Threat model

Shortly after shared computing made its debut in the early 1960s individuals began seeking ways to exploit security vulnerabilities for personal gain.[1] As a result, engineers and computer scientists soon began developing threat modeling concepts for information technology systems.

Early IT-based threat modeling methodologies were based on the concept of architectural patterns[2] first presented by Christopher Alexander in 1977. In 1988 Robert Barnard developed and successfully applied the first profile for an IT-system attacker.

In 1994, Edward Amoroso put forth the concept of a “threat tree” in his book, “Fundamentals of Computer Security Technology.[3]” The concept of a threat tree was based on decision tree diagrams. Threat trees graphically represent how a potential threat to an IT system can be exploited.

Independently, similar work was conducted by the NSA and DARPA on a structured graphical representation of how specific attacks against IT-systems could be executed. The resulting representation was called “attack trees.” In 1998 Bruce Schneier published his analysis of cyber risks utilizing attack trees in his paper entitled “Toward a Secure System Engineering Methodology.[4]” The paper proved to be a seminal contribution in the evolution of threat modeling for IT-systems. In Schneier's analysis, the attacker's goal is represented as a “root node,” with the potential means of reaching the goal represented as “leaf nodes.” Utilizing the attack tree in this way allowed cybersecurity professionals to systematically consider multiple attack vectors against any defined target.

In 1999, Microsoft cybersecurity professionals Loren Kohnfelder and Praerit Garg developed a model for considering attacks relevant to the Microsoft Windows development environment. (STRIDE[5] is an acrostic for Spoofing identity, Tampering with data, Repudiation, Information disclosure, Denial of service, Elevation of privilege) The resultant mnemonic helps security professionals systematically determine how a potential attacker could utilize any threat included in STRIDE.

In 2003, OCTAVE[6] (Operationally Critical Threat, Asset, and Vulnerability Evaluation) method, an operations-centric threat modeling methodology, was introduced with a focus on organizational risk management.

In 2004, Frank Swiderski and Window Snyder wrote “Threat Modeling,” by Microsoft press. In it they developed the concept of using threat models to create secure applications.

In 2014 Ryan Stillions expressed the idea that cyber threats should be expressed with different semantic levels, and proposed the DML (Detection Maturity Level) model.[7] An attack is an instantiation of a threat scenario which is caused by a specific attacker with a specific goal in mind and a strategy for reaching that goal. The goal and strategy represent the highest semantic levels of the DML model. This is followed by the TTP (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures) which represent intermediate semantic levels. The lowest semantic levels of the DML model are the tools used by the attacker, host and observed network artefacts such as packets and payloads, and finally atomic indicators such as IP addresses at the lowest semantic level. Current SIEM tools typically only provide indicators at the lowest semantic levels. There is therefore a need to develop SIEM tools that can provide threat indicators at higher semantic levels.[8]

Conceptually, a threat modeling practice flows from a methodology. Numerous threat modeling methodologies are available for implementation. Typically, threat modeling has been implemented using one of four approaches independently, asset-centric, attacker-centric, and software-centric. Based on volume of published online content, the methodologies discussed below are the most well known.

All IT-related threat modeling processes start with creating a visual representation of the application and / or infrastructure being analyzed. The application / infrastructure is decomposed into various elements to aid in the analysis. Once completed, the visual representation is used to identify and enumerate potential threats. Further analysis of the model regarding risks associated with identified threats, prioritization of threats, and enumeration of the appropriate mitigating controls depends on the methodological basis for the threat model process being utilized. The identification and enumeration of threats (or of mitigation objectives), can either be carried out in an attack-centric way or in an asset-centric way. The former focuses on the types of possible attacks that shall be mitigated, whereas the latter focuses on the assets that shall be protected.

Visual representations based on data flow diagrams

The Microsoft methodology, PASTA, and Trike each develop a visual representation of the application-infrastructure utilizing data flow diagrams (DFD). DFDs were developed in the 1970s as tool for system engineers to communicate, on a high level, how an application caused data to flow, be stored, and manipulated by the infrastructure upon which the application runs. Traditionally, DFDs utilize only four unique symbols: data flows, data stores, processes, and interactors. In the early 2000s, an additional symbol, trust boundaries, were added to allow DFDs to be utilized for threat modeling.

Once the application-infrastructure system is decomposed into its five elements, security experts consider each identified threat entry point against all known threat categories. Once the potential threats are identified, mitigating security controls can be enumerated or additional analysis can be performed.

There are currently a number of software tools available to help threat modeling:

• IriusRisk offers both a community and a commercial version of the tool. This tool focuses on the creation and maintenance of a live Threat Model throughout the entire SDLC. It drives the process by using fully customizable questionnaires and Risk Pattern Libraries, with flow diagramming and integration with DevSecOps (OWASP ZAP, BDD-Security, Threadfix...) to empower automation.[12]
• Microsoft’s free threat modeling tool – the Threat Modeling Tool (formerly SDL Threat Modeling Tool).[13] This tool also utilizes the Microsoft threat modeling methodology, is DFD-based, and identifies threats based on the STRIDE threat classification scheme. It is intended primarily for general use.
• MyAppSecurity offers a commercially available threat modeling tool - ThreatModeler.[14] It utilizes the VAST methodology, is PFD-based, and identifies threats based on a customizable comprehensive threat library.[15] It is intended for collaborative use across all organizational stakeholders.
• PyTM is an open-source Pythonic framework for threat modeling. It encodes threat information in python code, and processes that code into a variety of forms.[16]
• securiCAD is a threat modeling and risk management tool by the Scandinavian company foreseeti. It is intended for company cyber security management, from CISO, to security engineer, to technician. securiCAD conducts automated attack simulations to current and future IT architectures, identifies and quantifies risks holistically including structural vulnerabilities, and provides decision support based on the findings. securiCAD is offered in both commercial and community editions.[17]
• SD Elements by Security Compass is a software security requirements management platform that includes automated threat modeling capabilities. A set of threats is generated by completing a short questionnaire about the technical details and compliance drivers of the application. Countermeasures are included in the form of actionable tasks for developers that can be tracked and managed throughout the entire SDLC.[18]
• Tutamantic "Automated Design Analysis" is an interesting tool which provides microservices for threat modeling. In contrast to integrated tools, users upload a Visio file, and receive a spreadsheet of threats.[19]
• OWASP Threat Dragon Project. A free, open source, online threat modeling web application including system diagramming and a rule engine to auto-generate threats/mitigations.[20]
• Mozilla SeaSponge. A free, open source, accessible threat modeling tool from Mozilla. (Last updated in 2015) [21]
• OVVL the "Open Weakness and Vulnerability Modeller". A free, open source threat modelling tool based on STRIDE with a particular focus on providing support for later stages in the secure development lifecycle.[22]
• TRADES Tool is a free, open source threat modeling tool from Israel Aerospace Industries, based on the TRADES methodology (Threat and Risk Assessment for Designing Engineered Systems).

Threat modeling is being applied not only to IT but also to other areas such as vehicle,[23][24] building and home automation.[25] In this context, threats to security and privacy like information about the inhabitant's movement profiles, working times, and health situations are modeled as well as physical or network-based attacks. The latter could make use of more and more available smart building features, i.e., sensors (e.g., to spy on the inhabitant) and actuators (e.g., to unlock doors).[25]