When an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tool flags a file, it’s easy to assume that the heavy lifting is done. However, this is just the beginning of the cybersecurity analyst's journey. The flagged file could be a false positive or, on the other hand, the harbinger of a much larger, more insidious threat. The analyst’s role is to scrutinize the flagged file, validate the threat, and understand the potential impact on the organization.
Initial Triage
The first step after an EDR flag is triage. Analysts must prioritize the flagged file based on the context provided by the EDR tool—such as the origin of the file, user activity, and the file’s behavior in the system. A low-confidence alert on a file downloaded from a known safe source might not require immediate attention, while a high-confidence alert from an unrecognized source could demand urgent analysis.
File Analysis
Next, the analyst delves into file analysis. This step can involve static and dynamic analysis methods. Static analysis involves examining the file without executing it. Analysts might inspect the file’s metadata, hash values, and strings to identify any known signatures of malicious software. Tools like VirusTotal or in-house databases can help determine if the file matches any known malware signatures. However, the insights and context provided by these types of solutions can be very limited which means analysts must seek out additional information to confidently categorize the threat.
In contrast, dynamic analysis requires running the file in a controlled environment, such as a sandbox, to observe its behavior. This helps analysts understand what the file does when executed—does it try to establish a network connection? Does it modify system files or registry settings? These behavioral patterns can be critical indicators of malicious intent. But again, the insights provided are based on getting the controlled environment exactly right which is difficult to replicate in a controlled environment.
Contextual Investigation
Beyond the file itself, analysts must investigate the broader context. They look into how the file arrived on the endpoint—was it through a phishing email, a compromised website, or removable media? They also examine other system and network logs to identify if this file is part of a larger campaign or if other systems might be compromised.
Threat Attribution and Impact Assessment
If the file is confirmed malicious, the next step is to attribute the threat—identifying the threat actor behind the attack can be crucial for understanding their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). This information aids in predicting future attacks and strengthening defenses. Moreover, analysts must assess the impact of the file—has it already executed? If so, what data might have been compromised? Has the attack spread laterally within the network?
Response and Remediation
Finally, analysts must coordinate a response, which could involve isolating affected systems, removing the malicious file, and restoring impacted services. Remediation efforts may also include updating threat detection rules to prevent similar attacks in the future. When an analyst devotes themselves completely to investigating a potential threat their attention is pulled away from mission-critical tasks.
Analysts must be equipped with advanced threat-hunting skills to identify and respond to sophisticated attacks that automated systems might miss. Unfortunately, cybersecurity is currently experiencing a skills gap, which makes finding qualified and capable security analysts difficult. In 2023 there were roughly 4 million cybersecurity professionals needed worldwide – the profession needs to almost double to be at full capacity according to the ISC2 2023 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. The lack of capable candidates adds more pressure to the workload SOC teams already struggle to manage.
The CodeHunter Solution
An EDR alert is merely the starting gun in the race against cyber threats. The real work lies in the meticulous investigation, analysis, and response that follows. CodeHunter automates threat hunting and supercharges your entire security stack with deep analytics and actionable insights into the newest, most advanced malware threats. Our patented technology automatically identifies hidden threats that are actively targeting your business, including zero-day malware, multi-part threats, and custom attacks. In minutes, CodeHunter provides security teams with detailed threat intelligence to reduce vulnerabilities and remediate threats fast. Find out how CodeHunter can reduce mean time to detect, contain, and remediate malware threats by simplfying the post-EDR detection process for your security team here.
