Vulnerability Exposure Analysis
Vulnerability Exposure Analysis is a cybersecurity process that assesses the extent to which a vulnerability is accessible and can be exploited by potential attackers. It goes beyond simply identifying a vulnerability to evaluating the factors influencing its exploitability.
Here's a detailed explanation:
Attack Vector: This considers how an attacker could reach and exploit the vulnerability.
Is it remotely exploitable over the internet?
Does it require local access to the system?
Does it involve social engineering or phishing?
Attack Surface: This evaluates the specific parts of a system or application where the vulnerability exists and their accessibility.
Is it in a public-facing web application?
Is it in an internal system behind a firewall?
Is it in a widely used software component?
Privilege Requirements: This determines the level of access an attacker needs to exploit the vulnerability.
Can it be exploited without any credentials?
Does it require a valid user account?
Does it require administrator privileges?
Complexity of Exploitation: This assesses how difficult it is for an attacker to exploit the vulnerability successfully.
Is it easy to exploit with readily available tools?
Does it require specialized knowledge or skills?
Is it unreliable or prone to failure?
Potential Impact: While not strictly "exposure," the potential damage resulting from a successful exploit is often considered in conjunction with exposure.
Could it lead to data breach?
Could it cause denial of service?
Could it allow the attacker to gain control of the system?
By analyzing these factors, Vulnerability Exposure Analysis provides a more nuanced understanding of the actual risk posed by a vulnerability, enabling security teams to prioritize remediation efforts effectively.
ThreatNG is well-equipped to conduct Vulnerability Exposure Analysis, providing valuable insights into the accessibility and exploitability of vulnerabilities. Here's how its features contribute:
ThreatNG's external discovery capabilities provide a detailed view of the organization's attack surface, which is fundamental to understanding the Attack Surface component of Vulnerability Exposure Analysis.
By identifying all external-facing assets, including web applications, subdomains, exposed ports, and cloud services, ThreatNG maps out the potential entry points for attackers.
ThreatNG's external assessments incorporate factors that directly relate to Vulnerability Exposure Analysis:
Cyber Risk Exposure: This assessment considers "exposed sensitive ports" and "subdomain headers," which directly relate to the Attack Vector and Attack Surface. Exposed ports on internet-facing servers increase the exposure of any vulnerabilities associated with those services.
Web Application Hijack Susceptibility: This assessment analyzes "the parts of a web application accessible from the outside world to identify potential entry points for attackers," directly assessing the Attack Vector.
Code Secret Exposure: By identifying exposed code repositories and their exposure level, ThreatNG helps assess the Attack Vector and Privilege Requirements needed to exploit vulnerabilities related to those secrets.
3. Reporting:
ThreatNG's reporting provides context for vulnerability findings, aiding in Vulnerability Exposure Analysis.
Reports can highlight:
Which vulnerabilities are present in public-facing applications versus internal systems?
Which vulnerabilities can be exploited remotely versus those requiring local access?
The potential impact of a vulnerability on the affected asset.
ThreatNG's continuous monitoring keeps Vulnerability Exposure Analysis dynamic and up-to-date.
By constantly monitoring the external attack surface, ThreatNG detects changes that could affect vulnerability exposure, such as new services being exposed or changes in firewall rules.
ThreatNG's investigation modules provide detailed information for in-depth Vulnerability Exposure Analysis:
Domain Intelligence: Provides information about subdomains, DNS records, and network infrastructure, helping to understand the Attack Surface and Attack Vector.
IP Intelligence: Provides details about IP addresses and their associated services, further clarifying the Attack Surface and Attack Vector.
Sensitive Code Exposure: This section provides detailed information about where sensitive information is exposed, which helps clarify the Attack Vector and Privilege Requirements.
6. Intelligence Repositories (DarCache):
ThreatNG's DarCache Vulnerability repository provides valuable information about the Complexity of Exploitation.
By including data from sources like NVD and DarCache eXploit (verified PoC exploits), ThreatNG provides insights into how easily vulnerabilities can be exploited.
How ThreatNG Helps:
ThreatNG automates the collection and correlation of data needed for Vulnerability Exposure Analysis.
It provides a centralized platform for assessing vulnerabilities and the context of their exposure.
ThreatNG empowers organizations to prioritize remediation efforts based on a more accurate understanding of the actual risk.
How ThreatNG Works with Complementary Solutions:
ThreatNG can share its contextualized vulnerability data with other security tools to improve their effectiveness.
For example, ThreatNG could integrate with a vulnerability management system, providing it with detailed exposure information to enhance prioritization and remediation workflows.
