Attack Surface Vulnerability Correlation

Attack Surface Vulnerability Mapping is a cybersecurity process that involves correlating identified vulnerabilities with the specific components of an organization's attack surface.

Here's a breakdown:

• Attack Surface Definition: The attack surface is the total collection of points on an organization's systems where an unauthorized user can attempt to enter data to or extract data from an environment. It includes websites, applications, servers, cloud services, and other systems exposed to potential attackers.

• Vulnerability Identification: This involves discovering security weaknesses in the attack surface components. Vulnerabilities can exist in software, hardware, or configurations.

• Correlation: The core of mapping is linking each identified vulnerability to the specific asset or component within the attack surface where it resides. For example:

• A vulnerability in a specific web application

• A vulnerability in a particular server

• A vulnerability related to an open port on a firewall

• Visualization: The mapping process is often visualized using diagrams, charts, or other tools to provide a clear picture of vulnerabilities within the attack surface.

The benefits of Attack Surface Vulnerability Mapping include:

• Precise Risk Assessment: Organizations can better understand which vulnerabilities pose the most significant risk based on the criticality and exposure of the affected assets.

• Efficient Remediation: Security teams can prioritize remediation efforts by focusing on the most critical vulnerabilities and exposed parts of the attack surface.

• Improved Security Posture: Organizations can develop more effective security strategies by gaining a comprehensive view of vulnerabilities and their locations.

ThreatNG excels at Attack Surface Vulnerability Mapping by providing detailed visibility and correlation between vulnerabilities and external-facing assets:

1. External Discovery:

• ThreatNG's external discovery is the foundation for mapping.

• It comprehensively identifies all components of the external attack surface, including:

• Web applications

• Subdomains

• IP addresses

• Open ports

• Cloud services

• SaaS applications

• Code repositories

• This detailed inventory allows for precise mapping of vulnerabilities to specific assets.

2. External Assessment:

• ThreatNG's external assessments provide vulnerability context and risk scoring for discovered assets.

• For example:

• Cyber Risk Exposure assessment identifies vulnerabilities associated with specific subdomains or exposed ports.

• Code Secret Exposure assessment highlights vulnerabilities related to exposed credentials in code repositories.

• Cloud and SaaS Exposure assessment reveals vulnerabilities in specific cloud services or SaaS applications.

• ThreatNG facilitates effective Attack Surface Vulnerability Mapping by linking vulnerabilities to specific assets.

3. Reporting:

• ThreatNG's reporting capabilities present a consolidated view of vulnerabilities and their associated assets.

• Reports can be generated to show:

• Vulnerabilities grouped by affected web application.

• Vulnerabilities associated with specific cloud services.

• Vulnerabilities linked to exposed code repositories.

• This clear presentation of mapped vulnerabilities helps security teams understand the scope of their vulnerability management efforts.

4. Continuous Monitoring:

• ThreatNG's continuous monitoring ensures that the Attack Surface Vulnerability Mapping remains up-to-date.

• As the external attack surface evolves (e.g., new subdomains are created, new cloud services are adopted), ThreatNG automatically discovers these changes and updates the vulnerability mapping accordingly.

5. Investigation Modules:

• ThreatNG's investigation modules provide detailed information that aids in vulnerability mapping and analysis:

• The Domain Intelligence module details subdomains, DNS records, and related infrastructure, enabling security teams to understand the context of vulnerabilities associated with specific domains.

• The IP Intelligence module provides information about IP addresses and their associated services, helping to map vulnerabilities to specific network assets.

• The Code Secret Exposure module helps pinpoint the exact location of exposed credentials within code repositories, facilitating precise remediation.

6. Intelligence Repositories (DarCache):

• ThreatNG's DarCache Vulnerability repository provides a centralized source of vulnerability intelligence.

• ThreatNG enriches its vulnerability mapping with severity scores, exploitability information, and remediation guidance by integrating data from sources like NVD and EPSS.

How ThreatNG Helps:

• ThreatNG automates the Attack Surface Vulnerability Mapping process, saving security teams time and effort.

• It provides a comprehensive and accurate view of vulnerability distribution across the external attack surface.

• ThreatNG empowers organizations to prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality and exposure of affected assets.

How ThreatNG Works with Complementary Solutions:

• ThreatNG's API capabilities enable integration with other security tools to enhance vulnerability management workflows.

• For example, ThreatNG can integrate with vulnerability management systems to import vulnerability data and automatically map it to assets within those systems.

• It can also integrate with SIEMs to provide contextual information about vulnerabilities during security incident investigations.