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Atomic Red Team threat emulation

Gabriel Haab

• 2 min read
Atomic Red Team threat emulation

Cybersecurity is a continuous battle to stay ahead of potential attackers. To maintain robust defenses, enterprises must understand how attackers operate and test their environments against real-world techniques. Enter Atomic Red Team, a powerful and lightweight framework developed by Red Canary to simulate adversary techniques in your network.

What is Atomic Red Team?

Atomic Red Team is an open-source project that provides a library of small, self-contained tests—called "atomics"—that simulate specific adversary techniques. These techniques are mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, ensuring comprehensive coverage of real-world tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

Why Use Atomic Red Team?

  1. Ease of Use: Simple implementation with minimal dependencies.
  2. Customizable Tests: Tailor atomics to fit your environment.
  3. Community-Driven: Regular updates and new tests by the security community.
  4. Operational Insight: Gain a better understanding of your detection and defense capabilities.

Setting Up Atomic Red Team

Step 1: Prerequisites

  • Admin Access: Ensure you have administrative access to the systems where you'll execute tests.
  • Test Environment: Start in a controlled lab or test environment before moving to production to avoid unintended disruptions.
  • PowerShell or Bash: Depending on your platform, ensure PowerShell or Bash is available as the tests rely on these scripting environments.

Step 2: Download and Install

  1. Clone the repository from GitHub:
    git clone https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team.git
  2. Install supporting tools like Invoke-Atomic, which simplifies the execution of atomics.

Executing Atomic Tests

Step 1: Select a Technique

Browse the Atomic Red Team repository or reference the MITRE ATT&CK framework to choose a technique relevant to your organization. For example, T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter could simulate command-line script execution.

Step 2: Understand the Atomic Test

Each atomic test includes:

  • Description: What the test simulates.
  • Execution Steps: Commands or scripts to run.
  • Dependencies: Files or conditions required.

Review the test carefully and ensure it aligns with your goals.

Step 3: Run the Test

Using the Invoke-AtomicTest PowerShell module, execute the desired test. For example:

Import-Module .\Invoke-AtomicTest.psm1
Invoke-AtomicTest -Tactic Lateral-Movement -TechniqueID T1059

Alternatively, execute via Bash for Linux systems:

#> atomic_tests/command_and_scripting_interpreter/run.sh

Step 4: Analyze Results

After running the test, monitor logs, alerts, and telemetry from your security tools. This helps validate if the detection and response mechanisms are working as expected.

Best Practices for Using Atomic Red Team

1. Plan and Document

Create a plan outlining the techniques you intend to simulate and the expected outcomes. Document results for future reference.

2. Engage Key Teams

Collaborate with your SOC, threat hunting, and IT teams. This ensures alignment on goals and minimizes potential disruptions.

3. Iterate and Refine

Use results to identify gaps in visibility or detection. Refine your security configurations and repeat tests as needed.

4. Automate Where Possible

Integrate Atomic Red Team tests into CI/CD pipelines or periodic validation processes for ongoing assurance.

Conclusion

Atomic Red Team is an invaluable tool for security practitioners aiming to bolster their organization’s defenses. By simulating real-world threats in a controlled manner, you can uncover vulnerabilities, validate security controls, and build a more resilient cybersecurity posture.