Time Sensitivity in Cyberweapon Reusability: Stealth as a Critical Attribute Allowing Weaponized Software Code to be Reused, Survivability That Delays Detection to Prevent Vulnerability Patching

Nonfiction, Computers, Networking & Communications, Computer Security, Operating Systems, Application Software
Cover of the book Time Sensitivity in Cyberweapon Reusability: Stealth as a Critical Attribute Allowing Weaponized Software Code to be Reused, Survivability That Delays Detection to Prevent Vulnerability Patching by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9780463562703
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: June 24, 2018
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9780463562703
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: June 24, 2018
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This important December 2017 report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction.

A cyberweapon is weaponized software code that exploits flaws in software. It is only effective if the flaw still exists at the time of weapon deployment. Because of this, there is only a small window of time in which a particular cyberweapon can be used. Many argue that cyberweapons can only be effectively used once, and that after first use, the vulnerability will be patched. However, the target must first detect the attack, find the vulnerability that was exploited, reverse-engineer the cyberweapon to identify signatures, then create and implement a patch. This window of opportunity between attack detection and patch implementation allows an attacker to reuse the cyberweapon against different or even the same targets as long as the window of opportunity remains open. An attacker can increase the length of time the window remains open by obfuscating the cyberweapon's signatures to make it harder to detect the attack or by making it harder to locate and remove the weapon. This can be accomplished by incorporating survivability into the weapon' s design requirement. This thesis explores the strategic implications of reusable cyberweapons by specifically looking at stealth as the critical attribute that allows a cyberweapon to go undetected and survive long enough to be effectively used more than once.

I. INTRODUCTION * A. OVERVIEW * B. SIGNIFICANCE OF A REUSABLE CYBERWEAPON * II. RELATED RESEARCH * A. OVERVIEW * B. DEFINING CYBERWEAPONS * 1. Classifying Types of Cyberweapons * C. VULNERABILITY LIFE CYCLE * 1. Discovering Vulnerabilities * 2. Reporting Vulnerabilities * 3. Patching Vulnerabilities * D. THE DEBATE ON PUBLIC DISCLOSURE * E. PERISHABILITY OF CYBERWEAPONS * 1. Risk of Rediscovery * F. TIMING THE USE OF CYBERWEAPONS * III. REUSABILITY * A. OVERVIEW * B. MALWARE SIGNATURES * C. NEGLIGENCE * 1. Unpatched Systems * 2. Outdated Antivirus Software * 3. Publicly Known Vulnerabilities * 4. The Human Element * D. PERSISTENCE * 1. Memory-Resident Malware * 2. Fileless Malware * 3. Supply Chain Manipulation * E. VARIATIONS * 1. Encryption and Packing * 2. Polymorphic and Metamorphic Malware * IV. STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF A REUSABLE CYBERWEAPON * A. OVERVIEW * B. SURVIVABILITY * 1. Applying Survivability to Cyberweapons * 2. Deception and Concealment of Cyberweapons * C. DESIGNING A SURVIVABLE CYBERWEAPON * 1. Determining Probability of Mission Success * 2. Determining Measure of Effectiveness over Time * V. CONCLUSION * A. OVERVIEW * B. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS * 1. The Benefits of a Reusable Cyberweapon * 2. The Debate on Cyberweapon Stockpiling * 3. Title 10 and Title 50 Policy Discussion * C. FUTURE RESEARCH

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This important December 2017 report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction.

A cyberweapon is weaponized software code that exploits flaws in software. It is only effective if the flaw still exists at the time of weapon deployment. Because of this, there is only a small window of time in which a particular cyberweapon can be used. Many argue that cyberweapons can only be effectively used once, and that after first use, the vulnerability will be patched. However, the target must first detect the attack, find the vulnerability that was exploited, reverse-engineer the cyberweapon to identify signatures, then create and implement a patch. This window of opportunity between attack detection and patch implementation allows an attacker to reuse the cyberweapon against different or even the same targets as long as the window of opportunity remains open. An attacker can increase the length of time the window remains open by obfuscating the cyberweapon's signatures to make it harder to detect the attack or by making it harder to locate and remove the weapon. This can be accomplished by incorporating survivability into the weapon' s design requirement. This thesis explores the strategic implications of reusable cyberweapons by specifically looking at stealth as the critical attribute that allows a cyberweapon to go undetected and survive long enough to be effectively used more than once.

I. INTRODUCTION * A. OVERVIEW * B. SIGNIFICANCE OF A REUSABLE CYBERWEAPON * II. RELATED RESEARCH * A. OVERVIEW * B. DEFINING CYBERWEAPONS * 1. Classifying Types of Cyberweapons * C. VULNERABILITY LIFE CYCLE * 1. Discovering Vulnerabilities * 2. Reporting Vulnerabilities * 3. Patching Vulnerabilities * D. THE DEBATE ON PUBLIC DISCLOSURE * E. PERISHABILITY OF CYBERWEAPONS * 1. Risk of Rediscovery * F. TIMING THE USE OF CYBERWEAPONS * III. REUSABILITY * A. OVERVIEW * B. MALWARE SIGNATURES * C. NEGLIGENCE * 1. Unpatched Systems * 2. Outdated Antivirus Software * 3. Publicly Known Vulnerabilities * 4. The Human Element * D. PERSISTENCE * 1. Memory-Resident Malware * 2. Fileless Malware * 3. Supply Chain Manipulation * E. VARIATIONS * 1. Encryption and Packing * 2. Polymorphic and Metamorphic Malware * IV. STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF A REUSABLE CYBERWEAPON * A. OVERVIEW * B. SURVIVABILITY * 1. Applying Survivability to Cyberweapons * 2. Deception and Concealment of Cyberweapons * C. DESIGNING A SURVIVABLE CYBERWEAPON * 1. Determining Probability of Mission Success * 2. Determining Measure of Effectiveness over Time * V. CONCLUSION * A. OVERVIEW * B. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS * 1. The Benefits of a Reusable Cyberweapon * 2. The Debate on Cyberweapon Stockpiling * 3. Title 10 and Title 50 Policy Discussion * C. FUTURE RESEARCH

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Eisenhower: The Most Reasonable of Unreasonable Men: Eisenhower as Strategic General in World War II - Lifelong Student, Supreme Commander, Moral Leader, Extraordinary Personal Energy by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Nothing But Praise: A History of the 1321st Engineer General Service Regiment - African-American Unit Deployed to Europe in World War II, Role in Allied Victory, Bagnulo, NASA Apollo Facilities by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Adult Cancer Sourcebook: Renal Cell Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Renal Adenocarcinoma, Hypernephroma - Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Sri Lanka in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Tamil Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, LTTE, Islamist Violence, Colombo/Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Negombo, Kandy, Moors by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services: A New Era in Spaceflight - History of International Space Station (ISS) Cargo and Crew, SpaceX, Orbital Sciences, Bigelow by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Operational Culture for the Warfighter: Principles and Applications - Physical Environment, Economy, Social Structure, Political Structure, Iraq, Islam, Clausewitz, Wargaming by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Art of War Paper: Operations at the Border - Efforts to Disrupt Insurgent Safe-Havens, Dhofar, Oman, Insurgency, Counterinsurgency by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Vital Link: The Tanker's Role in Winning America's Wars: History of Air Refueling from Vietnam to Desert Storm, KC-135, KC-10, Force Structure, The Family that Trains Together, Fights Together by Progressive Management
Cover of the book EMS Safety: Techniques and Applications, plus Alive on Arrival, Tips for Safe Emergency Vehicle Operations - Comprehensive Manual on Hazards Faced by Emergency Medical Services Providers by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Afoot in the Desert, Desert Survival, Deserts of the World Marine Corps Field Manual - FMFRP 0-53 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book So Many, So Much, So Far, So Fast: U.S. Transportation Command and Strategic Deployment for Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, Airlift, Sealift, Overland Transport by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Essential Guide to Bed Bugs: Identification, Prevention, Control, and Eradication, Practical Information about Pesticides and Bedbugs, Public Health Policy and Medical Implications by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Weaponized Crowd: Violent Dissident Irish Republicans (IRA) Exploitation of Social Identity Within Online Communities - Strategies, Tactics, and Techniques of Website, Internet Forum Usage by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Lessons of the Iraqi De-Ba'athification Program for Iraq's Future and the Arab Revolutions: Saddam Hussein, Alawite, Syria and Assad, Yemen by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Office of Naval Research Naval Science & Technology (S&T) Strategic Plan: Tomorrow's Technologies for Our Warfighters Across All Domains - Military Research, Unmanned Systems, Expeditionary Warfare by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy