> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://muhammed-hatem.gitbook.io/muhammed-hatem/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://muhammed-hatem.gitbook.io/muhammed-hatem/summaries/cyber-defence-frameworks/cyber-kill-chain.md).

# Cyber Kill Chain

## *<mark style="color:blue;">Overview</mark>*

The **Cyber Kill Chain** (developed by Lockheed Martin) is a framework that models the stages of cyberattacks from initial reconnaissance to mission completion. Understanding each stage enables defenders to:

* **Detect attacks earlier** in the lifecycle
* **Disrupt attacker workflows** at critical points
* **Allocate resources effectively** based on threat intelligence

## *<mark style="color:blue;">Attack Lifecycle & Defense</mark>*

<figure><img src="/files/Br2N03PUN9takAVSZQmo" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

| Stage                | Attacker Actions                                      | Defender Procedures                                                    | Attacker Evasion Tactics                           |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **1. Recon**         | <p>- OSINT research<br>- Network scanning</p>         | <p>- Threat intelligence<br>- Log analysis</p>                         | <p>- Use anonymous networks<br>- Slow scanning</p> |
| **2. Weaponization** | <p>- Create malware payload<br>- Exploit kits</p>     | <p>- Email filtering<br>- File sandboxing</p>                          | <p>- Polymorphic code<br>- Living-off-the-land</p> |
| **3. Delivery**      | <p>- Phishing emails<br>- Drive-by downloads</p>      | <p>- SPF/DMARC<br>- Web proxies</p>                                    | <p>- Domain rotation<br>- Encrypted C2</p>         |
| **4. Exploitation**  | <p>- Exploit vulnerabilities<br>- Macro attacks</p>   | <p>- Patch management<br>- Application whitelisting</p>                | <p>- Zero-day exploits<br>- Fileless attacks</p>   |
| **5. Installation**  | <p>- Malware droppers<br>- Persistence mechanisms</p> | <p>- EDR solutions<br>- Memory forensics (<code>Volatility</code>)</p> | <p>- Memory-only payloads<br>- Rootkits</p>        |
| **6. C2**            | <p>- Beaconing<br>- Remote access</p>                 | <p>- Network segmentation<br>- IDS/IPS</p>                             | <p>- Domain fronting<br>- Fast-flux DNS</p>        |
| **7. Actions**       | <p>- Data exfiltration<br>- Ransomware</p>            | <p>- DLP systems<br>- Backup policies</p>                              | <p>- Steganography<br>- Timed delays</p>           |


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