| name | T0842_network-sniffing |
| description | Network sniffing is the practice of using a network interface on a computer system to monitor or capture information regardless of whether it is the specified destination for the information. |
| category | information-gathering |
| version | 18.1 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["mitre-attack","ics","t0842","discovery"] |
| technique_id | T0842 |
| tactic | discovery |
| all_tactics | ["discovery"] |
| platforms | ["ICS"] |
| mitre_url | https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T0842 |
| tech_stack | ["ics"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-200"] |
| chains_with | [] |
| prerequisites | [] |
| severity_boost | {} |
T0842 Network Sniffing
High-Level Description
Network sniffing is the practice of using a network interface on a computer system to monitor or capture information regardless of whether it is the specified destination for the information.
An adversary may attempt to sniff the traffic to gain information about the target. This information can vary in the level of importance. Relatively unimportant information is general communications to and from machines. Relatively important information would be login information. User credentials may be sent over an unencrypted protocol, such as Telnet, that can be captured and obtained through network packet analysis.
In addition, ARP and Domain Name Service (DNS) poisoning can be used to capture credentials to websites, proxies, and internal systems by redirecting traffic to an adversary.
Kill Chain Phase
Platforms: ICS
What to Check
How to Test
Identify Attack Surface
Determine if the target ICS/SCADA environment is susceptible to Network Sniffing by examining operational technology systems and network architecture.
Assess Existing Defenses
Review whether mitigations for T0842 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable in the ICS environment.
Remediation Guide
M0926 Privileged Account Management
Restrict root or administrator access on user accounts to limit the ability to capture promiscuous traffic on a network through common packet capture tools.
M0930 Network Segmentation
Segment networks and systems appropriately to reduce access to critical system and services communications.
M0932 Multi-factor Authentication
Use multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
M0808 Encrypt Network Traffic
Ensure that wired and/or wireless traffic is encrypted when feasible. Use best practices for authentication protocols, such as Kerberos, and ensure web traffic that may contain credentials is protected by SSL/TLS.
M0814 Static Network Configuration
Statically defined ARP entries can prevent manipulation and sniffing of switched network traffic, as some AiTM techniques depend on sending spoofed ARP messages to manipulate network host's dynamic ARP tables.
