cybersecurity Leadership Concepts

Role of Cybersecurity Leadership

* 	Responsible for creating vision and goals to protect organizational assets.
* 	Must understand technical, legal, and managerial aspects.
* 	Essential skills: Quick decision-making, deep industry knowledge, strong interpersonal communication.

Policies and Governance

* 	Governance teams set direction and handle organizational risks.
* 	Policies and procedures are roadmaps for consistent cybersecurity actions.
* 	Security Operations Centers (SOCs) rely on clearly defined policies for effective incident response.

Importance of Service-Level Objectives (SLOs)

* 	Mean Time to Detect (MTTD), Mean Time to Recover (MTTR), and time to patch.
* 	Compliance and governance teams use SLOs for performance measurement and policy updates.

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Topic 1B: Exploring Control Types and Methods

Types of Security Controls

* 	**Technical Controls**: Systems like firewalls, antivirus software, OS access control.
* 	**Operational Controls**: Human-implemented controls like security guards, training programs.
* 	**Managerial Controls**: Oversight of information systems, risk identification tools.

Functional Categories of Security Controls

* 	**Preventative**: Eliminate or reduce the likelihood of successful attacks (firewalls, anti-malware).
* 	**Detective**: Identify and record attempted intrusions (log systems).
* 	**Corrective**: Actions after incidents (backup systems, patch management).
* 	**Compensating**: Substitute controls providing equivalent security levels.
* 	**Responsive**: Guide post-incident corrective actions (SOC playbooks).

Prioritization and Escalation

* 	Classify vulnerabilities by severity and potential impact.
* 	Escalate critical issues immediately to stakeholders.

Attack Surface Management

* 	Continuous monitoring of system vulnerabilities.
* 	Methods: passive discovery, network segmentation, asset inventory, strict access controls, regular patching, employee training.

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Topic 1C: Patch and Configuration Management

Patch Management Concepts

* 	Essential for maintaining security posture.
* 	Patches apply to OS, applications, firmware, and cloud systems.
* 	Patch categorization: urgent, important, noncritical.
* 	Importance of patch testing environments.

Centralized Configuration Management

* 	Enables consistency and compliance through automated configuration.
* 	Provides visibility and alerts for configuration changes.

Maintenance Windows

* 	Scheduled periods for preventative maintenance.
* 	Tasks must follow change management policy.
* 	Essential to monitor events during maintenance windows for anomalies.

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Tools List:

* 	**Threat Modeling**
* 	Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool
* 	**Configuration Management Tools**
* 	Chef (https://www.chef.io/)
* 	Puppet (https://puppet.com/)
* 	Ansible (https://www.ansible.com/)
* 	Terraform (https://www.terraform.io/)
* 	**Penetration Testing and Bug Bounty Platforms**
* 	Bugcrowd (https://www.bugcrowd.com/)
* 	HackerOne (https://www.hackerone.com/)
* 	**Patch Management Tools**
* 	AWS Patch Manager (example provided)

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Websites List:

* 	National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
* 	SP 800-53: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-53r5.pdf
* 	SP 800-171: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-171r2.pdf
* 	ISO 27001 Standards: https://www.iso.org/isoiec-27001-information-security.html
* 	CIS Controls: https://www.cisecurity.org/controls
* 	DoD STIGs: https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/
* 	CIS Benchmarks: https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-benchmarks/
* 	Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): https://www.cisa.gov/shields-up

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Lesson 2: Exploring Threat Intelligence and Threat Hunting Concepts

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Topic 2A: Exploring Threat Actor Concepts

Threat Actor Types

* 	**Nation-State**
* 	Highly funded, sophisticated attacks
* 	Objectives: Espionage, strategic advantage
* 	**Organized Crime**
* 	Primarily financial gain (fraud, blackmail)
* 	**Hacktivists**
* 	Political agenda, disruption (DoS, leaks)
* 	**Insider Threats**
* 	Employees or contractors, intentional or accidental
* 	**Script Kiddies**
* 	Limited skill, use existing tools indiscriminately
* 	**Supply Chain Attacks**
* 	Exploit vulnerabilities through third-party providers

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)

* 	Highly sophisticated, persistent attackers
* 	Target critical or high-value organizations
* 	Methods: Custom exploits, long-term stealth operations
* 	Known for anti-forensics (covering tracks)

Tactics, Techniques, Procedures (TTPs)

* 	Defined adversarial behavior patterns
* 	Leveraged to profile and counter threat actors
* 	Resources: MITRE ATT&CK Framework (https://attack.mitre.org)

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Topic 2B: Identifying Active Threats

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

* 	Publicly available data collection
* 	Sources: Social media, public documents, web pages, metadata
* 	Tools: FOCA for metadata analysis (https://github.com/ElevenPaths/FOCA)

Defensive OSINT Sources

* 	Government bulletins (DHS, CISA)
* 	CERT and CSIRT groups
* 	Deep/Dark web monitoring
* 	Internal data (log analysis)

Proprietary/Closed-Source Intelligence

* 	Commercial, subscription-based intelligence platforms
* 	Examples:
* 	CrowdStrike Falcon Intelligence
* 	IBM X-Force Exchange
* 	FireEye
* 	Recorded Future

Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs)

* 	Facilitate sector-specific threat information sharing
* 	Examples:
* 	Financial (fsisac.com)
* 	Healthcare (h-isac.org)
* 	Aviation (a-isac.com)
* 	Multi-State/Election Infrastructure (cisecurity.org)

Threat Intelligence Sharing Benefits

* 	Improves incident response, vulnerability and risk management, and security engineering
* 	Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS), managed by CISA
* 	Standards: TAXII, STIX formats

Confidence Levels

* 	Metric for threat intelligence reliability (Admiralty Scale, Estimative Language)

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Topic 2C: Exploring Threat-Hunting Concepts

Threat-Hunting Fundamentals

* 	Proactive search for malicious activity (“Assume breach” mentality)
* 	Methods: Manual analysis, Entity-driven hunts, Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

* 	Evidence indicating possible breach or malicious activity
* 	Examples:
* 	Unusual outbound traffic
* 	Unusual login locations
* 	Suspicious file changes or privileged user activity
* 	Resources for IOC searches: uncoder.io

Role of Digital Forensics

* 	Identification of IoCs through analysis of system artifacts (log files, network traffic)
* 	Inform proactive threat intelligence to prevent future attacks

Decoy Methods and Active Defense

* 	**Active Defense**
* 	Offensive tactics to mislead attackers
* 	**Honeypots**
* 	Decoy systems to detect and analyze attacks
* 	Tools: Modern Honey Network (MHN)

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Tools List:

* 	**Threat Intelligence Frameworks**
* 	MITRE ATT&CK (https://attack.mitre.org)
* 	**Metadata Analysis Tools**
* 	FOCA (https://github.com/ElevenPaths/FOCA)
* 	**Threat Intelligence Platforms**
* 	CrowdStrike Falcon Intelligence
* 	IBM X-Force Exchange
* 	FireEye Intelligence
* 	Recorded Future
* 	**Indicator of Compromise Search Tools**
* 	Uncoder.io (https://uncoder.io)
* 	**Honeypots**
* 	Modern Honey Network (MHN)

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Websites List:

* 	**MITRE ATT&CK Framework**
* 	https://attack.mitre.org
* 	**Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)**
* 	https://www.cisa.gov
* 	**Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS)**
* 	https://www.cisa.gov/ais
* 	**Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs)**
* 	National ISACs: https://www.nationalisacs.org
* 	Financial ISAC: https://www.fsisac.com
* 	Healthcare ISAC: https://h-isac.org
* 	Aviation ISAC: https://a-isac.com
* 	Multi-State ISAC: https://www.cisecurity.org/ms-isac
* 	**Cyber Threat Alliance**
* 	https://www.cyberthreatalliance.org
* 	**Deep/Dark Web Monitoring**
* 	(General awareness; specialized tools/platforms required)

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Lesson 3: Explaining Important System and Network Architecture Concepts

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Topic 3A: Reviewing System and Network Architecture Concepts

System Hardening

* 	Reduces attack surface by disabling unnecessary features.
* 	Guides: DoD STIGs, CIS Benchmarks (https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-benchmarks/).

Windows Registry and File System

* 	Registry: stores OS and application configuration.
* 	Hives located in C:\Windows\System32\Config.

Configuration Files (Linux)

* 	Typically located in /etc directory.
* 	Common formats: INI, XML, YAML, JSON.

System Processes

* 	Essential background OS tasks (authentication, updates).

Hardware Architecture

* 	x86 vs. ARM architectures.

Virtualization, Containers, Emulation

* 	**Virtualization**: Abstraction via Hypervisor (Type I and Type II).
* 	**Containers**: Resource separation at OS-level (Docker).
* 	**Emulation**: Software mimicking hardware for cross-platform compatibility.

Cloud Deployment Models

* 	**Public**: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud.
* 	**Private**: VMware, Hyper-V.
* 	**Hybrid**: Combines public/private for flexibility.

Serverless Computing

* 	Function-based, event-driven, auto-scaling cloud architecture.
* 	Examples: AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, Google Cloud Functions.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

* 	Abstracts network control, data, and management planes.
* 	Enables network automation and orchestration.

Zero Trust and Deperimeterization

* 	Verify every user/device; no implicit trust.
* 	Driven by cloud, remote work, mobile, outsourcing trends.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

* 	Combines WAN, CASB, FWaaS, Zero Trust in cloud-delivered model.
* 	Simplifies network and security management.

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Topic 3B: Exploring Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Authentication Mechanisms

* 	**Multifactor Authentication (MFA)**: Combines multiple factors (know, have, are).
* 	**2-Step Verification**: Out-of-band via SMS, phone, push notification, email.
* 	**Passwordless Authentication**: Biometric or device verification.
* 	**Single Sign-On (SSO)**: Single credentials for multiple systems.
* 	**Privileged Access Management (PAM)**: Secure, monitor privileged accounts (BeyondTrust, CyberArk).

Federated Trust Methods

* 	**Federation**: Cross-domain identity management (Google, AWS).
* 	**OpenID**: Single account authentication (Google, Amazon).
* 	**SAML**: XML-based assertions, secure tokens, federation (AWS).
* 	**Shibboleth**: SAML-based federated identity, common in academia.
* 	**Transitive Trust**: A trusts B, B trusts C, thus A trusts C (Active Directory).

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

* 	Mediates cloud access, monitors and secures data transfer.
* 	Modes: Forward Proxy, Reverse Proxy, API.
* 	Vendors: CloudSOC, Microsoft, Forcepoint, Cisco.

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Topic 3C: Maintaining Operational Visibility

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

* 	Automates data classification, prevents unauthorized transfer.
* 	Components: Policy Server, Endpoint Agents, Network Agents.
* 	Remediation: Alert, Block, Quarantine, Tombstone.
* 	Examples: Microsoft O365 DLP, Trellix, Digital Guardian.

Important Data Types

* 	**Personally Identifiable Information (PII)**: Sensitive data requiring protection.
* 	**Health Information (PHI)**: Protected Health Information.
* 	**Financial Information (PIFI)**: Personal financial details.
* 	**Cardholder Data (CHD)**: Payment card information (PCI DSS).
* 	**Intellectual Property (IP)**: Critical business assets protected by IP laws.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

* 	Manages public/private keys, digital certificates.
* 	Ensures integrity, confidentiality, and non-repudiation.
* 	Enables SSL Inspection to detect encrypted threats.

Logging Concepts

* 	**Log Ingestion**: Centralized collection (Splunk, Elastic).
* 	**Time Synchronization**: Network Time Protocol (NTP).
* 	**Logging Levels**:
* 	Emergency (0), Alert (1), Critical (2), Error (3), Warning (4), Notice (5), Informational (6), Debug (7), TRACE.

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Tools List:

* 	**System Hardening Guides**
* 	DoD STIGs: https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/
* 	CIS Benchmarks: https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-benchmarks/
* 	**Virtualization & Containers**
* 	Docker (https://docker.com)
* 	VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox VE, OpenStack
* 	**Serverless Computing Platforms**
* 	AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, Google Cloud Functions
* 	**IAM Tools**
* 	BeyondTrust, Centrify, CyberArk (PAM)
* 	**CASB Solutions**
* 	CloudSOC CASB, Trellix, Microsoft CASB, Forcepoint, Cisco Cloudlock
* 	**DLP Tools**
* 	Trellix, Broadcom Symantec DLP, Digital Guardian, Microsoft O365 DLP
* 	**Log Management**
* 	Splunk, Elastic Stack, Logstash

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Websites List:

* 	**CIS Benchmarks**
* 	https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-benchmarks/
* 	**NIST Zero Trust**
* 	https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-207/final
* 	**CASB Providers**
* 	Microsoft CASB: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/enterprise-mobility-security/cloud-app-security
* 	Cisco Cloudlock: https://cisco.com/go/cloudlock
* 	**DLP Resources**
* 	Microsoft O365 DLP: https://docs.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/compliance/data-loss-prevention-policies
* 	**Elastic Logging**
* 	https://elastic.co

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Lesson 4: Understanding Process Improvement in Security Operations

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Topic 4A: Exploring Leadership in Security Operations

Importance of Leadership in Security Operations

* 	Leaders set strategy, guidance, and manage resources effectively.
* 	Essential skills: crisis management, motivational leadership, technological competence.

Security Operations Automation

* 	Reduces manual labor, improves accuracy and consistency.
* 	Proactive threat detection and compliance management.
* 	Automation must be secure, tested, and managed.

Maximizing Automation Benefits

* 	Streamlines security processes.
* 	Detects and responds to threats swiftly.
* 	Prevents human error and reduces operator fatigue.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

* 	Automates security log collection, analysis, and threat response.
* 	Reduces manual monitoring labor.
* 	False positives can become problematic, requiring efficient filtering.

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)

* 	Integrates with SIEM to respond to alerts.
* 	Automates routine security tasks via pre-defined playbooks.
* 	Reduces false positives and manual interventions.

Tasks Suitable for Automation

* 	Repetitive tasks (log analysis, vulnerability scanning).
* 	High-risk, frequent, time-consuming tasks.
* 	Workflow analysis and incident response optimization.

Team Coordination in Security Operations Centers (SOC)

* 	Essential for efficient incident detection and response.
* 	Requires strong communication, standardized procedures.
* 	Automation facilitates better coordination and effectiveness.

Orchestrating Threat Intelligence Data

* 	Combines data from multiple sources for enhanced situational awareness.
* 	Real-time identification of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs).
* 	Enables proactive threat hunting and informed decision-making.

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Topic 4B: Understanding Technology for Security Operations

Single Pane of Glass

* 	Unified interface for monitoring, configuration, and control.
* 	Provides centralized visibility and rapid response capabilities.
* 	Enables workflow automation and incident management.

Customization Features in Security Operations

Application Programming Interface (API) * Enables automated interaction between security tools. * Used for integration (e.g., VirusTotal API).

Webhooks * Automated messages triggered by specific events. * Enables event-driven automated workflows across applications.

Plugins and Apps * Extend security tool functionality. * Customization aligns tools to organizational needs.

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Tools List:

* 	**Automation & Orchestration**
* 	Palo Alto XSOAR (https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar)
* 	TheHive Project (https://thehive-project.org/)
* 	**Security Intelligence & Response**
* 	SIEM platforms (Splunk, IBM QRadar, Elastic Stack)
* 	SOAR platforms (Cortex XSOAR, IBM Resilient, Splunk Phantom)
* 	**Threat Intelligence & Data Enrichment**
* 	MISP Threat Sharing platform (https://www.misp-project.org/)
* 	VirusTotal API (https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/search)
* 	**Single Pane of Glass Tools**
* 	TheHive (Security Incident Response platform)

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Websites List:

* 	Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR
* 	https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar
* 	TheHive Project
* 	https://thehive-project.org
* 	MISP Threat Sharing Platform
* 	https://www.misp-project.org
* 	VirusTotal
* 	https://www.virustotal.com
* 	Elastic Security Stack
* 	https://www.elastic.co/security

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Lesson 5: Implementing Vulnerability Scanning Methods

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Topic 5A: Explaining Compliance Requirements

Importance of Compliance

* 	Regular assessments, employee training, and breach responses.
* 	Regulations define legal requirements; standards detail compliance methods.

Prominent Standards Publishers

* 	**NIST**
* 	U.S. standards (SP 800 series, FIPS 199)
* 	Non-regulatory, widely adopted.
* 	**ISO**
* 	International cybersecurity standards (ISO 27001, 27002, 27701).
* 	Standards not freely available.

Key Regulations and Standards

* 	**General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)**: Privacy protection, stringent rules.
* 	**Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)**: Protects minors’ online data.
* 	**PCI DSS**: Security for payment card data.
* 	**Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)**: Assesses organizational maturity.
* 	**Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) STAR**: Evaluates cloud providers against Cloud Controls Matrix.

CIS Benchmarks

* 	Consensus-driven best practice configurations.
* 	Benchmarks for OS, applications, hardware.
* 	Freely available: https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-benchmarks/

Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)

* 	Nonprofit foundation for web app security.
* 	Tools include OWASP ZAP, ModSecurity, OWASP Top 10.

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Topic 5B: Understanding Vulnerability Scanning Methods

Types of Vulnerability Scans

* 	**Internal vs. External**
* 	External scans assess perimeter vulnerabilities.
* 	Internal scans identify internal network vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability Scan Types

* 	**Credentialed vs. Noncredentialed**
* 	Credentialed: deeper, privileged access scans.
* 	Noncredentialed: external viewpoint, limited results.
* 	**Agent-based vs. Agentless**
* 	Agents installed on endpoints, better visibility.
* 	Agentless scanning via protocols (SSH, WMI, SNMP).
* 	**Active vs. Passive**
* 	Active: Direct device interaction (network scans, vulnerability scanners).
* 	Passive: Indirect assessment (network packet capture).

Criticality Ranking

* 	Scanner-generated risk prioritization based on vulnerability severity.

Vulnerability Analysis Methods

* 	**Discovery Scan**: Identifies connected devices.
* 	**Fingerprinting**: Detailed identification of devices (vendor, OS).
* 	**Static Analysis**: Source code or configuration review.
* 	**Dynamic Analysis**: Evaluation of running systems (web scanners).
* 	**Fuzzing**: Injecting malformed data to detect application vulnerabilities.
* 	**Reverse Engineering**: Deconstruction of software/hardware for vulnerabilities.

Device Hardening

* 	Secure OS/application configuration.
* 	Minimizes attack surface (disable unnecessary services, ports).
* 	Tools: DoD STIGs, CIS Benchmarks.

Configuration Baselines

* 	Minimum security configurations required.
* 	Standards from DoD STIGs, CIS Benchmarks.

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Topic 5C: Exploring Special Considerations in Vulnerability Scanning

Network Segmentation

* 	VLAN and subnet considerations for vulnerability scans.
* 	Scanners may need special configurations for segmented networks.

Performance Considerations

* 	Regular intervals and controlled scan speeds.
* 	Bandwidth throttling to minimize disruption.

Operational Considerations

* 	Scans require careful scheduling and communication to avoid disruptions.
* 	False positives management.

Interaction with IPS/IDS/Firewalls

* 	Configuration adjustments required to avoid blocking legitimate scans.

Data Sensitivity Levels

* 	Consideration of data sensitivity and classification during scans.

Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS)

* 	Specialized equipment controlling physical processes (e.g., SCADA, PLC).
* 	Sensitive to scanning activities, require careful handling.

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Tools List:

* 	**Vulnerability Scanners**
* 	Nessus (https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus)
* 	OpenVAS (https://www.greenbone.net/en/community-edition/)
* 	**Configuration Management**
* 	CIS CAT, DoD SCAP Compliance Checker
* 	**Web Application Security**
* 	OWASP ZAP, ModSecurity
* 	**Fuzzing Tools**
* 	OWASP fuzzing resources (https://owasp.org/www-community/Fuzzing)

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Websites List:

* 	**CIS Benchmarks**
* 	https://www.cisecurity.org/cis-benchmarks/
* 	**NIST Cybersecurity Publications**
* 	https://www.nist.gov/cybersecurity
* 	**ISO 27001 Standards**
* 	https://www.iso.org/isoiec-27001-information-security.html
* 	**PCI Security Standards**
* 	https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org
* 	**Cloud Security Alliance STAR**
* 	https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/star
* 	**OWASP Top 10**
* 	https://owasp.org/Top10/
* 	**DoD STIGs**
* 	https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/scap/

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Lesson 6: Performing Vulnerability Analysis

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Topic 6A: Understanding Vulnerability Scoring Concepts

Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP)

* 	Standardizes vulnerability identification and reporting.
* 	Includes interoperable specifications for automation and consistency.

SCAP Languages * Open Vulnerability and Assessment Language (OVAL): Standard for assessing system state. * Asset Reporting Format (ARF): Standardizes reporting formats. * Extensible Configuration Checklist Description Format (XCCDF): XML standard for benchmark assessments.

SCAP Identification Schemes * Common Platform Enumeration (CPE): Standardized software naming conventions. * Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE): Public identifiers for vulnerabilities. * Common Configuration Enumeration (CCE): Configuration-focused identifiers.

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS)

* 	Industry-standard for assessing vulnerability severity.
* 	Provides risk measure to prioritize remediation.
* 	Does not measure exploitability directly; focuses on potential impact.

CVSS Metrics Groups * Base Metrics: Intrinsic vulnerability characteristics (Attack Vector, Complexity, Privileges Required, User Interaction, Scope, CIA impacts). * Temporal Metrics: Vulnerability characteristics changing over time. * Environmental Metrics: Factors unique to the user’s environment.

CVSS Score Calculation Steps:

1.	Identify the threat agent.
2.	Identify the affected system.
3.	Assign impact scores (CIA).
4.	Assess probability of threat access.
5.	Calculate final CVSS score.

CVSS Scoring Ranges * 0: None * 0.1 – 3.9: Low * 4.0 – 6.9: Medium * 7.0 – 8.9: High * 9.0 – 10.0: Critical

CVSS Vector String

* 	Provides detailed context for CVSS scores.
* 	Identifies metrics used, vulnerability impacts, and environmental considerations.

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Topic 6B: Exploring Vulnerability Context Considerations

Vulnerability Validation Concepts

* 	**Vulnerability Scans**: Detect misconfigurations, open ports, outdated software, vulnerabilities (XSS, SQL injection).
* 	**Validation**: Confirms accuracy of scan results (false positives/negatives).

Scan Types: * External Scans: From the Internet viewpoint, immediate action typically required. * Internal Scans: Within private networks, requiring careful remediation planning.

Scan Result Validation: * False Positive: Incorrectly reported vulnerabilities. * True Positive: Correctly identified vulnerabilities. * False Negative: Missed vulnerabilities (critical issue). * True Negative: Correctly identified absence of vulnerabilities.

CVSS Score Adjustment Considerations:

* 	Availability and effectiveness of patches.
* 	Potential impact severity.
* 	Threat actor sophistication.
* 	Asset value and exposure risks.
* 	Exploitability and weaponization likelihood.
* 	Zero-day considerations (no patch available).

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Tools List:

* 	**Vulnerability Scanners**
* 	Nessus (https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus)
* 	OpenSCAP (https://www.open-scap.org/)
* 	Qualys (https://www.qualys.com/)
* 	OpenVAS (https://www.greenbone.net/en/community-edition/)
* 	**CVSS Scoring Calculators**
* 	NIST CVSS v3 Calculator: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln-metrics/cvss/v3-calculator
* 	FIRST CVSS Calculator: https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.0
* 	Cisco CVSS Calculator: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/cvssCalculator.x

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Websites List:

* 	**SCAP Resources**
* 	SCAP Overview: https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/security-content-automation-protocol/
* 	OVAL: https://oval.mitre.org
* 	CPE: https://nvd.nist.gov/products/cpe
* 	CVE: https://cve.mitre.org
* 	CCE: https://ncp.nist.gov/cce
* 	**CVSS Official Documentation**
* 	FIRST CVSS Specification: https://www.first.org/cvss/specification-document
* 	NVD CVSS Calculator: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln-metrics/cvss/v3-calculator

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Lesson 7: Communicating Vulnerability Information

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Topic 7A: Explaining Effective Communication Concepts

Importance of Vulnerability Management Reporting

* 	Identifies, assesses, and communicates risks to mitigate potential threats.
* 	Enhances security awareness and response efficiency.

Types of Vulnerability Management Reports

* 	**Dashboard Reports**: Real-time visualization (graphs, charts, status indicators).
* 	**Summary Reports**: High-level overview for quick executive communication.
* 	**Detailed Reports**: Comprehensive, granular vulnerability details and remediation steps.

Vulnerability Report Formats

* 	Plain Text, CSV, XML, HTML, PDF.

Vulnerability Report Best Practices

* 	Select appropriate tools.
* 	Consistent formatting and scheduling.
* 	Automate reporting processes.

Vulnerability Report Essential Content

* 	Vulnerability types, counts, affected systems.
* 	Risk levels, remediation recommendations.
* 	Asset inventory accuracy.
* 	Recurrent vulnerabilities management.

Risk Score and Priority

* 	Prioritize vulnerabilities based on potential impact and exploitability.
* 	Critical vulnerabilities (zero-days, actively exploited) require immediate attention.

Recommended Mitigations

* 	Temporary workarounds vs. permanent solutions.
* 	Example: Citrix CVE-2019-19781 workaround (support.citrix.com).

Compliance Reporting

* 	Demonstrates adherence to regulatory and internal compliance standards.
* 	Regulatory and internal compliance report types.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

* 	Quantitative metrics evaluating security program effectiveness.
* 	Examples: Incidents, detection time, indicators of compromise, threats, risk assessment, resource allocation.

Service-Level Objectives (SLOs)

* 	Define measurable, achievable security performance benchmarks.
* 	Adaptable to changing organizational capabilities and requirements.

⸻

Topic 7B: Understanding Vulnerability Reporting Outcomes and Action Plans

Action Plans

* 	Provide direction, structure, and clear goals for vulnerability mitigation.
* 	Include resources required, measurable outcomes, and timelines.

Common Action Plan Outcomes

* 	**Security Policies Establishment**: Clear expectations for security measures.
* 	**Staff Training**: Security awareness, policy adherence, skills training.
* 	**Software Patching**: Prioritize timely application of security updates.
* 	**Compensating Controls**: Alternative controls when primary security measures are infeasible.
* 	**Configuration Management**: Maintain system security through standard configurations.
* 	**Leadership and Management Integration**: Collaboration between security and operational teams, especially during organizational changes (e.g., mergers).

Inhibitors to Vulnerability Remediation

* 	**Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)**: Non-binding agreement outlining expectations, potentially hindering remediation due to conflicts.
* 	**Service-Level Agreements (SLA)**: Legally binding contracts with performance expectations, can limit security initiatives.
* 	**Organizational Governance**: Leadership decisions impacting security priorities.
* 	**Business Process Interruption**: Concerns about operational disruptions affecting willingness to remediate vulnerabilities.
* 	**Degraded Functionality**: Performance issues post-patch application deterring immediate action.
* 	**Legacy Systems**: Challenges and costs of updating outdated technology.
* 	**Proprietary Systems**: Difficulties remediating vulnerabilities due to specialized in-house development.

⸻

Tools List:

* 	**Vulnerability Management Dashboards**
* 	Splunk, Tenable Nessus Dashboard
* 	**Compliance Reporting**
* 	Qualys, Rapid7 InsightVM
* 	**Configuration Management**
* 	Puppet, Chef, Ansible, SCCM
* 	**Patch Management**
* 	WSUS, SCCM, Ivanti Patch
* 	**Incident Response and KPI Tracking**
* 	Splunk, IBM QRadar, LogRhythm

⸻

Websites List:

* 	**Vulnerability Remediation Example**
* 	Citrix CVE-2019-19781: https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX267027
* 	**Industry Compliance Information**
* 	PCI DSS: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org
* 	NIST Cybersecurity Framework: https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
* 	**KPI and Metrics Guidance**
* 	SANS Security Metrics: https://www.sans.org/white-papers/metrics-program-guide-advanced-kpis-36807/
* 	**MoU and SLA Examples**
* 	SLA Best Practices: https://www.cio.com/article/2438284/sla-definition-and-solutions.html
* 	Understanding MoUs: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mou.asp

⸻

Lesson 8: Explaining Incident Response Activities

⸻

Topic 8A: Exploring Incident Response Planning

Incident Response Planning

* 	Essential to protect assets and minimize damage during incidents.
* 	Requires threat identification, mitigation strategy, resource allocation, and established procedures.

Incident Response Process (NIST SP 800-61)

1.	**Preparation**
* 	System hardening, policies, communication plans.
2.	**Detection and Analysis**
* 	Identify and triage incidents; notify stakeholders.
3.	**Containment**
* 	Limit incident impact and spread.
4.	**Eradication and Recovery**
* 	Remove threat, restore systems securely.
5.	**Post-Incident Activity (Lessons Learned)**
* 	Document incident, improve future response.

Common Incident Response Plan Components

* 	**Policies**: Incident reporting, roles, responsibilities, timelines.
* 	**Procedures**: Specific response steps for various scenarios.
* 	**Playbooks**: Detailed guidance (e.g., ransomware, data exfiltration, social engineering).
* 	**Communication Plans**: Secure communication channels and escalation processes.

⸻

Topic 8B: Performing Incident Response Activities

Incident Response Procedures

* 	Identify indicators of compromise (IoCs) early.
* 	Utilize SIEM and SOAR for automation and analysis.

Common Indicators of Compromise

* 	Unusual network traffic, admin account misuse, failed logins, DNS anomalies, unexpected system changes, alerts from IDS/IPS.

Security Automation

* 	**SOAR**: Automates predefined responses, integrates with SIEM to reduce manual tasks.

Digital Forensic Concepts

* 	**Identification**: Secure scene, prevent contamination.
* 	**Collection**: Authorized evidence gathering, maintain integrity.
* 	**Analysis**: Verify copies, use legally sound methods.
* 	**Reporting**: Document and communicate findings clearly.

Data Acquisition and Order of Volatility

* 	CPU registers, memory contents, persistent storage, logs, network topology, archival media.

Legal Considerations

* 	**Evidence Preservation**: Secure storage, anti-static packaging, integrity hashing.
* 	**Chain of Custody**: Document evidence handling, storage, and transport.
* 	**Legal Holds**: Preserve electronically stored information (ESI) for litigation.
* 	**e-Discovery**: Identify, collect, and manage electronic data during legal cases.

⸻

Topic 8C: Exploring Post-Incident Activities

Forensic Process

* 	Investigative methods to determine incident details and support future response improvements.

Lessons Learned (Post-Incident Review)

* 	Analyze causes, improve procedures, prevent future incidents.
* 	Questions to address:
* 	Adversary identity, motivations, timeline, affected systems, incident techniques (TTPs), and improvement recommendations.

Incident Response Plan Updates

* 	Incorporate lessons learned, procedural adjustments, updated training.

⸻

Topic 8D: Understanding Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR)

Business Continuity (BC)

* 	Maintains critical operations during disasters; broad scope.
* 	Includes operating from alternate sites and restoring normal operations.

Disaster Recovery (DR)

* 	Immediate recovery of critical systems and data after significant incidents.
* 	Part of broader BC strategy.

⸻

Tools List:

* 	**SIEM Tools**
* 	Splunk, IBM QRadar, LogRhythm, Elastic Stack.
* 	**SOAR Tools**
* 	Splunk Phantom, Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR, TheHive Project Cortex.
* 	**Incident Response Tools**
* 	IDS/IPS, Netflow Analyzers, Vulnerability Scanners.
* 	**Digital Forensics**
* 	NIST Computer Forensics Tool Testing: https://www.nist.gov/itl/ssd/software-quality-group/computer-forensics-tool-testing-program-cftt

⸻

Websites List:

* 	**NIST Incident Handling (SP 800-61)**
* 	https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-61/rev-2/final
* 	**CISA Ransomware Guide**
* 	https://www.cisa.gov/stopransomware/ransomware-guide
* 	**Center for Internet Security Ransomware Resources**
* 	https://www.cisecurity.org
* 	**Open Source Cybersecurity Playbook**
* 	https://www.isecom.org/Open-Source-Cybersecurity-Playbook.pdf
* 	**Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report**
* 	https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/reports/dbir

⸻

Lesson 9: Demonstrating Incident Response Communication

⸻

Topic 9A: Understanding Incident Response Communication

Stakeholder Management

* 	**Stakeholders**: Individuals or groups affected by incident outcomes.
* 	Identify, analyze, prioritize stakeholder needs for effective communication.
* 	Communication methods: face-to-face, email, video calls, chat, or phone calls.

Common Stakeholders in Incident Response

* 	Senior leadership
* 	Legal counsel
* 	Law enforcement agencies
* 	Regulators
* 	Human resources (HR)
* 	Public relations (PR)
* 	Operations/manufacturing teams
* 	Vendors and suppliers
* 	Employees and general staff

Incident Declaration and Escalation

* 	Official recognition of a security incident.
* 	Document and escalate incidents based on severity.
* 	Ensure incidents reach appropriate personnel for effective management.

Reporting Requirements

* 	Notification necessary for certain incidents (e.g., data breaches).
* 	Key breach types include:
* 	Data exfiltration (external and insider threats)
* 	Device theft/loss
* 	Accidental data breaches
* 	Integrity/availability compromise

Regulatory Reporting Timelines (examples)

* 	**GDPR**: within 72 hours
* 	**HIPAA**: individual, HHS, and possibly media notifications required

⸻

Topic 9B: Analyzing Incident Response Activities

Importance of Incident Response (IR) Reporting

* 	Critical for risk management and leadership decision-making.
* 	Reports should clearly communicate incident details and actionable insights.

The Executive Summary

* 	Brief overview including purpose, key points, and conclusions.
* 	Must provide sufficient context, be clear, concise, and unbiased.

Essential Components of Incident Response Reports

* 	Answer the “5 W’s” (Who, What, When, Where, Why).
* 	Timeline of events (chronological details).
* 	Impact assessment (operational, financial, reputational damages).
* 	Scope (severity and magnitude of incident).
* 	Collected evidence (physical, log data, forensic analysis).

Recommendations in Reports

* 	Must be actionable and specific.
* 	Examples include hardware upgrades, policy changes, increased training, improved access controls, and implementation of MFA.

⸻

Topic 9C: Continuous Improvement Activities

Root Cause Analysis

* 	Identifies underlying causes of incidents to prevent recurrence.
* 	Critical for understanding deeper security issues and improving defenses.

Incident Response Metrics and Measures

* 	**Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)**: Time to detect an incident.
* 	**Mean Time to Respond**: Efficiency and speed of initial response.
* 	**Mean Time to Remediate (MTTR)**: Time required to resolve incidents fully.

Lessons Learned

* 	Capturing and analyzing insights gained during incidents.
* 	Ensures continuous improvement by preventing repeat errors.

⸻

Tools List:

* 	**Incident Response Tools**
* 	SIEM (Splunk, QRadar, LogRhythm)
* 	SOAR (Splunk Phantom, Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR)
* 	Autopsy Digital Forensics Tool (https://www.autopsy.com/)

⸻

Websites List:

* 	**HIPAA Breach Notification**
* 	https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/index.html
* 	**GDPR Breach Notification**
* 	https://www.csoonline.com/article/3383244/how-to-report-a-data-breach-under-gdpr.html
* 	**Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report**
* 	https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/reports/dbir
* 	**Autopsy Digital Forensics**
* 	https://www.autopsy.com/

⸻

Lesson 10: Applying Tools to Identify Malicious Activity

⸻

Topic 10A: Identifying Malicious Activity

Techniques to Identify Malicious Activity

* 	Packet capture tools (Wireshark, tcpdump)
* 	Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions
* 	Common analysis tools (Whois, AbuseIPDB, VirusTotal, strings command)
* 	Sandboxing and malware analysis tools (Cuckoo, Joe Sandbox, CrowdStrike Falcon Sandbox)
* 	Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
* 	Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)

Packet Capture Tools

* 	**Wireshark**: GUI tool, captures network packets, powerful filters, TCP stream reconstruction.
* 	**tcpdump**: Command-line packet capturing tool for Linux (windump for Windows), uses .pcap files.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

* 	Provides real-time historical visibility into endpoint breaches.
* 	Detects malicious activity, enhances incident response, proactive prevention, and risk assessment.
* 	Examples: CrowdStrike, Carbon Black, Microsoft Defender ATP.

Common Analysis Tools

* 	**Whois**: Queries domain/IP registration details.
* 	**AbuseIPDB**: Tracks malicious IP activity.
* 	**Strings command**: Reveals readable strings within binary files, useful in malware analysis.
* 	**VirusTotal**: Checks URLs/files against multiple antivirus engines.

Sandboxing for Malware Analysis

* 	Isolated environments for safe malware execution and analysis.
* 	Cloud-based options: Joe Sandbox, CrowdStrike Hybrid Analysis, Cuckoo Sandbox.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

* 	Aggregates and correlates security data.
* 	Provides alerts, compliance reporting, and data retention.
* 	Examples: Splunk, IBM QRadar, Elastic Stack.

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)

* 	Automates security tasks through playbooks and runbooks.
* 	Enhances response through automated threat detection and mitigation.
* 	Examples: Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR, Splunk SOAR.

⸻

Topic 10B: Explaining Attack Methodology Frameworks

Cyber Kill Chain

1.	Reconnaissance
2.	Weaponization
3.	Delivery
4.	Exploitation
5.	Installation
6.	Command and Control (C&C)
7.	Actions on Objectives

MITRE ATT&CK Framework

* 	Database of adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
* 	Used for threat hunting and incident analysis.
* 	URL: [attack.mitre.org](https://attack.mitre.org)

Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis

* 	Four key features: Adversary, Capability, Infrastructure, Victim.
* 	Pivot along features for detailed threat correlation and analysis.

Open-Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM)

* 	Comprehensive security testing manual covering various security assessment types.
* 	URL: [isecom.org](https://www.isecom.org/OSSTMM.3.pdf)

⸻

Topic 10C: Techniques for Identifying Malicious Activity

Email Header Analysis

* 	Examine sender authenticity (Envelope From, Display From, Received headers).
* 	Tools: Microsoft Remote Connectivity Analyzer.

Malicious Email Content

* 	Payloads: Exploits, attachments, embedded malicious links.
* 	File hash verification for malicious attachments.

Email Server Security Methods

* 	**SPF (Sender Policy Framework)**: Verifies sender authenticity via DNS records.
* 	**DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)**: Cryptographically authenticates sender’s domain.
* 	**DMARC**: Combines SPF and DKIM, specifying actions for failed email authentication.

Suspicious Command Activity

* 	Linux: ssh, wget, curl, telnet, ftp, netstat, whoami
* 	Windows: netstat, ping, ipconfig, nslookup, tasklist, net, netsh, wmic
* 	PowerShell: Invoke-WebRequest, Invoke-Request, Start-Process, Get-WMIObject

Reverse Shells

* 	Techniques attackers use to establish remote control over compromised hosts.

Abnormal Activity Detection

* 	Unusual account logins (e.g., impossible travel scenarios).
* 	Abnormal traffic patterns (encrypted traffic at regular intervals, unusual protocol usage).
* 	User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) to detect anomalies and suspicious patterns.

⸻

Tools List:

* 	**Packet Capture and Analysis**
* 	Wireshark, tcpdump, NetworkMiner
* 	**EDR Solutions**
* 	CrowdStrike Falcon, Carbon Black, Microsoft Defender ATP
* 	**Analysis Tools**
* 	Whois, AbuseIPDB, VirusTotal, Strings command
* 	**Sandboxing**
* 	Joe Sandbox, CrowdStrike Falcon Sandbox, Cuckoo Sandbox
* 	**SIEM & SOAR**
* 	Splunk, Elastic Security, Palo Alto Cortex XSOAR, IBM QRadar

⸻

Websites List:

* 	**Wireshark**
* 	[wireshark.org](https://www.wireshark.org)
* 	**AbuseIPDB**
* 	[abuseipdb.com](https://www.abuseipdb.com)
* 	**VirusTotal**
* 	[virustotal.com](https://www.virustotal.com)
* 	**MITRE ATT&CK**
* 	[attack.mitre.org](https://attack.mitre.org)
* 	**OSSTMM**
* 	[isecom.org](https://www.isecom.org/OSSTMM.3.pdf)
* 	**SPF and DKIM Testing**
* 	[MXToolBox](https://mxtoolbox.com)

⸻

Lesson 11: Analyzing Potentially Malicious Activity

⸻

Topic 11A: Exploring Network Attack Indicators

Traffic Anomalies

* 	**Traffic spikes**: Sudden increase, possible DoS or data exfiltration.
* 	**Bandwidth consumption**: High traffic, signs of worm activity, or reflection/amplification attacks.

DDoS Attacks

* 	Botnets used for overwhelming traffic.
* 	Mitigation: Log analysis, blackholing traffic, IP reputation, and cloud-based protections (Cloudflare, Imperva).

Beaconing and Command & Control (C&C)

* 	Regular communication to remote servers indicating bot activity.
* 	Common channels: IRC, HTTP/HTTPS, DNS tunneling, social media, media/document files.
* 	DNS Tunneling tools: iodine, dnscat2.

Irregular Communication Patterns

* 	Abnormal peer-to-peer connections, unusual port/protocol usage.
* 	ARP spoofing: Redirecting IP addresses, detected by ARP cache inspection and IDS.

Rogue Devices

* 	Unauthorized devices (USB, rogue APs, servers, VM, smart appliances).
* 	Detection: Visual inspection, network mapping, wireless monitoring, NAC.

Network Scanning

* 	Identify unauthorized hosts/devices.
* 	Scanning types: Port scanning, ping sweeps, fingerprinting.

Port and Protocol Misuse

* 	Suspicious ports: dynamic/private range (49152–65535).
* 	Mitigation: Firewall whitelisting, monitoring standard ports for non-standard use.

Reverse Shells

* 	Remote shell access initiated by compromised hosts.
* 	Tools: Netcat, Cryptcat, Socat, Pupy.

⸻

Topic 11B: Exploring Host Attack Indicators

System Resource Indicators

* 	High memory and CPU use potentially indicate malware or unauthorized software.
* 	Tools: Windows Task Manager, Linux top, htop, free.

Disk and File System Usage

* 	Malware may stage data for exfiltration in unusual locations.
* 	Tools: dir switches (/Ax, /Q, /R), ADS Spy, Linux lsof, df, du.

Unauthorized Software and Tasks

* 	Monitor unauthorized applications and scheduled tasks.
* 	Windows Event IDs: 4698 (created), 4700 (enabled/disabled tasks).

Malicious Processes

* 	Monitor Windows core processes (system.exe, smss.exe, csrss.exe, etc.).
* 	Tools: Sysinternals (Process Monitor, Process Explorer), PE Explorer, Linux ps, pstree.

Unauthorized Changes and Privileges

* 	Track privilege escalation, unauthorized registry/file system changes.
* 	Auditing: Sysinternals AccessChk, AccessEnum, Microsoft auditing guides.

Data Exfiltration

* 	Unauthorized data transfer via HTTP(S), DNS, FTP, SSH tunnels, email.
* 	Indicators: Large HTTP packets, unusual DNS queries, external cloud services usage.

⸻

Topic 11C: Exploring Vulnerability Assessment Tools

Vulnerability Scanners

* 	**Nessus**: Commercial, customizable scans (NASL scripts).
* 	**OpenVAS**: Open-source Linux-based scanner.
* 	**Qualys**: Cloud-based vulnerability scanning and management.

Nmap Scanner

* 	Host and service discovery, fingerprinting.
* 	Scans: TCP SYN, connect, TCP flags, UDP.
* 	Output: Normal (-oN), XML (-oX), Grepable (-oG).
* 	Fingerprinting: Protocol, OS, application identification.

Social Engineering

* 	Common attacks: Pretexting, baiting, phishing.
* 	Measurement: Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET), Gophish.
* 	Phishing campaigns: Assess employee awareness.

URL Obfuscation Techniques

* 	URL shorteners: Risks of phishing and privacy.
* 	QR Codes: Mask malicious URLs.
* 	Doppelgangers: Typosquatting attacks.
* 	Encoding: Hexadecimal, Base64, URL redirects.

Additional Tools

* 	**Angry IP Scanner**: Network reconnaissance.
* 	**Maltego**: Visual relationship analysis, OSINT.
* 	**Metasploit**: Exploit validation and testing.
* 	**Recon-ng**: Web-based reconnaissance and enumeration.

⸻

Tools List:

* 	**Network Analysis**
* 	Wireshark, tcpdump, NetworkMiner
* 	**Scanning Tools**
* 	Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys, Nmap, Masscan, Angry IP Scanner
* 	**Social Engineering Tools**
* 	Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET), Gophish
* 	**Forensics and Process Analysis**
* 	Sysinternals Suite, ADS Spy, PE Explorer, Autopsy
* 	**Reverse Shell and Exploitation**
* 	Netcat, Cryptcat, Socat, Metasploit Framework, Pupy
* 	**DNS Tunneling**
* 	iodine, dnscat2
* 	**Reconnaissance**
* 	Maltego, Recon-ng

⸻

Websites List:

* 	**DDoS Mitigation**
* 	Cloudflare: https://www.cloudflare.com
* 	Imperva: https://www.imperva.com
* 	**Vulnerability Scanners**
* 	Nessus: https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus
* 	OpenVAS: https://www.openvas.org
* 	Qualys: https://www.qualys.com
* 	**Network Analysis**
* 	Wireshark: https://www.wireshark.org
* 	**Social Engineering**
* 	Social-Engineer Toolkit: https://github.com/trustedsec/social-engineer-toolkit
* 	Gophish: https://getgophish.com
* 	**Nmap**
* 	Official site: https://nmap.org
* 	**OSINT and Recon Tools**
* 	Maltego: https://www.maltego.com
* 	Recon-ng: https://github.com/lanmaster53/recon-ng
* 	**Encoding/Decoding URLs**
* 	Unshorten URLs: https://unshorten.me
* 	VirusTotal: https://www.virustotal.com
* 	**DNS Tunneling**
* 	iodine: https://code.kryo.se/iodine
* 	dnscat2: https://github.com/iagox86/dnscat2

⸻

Lesson 12: Understanding Application Vulnerability Assessment

⸻

Topic 12A: Analyzing Web Vulnerabilities

Importance of Application Vulnerability Assessment

* 	Specialized scanners identify vulnerabilities often missed by generalized tools.
* 	Focus on web applications, cloud platforms, and binary reverse engineering.

Web Application Scanners

* 	Tools designed to detect security weaknesses in web applications through:
* 	Static and dynamic code analysis
* 	Fuzzing
* 	Reverse engineering

Burp Suite

* 	Intercepting proxy tool by PortSwigger (https://portswigger.net)
* 	Features: content discovery, fuzzing, injection attacks, vulnerability scans.
* 	Editions: Community (limited features) and Professional (full features).
* 	Tools:
* 	**Proxy**: Intercepts and modifies browser requests.
* 	**Intruder**: Automates vulnerability testing with payload attacks.

OWASP Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP)

* 	Open-source web application scanner (https://www.zaproxy.org/)
* 	Similar capabilities to Burp Suite: intercept proxy, active scanning, scripting, plugins.
* 	Supports automated scanning, vulnerability identification (SQLi, XSS).

Nikto Scanner

* 	Command-line web scanner (https://www.cirt.net/nikto2)
* 	Identifies HTTP server/web app vulnerabilities, configuration errors, and security issues.

Arachni Scanner

* 	Open-source scanner (http://arachni-scanner.com)
* 	Scans for code injection, SQLi, XSS, CSRF, file inclusion, session fixation, directory traversal.
* 	Detailed reporting, including vulnerability description and remediation suggestions.

Application Debuggers

* 	Used for reverse engineering, detailed malware analysis.

Immunity Debugger * Open-source debugger from Appgate (https://www.immunityinc.com) * Features: memory/process analysis, breakpoints, runtime patching, Python scripting.

GNU Debugger (GDB) * Debugger for programs written in C, C++, Fortran. * Supports memory inspection, stack tracing, source code analysis. * Compatible with Linux, Mac OS, Windows; integrates with multiple compilers.

⸻

Topic 12B: Analyzing Cloud Vulnerabilities

Cloud Assessment Tools

* 	Identify vulnerabilities in cloud-hosted applications and infrastructure.
* 	Detect misconfigurations, provide actionable remediation advice.

ScoutSuite

* 	Cloud security auditing tool (AWS, Azure, GCP).
* 	Reports infrastructure vulnerabilities, IAM issues, firewall settings.
* 	Open-source: https://github.com/nccgroup/ScoutSuite

Prowler

* 	AWS-specific auditing tool.
* 	Identifies security issues, misconfigurations, regulatory compliance (CIS benchmarks).
* 	Open-source: https://github.com/toniblyx/prowler

Pacu

* 	AWS exploitation framework for security assessments.
* 	Modules for exploiting AWS API vulnerabilities.
* 	Includes “CloudGoat” for practice scenarios.
* 	Open-source: https://github.com/RhinoSecurityLabs/pacu

Cloud Security Considerations

* 	Clearly define responsibilities between cloud provider and customer.
* 	Adhere to cloud service provider acceptable-use and testing policies.

ScoutSuite Usage and Analysis

* 	Create user with least-privilege API credentials.
* 	Execute scans using CLI; generates HTML vulnerability reports.

⸻

Tools List:

* 	**Web Application Scanners**
* 	Burp Suite (https://portswigger.net)
* 	OWASP ZAP (https://www.zaproxy.org/)
* 	Nikto (https://www.cirt.net/nikto2)
* 	Arachni (http://arachni-scanner.com)
* 	**Application Debuggers**
* 	Immunity Debugger (https://www.immunityinc.com)
* 	GNU Debugger (https://www.gnu.org/software/gdb)
* 	**Cloud Assessment Tools**
* 	ScoutSuite (https://github.com/nccgroup/ScoutSuite)
* 	Prowler (https://github.com/toniblyx/prowler)
* 	Pacu (https://github.com/RhinoSecurityLabs/pacu)

⸻

Websites List:

* 	**PortSwigger Web Security Academy**
* 	https://portswigger.net/web-security
* 	**OWASP ZAP Add-ons**
* 	https://www.zaproxy.org/addons
* 	**Nikto Project**
* 	https://www.cirt.net/nikto2
* 	**ScoutSuite Documentation**
* 	https://github.com/nccgroup/ScoutSuite/wiki
* 	**AWS Penetration Testing Policy**
* 	https://aws.amazon.com/security/penetration-testing
* 	**Cloud Security Resources**
* 	CIS AWS Benchmarks: https://www.cisecurity.org/benchmark/amazon_web_services
* 	**Cloud Exploitation Framework**
* 	Rhino Security Labs Pacu: https://github.com/RhinoSecurityLabs/pacu
* 	CloudGoat (practice scenarios): https://rhinosecuritylabs.com/aws/cloudgoat-vulnerable-design-aws-environment

⸻

Lesson 13: Exploring Scripting Tools and Analysis Concepts

⸻

Topic 13A: Understanding Scripting Languages

Scripting Language Basics

* 	Scripting languages automate tasks, data manipulation, administrative tasks.
* 	Require interpreters (no compilation needed).
* 	Popular scripting languages: Bash, PowerShell, Python.

Essential Shell Commands (Linux/Unix)

* 	**File Operations**: cat, head, tail, touch, cp, mv, rm, file, ls, mkdir.
* 	**Search & Network Tools**: find, locate, wget, curl.

Administrative Commands

* 	vi/vim, nano: file editing.
* 	su, sudo: user privilege management.
* 	useradd, usermod: account management.
* 	chmod, chown: permission management.

Bash Shell Scripting Concepts

* 	**Variables**: store reusable values (export, echo $VARIABLE).
* 	**Arithmetic Operations**: using expr, back quotes (  `).
* 	**Boolean Operators**:
* 	Equality (==, -eq), inequality (!=, -ne), greater than (-gt), less than (-lt).
* 	**Decision Structures** (if/else, elif, square brackets [ ]).
* 	**Loops** (while/done loop).
* 	**Metacharacters & Quotes**: escape sequences (\), single quotes (' '), double quotes (" "), back quotes for command substitution (  `).
* 	**Redirection** (>, >>): output to files or append content.

Windows PowerShell

* 	Powerful scripting with cmdlets (Verb-Noun syntax).
* 	Cmdlets examples: Get-Content, New-Item, Set-ExecutionPolicy.
* 	Supports redirection similar to Bash.
* 	PowerShell ISE: Integrated environment for script development.

Additional Scripting Tools

* 	**WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-Line)**:
* 	Manage system configurations remotely.
* 	**Python**:
* 	General-purpose scripting and programming language.
* 	Extensible with libraries; powerful in cybersecurity.

Regular Expressions (Regex)

* 	Powerful pattern-matching tool used in many languages.
* 	Syntax includes: character sets ([ABC]), ranges ([A-Z]), digits (\d), whitespace (\s), quantifiers (?, {1,3}).
* 	Examples:
* 	Phone numbers
* 	Credit card numbers

JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)

* 	Lightweight data-interchange format.
* 	Syntax: key-value pairs ({"key": "value"}).

Extensible Markup Language (XML)

* 	Markup language for structured data transfer.
* 	Uses custom tags, not predefined like HTML.

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Topic 13B: Identifying Malicious Activity Through Analysis

Analysis Methods

* 	Traffic analysis, log review, user monitoring, endpoint protection, IDS/IPS, SIEM tools.

Types of Anomalous Activities

* 	**Network anomalies**: unusual spikes, unexpected traffic patterns.
* 	**Resource anomalies**: high CPU or memory usage.
* 	**User anomalies**: unauthorized access attempts, privilege escalation.
* 	**System anomalies**: unusual errors, unexpected shutdowns.

Indicators of Malicious Activity

* 	**New Accounts**: unexpected creation for unauthorized access or persistence.
* 	**Unexpected Output**: files, network connections, large data transfers, encrypted traffic.
* 	**Service Interruption**: DoS attacks, ransomware, vulnerability exploitation, insider threats.
* 	**Suspicious Application Logs**:
* 	Unauthorized access attempts.
* 	Changes in configuration settings.
* 	Anomalous application behavior.
* 	Source identification for security incidents.

Practical Analysis Example (Using Wazuh SIEM)

* 	Identification of failed logon attempts (password attack).
* 	Confirmation through log analysis (/var/log/auth.log).
* 	Detection of successful compromise, creation of new user (hax0r).
* 	Detection of persistent backdoor (port 4444, netcat).

⸻

Tools List:

* 	**Shell Scripting**
* 	Bash, PowerShell
* 	**Text Editors**
* 	vi/vim, nano
* 	**Administrative Tools**
* 	WMIC, Netstat, ss
* 	**Python**
* 	PyPI libraries (https://pypi.org)
* 	**Regular Expression Tools**
* 	Regex101 (https://regex101.com/)
* 	**SIEM Tools**
* 	Wazuh (https://wazuh.com/)

⸻

Websites List:

* 	**PowerShell Training**
* 	[Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/introduction-to-powershell/)
* 	**Regular Expression Practice**
* 	[Regex101](https://regex101.com)
* 	[Credit Card Regex](https://regexpattern.com/credit-card-number/)
* 	**JSON Documentation**
* 	[JSON.org](https://www.json.org/)
* 	**XML Tutorial**
* 	[W3Schools XML](https://www.w3schools.com/xml/)
* 	**Wazuh Documentation**
* 	[Wazuh Official](https://wazuh.com)

⸻

Lesson 14: Understanding Application Security and Attack Mitigation Best Practices

⸻

Topic 14A: Exploring Secure Software Development Practices

Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SSDLC)

* 	Emphasizes security throughout software development lifecycle.
* 	Contrasts traditional SDLC, adding security controls at each stage:
* 	Requirements, Design, Implementation, Verification, Maintenance.

OWASP Testing Guide (Key Areas)

1.	Information Gathering
2.	Configuration and Deployment Management
3.	Identity Management Testing
4.	Input Validation Testing
5.	Error Handling and Logging
6.	Cryptography Testing
7.	Business Logic Testing
8.	Client-side Testing
9.	Web Services Testing
10.	Mobile Security Testing

Authentication Attack Types

* 	**On-path (Man-in-the-Middle)**: Intercepts communications.
* 	Mitigation: Use HTTPS, VPN.
* 	**Password Spraying**: Common passwords tested against multiple accounts.
* 	**Credential Stuffing**: Using stolen credentials across multiple services.

Authentication Best Practices

* 	Require strong passwords.
* 	Secure password reset mechanisms.
* 	Avoid exposure of credentials or tokens.
* 	Protect against session hijacking.
* 	Use multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Secure Coding Best Practices

* 	**Input Validation**: Sanitization and normalization (server-side mandatory).
* 	**Output Encoding**: Prevents injection, XSS attacks.
* 	**Parameterized Queries**: Protect against SQL injections.
* 	**Data Protection**: Encryption, secure storage, robust error handling.
* 	**Session Management**: Secure session IDs, cookies, session timeouts.

⸻

Topic 14B: Recommending Controls to Mitigate Successful Application Attacks

Overflow Attacks and Vulnerabilities

* 	**Buffer Overflow**: Data overwrites adjacent memory.
* 	**Heap Overflow**: Global memory corruption; arbitrary execution.
* 	**Integer Overflow**: Numeric overflow causes wrap-around errors.
* 	**Stack Overflow**: Overwriting stack frame data; arbitrary code execution.
* 	Mitigation: Safe coding practices, input validation, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR).

SQL Injection Attacks

* 	Inserting malicious SQL code through user inputs.
* 	Indicators: Single apostrophes or true statements (1=1).
* 	Mitigation: Parameterized queries, input validation, secure coding practices.

Prompt Injection

* 	Malicious inputs to manipulate AI/chatbots.
* 	Example: Microsoft’s Tay chatbot incident.

Insecure Object References

* 	Direct manipulation of references to unauthorized objects.
* 	Mitigation: Strong access controls and input validation.

XML Attacks

* 	**XML Bomb**: Large entities causing resource exhaustion.
* 	**XML External Entity (XXE)**: Accessing server’s local resources.
* 	Mitigation: Input validation, proper XML parsing configurations.

Web Application Attacks

* 	**Directory Traversal**: Access unauthorized files on server.
* 	**Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)**:
* 	Reflected: Malicious scripts in URLs.
* 	Persistent: Malicious scripts stored on server.
* 	**File Inclusion**: Local and remote file inclusion into web applications.

Session Hijacking Attacks

* 	Exploiting session cookies.
* 	**Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF/XSRF)**: Exploiting authenticated sessions.
* 	**Cookie Poisoning**: Manipulating cookies for malicious access.

Additional Application Vulnerabilities

* 	**Broken Access Control**: Incorrect permissions leading to unauthorized access.
* 	**Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)**: Unauthorized requests from compromised server.
* 	Example: 2019 Capital One breach.
* 	**Data Poisoning**: Manipulating data in machine learning systems.

⸻

Topic 14C: Implementing Controls to Prevent Attacks

Application Attack Mitigation Controls

* 	Regular security training and education for developers and administrators.
* 	Routine security patching and updates.
* 	Input validation and sanitization.
* 	Strong encryption and key management.
* 	Robust session and cookie management.
* 	Access control and privilege management.

⸻

Tools List:

* 	**Application Testing Tools**
* 	Burp Suite (https://portswigger.net)
* 	OWASP ZAP (https://www.zaproxy.org/)
* 	Nikto (https://www.cirt.net/nikto2)
* 	**Debuggers and Analyzers**
* 	Immunity Debugger, GNU Debugger (GDB)
* 	**Web Application Security Tools**
* 	Social-Engineer Toolkit, Gophish (for testing phishing awareness)
* 	Metasploit, Recon-ng, Maltego
* 	**Cloud Security Tools**
* 	ScoutSuite, Prowler, Pacu

⸻

Websites List:

* 	**Secure Software Development**
* 	NIST Secure SDLC: [https://csrc.nist.gov/Projects/ssdf](https://csrc.nist.gov/Projects/ssdf)
* 	Microsoft SDL Practices: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/securityengineering/sdl/](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/securityengineering/sdl/)
* 	**OWASP Resources**
* 	OWASP Testing Guide: [https://owasp.org/www-project-web-security-testing-guide](https://owasp.org/www-project-web-security-testing-guide)
* 	OWASP Authentication Cheat Sheet: [https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/Authentication_Cheat_Sheet.html](https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/Authentication_Cheat_Sheet.html)
* 	OWASP Input Validation: [https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/Input_Validation_Cheat_Sheet.html](https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/Input_Validation_Cheat_Sheet.html)
* 	**Encoding and Security**
* 	OWASP Output Encoding: [https://owasp.org/index.php/Category:Encoding](https://owasp.org/index.php/Category:Encoding)
* 	**Session Management**
* 	OWASP Session Management: [https://owasp.org/www-project-session-management-cheat-sheet/](https://owasp.org/www-project-session-management-cheat-sheet/)
* 	**Server-side Security**
* 	SSRF Guide (PortSwigger): [https://portswigger.net/web-security/ssrf](https://portswigger.net/web-security/ssrf)
* 	**Incident Examples**
* 	CapitalOne Breach (SSRF): [https://krebsonsecurity.com/2019/08/what-we-can-learn-from-the-capital-one-hack/](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2019/08/what-we-can-learn-from-the-capital-one-hack/)

⸻