Threat intelligence plays a critical role in detecting, responding to, and preventing cyberattacks. One powerful model that helps organizations focus their efforts in this area is the "Pyramid of Pain." Developed by security expert David J. Bianco, the Pyramid of Pain is a conceptual framework for leveraging Cyber Threat Intelligence in detection efforts, emphasizing how targeting harder-to-change adversary behaviors increases the cost and complexity of their operations.
This article will break down the Pyramid of Pain, explain its relevance in threat intelligence, and how Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solutions can leverage this model to enhance cybersecurity defenses.
What is the Pyramid of Pain?
The Pyramid of Pain is a hierarchical model that categorizes different types of indicators of compromise (IoCs) and behaviors based on how much difficulty they cause attackers to change after defenders detect and mitigate them.
These categories range from simple to complex, with the higher levels of the pyramid representing an increased effort and cost for attackers to modify and sustain their operations.
Understanding the layers of the Pyramid of Pain helps security teams prioritize their efforts and focus on actions that will significantly disrupt adversaries’ tactics.
The Six Layers of the Pyramid of Pain
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Hash Values (Low Pain)
Hash values are cryptographic signatures that uniquely identify files. They are the easiest IoC to detect and block but also the easiest for attackers to change. When defenders rely solely on blocking hash values, attackers can quickly bypass these defenses by modifying their malware slightly, which generates a new hash value.
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IP Addresses
IP addresses are another common IoC used to block malicious actors. While they can be valuable for identifying sources of attacks, they are also relatively easy for attackers to change by switching servers or using different proxies.
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Domain Names
Blocking malicious domain names can disrupt command-and-control (C2) servers used by attackers. While domain names are more difficult to change than IP addresses, sophisticated attackers can still generate new domains quickly to bypass defenses.
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Network/Host Artifacts
Network and host artifacts refer to specific patterns or behaviors observed in network traffic or endpoints that indicate malicious activity. These artifacts are harder to alter than hash values or IP addresses but are still possible for advanced attackers to modify to evade detection.
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Tools
Tools refer to the software, scripts, and frameworks used by attackers to carry out their operations. Detecting and disrupting these tools can be more painful for attackers, as they must develop or find new tools, which takes time and effort. However, skilled adversaries may still find alternative tools to accomplish their goals.
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Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) (High Pain)
TTPs represent the methods, strategies, and overall approach that attackers use to conduct attacks. When defenders can detect and disrupt TTPs, it becomes significantly harder for attackers to adjust. Changing TTPs requires not just new tools or tactics but often a complete overhaul of their operations. This level of defense inflicts the highest level of "pain" on attackers.
Why the Pyramid of Pain Matters in Threat Intelligence
The Pyramid of Pain is crucial for understanding how to apply threat intelligence effectively.Lower-level indicators like hash values and IP addresses can be detected and blocked automatically but provide only short-term benefits.
On the other hand, identifying and mitigating TTPs requires a deeper understanding of attacker behavior, but it leads to more long-lasting and meaningful protection.
Organizations that focus their resources on detecting and responding to higher-level aspects such as TTPs will have a more resilient and proactive cybersecurity posture.
How MDR Solutions, such as Quzara's Cybertorch, Enhance the Pyramid of Pain
A Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution plays a key role in elevating an organization’s cybersecurity efforts by focusing on the more difficult layers of the Pyramid of Pain. Here’s how an MDR service can help:
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Real-Time Monitoring and Detection
MDR services continuously monitor network and endpoint activity for suspicious behaviors. By leveraging advanced threat intelligence feeds and machine learning, MDR platforms can detect IoCs and behaviors across all levels of the Pyramid of Pain. While advanced analytics and queries can help to identify higher elements of the Pyramid such as tooling and TTPs.
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Automated Response to Low-Level Indicators
For low-level IoCs like hash values and IP addresses, an MDR solution automates the response, reducing the need for manual intervention. This ensures that basic indicators are addressed quickly while allowing security teams to focus on more complex threats.
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Advanced Threat Hunting
MDR providers offer proactive threat hunting services that focus on higher levels of the Pyramid of Pain, such as TTPs and tools. Through manual analysis and sophisticated detection algorithms, threat hunters can identify patterns and behaviors that indicate advanced persistent threats (APTs) before they become a larger issue.
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Incident Response and Forensics
When a security incident occurs, an MDR solution provides incident response and forensics services to analyze the attack. This analysis includes understanding the attacker’s tools, techniques, and procedures, allowing the organization to strengthen its defenses against similar future attacks.
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Tailored Threat Intelligence
By working with an MDR provider, organizations gain access to tailored threat intelligence that focuses on the most relevant threats to their specific environment. This intelligence helps detect higher-level IoCs and TTPs that are unique to the organization’s industry or operational context.
The Role of Automation in MDR and the Pyramid of Pain
Automation is critical in effectively addressing the different layers of the Pyramid of Pain.
With automated detection and response, low-level IoCs can be handled efficiently without overwhelming the security team.
Automation frees up resources, allowing human analysts to focus on the more sophisticated and impactful indicators that require deep analysis and understanding.
Conclusion
The Pyramid of Pain is a strategic model that underscores the importance of identifying and targeting IoCs that cause the greatest disruption to attackers.
By focusing on higher layers such as TTPs, organizations can significantly elevate their resilience and cybersecurity posture.
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solutions align closely with this model by providing real-time monitoring, automated responses, tailored threat intelligence, and proactive threat hunting.
Quzara’s Cybertorch™ solution utilizes this approach to strengthen threat intelligence further, offering 24/7/365 monitoring, threat hunting, and incident response.
Cybertorch™ is a SOC 2 Type 2-approved service that leverages FedRAMP High readiness and DOD IL5 standards, ensuring robust security for both commercial and government clients.
Cybertorch™ empowers organizations by continuously monitoring threats, orchestrating security, and managing vulnerabilities across diverse environments, from on-premises to OT/IoT and hybrid cloud systems.
Supported by US-based security analysts, Cybertorch™ offers in-depth risk identification, remediation planning, and visual navigation of asset context to address both system vulnerabilities and human factors.
If you're looking to strengthen your threat intelligence lifecycle with a comprehensive MDR solution, contact Quzara today to learn how Cybertorch™ can provide the protection your business needs.
