Visible to the public Biblio

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2021-12-20
Yang, SU.  2021.  An Approach on Attack Path Prediction Modeling Based on Game Theory. 2021 IEEE 5th Advanced Information Technology, Electronic and Automation Control Conference (IAEAC). 5:2604–2608.
Considering the lack of theoretical analysis for distributed network under APT (advanced persistent threat) attacks, a game model was proposed to solve the problem based on APT attack path. Firstly, this paper analyzed the attack paths of attackers and proposed the defensive framework of network security by analyzing the characteristics of the APT attack and the distributed network structure. Secondly, OAPG(an attack path prediction model oriented to APT) was established from the value both the attacker and the defender based on game theory, besides, this paper calculated the game equilibrium and generated the maximum revenue path of the attacker, and then put forward the best defensive strategy for defender. Finally, this paper validated the model by an instance of APT attack, the calculated results showed that the model can analyze the attacker and defender from the attack path, and can provide a reasonable defense scheme for organizations that use distributed networks.
2021-01-22
Klyaus, T. K., Gatchin, Y. A..  2020.  Mathematical Model For Information Security System Effectiveness Evaluation Against Advanced Persistent Threat Attacks. 2020 Wave Electronics and its Application in Information and Telecommunication Systems (WECONF). :1—5.
The article deals with the mathematical model for information security controls optimization and evaluation of the information security systems effectiveness. Distinctive features of APT attacks are given. The generalized efficiency criterion in which both the requirements of the return of security investment maximization and the return on attack minimization are simultaneously met. The generalized reduced gradient method for solving the optimization of the objective function based on formulated efficiency criterion is proposed.
2020-09-14
Liang, Xiao, Ma, Lixin, An, Ningyu, Jiang, Dongxiao, Li, Chenggang, Chen, Xiaona, Zhao, Lijiao.  2019.  Ontology Based Security Risk Model for Power Terminal Equipment. 2019 12th International Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Design (ISCID). 2:212–216.
IoT based technology are drastically accelerating the informationization development of the power grid system of China that consists of a huge number of power terminal devices interconnected by the network of electric power IoT. However, the networked power terminal equipment oriented cyberspace security has continually become a challenging problem as network attack is continually varying and evolving. In this paper, we concentrate on the security risk of power terminal equipment and their vulnerability based on ATP attack detection and defense. We first analyze the attack mechanism of APT security attack based on power terminal equipment. Based on the analysis of the security and attack of power IoT terminal device, an ontology-based knowledge representation method of power terminal device and its vulnerability is proposed.
2020-08-07
Pawlick, Jeffrey, Nguyen, Thi Thu Hang, Colbert, Edward, Zhu, Quanyan.  2019.  Optimal Timing in Dynamic and Robust Attacker Engagement During Advanced Persistent Threats. 2019 International Symposium on Modeling and Optimization in Mobile, Ad Hoc, and Wireless Networks (WiOPT). :1—8.
Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are stealthy attacks which make use of social engineering and deception to give adversaries insider access to networked systems. Against APTs, active defense technologies aim to create and exploit information asymmetry for defenders. In this paper, we study a scenario in which a powerful defender uses honeynets for active defense in order to observe an attacker who has penetrated the network. Rather than immediately eject the attacker, the defender may elect to gather information. We introduce an undiscounted, infinite-horizon Markov decision process on a continuous state space in order to model the defender's problem. We find a threshold of information that the defender should gather about the attacker before ejecting him. Then we study the robustness of this policy using a Stackelberg game. Finally, we simulate the policy for a conceptual network. Our results provide a quantitative foundation for studying optimal timing for attacker engagement in network defense.
De Abreu, Sergio.  2019.  A Feasibility Study on Machine Learning Techniques for APT Detection and Protection in VANETs. 2019 IEEE 12th International Conference on Global Security, Safety and Sustainability (ICGS3). :212—212.
It is estimated that by 2030, 1 in 4 vehicles on the road will be driverless with adoption rates increasing this figure substantially over the next few decades.
Liu, Xiaohu, Li, Laiqiang, Ma, Zhuang, Lin, Xin, Cao, Junyang.  2019.  Design of APT Attack Defense System Based on Dynamic Deception. 2019 IEEE 5th International Conference on Computer and Communications (ICCC). :1655—1659.
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attack has the characteristics of complex attack means, long duration and great harmfulness. Based on the idea of dynamic deception, the paper proposed an APT defense system framework, and analyzed the deception defense process. The paper proposed a hybrid encryption communication mechanism based on socket, a dynamic IP address generation method based on SM4, a dynamic timing selection method based on Viterbi algorithm and a dynamic policy allocation mechanism based on DHCPv6. Tests show that the defense system can dynamically change and effectively defense APT attacks.
Hasan, Kamrul, Shetty, Sachin, Ullah, Sharif.  2019.  Artificial Intelligence Empowered Cyber Threat Detection and Protection for Power Utilities. 2019 IEEE 5th International Conference on Collaboration and Internet Computing (CIC). :354—359.
Cyber threats have increased extensively during the last decade, especially in smart grids. Cybercriminals have become more sophisticated. Current security controls are not enough to defend networks from the number of highly skilled cybercriminals. Cybercriminals have learned how to evade the most sophisticated tools, such as Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS), and Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is almost invisible to current tools. Fortunately, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) may increase the detection rate of IDPS systems, and Machine Learning (ML) techniques can mine data to detect different attack stages of APT. However, the implementation of AI may bring other risks, and cybersecurity experts need to find a balance between risk and benefits.
Liu, Donglan, Zhang, Hao, Yu, Hao, Liu, Xin, Zhao, Yong, Lv, Guodong.  2019.  Research and Application of APT Attack Defense and Detection Technology Based on Big Data Technology. 2019 IEEE 9th International Conference on Electronics Information and Emergency Communication (ICEIEC). :1—4.
In order to excavate security threats in power grid by making full use of heterogeneous data sources in power information system, this paper proposes APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) attack detection sandbox technology and active defense system based on big data analysis technology. First, the file is restored from the mirror traffic and executed statically. Then, sandbox execution was carried out to introduce analysis samples into controllable virtual environment, and dynamic analysis and operation samples were conducted. Through analyzing the dynamic processing process of samples, various known and unknown malicious code, APT attacks, high-risk Trojan horses and other network security risks were comprehensively detected. Finally, the threat assessment of malicious samples is carried out and visualized through the big data platform. The results show that the method proposed in this paper can effectively warn of unknown threats, improve the security level of system data, have a certain active defense ability. And it can effectively improve the speed and accuracy of power information system security situation prediction.
Berady, Aimad, Viet Triem Tong, Valerie, Guette, Gilles, Bidan, Christophe, Carat, Guillaume.  2019.  Modeling the Operational Phases of APT Campaigns. 2019 International Conference on Computational Science and Computational Intelligence (CSCI). :96—101.
In the context of Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks, this paper introduces a model, called Nuke, which tries to provide a more operational reading of the attackers' lifecycle in a compromised network. It allows to consider the notions of regression; and repetitiveness of final objectives achievement. By confronting this model with examples of recent attacks (Equifax data breach and TV5Monde sabotage), we emphasize the importance of the attack chronology in the Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) reports, as well as the Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) used by the attacker during his progression.
Yan, Dingyu, Liu, Feng, Jia, Kun.  2019.  Modeling an Information-Based Advanced Persistent Threat Attack on the Internal Network. ICC 2019 - 2019 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC). :1—7.
An advanced persistent threat (APT) attack is a powerful cyber-weapon aimed at the specific targets in cyberspace. The sophisticated attack techniques, long dwell time and specific objectives make the traditional defense mechanism ineffective. However, most existing studies fail to consider the theoretical modeling of the whole APT attack. In this paper, we mainly establish a theoretical framework to characterize an information-based APT attack on the internal network. In particular, our mathematical framework includes the initial entry model for selecting the entry points and the targeted attack model for studying the intelligence gathering, strategy decision-making, weaponization and lateral movement. Through a series of simulations, we find the optimal candidate nodes in the initial entry model, observe the dynamic change of the targeted attack model and verify the characteristics of the APT attack.
Chandel, Sonali, Yan, Mengdi, Chen, Shaojun, Jiang, Huan, Ni, Tian-Yi.  2019.  Threat Intelligence Sharing Community: A Countermeasure Against Advanced Persistent Threat. 2019 IEEE Conference on Multimedia Information Processing and Retrieval (MIPR). :353—359.
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) having focused target along with advanced and persistent attacking skills under great concealment is a new trend followed for cyber-attacks. Threat intelligence helps in detecting and preventing APT by collecting a host of data and analyzing malicious behavior through efficient data sharing and guaranteeing the safety and quality of information exchange. For better protection, controlled access to intelligence information and a grading standard to revise the criteria in diagnosis for a security breach is needed. This paper analyses a threat intelligence sharing community model and proposes an improvement to increase the efficiency of sharing by rethinking the size and composition of a sharing community. Based on various external environment variables, it filters the low-quality shared intelligence by grading the trust level of a community member and the quality of a piece of intelligence. We hope that this research can fill in some security gaps to help organizations make a better decision in handling the ever-increasing and continually changing cyber-attacks.
2020-03-23
Kim, MinJu, Dey, Sangeeta, Lee, Seok-Won.  2019.  Ontology-Driven Security Requirements Recommendation for APT Attack. 2019 IEEE 27th International Requirements Engineering Conference Workshops (REW). :150–156.
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is one of the cyber threats that continuously attack specific targets exfiltrate information or destroy the system [1]. Because the attackers use various tools and methods according to the target, it is difficult to describe APT attack in a single pattern. Therefore, APT attacks are difficult to defend against with general countermeasures. In these days, systems consist of various components and related stakeholders, which makes it difficult to consider all the security concerns. In this paper, we propose an ontology knowledge base and its design process to recommend security requirements based on APT attack cases and system domain knowledge. The proposed knowledge base is divided into three parts; APT ontology, general security knowledge ontology, and domain-specific knowledge ontology. Each ontology can help to understand the security concerns in their knowledge. While integrating three ontologies into the problem domain ontology, the appropriate security requirements can be derived with the security requirements recommendation process. The proposed knowledge base and process can help to derive the security requirements while considering both real attacks and systems.
2019-06-24
Kim, Gihoon, Choi, Chang, Choi, Junho.  2018.  Ontology Modeling for APT Attack Detection in an IoT-based Power System. Proceedings of the 2018 Conference on Research in Adaptive and Convergent Systems. :160–164.

Smart grid technology is the core technology for the next-generation power grid system with enhanced energy efficiency through decision-making communication between suppliers and consumers enabled by integrating the IoT into the existing grid. This open architecture allowing bilateral information exchange makes it vulnerable to various types of cyberattack. APT attacks, one of the most common cyberattacks, are highly tricky and sophisticated attacks that can circumvent the existing detection technology and attack the targeted system after a certain latent period after intrusion. This paper proposes an ontology-based attack detection system capable of early detection of and response to APT attacks by analyzing their attacking patterns.

2019-01-21
Fei, Y., Ning, J., Jiang, W..  2018.  A quantifiable Attack-Defense Trees model for APT attack. 2018 IEEE 3rd Advanced Information Technology, Electronic and Automation Control Conference (IAEAC). :2303–2306.
In order to deal with APT(Advanced Persistent Threat) attacks, this paper proposes a quantifiable Attack-Defense Tree model. First, the model gives both attack and defense leaf node a variety of security attributes. And then quantifies the nodes through the analytic hierarchy process. Finally, it analyzes the impact of the defense measures on the attack behavior. Through the application of the model, we can see that the quantifiable Attack-Defense Tree model can well describe the impact of defense measures on attack behavior.
2018-03-19
Lee, M., Choi, J., Choi, C., Kim, P..  2017.  APT Attack Behavior Pattern Mining Using the FP-Growth Algorithm. 2017 14th IEEE Annual Consumer Communications Networking Conference (CCNC). :1–4.

There are continuous hacking and social issues regarding APT (Advanced Persistent Threat - APT) attacks and a number of antivirus businesses and researchers are making efforts to analyze such APT attacks in order to prevent or cope with APT attacks, some host PC security technologies such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems are used. Therefore, in this study, malignant behavior patterns were extracted by using an API of PE files. Moreover, the FP-Growth Algorithm to extract behavior information generated in the host PC in order to overcome the limitation of the previous signature-based intrusion detection systems. We will utilize this study as fundamental research about a system that extracts malignant behavior patterns within networks and APIs in the future.

2017-02-14
J. Choi, C. Choi, H. M. Lynn, P. Kim.  2015.  "Ontology Based APT Attack Behavior Analysis in Cloud Computing". 2015 10th International Conference on Broadband and Wireless Computing, Communication and Applications (BWCCA). :375-379.

Recently personal information due to the APT attack, the economic damage and leakage of confidential information is a serious social problem, a great deal of research has been done to solve this problem. APT attacks are threatening traditional hacking techniques as well as to increase the success rate of attacks using sophisticated attack techniques such attacks Zero-Day vulnerability in order to avoid detection techniques and state-of-the-art security because it uses a combination of intelligence. In this paper, the malicious code is designed to detect APT attack based on APT attack behavior ontology that occur during the operation on the target system, it uses intelligent APT attack than to define inference rules can be inferred about malicious attack behavior to propose a method that can be detected.

K. F. Hong, C. C. Chen, Y. T. Chiu, K. S. Chou.  2015.  "Ctracer: Uncover C amp;amp;C in Advanced Persistent Threats Based on Scalable Framework for Enterprise Log Data". 2015 IEEE International Congress on Big Data. :551-558.

Advanced Persistent Threat (APT), unlike traditional hacking attempts, carries out specific attacks on a specific target to illegally collect information and data from it. These targeted attacks use special-crafted malware and infrequent activity to avoid detection, so that hackers can retain control over target systems unnoticed for long periods of time. In order to detect these stealthy activities, a large-volume of traffic data generated in a period of time has to be analyzed. We proposed a scalable solution, Ctracer to detect stealthy command and control channel in a large-volume of traffic data. APT uses multiple command and control (C&C) channel and change them frequently to avoid detection, but there are common signatures in those C&C sessions. By identifying common network signature, Ctracer is able to group the C&C sessions. Therefore, we can detect an APT and all the C&C session used in an APT attack. The Ctracer is evaluated in a large enterprise for four months, twenty C&C servers, three APT attacks are reported. After investigated by the enterprise's Security Operations Center (SOC), the forensic report shows that there is specific enterprise targeted APT cases and not ever discovered for over 120 days.