Defining & Understanding the MITRE ATT&CK Framework

TL;DR

The MITRE ATT&CK (Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge) framework is a publicly maintained knowledge base of attacker behaviors, originally developed by the MITRE Corporation in 2013. It organizes adversary behavior into 14 enterprise tactics — from reconnaissance and initial access to exfiltration and impact — and maps specific techniques to each. Security teams can use this matrix to evaluate their defenses, prioritize vulnerabilities, and track how threats evolve over time.

Understanding the MITRE ATT&CK framework and matrix

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a collection of hacker goals and techniques. The MITRE Corporation (a nonprofit research and development organization) developed and maintains this database of knowledge.

The ATT&CK name is an acronym, which stands for "adversarial tactics, techniques, and common knowledge."

Let's explain what this database contains, and we'll outline how you can use this information to keep your company's resources safe and sound.  

What is the MITRE ATT&CK framework?

What if you had a constantly updated list of all the things your enemies wanted to do to you? And what if that list also contained information about how they planned to harm you?

In 2013, officials at the MITRE Corporation decided to answer that question through the FMX research project. They collected data on attacks happening on enterprise networks, and they tested various defense mechanisms to see if they worked. In time, the database became so robust and valuable that the team decided to share their knowledge with the wider world. The MITRE ATT&CK matrix was born. 

Information within the matrix is shared in table format. Links let you dig deeper into the research, and you can check back regularly to see how a threat changes with time.

The matrix is broken down into two crucial areas.

Understanding the MITRE terminology takes time and a little practice. But it's worth the effort. As MITRE ATT&CK research grows in popularity, Information Technology (IT) professionals tend to slip the words into conversations about the threats they face. The more you know about how the research progresses, the better you can join in these talks.  

What are MITRE ATT&CK tactics?

Every tactic answers the question "Why?" Think of them as the motivations that drive attackers to do what they do.

The team at MITRE has 14 of them identified for people working within an enterprise environment. We'll link to the specific MITRE page dedicated to that attack, so you can dig into the research and understand each tactic and how things change with time.

Recognized enterprise tactics include:

• Resource development. Your adversary wants to ensure that attacks progress successfully. If the attacker has plenty of tools available, this hack and the next one coming could be even more effective. 
• Reconnaissance. Your attacker wants to gather information about you, either passively or actively, so the attack is driven by data and more likely to succeed. 
• Initial access. Your attacker wants to enter your environment successfully and gain a toehold that can be exploited as the attack deepens. 
• Execution. Your attacker wants to take control by running code on either a local system or a remote version. 
• Persistence. The hacker wants to stay in place, even if you restart the system, change credentials, or otherwise try to secure your environment. 
• Privilege escalation. Your hacker wants to do more than be a simple user of the network. The hacker wants more privileges, so they can follow through on objectives. 
• Defense evasion. The hacker wants to stay hidden, even if you're searching for an intruder with security software. 
• Credential access. The adversary wants to steal credentials, including usernames and passwords, that could be sold or used later. 
• Discovery. Your intruder wants to know more about your system setup and your network, so the next step moves smoothly. 
• Lateral movement. Your hacker wants to enter and control any remote systems you have on your network. 
• Collection. Your intruder wants to gather yet more information about both you and your resources. 
• Command and control. Your adversary wants to communicate with systems on your network. Preferably, the person can control these systems too. 
• Exfiltration. The hacker wants to steal data and push it out of your system. 
• Impact. Your adversary wants to limit your availability or manipulate your processes. 

If you're working in a mobile environment, the tactics are much the same. But two new tactics appear on this list that don't apply to enterprise situations. They are:

• Network effects. Your adversary wants to intercept or manipulate traffic heading to or leaving a device. 
• Remote service effects. A hacker tries to either control or monitor a device with remote services. 

Think of these tactics as a hacker wish list. Follow them in sequence, and you'll understand just what someone wants to do when they enter your environment and how each step follows on the last. You might start to understand why stopping an attack in the early stages is so crucial.  

What are MITRE ATT&CK techniques?

What steps must your adversary take to achieve hacking goals? These actions are techniques.

In the MITRE ATT&CK matrix, techniques are grouped using the same methodology that governs tactics. That means two sets exist: one for enterprise environments and one for mobile environments. 

Dig into this data, and you'll understand just what your attacker plans to do, along with the tools and technology required to get the job done.

3 Ways to Use the MITRE ATT&CK Matrix

Plenty of data awaits you, if you choose to dig into the MITRE website. And the information changes regularly, so you'll need to check back often to understand how hackers are altering their work. 

Why should you bother with the hassle? You could use the data to:

• Evaluate. How well would your tools stand up to a prominent hacker approach? Are new things happening that you never planned for?
• Prioritize. Every security system could stand a touch of improvement. Where should you get started? Understanding the current landscape could help you spot the biggest vulnerabilities you must patch. 
• Track. How is the security landscape changing? What are your known adversaries doing? You can watch this data within the database. 

In general, the MITRE team helps to share threat intelligence and lessons learned, so you can do your job even better. It's worthwhile to enter the matrix from time to time, so you'll know just what to do next to stay ahead of intruders. 

Looking for even more information about current threats? We have a webinar devoted to real-time security intelligence worth your time. Check it out.  

Frequently asked questions

What does ATT&CK stand for in MITRE ATT&CK?

ATT&CK is an acronym for Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge — a structured framework that documents the goals and methods attackers use against enterprise and mobile environments.

When was the MITRE ATT&CK framework created?

The framework originated in 2013 through the MITRE Corporation's FMX research project, which collected data on attacks targeting enterprise networks and tested various defense mechanisms before sharing the findings publicly.

What is the difference between tactics and techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK matrix?

Tactics represent the 'why' — the adversary's motivation or goal at a given stage of an attack. Techniques represent the 'how' — the specific actions an attacker takes to achieve that goal.

How many enterprise tactics does the MITRE ATT&CK framework cover?

The framework identifies 14 enterprise tactics, ranging from reconnaissance and initial access through to exfiltration and impact, each linked to detailed research on the MITRE website.

Are there differences between enterprise and mobile MITRE ATT&CK tactics?

Most tactics apply to both environments, but the mobile matrix includes two additional tactics not found in the enterprise version: network effects (intercepting or manipulating device traffic) and remote service effects (controlling or monitoring a device via remote services).

How can security teams practically use the MITRE ATT&CK matrix?

Security teams can use the matrix in three key ways: to evaluate how well existing tools hold up against known attack methods, to prioritize which vulnerabilities need the most urgent attention, and to track how the threat landscape and adversary behaviors evolve over time.

References

Frequently Asked Questions. The MITRE Corporation. 

Reconnaissance. The MITRE Corporation. 

Resource Development. The MITRE Corporation. 

Initial Access. The MITRE Corporation. 

Execution. The MITRE Corporation. 

Persistence. The MITRE Corporation. 

Privilege Escalation. The MITRE Corporation. 

Defense Evasion. The MITRE Corporation.

Credential Access. The MITRE Corporation. 

Discovery. The MITRE Corporation. 

Lateral Movement. The MITRE Corporation. 

Collection. The MITRE Corporation. 

Command and Control. The MITRE Corporation. 

Exfiltration. The MITRE Corporation. 

Impact. The MITRE Corporation. 

Mobile Tactics. The MITRE Corporation. 

Enterprise Techniques. The MITRE Corporation. 

Mobile Techniques. The MITRE Corporation.