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A graph-based network-vulnerability analysis system

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/573291· OSTI ID:573291
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. 3M, Austin, TX (United States). Visual Systems Div.

This report presents a graph-based approach to network vulnerability analysis. The method is flexible, allowing analysis of attacks from both outside and inside the network. It can analyze risks to a specific network asset, or examine the universe of possible consequences following a successful attack. The analysis system requires as input a database of common attacks, broken into atomic steps, specific network configuration and topology information, and an attacker profile. The attack information is matched with the network configuration information and an attacker profile to create a superset attack graph. Nodes identify a stage of attack, for example the class of machines the attacker has accessed and the user privilege level he or she has compromised. The arcs in the attack graph represent attacks or stages of attacks. By assigning probabilities of success on the arcs or costs representing level-of-effort for the attacker, various graph algorithms such as shortest-path algorithms can identify the attack paths with the highest probability of success.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
573291
Report Number(s):
SAND--97-3010/1; ON: DE98004160
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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